The mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, which in recent years has become a hub for boisterous Halloween celebrations that see massive crowds pack the area, has a message for any would-be revelers this year: don’t come.

“Shibuya isn’t a venue for Halloween events,” Mayor Ken Hasebe said during a news conference on Tuesday. “Please don’t gather around Shibuya Station for Halloween purposes (during this period).”

Shibuya’s famous scramble crossing has become the go-to spot for younger generations — both local residents and tourists — with thousands of costumed partiers congregating, at times making it almost impossible to move.

Members of the crowd have caused incidents in the past, including vandalism and theft. In 2018, a group of people were arrested for overturning a small truck.

Hasebe expressed concerns that a crowd crush like the one in Seoul in October could happen in Shibuya. More than 150 people died in the incident, which saw massive crowds gather in narrow alleyways in the city’s Itaewon nightlife district.

In previous years, the ward had issued lighter statements on the Halloween celebrations — which have no official organizers — urging good manners and moral conduct, Hasebe said. This year, he said he had no choice but to ask people to stay away for the sake of safety.

Shibuya Ward is set to ban outdoor alcohol consumption from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, in line with a 2019 ordinance. The measure is aimed at curbing incidents of vandalism by intoxicated individuals during Halloween celebrations. The ordinance is also applied to New Year's Eve celebrations.

Last month, the ward introduced a zero tolerance policy regarding drinking alcohol on the streets in a way that causes a problems for others and implemented nightly patrols from Sept. 1. That measure is not limited to specific events or dates.

Hasebe added that due to the downgrading of COVID-19, the number of tourists from overseas has increased, potentially adding to the crowding in Shibuya.