Halloween doesn't get a

Halloween doesn't get a lot of notice in Japan.

Like most Western, Christian holidays, Halloween in Japan is more of a marketing idea than a day of fun or celebration. Only this one hasn't caught on the way Valentine's Day has.

I've seen very few jack o'lanterns, ghosts or witches in stores. I know of one shop that caters to foreigners and young Japanese; it has decorations and costumes. There is not a single bit of Halloween candy to be found.

Tonight at 9 pm, a group of crazy, costumed foreigners will gather to ride the Yamanote line, the train line that makes a loop around Tokyo. The train copmpny frowns on this gathering, but when the conductor chases the costumed revellers off, they just reboard another train. I think the train officials have begun turning a blind eye; the other passengers certainly do!

Wouldn't you, if a six foot-tall goblin was standing in front of you on the train?