Where will you shop for your child's costume? My daugher would like to be a Banana this year (Anna Banana...ha ha) and I have no clue where to find this.
thanks

I don't know if it's too late, but National Azabu supermarket in Hiroo (03-3442-3181 Hrs: 9:30-19:00) has a good selection in their bookstore on the 2nd floor. Also, Tokyu Hands always sets aside half a floor for Hallowe'en. Many of the costumes are for adults but a few for kids. Lastly, I think Toys 'R Us may have some, but I can't guarantee as I've never checked. I've also seen the Japanese department stores carry a few costumes in the kids' section but not a great selection. I've never seen a banana costume. How about dressing her in yellow (tights, stockings and paint white running shoes and then attach plastic toy bananas all over the outfit. Paint her face with bananas on it and maybe even a pointy yellow hat. Good Luck.

My neighbor found costumes for her two daughters (3 and 5) at Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro last year. One was "kermit" the frog, and the other one was a red devil.

Kiddyland on Omotesando has some costumes. Didn't see any banana costumes, though!

Anyone know of any Halloween events for kids in the Kamakura, Fujisawa, Zushi, Yokosuka or Yokohama areas? Especially on the weekend? Would appreciate any leads, thanks.

The YMCA is having some Halloween events -- mostly crafts and such indoors, I think. You can call and check local YMCA's.
Here are two:
Kanazawa Hakkei: 045-782-3003 Sunday afternoon for two hours, I think.
Totsuka: 045-864-4768 I don't know what they're doing.

There are also Y's in Kamakura and Fujisawa. Ask the other Y's for a phone number. There may be fees associated with all these activities. I'm not sure.

Greg Conquest

That's certainly an understatement, Greg. When I was working with the Kannai, Yokohama YMCA, there was a constant parade of ghosts, goblins, ballerinas, cowboys, etc. trolling for treats and singing songs in halls and offices during the week leading up to Halloween. Most of them were eikaiwa students from the kids English classes. But I think non-Japanese would be welcome to join some events.

Perhaps Mr. Shiroishi or Mr. Hashiguchi of Kannai (Central Yokohama) YMCA could help you too, Todd. I've CC'd this letter to them.

UPDATE: Otani-san or Yumiko-san tel 045-641-5492
There is an actual Kannai Yokohama YMCA Halloween Party:
28 Oct. 14:00 - 17:00pm
Fee: jpy 1500 (YMCA members) jpy 2000 (non-members).

Let me know if you find anything in Yokosuka. We just moved there and my 4 & 5 year-old girls would get a kick out of something local!

'Boo' st regards,

John M. Bildsoe
FCSC Director, National Council of YMCAs Japan
7 Honshio-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0003 Japan
Tel (81-3) 5367-6640 Fax (81-3) 5367-6641
Mobile 070-5366-2630 http://www.ymcajapan.org

Halloween for grown ups

Ghosts and Goblins, over 20...

I understand from a friend, Mike's (Tex-Mex restaurant) is having a Halloween costume party Saturday night, 27 Oct. Sorry, no further details. Mike's is located 2 min. walk from Higashirinkan station (Odakyu Enoshima line, in Yokohama) Better to call and verify date...

By Tim on Saturday, October 27, 2001 - 09:29 am:

How to get to MIKE's in Yokohama:
http://mikesfc.hoops.ne.jp/
tel: 042-746-8584

The easiest way to get there from Yokohama stn would probably be on Sotetsu line, change at Yamato, then HigashiRinkan is one local stop before SagamiOhno.

Alternately you could go with JR Yokohama line via Machida.

By car, you turn left a little bit before R16 crosses the Odakyu-line, ref a real map for exact details.

Either way it is a little way from central Yokohama.

Bar WhyNot? is having their Halloween costume party on the Friday following (2 Oct.) Halloween. (Yokohama area)

More about the Why Not? Halloween Party.

http://www.inyokohama.com/whynot/main.htm

(The photos are old but the information is fresh!)

