It's no trick: Shibuya Ward wants costumed partygoers to avoid congregating at its famed crossing outside Shibuya Station once again this year. In return, officials are offering a treat: A 3D Halloween on a screen in your home.
Telecoms company KDDI, along with the Shibuya government, held Virtual Shibuya au 5G Fes last year, too. A reported 400,000 people logged on over the duration of the event (though it wasn’t without glitches), but others hit the streets of Shibuya anyway.
This year the online event looks much the same, but runs longer and features an updated avatar option. The virtual cityscape at the center of it all is an undeniable representation of Shibuya crossing, with its white crosswalks, neon signs, billboards and iconic 109 building looming over it all.