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For the last few years, Shibuya Ward has been cracking down on public gatherings in central Shibuya during Halloween. On September 30, Shibuya mayor Ken Hasebe announced that the same rules Tokyoites have become accustomed to will be back in place this year. The measures aim to prevent overcrowding, littering, noise and public disturbances around Shibuya Station and the Scramble Crossing, starting October 30, the day before Halloween.
For years, Shibuya has been one of Tokyo’s go-to spots for Halloween celebrations, with hordes of revellers flocking to the streets around Shibuya Station to party and show off their costumes. Meanwhile, the ward has redoubled its efforts to move away from its reputation as the unofficial home of rowdy Halloween festivities.
This year, the campaign is going by the slogan ‘Goodbye Bad Halloween’, with the ward urging visitors to avoid disruptive behaviour such as drinking and smoking on the streets, littering, making excessive noise and taking photos in ways that obstruct pedestrian flow.
Further details reveal that 60 security guards will be deployed on the evening of October 30, followed by approximately 125 guards on October 31. The guards will be stationed at 10 locations around Shibuya, including Hachiko Square.
Additionally, Hachiko will be enclosed with a temporary barrier from October 30 to November 1, while traffic restrictions will be in place around Shibuya Station from October 30 through the morning of November 1. Some 62 retailers selling alcohol will also be asked to ‘voluntarily refrain’ from doing so on the evening of October 31. Even e-scooter operators will suspend service at some ports during this period.
To help tackle littering, garbage collection stations will be set up at three locations around the restricted area, while three public smoking areas will be closed from the morning of October 30 through the morning of November 1.
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