Bar Why Not?
La Spega Motomatchi
B1, 1-31 Motomatchi, Naka Ku, Yokohama
Tel 045-663-2955

No costume is required, but Sammy (the owner) said that everyone in costume gets a free Tequila shot. It should be busy by midnight.

Why Not is located in the small road opposite the Body Shop in Motomachi. The Body Shop is at the end of Motomachi near the Police box.

P.S. Why Not is mentioned in *our* meager database (Living in Yokohama e-list) of bars and restaurants
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liy/database?method=reportRows&tbl=1

Also in the Dmoz guide to Yokohama
http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/Asia/Japan/Prefectures/
Kanagawa/Yokohama_City/Bars_and_Restaurants/

2003 J's Korean BBQ Halloween Party -- Everyone's Welcome!
Date: Oct. 25th (Saturday) 2003
Time: 12:00-14:00
Place: J's International School
1-16-2 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo, 106-0047 JAPAN
Tel: 03-3452-2078, Fax: 03-3452-2092
Price: Children - 500 yen, Adult - 700yen
Free if you wear a costume.
Events: costume contest at 13:30, prize for best costume. Games for children all day.

Come and Join the Spooky J's Haunted Mansion and get the thrill!

Oh! and if you have any question about the halloween party at J's International School look at www.js-international-school.com or e-mail office@js-international-school.com

i guarantee that it's a nice environment, an environment you can't really have in Tokyo. Bring your kids and have fun! Make it the best Holiday for them!

Just in case anyone is looking, you can get pumpkin pie at Anna Miller's (a chain of restaurants). You can buy a whole pie to take home. There is one across the street from Shinagawa station, 2nd floor. Also 5-10-24 Minami-azabu (Hiro station) tel: 03-3446-6577. And many other locations such as Landmark Tower, Yokohama (tel: 045-222-5112).

Also the Harajuku Halloween parade this year is this coming Sunday, 26 October. http://www.harajuku-halloween.com/

Morozoff Bakery and Sweets is doing little Japanese style pumpkin pies inside the JR passages under the trains at Tokyo Station (Y1000). They are calling it the Halloween Fair and have it decorated with little plastic orange Jack 'o Lanterns. I saw it yesterday (Thursday).

What brings bad luck in Japan? In the USA and Canada it's black cats crossing your path, mirrors breaking, the number 13 and walking under ladders.

In Japan? I've heard/read whistling at night. Wearing a double strand of pearls. Anything else?

I have found on (Seldom Asked Questions list)
http://www3.tky.3web.ne.jp/~edjacob/saq.html

"According to Japanese superstition, whistling at night attracts snakes. The saying goes, 'Yoru ni kuchibiru o fuku to hebi ga kuru'. It means, "If you whistle at night, a snake will come (into your house)." It dates back to the Edo period (1603-1867). In those days the whistle was a sign used by burglars to communicate with or warn each other and a whistle in the night therefore became associated with thieves entering one's house. Whistling at night became associated inviting thieves/bad luck/misfortune into one's home and the snake, as one of the most famous symbols of evil and misfortune came to included in the taboo."

Also I found: "whistling at night invites akuma or fukitsu (misfortune)"

It's sort of hard to come up with a good decorative symbol for whistling in our "Halloween" decorations (trying to incorporate some Japanese elements here). Does anyone have any good idea?

There are hundreds of bad luck superstitions in Japan. Black cats are in fact considered as good luck, but by cutting your nails at night, you will not be able to be present upon your parents death, the number "4" is bad luck because "shi" means both "4" and "death", etc., etc., etc.. I just reconfirmed that in Tokyo area, opening umbrellas inside the house brings bad luck, although many people do not know this (I knew I had heard of it when I was little!).

