Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced a new beverage called the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® which will be released at Starbucks branches (*1) across Japan from 17:22 (*2)―the time of sunset when night begins―on October 18, 2019. The coffee chain is also releasing its new “Halloween Masquerade” filter on Instagram (*3).

*1. Select branches not participating.
*2. Roll out time may differ at select branches.
*3. Instagram is a service owned by Facebook, Inc. The above-mentioned filter is not backed or managed by Instagram in any way nor is it affiliated with the service.

The Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® is themed on an evening masquerade party. It will go on sale when the sun sets at 17:22 on October 18. As the name suggests, the drink itself is black and mysterious like the night, blending together black cocoa powder with white chocolate brownie.

The jet black beverage also has a red hue to it which comes from a sweet and sour red berry sauce made from raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. It’s topped with a squirt of fluffy whipped cream, sprinkled with black cocoa powder, and drizzled with more of that red berry sauce to create that Halloween aesthetic. The black cocoa adds a delicious bitterness to the sweetness of the brownie and the sweet and sour mixed berries, creating a mouth-watering flavour combination.

The Halloween Masquerade filter was developed by Starbucks for people’s Instagram stories this Halloween. There are four masks to choose from which can be changed by just tapping on the screen. There are other cool Halloween effects on the filter to find too. Something might even pop out of your mouth if you open wide…

Starbucks Japan will also sell the above-pictured Halloween cup stands when the drinks go on sale. Limited in stock, the stands come in black and white, titled Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® or the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® respectively. You can buy them separately or as a set.

Experience a spooky masquerade party at Starbucks this Halloween.

Worried about what to wear for Halloween this year? No need to panic. If you’re spending your Halloween in Shibuya this year, which is known the world over for its incredible Halloween festivities, then head to Tokyo Culture Culture on October 27 where a very unique event is taking place.

Jimi Halloween is an event that takes out the stress of having to go all out for Halloween as people go dressed as ordinary people. It has been held annually since 2014, with the number of attendees growing each year. Over 800 people took part last year, all clad in their plain clothes.

This year’s event will be split into three slots, with a capacity of 200 people per slot. Sign-ups begin on October 15 at 12:00pm (JST).

Past Examples

①Situational attire

Beauty salon client

Dressing up as someone doing something has been a popular choice at the event recently. You can come up with some creative ideas that’ll make people say, “You came as that?!”

②”I’ve seen people like that!” attire

Flea market woman

There’s always certain types of people that everyone sees, and in Japan this is one of them!

③”I get it, but I don’t get it” attire

Hawaii vibe  uncle

You’ve heard all about them, but have you seen them?

④Work attire

Handing out tissues with pachinko ads on them

Work attire is a go-to at the plain clothes event. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this is the one that started the entire movement.

⑤Miscellaneous attire

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

The final entry is those which are hard to categorise. They serve whatever vibes they are feeling.

Attend this year’s event and show off your own unique ideas!

Royal Park Hotel Tokyo in Nihonbashi has begun its Halloween festivities for 2019, including a bone-chilling black and orange food and dessert menu, spooky decorations, a photo spot in the first floor main lobby, and more.

Check out their mouth-watering sweets assortment! Their Halloween Afternoon Tea set is packed full of autumntime flavours, from the glass desserts, to the apple chiboust, chocolate pocket watches with bats on them, adorable monster burgers, and more.

The hotel is also offering a Halloween Dinner Buffet on weekends and holidays decorated in Halloween colours. Pile your tray with figs and blackcurrants, chestnut mousse, pumpkin tarts, and plenty of other tasty treats, all prepared fresh in the kitchen.

This is just a peek into the hair-raising fun happening right now at Royal Park Hotel Tokyo. There’s also the Halloween Cocktail Fair, Halloween Sweets & Bread event, and much more.

Spend your Halloween here, or even use it as an opportunity to try wearing your Halloween costume out so you’re ready for October 31!

