Koenji Tokyo Yokai Parade: Japanese spirits folk masks festival! Rick Owens rave, Akabane Reien haunted ghost pub.
Boo! Ready for more spooky Tokyo, Japan stories? Yukiro and I are delighted to fright you all year round!
My Koenji yokai parade video went viral on @LaCarmina Instagram, and many of you asked for details like — when and where the Tokyo yokai parade takes place next, for Halloween 2024.
Read on for the scoop on Tokyo’s otherworldly Koenji Yokai Parade, featuring handmade costumes of Japanese folklore spirits like kappa and oni. I’ll also take you inside Akabane Reien haunted horror ghost izakaya (here’s video of the spooky pub), and the Rick Owens Tokyo fashion rave!
And don’t forget that I’m selling almost everything I own… so if you dig my Gothic fashion / accessories, come see my clearout @LaCarmina Depop and reach out if I can send you anything. (I’m offering free shipping within Canada in Oct!)
And watch out… Tokyo’s most terrifying drag queens are back for Halloween! My friends Haus von Schwarz are vogueing through The Collapse at “Apocalypstick,” their next Casket of Horrors drag show (10/12 at Shinjuku Heist). Japan’s most elite drag performers are strutting the stage, along with Seileen and DJs.
Tickets and more info here! You may recall I went to this Japan drag queen fiesta last year and had a blast — here’s a video of what went down.
Many of you were enthralled by my Insta reel of the Tokyo Yokai Parade, which takes place during the daytime just before Halloween each year in Koenji. In 2024, the Koenji yokai festival will take place the afternoon of Saturday, Oct 12, 2024. The event is free to attend, so no tickets required — you can just show up to see spirits strolling down Shinkoenji-dori shopping street.
Last year, the Koenji Yokai Parade was everything! The participants put such detail and effort into their handmade costumes and masks, which represent ghostly and magic creatures from Japanese folk legends, like the kitsune fox.
The procession included Kōenji Awa Odori dancers or ren, wearing yukata and straw hats. They performed choreographed hand and dance movements down Shin-koenji Doori street (just show up there in the afternoon and you’ll catch them.)
Musicians played traditional matsuri instrumental songs (using the shamisen stringed instrument, drums, flutes and cymbals). I spot an oni, or demonic ogre / troll.
Love the creativity of traditional folk yokai, or tricksters, monsters, demons, and other supernatural spirits.
The basket-headed flute player is komuso, or Buddhist warriors (a non-monk) that wore straw basket hats that covered their faces. They play the shakuhachi bamboo flute or suizen, and were deadly characters in the Lone Wolf and Cub series!
Here are women in hannya masks (used in Noh theater) to depict jealous ladies.
Some of the yokai parade characters are from the folk tradition, while some are newly created characters.
Anyone can join the procession if they pay a small fee at the start. Or just watch from the sidelines, and cheer them on while taking photos and videos.
The paraders truly embodied their characters, moving and acting as if they were possessed.
The Koenji Yokai Parade had everything from horned cyber demons to mecha-samurai.
I was wowed by the imagination and artistry that went into the masks, props and costumes.
This devilish cat got a lot of attention from onlookers!
Please watch my viral Koenji yokai parade video to see the festivities in action. Catch the procession again this year (on Shinkoenji shopping street, afternoon of Sat October 12 — add @lacarmina Instagram for info and announcements so you won’t miss it).
My favorite time of year to be in Tokyo is October-November because of the great weather and all the Halloween / Goth parties. Last season, Yukiro and I started our all-night rager at a queer horror film event in Shimokitazawa.
We found an eerily lit hall near the station, which was perfect for our cybergoth outfits.
Then, we took the train to Shin-Kiba station for a private fashion party held by edgy fashion designer Rick Owens, to celebrate the launch of his photo book with Danielle Levitt.
Please watch my reel of the Rick Owens rave to see loads of Japanese Goth avantgarde fashion!
The “who’s who” of the Tokyo Goth underworld was at the Rick Owens rave, dressed to the nines…
… and look who played a DJ set — Fecal Matter, or Matieres Fecales! The design duo from Montreal is known for their avantgarde dark styling.
We ran into friends from all Japanese subcultures at the Rick Owens all night party — from alternative designers to latex-wearing fetish folk.
You know it’s a good club night when half-naked Japanese boys are giving out free bottles of yuzu.
Much like the Koenji yokai parade, the partygoers went all out with handcrafted outerspace couture. Only in Japan do you see such creative nightlife dressing.
Pink Harajuku alien style, yesss.
Of course, Yukiro stood out with his height and neon locks.
Watch my Instagram reel of the Rick Owens warehouse rave to see these sumo dancers and Fecal Matter in motion.
