Tokyo District Restricts Visitors on Halloween to Prevent Tragedy

Japan The Shibuya ward government, Tokyo's most crowded and famous area, is urging tourists and residents to stay away during Halloween.

Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world , with five crosswalks and 10 lanes for cars and buses. The Shibuya Ward government on October 5 asked residents and visitors to refrain from gathering for Halloween in the area from October 27 to 31.

A street in Shibuya packed with people on Halloween before the pandemic. Photo: CNN

In a statement, the local government said the influx of tourists has led to problems such as drunkenness on the streets, fights, and littering. "Every Halloween, the area around Shibuya Station is so crowded that it is almost impossible to move around," the statement said.

Halloween is a popular holiday for young Japanese people, who instead of trick-or-treating or visiting haunted houses, see it as an occasion to party and drink. Japan is set to fully reopen to tourists in the fall of 2022, and the city is concerned that Tokyo will see more party-goers than pre-pandemic levels. If people do not stop celebrating the festival by the end of October, Tokyo could face dangerous crowds and a stampede like the one in Seoul last year.

On Halloween 2022, crowds flocked to Seoul's trendy Itaewon neighborhood to party, and tragedy struck a narrow street, killing 156 people.

In addition to party restrictions, authorities have banned drinking on the streets from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the five days leading up to Halloween. Pubs in the area are also encouraged to not sell alcohol to customers during this time. Police will be on duty to ensure safety.

"We want to tell the world that Shibuya is not the place to hold Halloween parties this year," said Shibuya ward head Ken Hasebe.

Halloween is a festival originating from Western countries, taking place on October 31 every year. This is an occasion for people to dress up as horror characters and participate in fun activities.

Anh Minh (According to CNN )

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