Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay in 2025

Held on the last weekend of October, this one is more for adults than children believe it or not. But children are welcome too. Since last year this event is now on for THREE days (well, two days and one night!) It has become immensely popular and is now one of the biggest cos-play events in all of Japan.

It is called "Ikehalo" (sic) for short. I don't have figures for recent years, but in the early days of the event, in 2018, approximately 20,000 cos-players turned up. I would not be surprised if the figures are double, or even more, in recent years. On the Friday only it is a night time event, then on Saturday and Sunday it is on during the day.  It is on around (Tobu / JR / Seibu / Tokyo Metro) Ikebukuro station’s east exit. 

You have to buy a ticket to participate in the whole event. There are parts of it indoors, parts outdoors and lots of extras. Some of the extras, such as the cool cosplay bus, are only available to people who have bought a premium ticket. You also need to buy a ticket if you are a photographer who is just attending to take photos. Prices start from 2980 yen per adult and 500 yen for children for one day and are on sale now on the official website.