Tokyo canceled Halloween to avoid mass tourism. It got so good he doubled his bet: goodbye New Year’s Eve

In the month of October, Tokyo carried out one of the measures that will be remembered for its importance for citizens and tourists. The mayors of Shibuya and Shinjuku, Tokyo’s most popular and bustling districts in the capital because of their commerce and leisure offerings, made an important decision: alcohol was banned on the streets to avoid tourist crowds. In popular festivals. Apparently, they have performed so well that they are going to double down.

First up was Halloween. We told this a few weeks ago. The mayors of Shibuya and Shinjuku held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan to deliver a resounding message: They did not want their avenues to be flooded with visitors wanting to celebrate the Night of the Dead on October 31. . With too many drinks. And to illustrate this, both councilors posed for photographs with signs informing about the ban on drinking alcohol on the street.

Furthermore, and in case there was any doubt, the posters were not only in Japanese, but also in English, which is proof that the message is not directed only at the local population. What’s more, similar posters were hung in Shinjuku and messages were broadcast on giant screens set up in the district. And in Shibuya they decided to provide automatic translators directly to the guards who were in charge of patrolling on Halloween.

And now New Year’s Eve. This news focuses on Shibuya. The most prestigious and popular area of ​​the Japanese capital has decided to cancel New Year celebrations for the fourth consecutive year. With one difference, this year when a “party” was finally promised, the decision was made by representatives of local government and trade associations as a reflection of what happened on Halloween, and public safety concerns, in tourists. The increase is driven by new regulations on alcohol consumption in public places.

Which was the neighborhood. Since 2016, the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing has been transformed into the center of New Year’s celebrations in Tokyo every December 31. Concerts were held there, there were celebrity guests and it was the iconic image of the end of the year, a party that attracted more than 120,000 attendees at its peak, establishing itself as an emblematic event in the city.

However, everything changed in 2020. The celebrations were suspended due to the pandemic, and although Covid passed and health restrictions were no longer necessary, the district did not restart the events. The main reason then cited was logistical and security issues in managing such a large crowd in a small space.

Liquor. The hero of this year’s “Veto” is very clear. The main factor behind this decision is the recent implementation of a permanent ban on alcohol consumption in public places in Shibuya, the first of its kind in Tokyo, driven by the rush of tourists visiting the city.

The measure, introduced in October 2024, seeks to promote a more orderly and safe environment while reducing behavioral problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption during mass events. As a district spokesperson explained, “We are in the process of changing the culture of public alcohol consumption in Shibuya. “We do not believe this is the right time to organize such a large-scale event.”

Tourism and logistics challenges. This is the other leg that cannot be ignored. The increasing flow of international tourists following the reopening of borders has added an unprecedented layer of complexity to the management of large events in the country. Authorities fear that the combination of visitors, alcohol consumption and crowds could compromise public safety and the resources available to manage the chaos.

Furthermore, and as we said, the success of the Halloween ban in Shibuya has reinforced the idea that reducing large-scale events can improve coexistence and public order in the district.

odd Future. Thus, and although there was talk of restarting the party in 2024, the organizing committee has decided to postpone any possible resumption until at least 2025. In the background, a doubt: the continuity of these prestigious celebrations, with which Shibuya could leave behind its fame as a center of large festivals to adopt a more controlled approach.

Whatever the case, the change in mass organizing policy reflects a profound change in the district’s identity. The space that was once the center of urban parties and bustle can become a more regulated space focused on public and, above all, local well-being. The future of New Year’s celebrations in Shibuya, and any other large event in general, leaves a big question mark.

Image | dick thomas johnson

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