Starbucks Japan is opening the portal to a whole new realm of flavour from October 11, 2019. Premonitions reveal that two devilishly delicious masquerade-themed drinks are to emerge for the Halloween season and infiltrate the menus of Starbucks branches across Japan. The two drinks called Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® and Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha, are sure to give you an out-of-body experience. 

Just one sip of the Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® will pull you into a masquerade party world. The mysterious full red appearance of this devilish drink is tinged red with a tangy sauce which is a blend of raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. White chocolate brownies have been blended to make the frappuccino base. This is topped with a ghostly cloud of whipped cream sprinkled with dark cocoa powder. Red sauce can be seen trickling down the sides of the cup, tainting the white whipped cream. You will immediately be tricked into treating yourself to this irresistible drink. 

Like a luxury dessert, not only do the colours of the frappuccino contrast, but the sweet fruity tang makes for the perfect contrast with the white chocolate brownie

If your regular Starbucks order is the White Mocha, then make way for your new Hallow-queen: The Halloween Masquerade Raspberry Mocha. This is made with a startling shot of espresso which has a sweet yet tangy mixed berry flavour. This is masked with a white mocha flavour. 

Starbucks has brewed the perfect potions to steal your heart this Halloween. Dare you try one?

* The above image is an illustration.

October is here, meaning Halloween is right around the corner. If you’re not up for dressing up in a costume or going out this year, then you can still get in the Halloween spirit by picking up one of the many Halloween exclusive goodies now being sold at Japanese convenience stores. We’ve picked out our top 5 favourite for you.

Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Starbucks Japan is now stocking its sweet caramel pudding latte across most convenience stores in Japan. The golden-capped cup features a spooky Halloween design, decorated with ghosts, pumpkins and bats. Enjoy Halloween in a cup with the beverage’s rich and sweet caramel pudding flavour.

▼Starbucks® Sweet Caramel Pudding Latte

Price: ¥200
Available: Most convenience stores across Japan. Select branches not stocking.

Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

These crunchy potato sticks are a popular savour snack in Japan. This Halloween, Calbee has coloured their sumptuous sticks black, and made them taste like delicious consomme. This is a 7-Eleven and Ai Group-exclusive. Its cute pot design will have you grabbing one off the shelf without even thinking.

▼Calbee Jagabee Black Consomme

Price: ¥138 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

The classic thick-cut Karamucho potato chips have been sprinkled with extra spiciness for that heated kick. The packet features all the familiar faces of Halloween, from a witch to a pumpkin, bats, a graveyard and more. If you’re a spice-seeker then this one’s for you. Also a 7-Eleven and Ai Group exclusive product.

▼KOIKE-YA Karamucho Hot Chili Flavour

Price: ¥128 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven and Ai Group

7-Eleven Marshmallow Chocolate Ganache Daifuku

7-Eleven is also releasing a range of its own original Halloween treats, including this sweet white daifuku which looks like a marshmallow and is filled with rich chocolate ganache. A Japanese and Western-combined confection you can enjoy with one hand.

▼7-Eleven Marshmallow Raw Chocolate Daifuku

Price: ¥118 (Before Tax)
Available: 7-Eleven (Except in Okinawa)

7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Black cats are a popular symbol of Halloween, particularly in Japan. This cake is made with chocolate cream and vanilla cream and is coated in a crunchy chocolate coating for even more tasty texture. This is a seriously cute choice you’re sure to love!

▼7-Eleven Black Cat Sachertorte

Price: ¥308 (Before Tax)
Release Date: October 15, 2019
Available: 7-Eleven

Did you enjoy our picks? There are plenty of Halloween-themed foods, confections and sweets to look forward to this year at convenience stores in Japan. Head to your closest one and see what they have in stock.

Harajuku hot spot the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE will hold a Halloween event entitled “KAWAII HARAJUKU Halloween PARTY 2019” for the entire month of October.

The Halloween season is almost upon us in Japan, where the spooky season’s festivities often begin a little earlier in October as cafes, restaurants and shops start serving up their own unique Halloween-themed menus.

