Shibuya Halloween weekend (Oct 30 to Nov 1): Hachiko statue screened off, shops asked not to sell alcohol on the 31st
TripX Verified · 3 sources · checked 2026-10-30Key points
- Hachiko statue screened off from the 30th to November 1; some roads near the station closed to cars from 4 p.m. on the 30th
- 62 liquor sellers near the station asked not to sell from 6 p.m. on the 31st to 5 a.m. the next day
- Street drinking near the station is banned every evening; smoking, touting and blocking the way are also restricted
In this guide
This year Halloween (October 31) lands on a Saturday for the first time in 6 years, so Shibuya Ward and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police have stepped up crowd control around Shibuya Station from Friday night, the 30th. Screens went up around the Hachiko statue from 6 a.m. on the 30th, and some roads near the station are closed to cars from 4 p.m. that day. Shops around the station have also been asked not to sell alcohol on the night of the 31st.
This article is based on Dong-A Ilbo and Yonhap reports (October 2) on the Shibuya mayor's Halloween measures, and a News1 report (October 30) citing Japan's FNN. Figures are as reported, and on-site controls may change with crowd levels.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | Night of October 30 to November 1 |
| Hachiko statue | Screened off from the 30th to November 1 |
| Road closures | Some roads near the station from 4 p.m. on the 30th; may widen to Dogenzaka and others |
| Street drinking | Banned daily 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. (since 2024) |
| Alcohol sales | 62 sellers asked to refrain, 6 p.m. on the 31st to 5 a.m. |
| Staffing | Guards: about 60 on the 30th, about 125 on the 31st; about 70 ward staff; several hundred police |
What changes: from the night of the 30th to November 1
The Hachiko statue is screened off from the 30th to November 1, so it cannot be used as a meeting point. Shibuya Ward is posting about 60 security guards on the night of the 30th and about 125 on the 31st at 10 spots, including Shibuya Station and Hachiko Square, and about 70 ward staff will patrol. Police are deploying several hundred officers for three days from the evening of the 30th.
Some roads near the station are closed to vehicles from 4 p.m. on the 30th, and closures may widen to main streets such as Dogenzaka if crowds grow. Some shared e-scooter ports near the station are also suspended.
What not to do on the street: drinking, smoking, touting
Drinking on the street around Shibuya Station has been banned every day from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning since 2024 (Dong-A Ilbo). Yonhap reports that during Halloween the ban starts at 5 p.m., so reports differ slightly on the start time. The safest choice is not to drink on the street in the evening.
The ward has asked 62 liquor sellers near the no-drinking zone to refrain from selling alcohol from 6 p.m. on the 31st to 5 a.m. the next day. Smoking on the street, street selling and touting are also banned, and costumed visitors blocking other people's way will be stopped. Litter patrol teams on Halloween day are being increased to 4 times the usual level.
Who this affects
Anyone staying in Shibuya between the night of the 30th and early November 1, or passing through the Scramble Crossing or Center Gai. On Halloween in 2024 up to about 20,000 people gathered around Center Gai; last year rain cut that to about 4500, but this year's Saturday timing is expected to bring big crowds back.
The mayor said drinking, noise and blocking the street are not what Halloween is about, and asked people to enjoy events with good manners in other areas or venues. The ward has also posted an animation online for foreign visitors explaining the no-street-drinking and no-obstruction rules.
How to get around
If you planned to meet at the Hachiko statue, pick another spot. Taxis may not be able to reach the station front because of road closures, so after 4 p.m. on the 30th plan to get in or out a little farther away. Some e-scooter ports are suspended too, so have a backup way to get around.
In crowded areas, keep moving with the flow rather than stopping for photos, and follow police and guards. Carry your trash and throw it away at your hotel or a designated bin so you have nothing to worry about.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I go to Shibuya for Halloween?
You can, but controls are tight from the night of the 30th to November 1. The Hachiko statue is screened off, some roads near the station are closed to cars, and drinking or smoking on the street is banned.
What are the street-drinking hours in Shibuya?
Since 2024, drinking on the street near Shibuya Station has been banned every day from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning. Some reports say it starts at 5 p.m. during Halloween, so avoid drinking on the street in the evening.
When can I see the Hachiko statue again?
According to reports, the screens stay up from the 30th to November 1. Check on-site notices for the exact time they come down.
Sources
- Dong-A Ilbo (Oct 2, 2026; Tokyo correspondent on Shibuya Ward's Halloween measures, in Korean)
- Yonhap News Agency (Oct 2, 2026; citing the Tokyo Shimbun on the Shibuya mayor's tighter Halloween rules, in Korean)
- News1 (Oct 30, 2026; citing Japan's FNN on the Hachiko statue closure and road closures, in Korean)
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This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.
TripX Verified: the date we matched the facts in this guide against the original sources below. Rules can change.
