Trick or Treat in Japan: Five Spooky Locations!
Sophia Wasylinko
Let’s visit five spooky cafés in Japan this fall for the “trick or treat” experience! Today’s list includes a cyberpunk hangout, a ghost story bar, and a restaurant that would be right at home in a Tim Burton movie. Japan has a colorful history of horror, and it’s no surprise that you’ll find impressive horror-themed places to eat and drink.
Thriller Night
Our first stop is this kaidan (Edo-period Japanese ghost stories) bar in Tokyo’s nightlife districts. Kaidan Live Bar Thriller Night Roppongi pulls out all the stops regarding the atmosphere. At odds with the friendly manager, the interior is a frightening scene of severed heads, cobwebs, and creepy dolls. You’ll get thrills and chills from the moment you step inside!
Every hour, a professional kaidan storyteller performs for 15 minutes. The fee is 3500 JPY ($25 USD) per person, including unlimited drinks for 60 minutes. If you love reading or watching Japanese horror and want to experience it in person, then you must plan a visit to Thriller Night!
Address: 5-5-1 Lower Roppongi B1F, Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo
Hours: 7pm to 5am every day except Sunday
Dark Gothic Bar Camille
If you’re in Osaka for Halloween, stop by Dark Gothic Bar Camille. Their Instagram page contains photos showing off their unsettling yet darkly appealing aesthetic, complete with Chucky dolls, chandeliers, and lots of red light. But don’t worry, the service is stellar – Camille herself will serve you drinks!
Besides the interior design, Dark Gothic Bar Camille’s menus are to die for. Drinks include wine in a “blood bag,” while snacks include pastries drizzled with “blood” and candy that looks like body parts. It gets very busy, so be sure to come early! (Note that the bar is also LGBTQ-friendly.)
Address: 2-2-3, Shinsaibashisuji 3F, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Hours: 8pm to 3am Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday
Trick or Treat Roppongi
We return to Roppongi for this ghoulish gastropub. Trick or Treat pays homage to Japanese and American horror with dolls, mannequins, paintings, and squeaking floorboards. You’ll even find autographed pictures by director Tim Burton and mangaka (manga artist) Umezu Kazuo, who have visited this restaurant.
Come for the scares, stay for the snacks. The pub serves pizza, beef stew, and squid with rice; drinks include ale, beer, and unusual cocktails. Trick or Treat is the place to go if you love horror pop culture, whether American or Japanese. Plus, it’s a great place for a Gothic horror-inspired photoshoot!
Address: Toda Building 2F, 7-16-5 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo
Hours: 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday; 6pm to 5am Friday; 6pm to 12am Saturday; closed Sunday
Are you looking for some Halloween snacks? TokyoTreat delivers the best Japanese snacks, drinks, sweets, and noodles straight from Japan to your door so that you can have a fun summer party at home!
Akabane Reien
Next up: a haunted house izakaya! One of Tokyo’s first horror-themed pubs, Akabane Reien (Cemetery) is a treat for horror and comic enthusiasts. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by skeletons, yokai (Japanese spirits and monsters), and other ghostly things. The manager loves dropping more down from hidden trapdoors, so be warned!
Another reason to visit Akabane Reien? It’s a two-hour all-you-can-eat-and-drink restaurant with karaoke! While there are familiar options like sausages and chijimi (spicy Korean pancakes), there are also bizarre foods like Medama Oyaji egg and Yashitate ham and eggs. We recommend coming with a local since few English menus are available.
Address: 1-35-8 Akabane, Kita City, Tokyo
Hours: 7pm to 3am every day
NEOShinjuku Atsushi
Our final stop is a cyberpunk fan’s dream come true. Since 2023, NEOShinjuku Atsushi has leaned into its futuristic and retro aesthetic with its design, layout, food, and entertainment. Live performances by punk, metal, and EDM artists are announced in advance on the bar’s Instagram.
The food and drink menus reflect cyberpunk’s surreal vibes. The burgers come with plant-based options and are vacuum-packed but tasty. Drinks include fruit dipping sake based on recipes written by ChatGPT. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to step inside Akira’s and Motoko Kusanagi’s worlds, visit NEOShinjuku Atsushi!
Address: Sankei Building 4F, 3-3-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Hours: 6-11pm Monday to Wednesday; 6pm to 5am Thursday and Friday; 12-4pm and 6pm to 5am on Saturday; 6pm to 12am on Sunday
Why should I go to a spooky café in the city?
Each café and restaurant we mentioned has a creative take on “spooky.” From creepy dolls in the bathroom to ghost stories sending shivers down your spine, you don’t know what to expect when you step inside.
Along with the decor, you can expect delicious flavors. While some of these places’ menus are light, they still go all-out with the names and plating. Who doesn’t want to pretend they’re drinking real blood and eating real eyeballs?
Finally, you’re bound to make new friends, whether you speak fluent Japanese or not. The staff ensures you’re comfortable (or scared out of your wits). And you can bond with other diners over the food, music, or frights!
Every spot in this blog channels horror through decorations, menu items, and customer service. There’s something for everyone, from NEOShinjuku’s cyberpunk atmosphere to Akabane Reien’s surprises and Dark Gothic Bar Camille’s macabre offerings. If you’re spending the spooky season in Japan, visit these locations for your next trick or treat. Have you attended any of these cafés or restaurants? Drop your favorites in the comments. And happy haunting!
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