Shibuya City, a self-governed district within Tokyo, officially requested both domestic and foreign tourists to behave respectfully and not engage in Halloween celebrations in the area during the period from October 27 to October 31.
The local authorities aim to make the Shibuya Crossing, renowned as the world’s busiest intersection with its five pedestrian crosswalks intersecting ten lanes of vehicular traffic, the safest, which is why they requested that people abstain from Halloween celebrations in the area, VisaGuide.World reports.
Halloween enjoys popularity among the younger demographic in Japan, where the focus is less on traditional activities like trick-or-treating or exploring haunted houses and more on seizing the occasion as an opportunity for lively celebrations.
“The streets of Shibuya are not party venues,” said in a statement Shibuya’s Mayor Ken Hasebe.
As of the fall of 2023, with Japan fully reopening its borders to tourism, there is a growing concern within the city that the influx of tourists looking to party and celebrate in Tokyo might surpass pre-pandemic levels.
“The damage caused by overtourism has become serious, resulting in property damage caused by drinking in the street, altercations with local residents, and littering of large amounts of empty cans and bottles,” the notice conveys. “In addition, every year during Halloween, the area around Shibuya Station becomes so crowded that it is nearly impossible to move.”
The notice from Shibuya City directly raises concerns about the possibility of a dangerous overcrowding situation in Tokyo. It serves as a warning, urging everyone to be responsible and avoid overcrowding, as it could lead to safety issues similar to the crowd crush incident that happened in Seoul in 2022.
During that tragic incident, an event unfolded in Seoul’s trendy Itaewon neighbourhood on Halloween in 2022, resulting in the loss of 156 lives. This occurred as large crowds of celebrants congregated in a narrow street, leading to a terrible and fatal situation.
“A fatal accident like Itaewon can happen here any time,” Mayor Hasebe said at a news conference on October 5.
To prevent similar incidents from occurring again, the district has put in place a series of preventive measures. These measures include implementing a ban on public drinking in the streets around Shibuya from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. during the five-day period leading up to and including Halloween.
Moreover, liquor stores in the area have been encouraged not to sell alcoholic beverages during these hours to promote a safe environment.
In addition to the measures, the district will also deploy additional police and security guards in the area to enhance safety and maintain order.