But what a creepy thing to do to put bad luck items at your door even if it's for an event! Japanese people still sort of believe in superstitions. It would be like assulting Jesus in a christian country, kinda. I understand that Halloween is originally a time to worship the dead (not the evil) which is practically as same as our Japanese "o-bon". Why not decorate obon things so that spirits can come in peace?! Typically we stick chopstick legs on cucumbers and egg plants to make it look like cattle and horse that the spirits can ride on. Refer to the following site for details on obon;
http://www.sotozen-net.or.jp/kokusai/friends/zen11_1_02.html

Hmm, I wonder how many kids will come trick-or-treating to my little house in Yokohama today. Maybe none...Halloween is one of the best events I miss from my childhood days in LA. Btw, what do you do with the Jack-o-lantern once it's tomorrow? Do you just throw it away? Isn't it a waste??

Actually, the "real" meaning of Hallowe'en is very open to interpretation, but it's not usually know as a time to worship the dead--by most accounts it's a time to scare them away! This site has some interesting history on Hallowe'en: http://wilstar.com/holidays/hallown.htm

(I liked visiting the "o-bon" site though)

Hallowe'en and its decorations seems similar to what Japanese summertime haunted houses during 'matsuri' time do: scare you a little to give you a chill! The haunted houses are decorated with ghost-like creatures with one eye, often carrying paper umbrellas; women in white with long,stringy hair; ghosts (always with no feet); etc. Japan has quite a few creepy images to choose from!

I'm sticking to the not-so -scary side of the holiday, and doing friendly ghosties, and a Jack-o-lantern (that we'll probably eat later as pumpkin soup -- it will stay indoors)

Happy Hallowe'en!

It's too late for this year, but I want to tell you about this website that I just found. It has a list of large Halloween events in Japan, and you can also shops for cool Halloween items here.
http://www.h-jp.info/events2.htm#japan

...and
May I add the "writing a person's name in red" to the list of bad lucks? It's considered "engi-ga warui" (brings back luck) to write someone's name in red or writing in red itself is considered rude. I was always told that the only acceptable times to use the red pen are when writing deceased people's names. Stay away from red pens especially during important business meetings! It's perfectly OK to use red pens to indicate important parts when taking notes during classes or meetings ;)

>Actually, the "real" meaning of Hallowe'en is very open to interpretation

Yes of course. And you've got a good point there about putting Japanese ghosts rather than bad luck items (why didn't I think of that). In fact, I've heard that drawings of ghosts used to scare the evil away even in Japan. I encourage people to search the keywords "Japanese ghosts" on an English search engine. It will give you loads of illustrations and spooky stories on the many traditional scary ghosts of Japan. Also, if you can read some Japanese, I recommend the site of Shigeru Mizuki the most famous ghost artist in Japan. The site will play tricks on you! (but of course no virus) http://www.japro.com/mizuki/

And thank you Shibuya-san for the link and also the soup idea. I found it very interesting that Ireland also had this event "upon the ending of summer" just like obon is held "at the later part of summer". But I'll have to save the soup idea for next year, since I've put it outdoors for 3 days showing off to the neighbors!

Foreign Buyers' Club is inviting everyone to its 8th annual Open House and Halloween Party at its shop/office/garden on Rokko Island. There are 4 different parties and I think you have to reserve which one you want to attend, because the event is so extremely popular!
Date: Saturday, October 30th, 2004
Time: 10am - 5pm
Place: FBC Shop/Office, Rokko Island, Kobe
Free parking! Check the FBC website for all the details: http://www.fbcusa.com

The Harajuku Halloween parade (Tokyo) is on 31 October this year: http://www.harajuku-halloween.com/

My daughter's have heard at school that there is some kind of coordinated trick or treating in Hiroo for Halloween. Does anyone know if this is accurate and how to get details?

From: Lia Howe- lia[at]rbr-art.com
Subject: Halloween Workshop
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004
To: admin[at]tokyowithkids.com

We noticed some questions in your forum regarding Halloween options around town. Maybe your readers would be interested in a workshop we are holding in the Azabu area at the RBR Center for Creative Arts.

Trick or Treat, A Special Halloween Workshop for the Whole Family! Instructors: Teri Suzanne, Joei Lau, Erina Oba, Steve Tomlinson
October 30, 2004 / 10:00 - 12:00 noon and 13:00-16:00
The fee is 2,625 yen per hour per student, materials included.

