It’s nearly that time of the year again, when costumed Halloween revelers descend upon Tokyo to mingle and take photos, a ritual that the authorities have taken issue with due to its association with the excessive consumption of alcohol in public, littering and congested alleys.
Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, a popular location for partygoers, is once again enforcing restrictions this year as well as measures such as limiting the sale of alcoholic beverages and regulating traffic. The ward is urging visitors, especially foreign tourists, to refrain from partying in the streets.
“Since last year, the majority of those coming to the area in costumes have been foreign tourists, reflecting a shift in the situation,” said Mayor Ken Hasebe on Thursday. “Shibuya Ward welcomes visitors at any time — just not times like Halloween or New Year’s Eve countdowns during which large crowds gather in specific places at specific times.”
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