Halloween Events for Kids in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by Kay
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If you’re looking for something fun to do during Halloween with kids in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, I’ve got you covered.
Over the years, Halloween has become increasingly popular in Japan and thankfully, there are more and more kid-friendly events being held. In fact, even Daiso begins to sell their Halloween decorations and other goodies at the end of August!
In this article, I’ll share Halloween events in these three cities that are perfect for children. This is a list that I wish I had access to when my daughter was a toddler and first beginning to experience Halloween in Japan, so I figured I might as well share it with other parents!
Table of Contents
2024 Halloween Events for Kids in Osaka
It might seem strange that I’m starting off with Osaka but hey, I live here now so of course I’m going to prioritize it!
Universal Studios Japan
This is one of the best places to take your kids for some Halloween fun in Osaka. The park has Halloween decor throughout and if your kid says “Trick or Treat” to any of the cast members, they’ll get candy!
This year, Halloween at Universal Studios Japan will be held from September 6th to November 4th.
Zombies will show up from 6 pm, which can be scary for small children, but if your kids stay in Universal Wonderland, they’ll be okay.
Make sure to read my tips for visiting Universal Studios Japan with kids.
Legoland Osaka
Until October 31st, the Legoland Discovery Center in Osaka is holding a Halloween event called “Brick or Treat Monster Halloween Party”.
Kids can make jack-o-lanterns out of Lego blocks and get a free spooky Lego figure from a gacha machine! They also will get a Halloween sticker and a paper mask.
I stumbled on this when I visited Legoland at the end of September with my daughter and it was a happy surprise for us both! And who doesn’t like freebies?
Senshu Halloween Festival
This free Halloween event is held at SENNAN LONG PARK. It consists of a costume contest (you have to pre-register for this) and the first 100 kids (elementary school age and younger) in costumes will receive candy.
I went to this event two years ago and found it a little disappointing (hence I have no photos), but if you’re in the area, I think you might as well check it out.
This year’s event (2024) will be held on October 12th from 12 to 6 PM.
For more information, visit the Sennan Long Park website.
Halloween Buffets in Osaka
I’ve taken my daughter to the following Halloween buffets in Osaka:
Cafe in the Park at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Osaka
The food at Cafe in the Park was pretty decent, although since it’s a buffet, I wouldn’t expect much. They did a great job with making the food nicely Halloween-themed, though, and there are some spots to take photos.
Other restaurants offering Halloween-themed buffets in Osaka include:
Port Dining RicoRico near Universal Studios Japan
E-POCH near Universal Studios Japan
Halloween Afternoon Tea in Osaka
I am a huge fan of Halloween and afternoon tea, so of course I always make sure to go to one Halloween-themed afternoon tea every year. The savory foods and desserts are so adorably spooky!
These usually book up fast, especially on weekends, so the earlier you can make a reservation, the better.
Depending on the age of your child, you may be able to share an afternoon tea set with them. Some restaurants and cafes also have special prices for kids.
Westin Hotel Osaka Lobby Lounge ↓
Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating Event
If you grew up in North America like me, you may have fond childhood memories of Trick-or-Treating. This custom hasn’t quite caught on in Japan yet when it comes to going to houses in your neighborhood, but there’s nothing wrong with organizing your own event!
I started a Trick-or-Treating event in my neighborhood in Osaka and it’s a hit! We have even more kids participating this year, and the local parents kept telling me how much they were looking forward to it. In fact, our neighbor has older kids so all they do is hand out candy, but the dad was so excited that he started planning his costume in August!
2024 Halloween Events for Kids in Kyoto
TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
If you want to introduce your children to supernatural beings in Japan, Toei Kyoto Studio Park is holding a Yokai Parade from mid-September to the beginning of December. For those that don’t know, yokai means demon in Japanese.
You can even dress up like yokai!
For more information, visit their website.
Cocomama Terrace Halloween Kids Event
This Halloween event for kids is held in Omiya Park. There is a costume parade, trick-or-treating, crafts, and other activities.
This year, it’ll be on October 26th and October 27th.
For more information, visit their website.
Saga Arashiyama Autumn Festival
On October 26th and 27th, 2024, there will be a free Halloween event in Arashiyama.
There’s a stamp rally, a Halloween costume parade from 2 PM, festival games, and more.
For more information, visit the event website.
Machinaka Halloween
This event just for kids has a Halloween costume parade, crafts, stamp rally, and more!
This year’s event will be held on October 19th in Kawaramachi and October 26th in Ritsumeikan Suzaku Campus. For more information, check out this website.
Touin Halloween Festival
If your child wants to try carving a jack-o-lantern, Touin Halloween Festival is the place to be! There’s also sweet potato picking.
Unfortunately, this year’s registration period has ended but if you want to keep this in mind for next year, registration starts at the end of August. Visit this website for more information.
Halloween Buffets in Kyoto
Halloween Afternoon Tea in Kyoto
The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike ↓
2024 Halloween Events for Kids in Kobe
Nunobiki Herb Garden
Personally, I think autumn is the perfect time to visit Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe. And from mid-September, they have Halloween decorations and real pumpkins! There are so many places throughout the garden to snap great photos.
Kidzania Koshien
Kidzania is a great place for kids to explore jobs through play, and during October, some of the jobs have a Halloween touch to them! Kids can wear costumes as well and take part in a Halloween parade, and from October 27th to 31st, children can dance to “Thriller” following a professional choreographer.
To learn more about Kidzania Koshien, read this article.
Rokko Island Halloween Festival
This Halloween event on Rokko Island in Kobe seems great for kids. It has Halloween bouncy equipment, Halloween booths, craft corners, trick-or-treating, food, and more! There’s a costume parade and contest as well!
This year, Rokko Island Halloween Festival will be held on October 26th and 27th from 11 AM to 5 PM.
For more information, visit this website.
Anpanman Museum
For toddlers who love Anpanman, you may want to take them to the Anpanman Museum. From September 20th to October 31st, the museum will be having a special Halloween festival.
Kids can see Anpanman dressed in a Halloween costume, buy special Anpanman Halloween goods, and take Halloween pictures.
Halloween Buffets in Kobe
La Suite Kobe Oceans Garden (only available on October 12th and October 13th) ↓
Halloween Afternoon Tea in Kobe
Where to Buy Halloween Candy in Japan
Halloween candy can be found at most grocery stores, Kaldi Coffee Farm, and Don Quijote from around September until the end of October. Trick-or-treat buckets are sold at 100 yen stores in Japan.
Where to Buy Halloween Costumes for Kids in Japan
Halloween costumes for kids can be found throughout Japan at Akachan Honpo, Babies R Us, Nishimatsuya, Don Quijote, and H&M. You can find more information about these stores in this article.
There are also plenty of costumes on Amazon Japan.
Other Articles on Halloween in Japan with Kids
If you want to do some further reading on Halloween in Japan with children, here are some other articles that might be helpful:
Halloween Books in Japanese and English for Kids
Inoko, a Halloween-Like Tradition in Western Japan
Halloween Events for Kids in Tokyo