Halloween

October 31st Is Halloween! Its Origins and the Roots of "Trick or Treat"

October 31st is Halloween, now firmly established as one of Japan's big autumn events too. It is said to originate in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. In the Celtic calendar, October 31st marked the end of the year; on that night, the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to blur, with spirits of the dead visiting their families and fairies and witches roaming abroad — an idea somewhat similar to Japan's Obon.

People are said to have worn masks and lit bonfires to protect themselves. The festival later merged with the eve of the Christian feast of All Saints (All Hallows, November 1st), and "All Hallows' Eve" was shortened to "Halloween."

The Legend of the Jack-o'-Lantern

The carved lantern comes with an Irish folk tale. A crafty man named Jack tricked the Devil, and after death he was allowed into neither heaven nor hell. Given only an ember by the Devil, he put it in a hollowed-out turnip and has wandered ever since, lighting his way.

In Ireland and Scotland, lanterns were originally carved from turnips. When the custom crossed to America with immigrants, pumpkins — easier to find and to carve — took over, and the pumpkin lantern spread worldwide.

The Roots of "Trick or Treat"

The custom of children in costume going door to door for sweets is thought to have several roots.

• Souling: In medieval Britain and elsewhere, the poor and children went from house to house receiving "soul cakes" in return for praying for the dead.
• Guising: In Scotland and Ireland, young people in disguise are said to have visited homes performing songs or tricks in exchange for small rewards.
• American adoption: The phrase "trick or treat" came into wide use in 20th-century America.

How Halloween Spread in Japan

Halloween became widely known in Japan from around the late 1990s. In 1997, Tokyo Disneyland began holding Halloween events, and the same year the "Kawasaki Halloween" costume parade started in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. From the 2000s on, limited-edition sweets and costume events multiplied, and Halloween became a fixture of the Japanese autumn.

Halloween's colors are orange and black: orange is said to evoke the autumn harvest and pumpkins, and black the night and darkness.

Ways to Enjoy Halloween at Home

In 2026, October 31 falls on a Saturday. You don't have to go out into the crowds — there are plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween at home with family and friends.

• Cook with pumpkin: Pumpkin soup, pumpkin gratin or pumpkin pie — just lining up orange dishes gives the table a Halloween feel.
• Make a jack-o'-lantern: Real pumpkins have hard skins, so leave the carving to adults. With small children, simply drawing faces on orange paper or paper cups is fun too.
• Dress up with clothes you already have: A witch in black clothes and a hat, or a ghost under a white sheet — using what's at home keeps preparation easy.
• Hold a candy treasure hunt: Hide sweets around the house and let children search for them while saying "Trick or treat" — a way to enjoy collecting candy without leaving home.

Tips to Avoid Trouble on the Day

• Mind your manners: If wearing costumes in public, be considerate about where you change and take your trash with you.
• Beware of crowds: In busy entertainment districts, follow guidance from local authorities and police, and don't push into dense crowds.
• Food allergies: When handing out treats, individually wrapped items with ingredient labels are the polite choice.

Drinking on the Streets Around Shibuya Station Is Banned at Night All Year

Shibuya City in Tokyo bans drinking on the streets and in parks around Shibuya Station by ordinance. The rule used to apply only around Halloween and the New Year countdown, but an amendment made it year-round from October 1, 2024. Drinking is banned from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m., and the area now covers not only the northwest side of the station, where Center Gai is, but also places such as Miyamasuzaka and Maruyamacho. There is no penalty, but the city asks people to follow the rule, using measures such as patrols by security guards. In 2025 the city again announced Halloween measures, and Mayor Ken Hasebe used the phrase "nuisance Halloween" to urge visitors to behave. If you plan to go to Shibuya, check the city's announcements for that year.

Summary

• Origins: The Celtic festival of Samhain, merged with the eve of the Christian All Saints' Day
• Lanterns: Originally turnips; pumpkins took over in America
• In Japan: Events began in the late 1990s, and Halloween became an established autumn event

Whether you dress up or simply enjoy a pumpkin dish, knowing the history makes the celebration richer. Have a wonderful Halloween.