Enjoy a fun day with your whole family creating colorful Halloween treats. Very young artists will make jack o' lanterns, flying bats and other magical Halloween characters to make their very own mobile.
Not-so-young artists can construct more complicated pop-up cards, masks to wear for Trick or Treating and other Halloween surprises. And for those energetic ones who may need even more diversion, Steve Tomlinson will host a dance party open to all ages! Young or old. Reserve your space and come join the fun!
RBR
1-5-15 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0046
tel: (03) 5475-6171 e-mail: info@rbr-art.com
http://www.rbr-art.com

Pumpkins/Jack-o-Lanterns
Has anyone tried to make a jack-o-lantern from the small pumpkins that some shops here sell? They are about the size of a fist, I was just wondering if the skin on them was too hard to carve.

I've made a cute Jack-o-Lantern last year with the little pumpkin sold at a florist. It was not hard to carve at all. I used a regular petit knife. I have one suggestion, though. It still gets warm even in October and you'd better not carve it until it is really close to Halloween. Otherwise it gets rotten easily. I carved one week prior to Halloween and it seemed like "obasan", an old lady, at Halloween day.
Today I went to COSTCO and bought a real pumpkin at 1280 yen. I will make a big one with my kids this year.

Hi, I dont have any kids but I am teaching 2 kids english and I would like to take them to see what halloween is. Hopefully for some trick or treating too. I live in the Saitama area. Is there anyone palnning anything? I would also be glad to help out.

Has anyone heard of any public Halloween parties for children in the Tokyo area? I know about the Harajuku Halloween Parade but the registration is closed.
Even if the child is not registered (to get a gift I assume)can any child join in once the parade has started?

Hi, Natalie.
There is one Halloween Party I know in Meguro. The Date is Oct. 29. The Party is actually for two hours and cost is 2.500 yen per child. You can choose the time either 12-14 or 15-17.
This party is not actually a public one. A school is organizing it but anyone can join. This is the contact number 03-3712-3313. You can also get info about the party on website: www.englishstudio.jp/

cheers,
Chiz

There will be a great HALLOWEEN at celebration at RBR on Saturday, October 29
Morning session: 10:00-12:30
Afternoon Session: 13:30-16:00

TRICK OR TREAT TIME!
Scissors, papers, stamps to build a haunted house.

Our enchanted witch transforms an orange pumpkin into a smiling Jack o Lantern! Pumpkin carving will start promptly at 10 and 13:30 so don't be late.

Origami. Storygami. Scarygami. Paper reshapes, creatures will pop off the page for little hands to hold.

Face painting and trick or treat for those who dare. Dress up in costume, close your eyes, make a wish.

Saturday, October 29
Morning session: 10:00-12:30
Afternoon Session: 13:30-16:00
3,950 yen per session advanced reservation 4,500 yen per session at the door

Doors will open at 9:45 for the morning session, 13:15 for the afternoon session.
Children 2-4 must be accompanied by an adult, one per child. Children 5 and over, just come in your favorite costume. This was our most popular children's event last year so make sure you have a space by reserving ahead of time. First come, first served!
---------------------------------
And more special events, as well:

MAGIC, MAGIC, and MORE MAGIC!
Instructor: Michael Gover, Professional Magician

Do you like magic?
Ever wonder how they perform those "I can't believe my eyes" tricks?
Join Michael's Magnificent Magic Class and you will not only discover how they do those Marvelous Magical Mysteries,
you will also learn how to perform them yourself.

Michael will also get those young brains moving laterally by working together with the children on lateral thinking problems - a great way to get the brain exploring in a Magically different and stimulating way. Children will also be encouraged to share their own intriguing word games, quizzes or problems (nazo nazo) with the class.

3rd Tuesday of each month
3:00-4:30 PM, kids 6-8 years old
4:30-6:00 PM, kids 9-12 years old
4,000 yen per class

---------------------------------
JOHN KAVELIN, Director of Design & Production for Tokyo Disneyland, will present a very special program during the month of October. Mark your calendar!

