Tokyo’s largest occasion hotspot appears to be like nothing prefer it used to.
Shibuya was once the place to go for costumed revelry on Halloween, however after unruly behaviour escalated lately, the ward has been clamping down on the unofficial outside occasion, with ingesting bans on the road in place since 1 October this 12 months.
When the no-drinking ordinance was first launched just a few years again, it wasn’t unusual to see individuals flouting the principles, however this 12 months it appears the principles are lastly starting to have some impact, with a way more severe vibe within the space.
▼ It appears the message is lastly sinking in.
Our reporter Seiji Nakazawa just lately moved in to Shibuya, and he generally sees empty cans of alcohol lined up on the flowerbeds within the Dogenzaka district, however over the previous few days, when the partygoers are supposed to be partying, these empty cans had been nowhere to be seen.
Through the day of Halloween, there was no unruly behaviour, and numerous companies just like the native Burger King had been closed for the day, to cease individuals from congregating within the space.
Seiji had been involved about returning house and strolling by Shibuya after darkish on 31 October, however when he alighted on the station at 6 p.m., the crowds that normally make their method by the station for Halloween weren’t there.
Nonetheless, when he climbed the steps from the basement and entered Hachiko Sq. outdoors the station, the ambiance all of a sudden modified.
The streets had been like one thing out of a police state, with the voice of the Metropolitan Police Division echoing in all places. Listening intently, Seiji might make out that it was a site visitors controller, saying issues like, “Sure, it’s a pleasant costume, however please don’t cease!” It sounded weird to listen to these police bulletins echoing so loudly, and it made Seiji really feel as if he’d stepped into an apocalyptic movie.
Crossing over the scramble crossing and heading into Heart Gai, one of many predominant hubs for partygoers, Seiji estimated there have been about 5 instances as many individuals right here as common, however that might’ve been as a result of controls on foot site visitors, with obstacles set as much as direct individuals into the slim thoroughfare on one aspect and direct them out on the opposite aspect.
The general public, like Seiji, had been heading into Heart Gai, and it was so crowded Seiji feared there may very well be a crush if the road stopped for any purpose.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Division stood in a line within the center, able to reprimand anybody who stopped or held up the road. The fixed flux of individuals and the supervision by officers made it inconceivable for anybody in costume to linger.
At the moment of evening, Seiji didn’t see anyone ingesting on the road, and though he can’t say for positive whether or not this was the case all evening, the extreme police presence would definitely make ingesting or gathering wherever close to inconceivable.
The police division wasn’t leaving something to likelihood in Shibuya, with convoys of police buses lined up on the road. It’s clear that Shibuya Ward officers weren’t joking once they advised the general public that Shibuya was closed for Halloween.
Whereas partygoers is likely to be dissatisfied with the best way issues have modified in Shibuya at Halloween, for residents and locals like Seiji, who merely need to stroll by the realm to get house, there’s a way of reduction that security has been restored within the space. Right here’s hoping that sense of security and safety stays current subsequent Halloween.
Pictures©SoraNews24
● Wish to hear about SoraNews24’s newest articles as quickly as they’re revealed? Observe us on Fb and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]