Some hater commented “This is absolutely disgusting, barf” on the video… so I pinned it as the top comment! (They’re not wrong…)
Last but not least, Yukiro organized a gathering of his drag Haus of Schwarz at Akabane Reien — a haunted / ghost / horror themed izakaya, which none of us had been to before! As you can tell from the decor and our funny voguing video, it was a frightful delight. (Photos by Alejandro Morales Rama.)
Akabane Reien is an izakaya (small homestyle Japanese pub) with one guy running the show.
We crammed into the seats to share homey food, and sing karaoke (the random group in the back got quite rowdy!)
Akabane Reien is one of Tokyo’s many strange theme restaurants. It celebrates all things creepy and spooky like skulls, cobwebs, horror icons…
And when you least expect it… Someone (like the disembodied hand) falls towards you with a bang! I screamed as if I were in a haunted house.
We sang our favorite 80s songs surrounded by corpse limbs and Japanese lanterns (only in Tokyo)…
I spy Jason, the Scream masks, and more. Watch our video on @LaCarmina IG to see footage of Akabane Reien.
We had to order this disgusting meat dish… the seaweed and cream make it extra horrific! Hot tip: don’t order the sausage and ham flaps here.
Enjoy our video about visiting Akabane Reien Halloween-themed restaurant. Be sure to catch Haus von Schwarz – Tokyo’s Goth drag house – at their next Casket of Horrors performance: Sat Oct 12 at Shinjuku Heist! Info and advance tickets are here.
And thanks to the 1.5 million people that enjoyed my Koenji yokai parade vid! You can add me @lacarmina Instagram for more offbeat and Gothic Tokyo adventures like these.
PS: don’t forget, I’m unloading pretty much all my worldly possessions. Reach out of you want anything from my sale — I’m offering free shipping for Canadians in Oct. I have loads of Goth Harajuku alt punk clothes, jewelry, kawaii toys and much more… come see my listings @LaCarmina Depop. (But no need to use the app, just email me gothiccarmina @ gmail. dotcom and let me know what you’d like!)
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San Jose del Cabo: Beach Goth clubs & skull mezcal bars vacation! Depop Gothic Lolita Harajuku Jrock clothing sale.
Yes, sometimes I’m a Beach Goth! (Always slathered in SPF, of course).
I spent some days in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico — which is the chiller area (partiers and tourists tend to stick to Cabo San Lucas). Read on for the most photogenic, quiet beaches and beach clubs in SJD…
… as well as some Gothic destinations in Cabo, like this Day of the Dead skeleton lady mural in the artsy town. You can also watch a reel of my trip highlights here on @lacarmina IG.
But first a pretty big announcement: I’m selling almost ALL my worldly possessions.
Including rare Gothic Lolita Visual Kei memorabilia, Harajuku punk Goth fashion (like this Lovecraftian shirt I wore to Angkor Wat), and hundreds more kawaii cute and alternative Japan items on @LaCarmina Depop.
I need to clear out everything, so if you would like anything I have, please let me know! Happy to do reductions and can ship worldwide.
TO VIEW MY CLOSET SALE: Everything is listed here @LaCarmina Depop, but no need to use the app. You can email me gothiccarmina @ gmail dot com – let me know what you’d like, and I can mail packages worldwide. Open to all offers and will do discounts. Thank you!
If you’ve been following me on @lacarmina social media, you probably saw that I had a flight cancellation fiasco that left me stranded in Los Cabos for a few extra days. Although it was a bit of a hassle to figure out a new flight and extended accommodations, I made the most of my bonus time in the sunny west coast of Mexico.
I spent a day vegetating at El Ganzo Beach Club, which is part of Hotel El Ganzo in San Jose del Cabo. No need to stay at the boutique hotel (although it looks lovely) — anyone can purchase a day pass, and take the quick, free boat across the water to the chic club!
El Ganzo’s Cabo beach club has a a private, luxe vibe — as well as this pristine beach with gentle waters.
Tip: go early so that you can grab one of the chic cabanas of shaded lounge chairs overlooking the ocean.
Love the artsy, relaxed atmosphere of El Ganzo — it’s a world away from the raucous tourist scene in Cabos San Lucas (which I didn’t even visit).
I also much prefer the weather on the west coast of Mexico — it’s a dry heat, so you can avoid humidity and mosquitoes (my ultimate nemesis, along with microplastics).
This “Goth in hot weather” kept chill and pale under the shaded cabana. Order drinks and snacks, which are served right to your lounger bed.
And always bring water, a hat and mineral sunscreen! (Goths in hot weather are a rare sight, indeed.)
These catch of the day fish tostadas with lime and a bit of spice were perfection.
Can’t beat a smoky pineapple mezcal cocktail with this view of palm trees and light waves.
