Shibuya to spend 74 mil. yen on Halloween crowd control, security

TOKYO -- Shibuya Ward in Tokyo is set to spend approximately 74 million yen ($467,400) on crowd control and security measures during the Halloween period, which is expected to occur at the end of October. The initiative, under the slogan "Goodbye Bad Halloween," aims to prevent nuisance behaviors such as smoking, drinking, littering, and obstructing pedestrian traffic around Shibuya Station.

Mayor Ken Hasebe announced that security guard deployment will begin on October 30, the day before Halloween, with a total of around 125 personnel expected to be present on both October 30 and 31. An enclosure will also be installed around the Hachiko statue, a popular tourist spot, to manage large gatherings.

In addition to increased security, the ward will work with 62 establishments to prohibit street alcohol sales from 6 p.m. on Halloween until the following morning. Approximately 70 ward employees will promote responsible behavior during the event.

Historical data shows that Halloween gatherings in the Center-gai street peaked at around 20,000 people in 2024, compared to 4,500 in 2025 due to rain. The ward expects similar crowd sizes this year. Many attendees are reportedly international tourists.

To deter unwanted behavior, the ward imposed a 2,000-yen ($13) administrative fine for street littering since June 2026. Through mid-September, 1,412 fines had been collected. For Halloween, the number of fine-collection teams will increase fourfold.