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Japanese Culture - Halloween Trains

Discussion in 'The Asylum' started by BaconMan8910, Oct 24, 2017.

  1. BaconMan8910 Blue Bomber

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    Halloween is relatively new to Japan. In fact, until about 2012, not only did Halloween go, largely, unobserved, but many protested the western holiday's slowly growing presence in Japan. Even today, trick-or-treating is pretty rare, and those who observe the holiday prefer to focus on events and parties. But Japan's indifference to the Certified Best Holiday Ever™ didn't stop some rowdy foreigners and expats from showing their ghoulish side.

    Around the mid-90's, Halloween trains started cropping up in Tokyo. Dozens of Japanese expats, foreigners, and curious Japanese citizens descended on trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in costume, to drink, party, and carve pumpkins (one of these may be false). Imagine a flash mob, but better dressed and more belligerent.

    The mobs would disperse nearly as soon as they had appeared. But this carried on, year after year, until things finally came to a head. In 2009, protesters appeared in Shinjuku to denounce, not only the Halloween trains, but the holiday itself. This followed an increased police presence in metro stations, the year prior. After 2009, the Halloween train scene slowly died down until its revival in recent years.

    These days, Halloween trains couldn't seem any more distant from their predecessors (apart from the actual train part, I suppose). Today, Halloween trains are official, family-friendly events with organizers, rules, and sign-up forms. Overall, a vast improvement for Japanese communities and commuters, alike.

    Guess it's back to getting drunk on Halloween the old fashioned way: alone, in my apartment while watching Hocus Pocus.

    Source: Kotaku
    Image Credit: Hankyu
     

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