Shibuya Halloween: From "Self-Restraint" to "Coexistence"? One Year Since the Enforcement of the "Street Drinking Ban" Ordinance... The Current Status of Measures such as "125 Security Guards, Hachiko Closure, LUUP Suspension"

Table of Contents

1. Why "Coexistence" Became a Keyword

2. Current Legal Framework: Towards a Year-Round Ban on Street Drinking

3. Operational Measures During Halloween: 125 Security Personnel, Hachiko Enclosure, LUUP Suspension

4. Impact on Traffic, Flow of People, and Commerce: Voices from the Field

5. Comparison with Overseas Cases: Lessons After Crowd Accidents

6. Practical Guide to "Enjoying" Shibuya in 2025

7. Business Checklist (Day-of Operations, Legal Compliance, Complaint Mitigation)

8. Data Analysis: Effectiveness and Challenges of "Deterrence"

9. Conclusion: Towards a Celebration Within Order—Moving Away from "Troublesome Halloween"

1. Why "Coexistence" Became a Keyword

After the overturning of a light truck in 2018 and overseas crowd accidents in 2022, Shibuya has strengthened measures based on "not attracting and not loitering." With the ordinance amendment in 2024, nighttime street drinking is banned year-round, shifting from temporary measures dependent on seasonal events to a permanent order design. 2025 marks the second season of this new standard (one year after the first Halloween since enforcement), focusing on balancing deterrence and the vibrancy of the city. Shibuya City Office

2. Current Legal Framework: Towards a Year-Round Ban on Street Drinking

Shibuya Ward has amended its ordinance to ban drinking from 18:00 to 5:00 in public spaces around Shibuya Station year-round. The target area has also been expanded. The aim is to deter habitual nuisance behaviors (littering, noise, solicitation, etc.) not only before and after events but also on a daily basis. Halloween serves as a "litmus test," and the structure of moving from special temporary regulations to regular rules is becoming established. Shibuya City Office

3. Operational Measures During Halloween: 125 Security Personnel, Hachiko Enclosure, LUUP Suspension

• Deployment of 125 Security Personnel
  From the night of October 31 to the following morning, approximately 125 security personnel are deployed around Shibuya Station. They are responsible for curbing street drinking and loitering, ensuring pathways, and early detection of troubles. Ward staff also conduct night patrols on the day before and the day of the event. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and Lawyers
  
  

• Temporary Enclosure of Hachiko Statue (Scheduled from 6:00 on 10/30 to 5:00 on 11/1)
  The area in front of Hachiko, prone to crowding due to meet-ups and photography, is managed with temporary enclosures, setting up a press area considering congestion and media pathways. While the "closure" of this symbolic space is controversial, it has become a routine measure from the perspective of avoiding past crowding and dangers. Shibuya City Office
  
  

• Temporary Suspension of LUUP (21 Ports in Shibuya Ward)
  While individual mobility means are convenient, they pose potential risks in crowded environments. LUUP will be temporarily suspended at 21 ports in Shibuya Ward from 17:00 on 10/30 to 5:00 on 11/1 to prevent accidents such as misoperation, abandonment, and curb collisions under congestion. Luup
  
  

• Others
  Potential traffic restrictions and checkpoints, requests to refrain from selling alcoholic beverages, temporary closure of smoking areas, and establishment of garbage collection points are layered measures that work in a chain rather than in isolation. Lawyer JP | Reservation and Search for Law Firms and Lawyers

4. Impact on Traffic, Flow of People, and Commerce: Voices from the Field

• Evening Out of People Flow: By closing symbolic spots and organizing pathways, congestion in front of Hachiko and Center Street is dispersed.

• Impact on Commerce: While immediate sales are dampened by requests to refrain from selling alcoholic beverages and the ban on street drinking, some point out an actual improvement in gross profit due to reduced trouble response costs and complaints.

• Area Management: To prevent "overflow" onto the streets, in-store and facility entry and exit flows (pathways, staggered entry) and storefront barricades are effective. More businesses are aligning with the ward's call by uniformly displaying **"How to Enjoy" POP and prohibited items in foreign languages**. Shibuya Economic Newspaper+1

5. Comparison with Overseas Cases: Lessons After Crowd Accidents

Following the Itaewon accident in Seoul in 2022, international cities have shifted from focusing on **"attracting crowds" to "managing the upper limit of safe capacity". Shibuya has also taken steps to prevent iconic spots from becoming "densely packed" nuclei, such as by curbing New Year countdowns. The more media-exposed a tourist spot is, the more "photogenic crowds" can become risk factors. Shibuya's approach of **permanent rules plus temporary operations** is a reasonable trend internationally. The Times+1