Can’t believe it is this time of year again… This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to Japan for 2024 spooky season… But I have tons to share from last year’s All Hallow’s Eve, including a look at parties you can attend this weekend.

(On Saturday, Oct 26, Mistress Maya is having a Bizarre Halloween Night in Kamakura — details here, hope you can go and bring your friends! Read on to see what the amazing alt art space and event is like, and see my reel from last year for a preview.)

I did change up my hair for pumpkin season — so here’s my latest face card. My hair stylist is Katya at Kore Salon in Vancouver’s Gastown — love how she gave me big, chunky red highlights for a Y2K lewk.

These days, Shibuya is packed like sardines on Halloween night. To prevent crowding and shenanigans, you’ll see sights like this one outside Shibuya Station, which try to cancel Halloween.

Regardless, Goths and normies alike will be out and about every year on Halloween weekend. I recommend avoiding the heart of Shibuya if you dislike crowds — instead, head to Ni-Choome (the Shinjuku LGBTQ district) like we did last year on Oct 31.

If you’re looking for a magnificent Gothic event to hit up on Saturday, Oct 26… then head to Kamakura for Midnight Mess’ Bizarre Circus. My friends and I arrived in the afternoon (it’s about an hour by train from Tokyo to Kamakura) to salute the Great Buddha or Daibutsu.

Do you recognize my costume from last year? I dressed as Catsy or Koan, the most extreme of the Black Moon Clan sisters in Sailor Moon! Leave it to be to be a manga/anime villain.

Kōtoku-in temple is home to The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a bronze statue established in the 13th century. Everything about the meditating Buddha and peaceful temple grounds evokes “serenity, now.”

For a small fee, you can go inside the Buddha (there are open windows in his back, but prepared for a stuffy experience!)

Then, we took a taxi to Mistress Maya’s Halloween party, a “Strange and Beautiful Circus” (which is also happening Sat, Oct 26, 2024).

Here’s the map and address: 22 Juniso, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0001, Japan

The artistic, Gothic event takes place in Salon de Suigeikan, an otherworldly art space chock full of leather art by Masamichi Ishimaru. The space is now managed by his son Kazuto Ishimaru, who is also a sculptor.

The night unfolds like the mysterious occult masquerade of Eyes Wide Shut. Last year, we were swept away by the operatic countertenor of vocalist Suguru Hachidori, and other talented classical musicians. This year, my friend Kenichi Nishizawa is the featured performer — wish I could be there.

Guests can mingle and enjoy the face paint booth, natural wines and champagnes, food, and performances by DJs, musicians, and drag queens.

Mistress Maya always puts on an innovative rope show (kinbaku, or Japanese bondage). Last year, she did a dark fairytale performance with mermaids, dancers, and live violin / piano / guitar.

You’ve got to see my IG reel from last Halloween to see what this mermaid rope show was like, and to hear the improvised music.

And then, Nattmara (Yukiro Dravarious) dominated the stage with a drag show inspired by M3gan — the AI roboto horror queen!

I think this photo illustrates how much fun we had at Maya’s Bizarre Halloween party in Kamakura.

If you love oddities like giant leather animal sculptures, then you’ll adore Salon de Suigeikan — filled with Ishimaru-san’s fantastical art.

The giant gorilla, whale, and flesh-like elements everywhere were to die for. I hope you can make it to Maya’s party on Sat Oct 26, or another upcoming Midnight Mess Goth / cyberpunk / underground event! (See info about the next parties and events on her Instagram.)

Last year, we celebrated to the nines for Halloween… I feel I’m still recovering from it! My friends and I met up at a private apartment party in Shinjuku…

Of course, we brought the darkness — and ate all the food, muahaha.

When Sailor Jupiter runs into Koan… there’s down to be a tussle! Talk about literally fighting evil by moonlight.

Such fun to dress up and celebrate Halloween in Tokyo with my Goth crew.

Do you recognize Yukiro’s costume? She is Maetel, the mysterious tragic woman from Galaxy Express 999 manga and anime.

Can you tell we love Halloween? Dressing up and being scary means we’re in our element.

Onward to Ni-Choome, the LGBTQ district in Shinjuku. The real action happens at the 7-Eleven (if you know, you know).

Friends gather here to get conbini drinks and snacks. We always wind up seeing familiar faces in the crowd outside the Ni-Choome 7-11.

Then, karaoke at Eagle Blue Tokyo, a favorite bar for bears. The venue also hosts a variety of themed nights like drag queen shows and RuPaul screenings.

Tokyo’s Gothic music and club scene continues to flourish. Takmi Remnant held “Die Nacht Zwei” at Sakuradai Pool, where his band and others played.

Guests can shop for creepy. handmade oddities from local vendors, like these.

DJ Chihiro and DJ Sisen have been part of the keeping the scene undead ever since the earliest days of this blog! Always happy to reunite and dance to their dark sounds.

Check out Takmi Remnant’s IG page for his upcoming musical performances and Gothic events like this one.

Look who crept out of his coffin to perform…

Yukiro and Haus von Schwarz hit the stage… got to say, they’ve got guts!

Haus von Schwarz holds regular drag shows and performances year round, such as Casket of Horrors. Check out my reel of our haunted izakaya visit for a taste of their werk.

You can see upcoming Haus von Schwarz drag queen events on their IG.

Here’s what went down at last year’s Casket of Horrors. Elon Musk even showed up in one of the acts…

Watch clips of the performers from the Gothic/alt drag extravaganza Casket of Horrors here on my IG. 

And my bestie Yukiro Dravarious is constantly performing drag all around Tokyo! You can always count on sensational serves like these.

There are drag king events too… This prop went transformed from an office chair into a motorcycle, in one of the Kings of Tokyo acts!

Triesste belted out original songs — a joy to see her strut the stage.

Yukiro is a creative force — he also performs with his band Denanoma. I put together this video tribute to his various Goth / drag / music / film activities in the underground world!

I hope you’ll get to check out these Goth / alt / drag events whenever you visit Tokyo, as my friends are hosting parties year-round.

I’m “gutted” that I won’t be there this Halloween… but I’ll be back in Japan next year for sure, and have other outrageous travels ahead! Keep your eyes on @LaCarmina IG to see where in the world I head next.