Fall traditions: a visit to a haunted house

Of all the foreign traditions that Japan has adopted, Halloween is, in my opinion, the one that is the most natural fit. Although Japan only celebrates Halloween in recent years, the foundations have existed for hundreds of years. With a culture that  honors the dead and has a rich history of spooky stories, costume wearing and masks. As well as a belief in the supernatural. And all long before the word 'Halloween' ever reached these shores. However, 'Halloween' is celebrated differently here. Thus, my family and I have found a unique way to celebrate Halloween, merging Irish and Japanese traditions.

Haunted House

Haunted Houses are big in Japan. They've had haunted houses since the Edo Period. I think summer is actually the most popular time for Japanese people to visit a  Haunted house, particularly around Obon. But for my family and I, we like to visit a Haunted House in October, in the lead up to Halloween.

My children are getting older now, so we are adapting our family traditions. For example, my eldest daughter who is in Junior High School, made her haunted house visit with her friends this year. They went to the Haunted Mansion in Disney Sea last week for the Halloween edition. This past weekend I went to a travelling haunted house that comes to Saitama just twice a year for this year's shrills, chills and thrills! 

My younger children will go to one this weekend in one of the amusement park's in Saitama Prefecture. A lot of amusement parks around Japan have a haunted house due to their popularity. Some are more chilling than others and some are a complete rip off, they wouldn't scare a cat! Its a tacky thrill ideal for the Halloween season.

Have you been to a haunted house in Japan? Were you scared?