Spooky season now underway at Sanrio Puroland, Tokyo Disney and more!

With the current high temps around Japan, it’s hard to believe that the spookiest season is just around the corner!

In the Land of the Rising Sun, Halloween season means that many amusement parks roll out spooky decorations and events sure to keep you entertained.

Don’t miss Sanrio Puroland’s “Puro Halloween,” a ghostly celebration featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody and all the other Sanrio characters you love roaming around the Sanrio theme park.

At Tokyo Disney Resort, Mickey and Minnie are dressing up for “Disney Halloween 2023.” Even Huis Ten Bosch, near Sasebo Naval Base, is marking the ghoulish season with “Halloween Night Walk,” which included light displays and live music performances.

Not only is there great entertainment, but the parks also offer Halloween-themed foods and merchandise. So, make plans for bone-chilling fun, food and shopping!

Sanrio Puroland

This year the spotlight is on Kuromi, a beloved Sanrio character whose birthday happens to fall on Oct. 31. Enjoy fun activities like the “Makkuro (all black) Halloween Party,” where characters dressed in sorcerer and witch costumes dance under illuminations and a Halloween photo spot. While you’re there, check out the spooky illuminations in Puro Village, as well as the regular Sanrio rides and displays.

For some spooky treats, check out their Halloween menu, including a Kuromi black croquette curry, pink Halloween hamburger curry and Kuromi chocolate cake.

Puro Halloween 2023

Period: Through Oct. 31

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on most days. Check out link for variations in schedule.

Location: 1-31 Ochiai, Tama City, Tokyo

Admission (Passport): 2,200 - 4,900 yen - varies depending on the day of the week. Check out the link for more information.

Tel: 042-339-1111

Tokyo Disney Resort

Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea are hosting a variety of fun, spooky events to get you in the spirit. At Tokyo Disneyland, enjoy the “Spooky ‘Boo!’ Parade” featuring six floats with Mickey, Minnie and their friends in ghostly costumes, as well as the Haunted Mansion’s yearly switch to its Nightmare Before Christmas theme.

Head to the Halloween Fair at Tokyo Disney Sea’s Mediterranean Harbor for pictures with costumed cast members, and even partake in some trick-or-treating. In the evening, the park undergoes a spooky, foggy transformation, setting a mysterious mood.

Both parks have seasonal snacks you’ve got to try. At Disneyland, sample the Halloween Sundae and Mickey’s Waffle with Chestnut and Maple Sauce. Disney Sea’s spooky offerings include maple pumpkin churros, spicy chicken and pumpkin gratin sandwiches.

Disney Halloween 2023

Period: Through Oct. 31

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on most days. Check out the link for variations in schedule.

Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture

Admission (one-day Passport): 4,700 – 10,900 yen - varies depending on the day of the week, check out link for more info.

Tel: 0570-008-632

Universal Studios Japan

If you want to up the fear factor, Universal Studios Japan is where you want to go for a screaming good time. The Halloween events in the daytime are great for the entire family to enjoy.

Check out the “Hahaha Halloween Party” with all your favorite characters, from Pokemon, My Melody, Kuromi and Minions strolling around the park. Enter the haunted houses if you dare. At night, brace yourself for the famous “Halloween Horror Nights,” where ghouls, goblins and zombies come out to play. The scary night scene includes live entertainment, music and scares, so get ready for a full day of Halloween fun.

Don’t forget to take a break and enjoy seasonal treats like the Halloween Pizza Set and Halloween Minion Cream Puff.

Hahaha Halloween Party & Halloween Horror Nights

Period: Through Nov. 5

Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on most days. Check out the link for variations in schedule.

Location: 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Admission (one-day studio pass): 5,600 – 10,400 yen - varies depending on the day of the week, check out the link for more info.

Tel: 0570-200-606

Huis Ten Bosch

In the picturesque European landscape, you can dance with Miffy and other Huis Ten Bosch characters in the “Halloween Parade.” Kids can get candy when they pitch a magical chant to shopkeepers inside the park’s shops.

Go for an enchanted stroll at the “Halloween Night Walk,” where countless illuminations and jack-o-lanterns guide you along the path as costumed performers serenade you in the Art Garden. At the Palace Huis Ten Bosch, you can enjoy the addictive horror of “Haunted Halloween” and wrap up the night with spooky night fireworks.

While there, don’t forget to sample the Moonlight Pumpkin Rice Croquet and Fluffy Halloween Rice Omelet.

Halloween Night Walk & Haunted Halloween

Period: Through Nov. 5 (Haunted Halloween: Oct. 8 – Nov. 5)

Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on most days. Check out the link for variations in schedule.

Location: 1-1 Huis Ten Bosch Town, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Admission (one-day passport): 3,500 – 7,000 yen

Tel: 0570-064-110