Shibuya cancels Halloween celebrations: New restrictions in Tokyo

In an unexpected move, Tokyo's Shibuya district, known for being one of the epicenters of Halloween celebrations worldwide, has decided to cancel public events related to this holiday. For years, massive gatherings of people dressed in costumes on the streets of the famous Shibuya crossing attracted not only locals, but also tourists from Europe, America and other parts of the world who traveled exclusively to experience the unique Halloween atmosphere in this iconic neighborhood. However, this tradition has come to an end.

Local authorities have announced that October 31, the day of the Halloween celebration, will be subject to new and strict measures. Among them, the prohibition of consuming alcoholic beverages on the streets from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day (29 hours in the Japanese time system) stands out. In addition, smoking in public will also be strictly prohibited during that period.

The decision comes in response to the security problems and lack of control that large crowds have generated in recent years. The local government has explained that the massive Halloween parties in Shibuya had exceeded the authorities' capacity to handle, resulting in vandalism, disorder and dangerous situations for both those attending and residents of the area. In order to preserve order and security in the district, the drastic measure of cancelling the festival and establishing these new restrictions was chosen.

Although this decision may disappoint the thousands of tourists who saw Shibuya as an unmissable destination to celebrate Halloween, the authorities have made it clear that the priority is to protect residents and maintain public safety. The future of Halloween in Shibuya, as it was known, seems uncertain, and a transformation is being seen in how the district will adapt to the new times.

This year, Shibuya will not be the global center of Halloween. Times change, and with them, so do the celebrations.