Expect a ghoulish time in Tokyo's Omotesando when the area holds its "Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade" (www.harajuku-halloween.com) on Oct. 28, in which some 1,300 costumed revelers are expected to march. The parade starts at 1 p.m. on Omotesando street (near the station) and finishes at 2:15 p.m.
In Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, 3,500 people in costumes are set to march on Oct. 28 in an event called "Kawasaki Halloween 2012" (www.lacittadella.co.jp/halloween) Organizers expect nearly 11,000 spectators will watch the parade, which will include 200 performers dressed as zombies dancing to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." The parade starts at 2:30 p.m. at Kawasaki City Hall and La Cittadella, commercial complex, located near the East Exit of JR Kawasaki Station.
In Osaka, Universal Studios Japan will hold two Halloween events through Nov. 1. The Parade de Carnival takes place in the daytime and the Halloween Horror Night, themed on horror movies such as "Biohazard," will take place later on in the evening (www.usj.co.jp).
In Fukuoka, the Hakata Halloween Kaso Parade and Contest will take place on Oct. 28 from 1:30 p.m. "Kaso" translates as "costume" in English. The parade of 500 participants starts at Hakata Riverain, commercial complex near Nakasu Kawabata Station and an award ceremony for costumes will take place at Canalcity Hakata from 4 p.m. (www.canalcity.co.jp/canalhalloween2012/parade)
Many events require participants to apply in advance, but even if the deadline has passed, families can still get into the Halloween spirit as spectators.