Halloween costume trends for kids in Japan this year

For expat parents in Japan wondering what their children should wear this Halloween, a new survey from Ikoyo Family Lab offers a bit of inspiration. The 2025 Halloween Costume Popularity Ranking for children reveals that the top choice this year is princess and female protagonist characters, followed by pumpkins and ghosts.

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According to the report, around 40% of kids costumes come from movies, anime, or picture books, such as Disney princesses or Studio Ghibli. For babies and toddlers, pumpkin outfits remain a favorite, not just because they're adorable but also easy for parents to find or make. Classic ghost costumes also continue to hold strong among older children for their simplicity and comfort.

Interestingly, the survey shows that costume preparation is split between convenience and creativity. About 27% of families buy costumes online, while nearly the same number head to 100 yen shops for affordable accessories. Others prefer to save money or add a personal touch by reusing or hand-making costumes at home, which I was glad to see from an environmental perspective. 

For expat families living in Japan, this mix of trends makes Halloween surprisingly easy to join in. Online stores and 100 yen chains like Daiso or Seria are packed with seasonal items from early October, and the latter option makes it nice and friendly on the wallet, too. 

If you have kids, are they planning to dress up this year? Do you have any tips for keeping things budget-friendly?