Bake-Neko Halloween Parade

Bake-neko (literally “changed” or “supernatural” cat) are a common occurrence in Japanese mythology and what better time to celebrate them than Halloween? Admittedly, Halloween might be a couple of weeks away but that doesn’t stop people getting into the spirit for this annual Kagurazaka event. All are welcome, and there is typically a makeup service that runs from 10:00 AM to get you ready to impress. The parade takes place between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, but there are other performances and activities put on throughout the day.

Those wishing to officially join the procession must purchase a “Bakeneko Passport” and adhere to a strict cat-themed costume requirement; general Halloween costumes like ghosts or zombies are not permitted in the parade line. The professional cat makeup service operates on a first-come, first-served basis and frequently hits maximum capacity within the first hour of the morning. It is also worth noting that the event concludes with the “Anya-doro” dance, where the crowd is taught a specific choreographed routine to perform together at the end of the route.