Akagi Shrine

The annual Bakeneko Parade in Kagurazaka is one of the more curious Halloween-related events in Tokyo. Everyone is welcome; all you have to do is dress up as a cat and bring a feline attitude. It’s recommended that you register for a passport (¥1,000 for adults, ¥500 for children, free for 5-year-olds and younger) in front of Elderly Welfare Facility Kagurazaka from 10am to 3.30pm to get all the perks. They include using the changing rooms for free, the ability to join any of the 'cat halloween' parades taking place as many times as you want, receiving special access to hidden cafés and workshops, and collecting exclusive cat stamps from the neighbourhood. Primary school students and younger kids will even receive trick-or-treat snacks from participating stores. Don’t worry if you don’t have an outfit. You can get a quick cat makeup done for ¥2,000 (¥500 for children) before the parade (numbered tickets for the makeup are distributed at 9.30am). Better yet, make a reservation online now to rent a cat kimono for ¥3,300 (sold out). The paid 'cat halloween' parades will take place in two different locations along Kagurazaka O-dori, with one starting at Bishamonten Zenkokuji and heading down towards Iidabashi Station and back, and another starting at Akagi Shrine towards Kagurazawa Ue intersection and back. Check the parade schedule for more details. After the parade, get creative by participating in a cat-themed awaodori dance (1.30pm), where anyone can join in and dance like...