This year at the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, the Monster Girls are inviting you to their kaleidoscopic Halloween party. From vampires to werewolves, Frankenstein’s monster and beyond, prepare to encounter a Halloween like no other with a line-up of colourful dishes.

Colourful Pop Burger: Frankenstein’s Monster – ¥1,580 (Before Tax)

The cafe’s mascot character Mr. Choppy has been turned into Frankenstein’s monster! This fat and juicy burger is filled with salsa sauce and melted cheese. Even the bun is cute and colourful too!

Choppy Baron’s Dark Curry – ¥1,400 (Before Tax)

This time, Mr. Choppy has turned into a vampire for this pitch-black curry, laced with other Halloween colours too like purple and orange. This vivid plate isn’t just tasty, its appearance has life to it too.

Nameless Cemetery Cheese Glutton – ¥3,200 (Before Tax) *Recommended for 3+ people

This surreal dish is a giant breaded coffin filled with gratin, rainbow-coloured cheese, and white sauce. Surrounding it are bats, eyeballs, and gravestones.

Monster Bongo Bongo Tiramisu – ¥1,080 (Before Tax)

An assortment of ice creams like matcha and houjicha all coated in Halloween-coloured chocolate. Hidden underneath the ghoulish pile is colourful cereal.

Midnight Pumpkin Chiffon Cake – ¥1,580 (Before Tax)

A fluffy chiffon cake topped with black sesame ice cream and a pumpkin lathered in pumpkin-flavoured fresh cream. The trickling bloody chocolate completes that Halloween look.

Bark At The Moon – ¥980 (Before Tax)

This adorable wolf dessert appeared during a full moon. It includes a crunchy doughnut on top of which is sat a sweet black sesame mousse werewolf.

Non-Alcoholic Basil Seed Jelly Cocktail – ¥900 (Before Tax) / Shake Hip Shake Chocolate – ¥950 (Before Tax)

There are two drinks to pick from this Halloween: a dark chocolate shake with a pumpkin floating on top and a cocktail filled with basil seed and jelly for an enjoyable texture. The cocktail can be served non-alcoholic or alcoholic.

There’s plenty to look forward to at the KAWAII MONSTER CAFE this Halloween, so if you’re in Harajuku this October, don’t miss out!

*The food menu is limited to lunch time hours
*The drinks menu is available at all times

Every year choux pastry shop CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU sells 2 million of their unique, crunchy and creamy choux pastries. This Halloween, these white angelic sticks of heaven have been possessed by the Halloween spirit and will be sold from October 1 – 31.

The devilishly delicious Black Zaku and Black Zaku Soft Serve Ice Cream were overwhelmingly popular when they were first sighted last year. Now they are being revived again for the Halloween season and will be haunting practically all CROQUANTCHOU ZAKUZAKU branches across Japan. 

Black cocoa powder is infused into the crunchy choux pastry. The empty shell is then filled with a molten custard core which is made using Hokkaido milk and purple sweet potato paste. Once you take your first crunchy bite, you will be completely possessed by the Halloween spirit.

This Halloween, the original pure white ice cream has been inverted. From the ice cream to the wafer cone, the Black Zaku Soft Serve is completely black. The ice cream is incredibly soft and creamy and full of flavour. The black colour comes from white chocolate dyed with bamboo charcoal. This chilling ice cream is only around for the Halloween season and tastes wicked!

 There is more than just Halloween treats at the shop. The regular Croquant Chou Zaku Zaku and regular Zaku Zaku Soft® are also being served. Head to a store with an adjoining kitchen to sink your teeth into freshly made delicious treats. 

There is no better trick to treating yourself this Halloween than to indulge in a beautiful, black, crunchy and creamy sweet treat!

Disney Halloween 2019 is in full force at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea where “ghosts” are this year’s theme. The spooky festivities are set to continue until October 31.

Disney Ambassador®️ Hotel is also getting in on the Halloween action, with a bone-chilling food and drinks line-up at the Hyperion Lounge.