I’d love to come back to spend more time at Hotel El Ganzo’s beach club. (Anyone can purchase a day pass, which includes a credit that can be used on food).
Speaking of Mexican food… there are so many scrumptious options in San Jose del Cabo, especially if you go to small restaurants outside the tourist zones. I double-fisted ice coffee and green juice at Abrejos Cafe (close to the beach), and ate generous portions of birria (above), tacos, and other local eats for low prices.
No need to stay at a pricy resort in San Jose del Cabo. You can rent an inexpensive Airbnb, and take inexpensive Ubers to public access beaches like the long Ocampo.
Wore a Y2K shrug (vintage from the early 200s) and Michi Playa dress to cover up from the sun.
Walking along a Cabo beach and dipping my toes in the waves = happiness. (See the crashing waves and more in my SJDC video on @LaCarmina IG.)
As you can see, I had Ocampo beach mostly to myself — yet another benefit of coming to San Jose del Cabo rather than crowded Cabo San Lucas.
Tip: on the western side of Playa Ocampo, there are free palapas that are first come first serve. If you arrive before noon on a weekday, like I did, chances are you can nab one.
A PSA from the sunscreen queen: please take care during the summer heatwaves. Temperatures and heat effects are stronger now than even a few years ago (hello, The Collapse!), so burns and heatstroke can creep up on you faster than you expect.
Be vigilant with SPF and coverups, seek shade, hydrate with electrolytes, and limit time outside. (I took these photos in two minutes, then put my hat back on and sought shelter,)
Nothing beats natural beach waves. I’m often asked for my hair care tips so let’s go:
– Don’t bleach / dye your own hair if you lack training. Invest in a salon that uses pro products and gentle techniques (my stylist is @katatkore in Vancouver)
– Only have your stylist bleach the roots, and don’t change the colour too much to keep it healthier
– Never overwash your hair (once a week or longer depending on circumstances), and use pro quality shampoos and conditioners, not drugstore
– After washing, gently towel dry and finish with protective hydrating serum and @dysonhairpro blow dryer (worth the investment)
– No heat tools. I use overnight rope curls for waves
– Cut off split ends & tie hair in non-damaging not-too-tight ways (like Dutch braids and with silk scrunchies, not regular elastics that encourage breakage)
– Sleep with a silk pillowcase. I also wear a silk hair cap on flights
– Nutrition and hydration make a difference (fish oils, protein, veggies, fruit)
– Don’t forget that genetics play a role!
It’s worth going a little further south and west to Playa Palmilla — one of the most gorgeous Los Cabos beaches. The rocky landscape and clear waters are “chef’s kiss.”
Palmilla Beach is also the site of One&Only Palmilla, one the most exquisite five-star resorts in Cabo (with beachfront access).
You can also kayak, paddle board, swim, snorkel and take part in other water activities. (Or just hang out and enjoy, as I did.)
Then, luxuriate at Aqua Restaurant in One & Only Palmilla resort. (I cooled off in the air conditioned area with a mezcal cocktail and these views.)
The oceanfront One&Only Palmilla is one of the most stunning places to stay in Cabo.
The One and Only’s infinity edge pool is picture-perfect, and the service here is top notch.
As you can see, I was perfectly happy to be stranded in Mexico for a few extra days!
I also explored the artsy town of San Jose del Cabo. The streets are filled with art and antique galleries, and framed by colorful banners.
I recommend eating slightly outside of SJDC, as prices here are higher. (I got cachete or cheek tacos about 8 blocks away, for $2). However, you can find Goth goods like this skull chocolate in town.
San Jose del Cabo also has an Art Walk every Thursday evening that lets you learn more about local artists and meet them at galleries. However, you can shop their wares — like these sugar skull scarves — at any time.
Look out of street art as well, such as a skeleton lady mural and Boo sticker near El Encanto Inn.
Love the joyful vibe of San Jose del Cabo, especially around sunset.
If you’re a mezcal fan like I am, a visit to Cabo Santo Mezcal (craft cocktail bar) is a must-do.
The San Jose del Cabo mezcal bar is decorated with dark skulls — this Goth felt right at home.
Try a tamarind mezcal cocktail at Cabo Santo Mezcal, and tell the friendly bartender Sergio that I sent you.
I’m trying to blend in with the plants so that I don’t have to fly home from Cabo! I hope these travel tips help you plan a chill Goth-on-the-beach vacation.
If you have any questions about Mexico travel, let me know — I’ve been to many parts of the country now! You can see my previous Mexico blogs here, and watch a video of my Cabo getaway.
And don’t forget to check out my closet clear-out @LACARMINA DEPOP – let me know if I can mail you anything!
LA CARMINA
