Halloween in Japantown 2026 is just around the corner!

This year, San Jose Taiko is partnering with the Japanese American Museum of San Jose to add “Skate Day” to our usual festivities with extended hours, skateboarding activities, and a special skate demonstration by Judi Oyama.

Judi Oyama is an exceptional athlete and artist whose style, both on and off her skateboard, has been defined by a drive to break boundaries and pursue her passions since childhood. Throughout her life and career, Oyama has earned international acclaim as a pioneering female skateboarder. Her inspiring career as a skateboarder is closely intertwined with her work as an artist. Her exhibit “Judi Oyama: To Be Seen / Not Heard” will be at JAMsj October 31 - May 31.

Skate Day and Halloween in Japantown Map and Schedule coming soon!

Event History:

Halloween in Japantown was created by Franco Imperial of San Jose Taiko and Kathy Sakamoto (at that time President of the Japantown Business Association) in 2003 as a safety-conscious event for the community. Rich Saito of the SJPD volunteered his time to give a safety talk to kids before the trick-or-treating ensued. In its first year, there were fewer than 8 Japantown businesses or organizations involved - Heidi Shigematsu of Shigematsu Insurance handed out balloons and a handful of others joined in on the fun. After San Jose Taiko moved out of its rehearsal space at Okida Hall on 6th Street, Wesley United Methodist Church kindly housed San Jose Taiko’s opening performance and safety skit in their Fellowship Hall. As the popularity of the event grew, the Fellowship Hall and the sidewalks along Jackson street became overcrowded and posed safety concerns. In 2017, with the help of our friends at the Knight Foundation, we piloted street closures to give our community the freedom to move about on the street and allow for our beloved Japantown businesses and organizations to activate their spaces in their own unique ways. In 2024 in honor of Lt. Rich Saito we asked Japantown Prepared to assist with safety monitoring for the event.

We’re so happy Halloween in Japantown has become a community tradition.

Halloween in Japantown has taken place every year on Halloween (October 31) since 2003, including virtual Halloween at the height of COVID. It will continue to be held on this date unless otherwise announced by San Jose Taiko.