OCT.23: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRTUES PROJECT
Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 3:30 (with 30 min.for Q & A)
500 yen admission fee

The Virtues Project(tm), founded in 1991, is to serve humanity by supporting the moral and spiritual development of people of all cultures, by helping them to remember who they really are and to live by their highest values. The Mission of The Virtues Project is to provide empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life through programs of excellence and simplicity which support people of all ages to cultivate their virtues -- the gifts of character. The "Virtues Project Educator's Guide" was published in Japan this year, and there are Virtues Project facilitators or advocates in more than 75 countries.

John Kavelin, co-founder, will give a brief history of the Project and share the Five Strategies that have been developed to assist people in their "journey toward wholeness." You can preview the principles of the
Project at http://www.virtuesproject.com.

JOHN KAVELIN has spent almost 40 years as a designer of stage plays, musicals, and operas, as well as graphics, publication design, television and film. He joined Walt Disney Imagineering originally in 1982, and recently celebrated his 15th year as an Imagineer. Among his many projects are "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" and "Snow White" at Disneyland, and most recently "Asia" at Disney's Animal Kingdom. He has served as Design Director at Tokyo Disneyland for the past four years.

---------------------------------
RBR
The New Center for Creative Arts
1-5-15 Moto Azabu, Minato-ku
E-mail: info@rbr-art.com
Tel. (03) 5475-6171
Website: http://www.rbr-art.com

I think it was last year or so that I learned from this Forum about the Annual Motomachi Halloween in Yokohama.

Their official website is in Japanese, but basically, all you have to do is to show up in your costume between 2 pm to 6 pm on Oct. 30 (Sun) and trick-or-treat the shops on the street. They say they have goodies for those who don't have costumes on too.
http://www.motomachi.or.jp/news/051031news.html

Also, in the recent years, I've been placing a Jack-o-lantern outside my door with a week prior notice mentioning that people can come for sweets on Oct 31, and the Japanese children in my neighborhood come dressed as devils and princesses!

I was at Roppongi Hills and picked up their
Halloween schedule yesterday and thought
I would share it with everyone.

Saturday - Oct. 29th - Halloween Parade
Four parades 11:00, 11:45, 12:30, and 13:
15 each parade lasts about 25 minutes
Fancy dress for children and adults of all
ages. Everyone in a costume gets a prize
- loads of candy and presents to give away
Parade reception 10:30 - 13:15 on day of
parade
Please come to Roppongi Hills Arena
Parade reception Desk - tickets will be
issued on a first-come-first-serve basis,
with the first 400 participants taking part
in the first parade, the second 400 in the
second and so on.
All children must be accompanied by an
adult, in case of bad weather it may be
cancelled
Information: Roppongi Hills Arena 03
-6406-6611

Sunday, October 30th Halloween Stamp
Rally, 11:00- 18:00, stamp cards issued
up to 17:00

Customers of shops and restaurants in
Roppongi Hills or of Tokyo City View will
receive a stamp card. Collect stamps from
the Rally Points within the building and
grab yourself candy. The first 400 to
collect all the stamps also get a Bear Doll
present. Some business are not
participating
Information: Roppongi hills Information
Center: 03-6406-6000

To get to Roppongi Hills you can take the
Oedo line or the Hibiya Line. Or take bus
#1 or #88, it'll drop you of nearby.

National Azabu Supermarket is also
hosting a parade and festival of sorts for
Halloween, but I'm not sure the details, if I
get over there I'll post them, unless
someone else knows.

Does anyone have any info. on Halloween 2007?
I know about Kawasaki http://www.lacittadella.co.jp/halloween/
and I think that Omotesando Hills is having something on Sun 10/28 from 11am for kids under 12. I can't read Japanese that well so I'm not sure if registration is required or tickets are first-come basis.

