Halloween only recently adopted in Japan

I can't remember exactly when Halloween started to become a fixture at shops all over Japan, but I definitely remember that when I first came here about 15 years ago it wasn't a very well-known holiday.

Nowadays, it's much different. Although I'm not sure that people know the legend and lore behind the celebration, they still seem to celebrate its arrival with anticipation and know that at least it has something to do with bats, ghosts and carved-up pumpkins.

In the arcade near JR Nakano station, several shops advertised Halloween costumes and halloween-themed items. Even a favorite snack food of one of my former EM Lyon classmates, Monster Munch (which is available year-round in Europe, by the way!) is brought in only during this season because of its cheery ghost-shaped chips.

For better or worse, Halloween here doesn't include fattening chocolates and candies. You can of course find them at import shops and the like, but if you prefer to abstain it's not difficult.

Photo: Flower shop in Akasaka Mitsuke metro station