The ever-popular Universal Surprise Halloween event is set to return again this year to Universal Studios Japan and will run from September 6 to November 4. The event is set to be bigger than ever this year, with more attractions than ever before, as well as the event's three main elements―Zekkyo Halloween, Otana Halloween, and Kowa Kawa Halloween―making use of the entire park. Look forward to a unique and spooky Halloween experience the very second you enter the park.  

Zekkyo Halloween

Three main events run every year during Universal Surprise Halloween. The first of these we are taking a look at is Zekkyo ("Screaming") Halloween, which plunges guests into terrifying experiences, the kind of scream-inducing encounters you conjure up in your imagination at Halloween.   As part of Zekkyo Halloween, just some of the exciting and hair-raising attractions include the brand new horror maze which will see you running for your life through its twists and turns, the return of the extremely popular zombie dance show, a survival horror maze based off the Resident Evil game series, and much, much more.  

Otona Halloween

Otona ("Adult") Halloween is a more sophisticated kind of Halloween experience aimed at adults, clad with glamour and fashion, but certainly not free of scares.   Halloween 2019 sees the return of the interactive theatre event Hotel Albert in a brand-new sequel, Hotel Albert 2: Requiem. We covered last year's here, but in summary, it's an immersive theatre experience in which guests act as participants in the play. Guests walked around the attraction as characters in the story and experienced a beautifully haunting tale unfold before them. What secrets does the sequel hold? You'll have to attend to find out!   A new horror restaurant, named Park Side Grill ~Cursed Banquet Of Roses~, will serve up magnificent meals while imbuing a sense of uncanny in its diners.  

Kowa Kawa Halloween

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom at Universal Surprise Halloween. Children will get to enjoy Kowa Kawa ("Creepy-Cute") Halloween again this year in all its Halloween trickery. Minions and the Sesame Street cast will be present and dressed in mischievous costumes. The incredible Festa de Parade will run the street, and kids will be able to catch falling candy at Happy Trick Or Treat where it will rain down like a waterfall.   USJ is a spearhead in Japan's Halloween culture, so if you're there for the spooky season, make sure you don't miss out.   ©CAPCOM CO., LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.© 2019 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. ©2012 "Sadako 3D" Production CommitteeHARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s19)Despicable Me, Minion Made and all related marks and characters are trademarks and copyrights of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All Rights Reserved.™ & © 2019 Sesame Workshop© 2019 Peanuts Worldwide LLC© 1976, 2019 SANRIO CO., LTD.　APPROVAL NO. EJ9071103

TOKYO MYSTERY CIRCUS's catalogue of games just keeps on growing. The puzzle and escape game theme park has just announced the return of its escape game Escape From Shin Godzilla which is being held in collaboration with the 2016 film Shin Godzilla. The event was previously held last April where it ran until October, enjoying huge popularity with over 40,000 escape game-goers. Players took the role of a member of the Kyosaitai―the anti-Godzilla task force―based in Kabukicho, Shinjuku where you will be tasked with solving puzzles to defeat the colossal giant. The thrilling event returns once more with original visuals created to make it look like Godzilla has really invaded Kabukicho. Tickets are now on sale, and you can pick up exclusive merchandise and themed food at the venue too. Can you defeat Godzilla?   TM&©TOHO CO., LTD.　©SCRAP

Sanrio character theme park Harmonyland in Oita has announced this year's Halloween event, Kuromi's Happy Halloween, which will begin on September 13. The devilish and mischievous Kuromi, whose birthday is on October 31－Halloween day－is taking over the park this year to deliver a very cute and just a tiny bit spooky Halloween to kids and adults this year.   Harmonyland's Halloween Night Party, a huge hit every year, will also return on October 26. In addition to Kuromi's birthday event, Wish me mell, another one of Sanrio's cute characters, will also celebrate her birthday on September 20.

The event also has its own story. While Hello Kitty was having fun preparing for Halloween with everyone, Kuromi looked at the calendar and noticed that the park was scheduled to be closed on October 31, her birthday. Angry by this decision, the scheming Kuromi began Halloween preparations of her own.  

Pashakawa SWEET HALLOWEEN

This event is a chance to meet your favourite characters, who will be dressed up in their Halloween costumes, and take a photo with them. Be sure to say the secret password to them, "trick or treat," to get some free candy! The fun doesn't stop there though, as there'll be a chance to dance with the characters too.  

Omotenashi Hello Kitty Cafe

Hello Kitty will serve as owner of the Hello Kitty Cafe, while Kuromi will be your maid along with the cafe staff, and Meister Cinnamon will learn your name and teach teach it to the rest of the character staff. At the end of the show, the cafe staff will change into their Halloween costumes.  

Halloween Photo Spots

Special Halloween photos spots will be dotted around for Halloween where you can snap some cute pictures. From pumpkin heads of Hello Kitty, My Melody and  Kuromi to flower beds decorated with Kuromi, there will be no shortage of Instagrammable spots for photos. And when you get close to the two flower beds, you might just run into a trick set up by Kuromi herself... Also, the background music playing at the park was all chosen by Kuromi.  

Halloween Merch & Menu

Of course, there will be lots of exclusive character merchandise to grab, as well as a cute themed menu designed just for Halloween.  

Halloween Night Party ~Pink or Black~

The popular Halloween Night Party returns again this year, a one-night-only spectacle of lights, music and dance. The theme this year is "pink or black." Clad yourself in one or both of these colours and have a fun Halloween night!   ・Date: October 26, 2019 (18:00-21:00)・Price: ¥1,000 (Everyone aged 4+) *Price is reduced to ¥500 to those who hold an annual ticke・A shuttle bus will be operating for free (limited spaces)   Celebrate Halloween this year together with Kuromi.   ⓒ '76, '91, '96, '99, '01, '05, '09, '17, '19 SANRIO