Disney Halloween Cake Set – ¥1,700 (Available until October 31, 2019)

The eye-catching blueberry mont blanc is served with either tea or coffee. The sweet and sourness of the blueberry combined with the cream cheese is spot on.

It’s also filled with blueberry jam for even more of a blueberry kick. Mix together with the powdered mango for extra flavour.

This cake set is serve from 12:00-22:00, but there is a limited number of servings per day so be sure to get in there quick!

Disney Halloween Special Drink – ¥1,300 (Available until October 31, 2019)

The Instagram-worthy drink is serving autumn vibes with its chestnut syrup and orange colour. It’s also topped with whipped cream and a cute chocolate bat. The drink has a refreshing mix of range juice and grape juice which balance deliciously with the purple sweet potato whipped cream and sweet syrup. There’s also grape jelly hidden underneath the cream.

This is also served from 12:00-22:00, and gets you an original coaster. These are limited in availability.

©️Disney

Roppongi Hills has announced this year’s Halloween festival. Titled “ROPPONGI HILLS HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2019,” it will take place from October 1 to 31, packed full of spooky fun from a Halloween costume parade to a ghoulish gourmet menu line-up, featuring an always-unique array of food and drink.

Halloween Cupcakes – ¥638 Each @ LOLA’S Cupcakes Tokyo (Available from October 5)

LOLA’S Cupcakes has baked up an assortment of cute monster motif cupcakes, with flavours including pumpkin, purple sweet potato and more. Whichever one you pick, it’s sure to give you a smile and delight your taste buds.

Halloween Mixed Berry Cake – ¥530 @ Roasted coffee laboratory

Creepy eyeballs adorn this cake, which is topped with blackberries and blueberries while drizzled in bloody blackcurrant jam. The cake is layered with sponge, fresh cream and a sweet and sour strawberry jelly.

Happy Monster – ¥980 @ Cafe Crepe

Delight in this cute pumpkin and fresh cream crepe, filled with pumpkin ice cream and snug in an orange crepe wrap. Housed inside is an adorable purple sweet potato mont blanc monster wearing a witch’s hat.

A movie-themed parade will take place on Saturday October 26 at the event in line with the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival. Children and adults can take part in the parade if they dress up. The 1km parade will last 25 minutes.

Gift bags will be given to all kids who get involved!

▼Halloween Parade

Date: October 26, 2019

Time: 10:30-13:30 (subject to change)

Location: Roppongi Hills Arena

Participation Conditions: Anybody who dressed up can join (the theme is “Movies”)

Participation: Free

Enquiries: 03-6406-6000 (Roppongi Hills Information)

Halloween will hit Roppongi Hills for the entire month of October. Be sure to visit if you’re in Japan next month!

Ginza Cozy Corner has revealed a new batch of adorable Disney-themed Halloween sweets that will be available to purchase between September 27 and October 31.

Disney Halloween Collection (9 Sweets) – ¥2,300 (Before Tax)

Ginza Cozy Corner’s Halloween treats prove popular every single year. This year they’re taking on a completely new theme they are calling “Mickey & Friends’ Trick or Treat.” The Disney Halloween Collection includes an assortment of individual confections each with motifs of Mickey and the Disney cast, such as Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck.

Mickey’s is a candy apple tart, Minnie’s is a candy-inspired roll cake, Donald’s is a chocolate ice cream tart―the list goes on. Each one has been carefully designed to be as cute and delicious as possible. Perfect finger-food treats for Halloween parties and simple get-togethers!

Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Pudding – ¥360 (Before Tax)

Minnie Mouse Pumpkin Pudding – ¥360 (Before Tax)

There are also Mickey and Minnie-themed puddings made with sweet and rich pumpkin. These milk puddings spurt out bright-red raspberry sauce when your spoon hits the middle. Each pudding also comes with its very own Mickey or Minnie dressed in vampire outfits.

Be sure to visit Ginza Cozy Corner if you’re in Japan for Halloween this year for some cute and tasty Disney treats!

