halloween
Over the last decade, Japan’s enthusiasm for Halloween has seen a noticeable surge, accompanied by growing commercial promotion. Whereas once the vibrant decorations, imaginative visuals, and elaborate costumes associated with the holiday were primarily confined to attractions like Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, these festive elements have become increasingly mainstream. However, their adoption and interpretation in Japan might differ from what one would expect in Western countries. For instance, while trick-or-treating isn’t widespread, many Japanese people embrace the holiday as an op...
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There are plenty of horrifying yokai (ghosts) out there that would guarantee a terrifying Halloween. Take the jorogumo, a terrifying eight-legged, spider-lady monster, for example. However, these days Japan has been moving towards making Halloween a happy event. This is good news for parents because children can have a creative Halloween without getting too frightened (hopefully). This Halloween, why not look for some inspiration from Japanese legends? Here are some ghoulies from Japan’s mystical past that are cute enough for kids but creepy enough for Halloween. 1. Dancing cat yokaiFew ghosts...
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Even in the days of black-and-white filmmaking, Japanese filmmakers were leaders in the field of making audiences scared, uncomfortable and at times just plain perplexed. Japanese filmmakers have distinguished themselves to the degree that Japanese cinema is somewhat synonymous internationally with horror. Outside animation, horror has been their only other successful media export internationally. So to help make your movie choices easier this Halloween, I’ve compiled this list of fantastic horror films from the 60s to now for you to freak out over on October 31. 1. Noroi: The Curse (2005)Foun...
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The nights are getting colder and the days are getting shorter, which means autumn is coming. It’s that time of year when we do away with our shorts and swimsuits and make room for sweaters, scarves and all things cozy. While spring in Japan is undoubtedly famous among international tourists due to sakura (cherry blossom) painting the sky pink, something about fall makes it just as unique. In Japan, autumn means clear evening skies,crimson red foliage, beautiful seasonal blooms and tasty sweets and sake. And if there’s one thing Japan does well, it’s celebrating the seasons, so let’s look at h...
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Summer is really hot in Japan. To cool down, people used to tell really scary stories. So be careful walking alone in the wee hours of the night; Japan is full of ghosts, ghouls and other characters lurking in shadowy corners. Yurei (ghosts of the deceased) and yokai (mythical spirits) have been part of Japanese folklore for centuries—even far back as the 8th century in the Kojiki (古事記, “Records of Ancient Matters”), which is the earliest record of Japanese mythology, chronicling the creation of Japan. Today, they appear in anime, manga, videogames and movies. Here are seven of our favorite Ja...
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Summertime in Japan means matsuri (festivals), hanabi (fireworks) and kakigori (shaved ice), but it’s also the season of wandering ghosts and vengeful spirits. The frightful visits are thanks to Obon, the Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of one’s departed ancestors by inviting them back to the human world. While spooky stuff is reserved for Halloween in the US, Summer in Japan is the traditional time when friends tell scary stories, haunted houses are erected, and classic Japanese horror movies are streamed on TV. In the spirit of giving yourself goosebumps, here are seven spooky Japa...
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Scary stories are a Japanese summer tradition. So what better way to cool off from the brutal summer heat than with a spine-chilling story about a haunted tunnel in Kyushu or a possessed doll in Hokkaido? These may sound like Japanese horror movies, but they’re based on true stories—mostly. While Japan’s yurei and yokai (ghosts and mythological spirits) are based on old superstitions, these urban legends have a modern setting. Here are seven Japanese urban legends to give you chills during the warm summer nights. 1. Howling Inunaki TunnelThe true mystery of Inunaki Village is whether or not it...
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Halloween in Japan is a big deal. Over the past couple of decades, the holiday has slowly grown from a small event celebrated only by foreigners to one of the biggest party weekends in the country. That’s not to say children and families are left out. Beyond the clubs and the truck-tipping wild antics found in Shibuya, there are parades, costume contests and even trick-or-treating, although these are still mostly limited to shopping malls and shotengai (shopping streets).Unfortunately, we are still in a horror movie come to life, thanks to COVID-19. While fears appear to be easing around the c...
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