Shibuya's Halloween Mayhem

Above, Shibuya Crossing during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things got a little out-of-hand in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward during Halloween night in Japan.

Most of the revelry took place at Shibuya Crossing (or Shibuya Scramble).

According to the Japan Times:

Police arrested 13 people between Wednesday and Thursday in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward for alleged groping, assault and theft as a massive crowd of Halloween revelers swamped the district. 

The 13 arrested were men ranging from their teens to their 40s, the police said. 

Several hundred police officers were dispatched to the area to control the crowd, including some special officers dubbed “DJ police,” who aim to marshal crowds in a light-hearted manner. 

Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe told reporters Thursday morning that the ward may have to consider making Halloween a paid event at a place like Yoyogi Park from next year. 

“There are many people who behave well and have fun. But it turned out to be a regrettable Halloween because of a small number of people,” he said. 

On Wednesday night the famous scramble crossing and shopping district near Shibuya Station were packed with people dressed in elaborate costumes, including witches, zombies and characters from popular video games.

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