The last couple of years have been benchmark ones for Halloween in Japan. What was once a holiday marked mostly by the infrequent sighting of a handful of mildly embarrassed-looking, costumed foreigners on the Yamanote Line train has grown into a massive industry.
In fact, Halloween has become just as much a holiday about 20 and 30-somethings dressing up as sexy nurses, sexy zombies, sexy superheroes, and other sexy-choose-a-nouns as its American counterpart. But while those costumes were no doubt getting plenty of attention on Shibuya Crossing last night, the Japanese Internet had already decided the undisputed Queen of Halloween was this far more conservatively dressed “once-in-millenium beauty”.




















Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Street Fighter Hadouken Churros to be launched and eaten in Tokyo, Okami pudding on offer too
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
7-Eleven Japan gets into the sort-of-freshly baked pizza home delivery business【Video】
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Dragon Quest Slime toys appear at McDonald’s Japan in crossover with Grimace and pals【Video】
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
Japanese woman mistaken for bear
Return of Totoro sequel short anime announced for Ghibli Park
Starbucks Japan quietly slips fans another Christmas present with Joyful Medley Strawberry Milk Tea
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Start saving room now – Japanese grocery store’s biggest sushi roll yet is coming for Setsubun
7-Eleven Japan gets into the sort-of-freshly baked pizza home delivery business【Video】
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Dragon Quest Slime toys appear at McDonald’s Japan in crossover with Grimace and pals【Video】
Japanese Cabinet to officially announce new romanization spelling recommendation next week
More people in Japan quit sending New Year’s cards and many have started to regret it
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Tokyo adding new anti-littering fines in Shibuya and Harajuku, will require more trash cans too
Five different ways to say “children” in Japanese
Final Fantasy Chocobo and Dragon Quest Slime street sweets on sale in Tokyo【Taste test】
New Ranma 1/2 fashion bag lineup is 100-percent retro anime stylish【Photos】
Five beautiful pylon designs that belong in Japan