A large number of young people costumed as anime characters, zombies and other figures turned out around Shibuya Station in Tokyo on Saturday evening ahead of Halloween Day on Thursday.
As violent turmoil occurred on Halloween last year, in which some youths overturned a car, the Shibuya Ward Office established in June a local ordinance that prohibits public alcohol consumption in designated areas and presses retailers in those areas to refrain from selling alcoholic beverages during the Halloween periods.
On Saturday, police officers and security guards were on high alert in Shibuya, patrolling the streets and issuing cautions to people who were drinking alcohol on the streets.
Last year's Halloween revelry in Shibuya saw a total of 27 arrests, including drunken people who overturned a mini truck.
This year, the ward office prohibited such public drinking between Oct. 25 and 27 and between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
The ward office also designated hours from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Oct. 26 and Oct. 31 as periods during which sales of alcoholic beverages should be restricted.
On Saturday evening, 25 watch platforms with security cameras were installed in the area around Shibuya Station.
From the platforms, security guards called on passersby over loudspeakers to not walk in vehicle lanes. Warnings in both Japanese and English were given that passersby should not drink, smoke or sit down on the street.
The Metropolitan Police Department also dispatched members of riot police units who worked as so-called DJ police.
Luxury hotels' Halloween buffets
Luxury hotels in Osaka have dressed up their buffet services ahead of Halloween Day with the aim of luring young people who are reluctant to use the high-grade hotels.
Companies operating the hotels try to come up with ideas for taking in the year's trend in their services.
Conrad Osaka applied unified designs of a leopard-print pattern to cakes, chocolates and tablecloths. The pattern is trendy this year.
A 27-year-old nurse who visited the hotel from home nearby said, "I enjoyed costume play until my early 20s. It's good to enjoy this gorgeous atmosphere."
Rihga Rouyal Hotel Osaka is offering masks to guests in evening hours until Oct. 31 to enjoy the atmosphere of a masquerade.
The St. Regis Osaka produced original buffet menus, including non-baked cheese cakes in a shape of mummy.
Due to an increase of inbound tourists, many hotels have been opening in Osaka. It is predicted that competition among hotels in a high price line will intensify, as the Marriott International group is scheduled to open a new hotel along Midosuji street.
The hotels aim to expand opportunities for contacting potential guests and solicit them to use the hotels, with Halloween as a trigger.
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