A Simple Halloween, Full of Joy and Excitement

Halloween fun at Japanese class: students celebrate with festive hats, delicious food, and mini-games, creating a joyful and lively atmosphere. Photo: Bean JP

Halloween is not celebrated as a big festival in Japan like it is in the USA. Here, Halloween is more of a small event that some people celebrate, but in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, it’s more popular. In a small town like Toyooka, where I live, October 31st feels just like any other day. This is quite different from the big cities, where people can enjoy costume parties with full Halloween decorations.

I remember how much fun Halloween was in downtown Saigon. We ran from bar to bar, hopping from one beer to the next, with both friends and strangers joining the fun. Here, in this tiny town, I had the chance to enjoy a healthier Halloween party with friends and kids. So, what did we do to make this a joyful moment?

We celebrated Halloween on October 30th, combining it with our weekly Tuesday class. Each member brought finger foods, snacks, and drinks — though sadly, there was no room for beer. No beer? What kind of party is that? Well, just a joke, but it’s true. The only person in our Japanese class who loves beer is Mr. Chin. But in our small town, we’re all careful drivers and follow the law. So, we’ll have to save the beer for next time.

We started the party with light decorations — enough to let people know it was Halloween. I put on a Pikachu cap and smiled for a photo. Then, we enjoyed the snacks and had some nice chats. As always, Karaage chicken was my favorite. Every bite was a joy, and I’m grateful to Mrs. Kishida for making the party even more flavorful with her delicious Karaage.

Instead of haunted houses or horror movies, we played a racing game to create some excitement. You may or may not know Ludo, but the rule is simple: “The winner is the first player to get all their pieces home.” I bought a new version of Ludo on Amazon that allows up to six players, which gave more room for everyone to join in the race. The hardest part was getting a 6 or 1 to start, and getting the pieces out of the starting area.

Once the game started, it was exciting and fun. The race heated up, fueled by spicy green chilies that Mrs. Kishida generously offered. Everyone hesitated at first but then tried them without a second thought. Eating chilies while racing — it was the perfect combo to bring a little thrill!

Fresh green and red chilies, ready to add a fiery twist to the karaage chicken, leaving everyone amazed with just one bite. Photo: Bean JP

I had some bad luck with the game, getting all my pieces kicked out early. The kids struggled in the beginning but ended up winning in the end. It was a happy ending! We all appreciated the great time we spent together. Sometimes, the simplest moments are the best, and this was one of those times. I hope you can find your own joyful, simple moments in life.

A lively game night unfolds as friends gather around the table, rolling dice and eagerly anticipating their next moves, despite the unpredictability of the outcomes. Photo: Bean JP

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© 2025 Bean JP.

This story and its images are part of my personal journey. Please do not use them without permission. Thank you!