©Disney

It’s only been a week since Halloween begun at Tokyo Disney Resort, and already guests are loving it. “Ghosts” are in the spotlight this year at Tokyo Disneyland, and they are serving up a spooky and ghostly time this year all the way up to October 31.

Tokyo Disneyland Halloween Gear

Since it’s Halloween, and you’ve made the effort to travel to Tokyo Disneyland, why not dress up too with one of the park’s many pieces of Halloween costume items?

Mickey Mouse Ear Hat – ¥2,000

The classic Mickey Mouse ear hat has taken on a Halloween theme for the event, wrapped in ripped bandages and spiderweb.

Poncho – ¥3,900 (Sizes S~LL) *Kid’s size is ¥3,300

Mickey has also turned into a white ghost but it doesn’t seem too spooky―friendly, actually―as he enjoys his drink and churro for the design of this poncho. It seems like he just wants to get in on the fun too.

Cap – ¥2,800 / Parker – ¥4,900

Transform into a black cat too with one of the many clothing items too, serving a completely different aura to the ear hats.

Spooky Boo! Parade

Once you’re all dressed up, it’s time to go and watch the Spooky Boo! Parade where the Disney cast and an army of ghosts invite guests into the Halloween festivities. Multiple stories will take place across the parade at once, so no matter which part of the parade you are watching, there’ll be plenty to enjoy. The parade takes place twice a day.

Decorations

Be sure to check out the decorations in front of Cinderella’s Castle while watching the parade, featuring the Disney cast dressed in their Halloween costumes.

You’ll find ghosts hidden all around the park. Be on the lookout and see how many you can spot!

Special Menu

Wipe away your fatigue from walking around the park with one of the many special Halloween items on the menu at restaurants and cafes across Tokyo Disneyland.

Popcorn Soda & Doughnut – ¥600 @ Boiler Room Bites and elsewhere

The scrumptious popcorn coupled with the pumpkin flavoured doughnut make for a delightfully delicious combination. This is sure to whet your appetite right away.

Short Rib Cone – ¥500 @ The Gazebo

The cone is filled with ashed purple sweet potato and, short rib, and cheese sauce. A perfect little bite to walk around and eat while in the park when you’re feeling peckish.

Special Set – ¥1,050 @ Sweetheart Cafe

Arriving with a cute Jack Skellington bun is this potato salad and tomato beef-filled burger. When you unwrap the packaging and place the burger on top like in the photo, it looks like Sally is gazing lovingly at Jack♡

Nighttime Decorations

When night falls, Main Street at World Bazaar will light up with projecting mapping and Halloween music will play, creating an exciting Halloween nighttime experience. Fireworks will also launch into the night sky and be Halloween-themed too.

Join the ghosts this year at Tokyo Disneyland for an exciting Halloween Party!

With just a small bit of ingenuity, turn everyday food into something cute using Kaori’s easy recipe! With a few simple ideas, an ordinary recipe magically transforms into a cute dish.

In this recipe, I will show you how to make the perfect treat for Halloween: a pumpkin and cream cheese pound cake, finished with cute bats and a ghost. This is a super easy recipe that can be made by simply putting everything into a blender and baking it in the oven. By the end of you you will have yourself a Halloween-themed rich pound cake as soft as Japanese pudding.

1: Ingredients (Makes one 22cm pound cake)

150g cream cheese

250g cooked pumpkin (skin and seeds removed)

50g-60g sugar

1 egg

150ml fresh cream

20g soft wheat flour

2: Blend all of the ingredients together in a blender

3: Once the mix takes on a smooth texture, pour into a cake tin and bake at 180℃ for 40 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool, then leave in the fridge overnight.

4: Once the cake has set, slice a piece and add your dollop of fresh cream for your ghost and decorate.

To see how I did the toppings, check the video I made above. Once your cute toppings are done, your cake is ready to enjoy!

Kaori invites you into her world of character-themed food dishes in her recipe series. Be sure to check out her Instagram where she has uploaded many pictures of her character dishes!