Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward is deploying strict security measures, alcohol sales restrictions, and crowd control barriers around Shibuya Station for Halloween to curb rowdy street celebrations. Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe announced the safety initiative, titled the “Goodbye Bad Halloween” campaign, during a press conference on Wednesday, according to reports from Japan Today and Time Out.
The municipal government allocated approximately 58 million yen for station-area safety measures, 2 million yen for litter control, and 14 million yen for promotional banners and station-front boards. These actions build on prior crackdowns by the ward to shift its reputation away from unofficial and disruptive street parties near the famous Scramble Crossing.
Crowd Management and Security Deployment
Security presence ramps up significantly on the nights leading up to October 31. Shibuya Ward will deploy about 60 security guards on the evening of October 30, increasing to approximately 125 guards on October 31. Personnel will monitor roughly 10 locations around the station district, including Hachiko Square.
To protect public landmarks and manage pedestrian flow, workers will install a temporary enclosure around the Hachiko statue from October 30 through November 1. Traffic restrictions will also be in place around Shibuya Station starting from the evening of October 30 through the early morning of November 1. E-scooter operators will also suspend service at select ports during this period.
Alcohol Restrictions and Public Behavior Rules
The “Goodbye Bad Halloween” campaign specifically targets behaviors that disrupt public order or block pedestrian traffic. Mayor Hasebe stated that street drinking, smoking, littering, excessive noise, and obstructive photo-taking are not how Halloween is meant to be enjoyed.
To curb public drinking, local authorities asked 62 alcohol retailers in and around the restricted zone to voluntarily refrain from alcohol sales on the evening of October 31. Public awareness messages regarding these rules will be displayed in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. Meanwhile, Future Design Shibuya will continue cleanup and awareness efforts through the Shibuya Good Manners Project, alongside promotional campaigns hosted on the Roblox online gaming platform.
Litter and Smoking Control Measures
Sanitation and waste management form a core pillar of the municipal operation. Three public smoking areas near the station will remain closed from the morning of October 30 until the morning of November 1.
Patrol staff will execute round-the-clock monitoring during the Halloween period to enforce the littering penalty system introduced in June. Dedicated garbage collection stations will be established at three designated locations within the zone to handle waste disposal from revelers.
Worth a look