Natalie

Hello Natalie~
Yes, I am looking for Halloween--2007 events as well. I did hear of a Parade in Harajuku but you must register beforehand to allow the child(ren) to join in on the event, but certainly you can watch. I also heard that some shops are giving out treats to those dressed-up. There is also a parade in Motomachi (Yokohama area) this weekend, but I have not noticed time and for sure dates--but I assume THIS WEEKEND!

Happy Halloween.
DRDO

I got this note from Yuko and she thought many could benefit from this:

Additional message:

This is Yuko again. I completely forgot about the Kawasaki and Omotesando events Natalie was asking about.

As shown on Kawasaki Citta's website inJapanese, the parade will start at 2:00pm October 28th (Sun). Those who wish to participate needed to register before the 24th, but everyone is free to watch! I once went to watch, and the parade consisting of children and young adults started near Citta's movie theaters, and went all the way down the long shopping archade across the street.

According to http://www.harajuku-halloween.com/
at Omotesando, the pass for the party and parade participation is sold out, but I think you can watch the kids' parade during 1:00pm to 2:15pm October 28th (Sun) starting at Jingumae Shogakko (elementary school).

Trick-or-Treating is accepted at 17 stores during 11:00am to 6:00pm on October 28th (Sun). To participate you need to get a map. 2000 Maps will be distributed to children in costumes who are 12 years old or younger, starting 11:00am at the "Machikado Teien" which is the open space next to the Omotesando police booth.

There is also a free photo contest for kids in costumes. About 350 people including kids and parents are welcome to Laforette Harajuku 6th floor. No registery required.

For those interested in coming to Trick-or-Treating to my house on the 31st (where there are no other houses nearby accepting it, and not other events!), please write toNQF39137[at] nifty.com

Thanks and have fun!

Yuko

Hello again!

So sorry to all of you, but I completely forgot to post this initial message from Yuko. She has even more fantastic information to offer to many of you who want to know more on Halloween. Once again, sorry for the delay.

Hi DRDO,
Please excuse me for emailing you directly,but I thought I'd give you some Halloween info that might be helpful. I saw your post on Japan With Kids Forums,but unfortunately I am not being able to post on the Forumdue to technical problems (my nickname shows, and I don't wantit to be shown on the web) and Admin seems to be too busyto reply to me about it.

Motomachi Shopping Street is having itsannual Trick-or-Treating event. According to their official websiteTrick-or-treating will start at 4:00pm-ish.Let your children dress in their favorite costumes and go to any shop except for the ones with the "red circle with slash" mark shown in the following page.
http://www.motomachi.or.jp/html/ev-071016.html

The site encourages you to;take only one sweets per one child,let the child always queue with you (parents should't substitute),and to be aware that the amount of sweets are limited. There is also a photo contest event and a customer's poll to vote for your favorite shopkeeper in costume, if you're interested.

Also, I've been personally accepting Trick-or-Treaters for the past few yearsat our home near Myorenji and Oguchi Stations, Yokohama.If you're interested in dropping by, I can send you a map.

If you found this info helpful, could you kindly paste it on the Forum? Natalie has her email address hidden and I can't access her.Otherwise, you are most free to ignore this message. Thank you so much.

Yuko

Hi Yuko,
The new support email address since May 13, 2006 is:
jwk.forums.support [at] gmail.com
Maybe you are sending your emails to the wrong place?

To Sandy &
anyone who might be having similar problems sending emails to Admin,

Thanks for your advise, Sandy.
Actually, I had been sending emails to all Admin addresses including the one you posted, but nothing worked.

Then I finally figured that it may have been because I was sending from one of my email addresses that I hadn't registered on this Forum. Indeed, later I found out that none of these emails never reached the Admin.

Whatever was wrong, one email of mine (in which I sent from a registered address) finally got through to Cornelia and thanks to her I can now post to this Forum again.

Just to let you know and to thank you all for your support.

Anybody want to time spend with their kids while having fun? Then we are the right guy to contact for this. We are organizing kids events on large basis. We are inviting you for awesome events. Here is our web address: http://www.montagepromo.com/services.php