Halloween in Tokyo

Whether you've been planning your costume for months or just intend to pick up a set of plastic fangs from Don Quijote on Saturday night, Halloween is always one of the biggest clubbing nights of the year in Tokyo. But with a bewildering array of parties competing for the affections of the city's freakily attired revellers, choosing which one to go to is scary enough in itself. Read on for a rundown of what Tokyo has to offer this year, and remember: sexy nurse outfits are only scary if the wearer is male.

Note: Unless specified otherwise, costume discounts are for full costumes only

Friday

Neighborhood & Challenger Halloween Party
Where: Womb, Shibuya
The pitch: Pompadoured rockers Kishidan preside over a varied lineup corralled by street clothing brands Neighborhood and Challenger
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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The Mid Night Circus feat. Seasons
Where: Warehouse702, Azabu-Juban
The pitch: DJs Masanori Morita and Hideo Kobayashi play a Halloween-themed version of their regular house party
Costume discount: ¥1,500 off
Costume contest: No
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Circus Halloween
Where: Velours, Minami-Aoyama
The pitch: Veuve Cliquot-branded hijinks at one of Tokyo's most extravagant clubs, with guest DJ Brooklyn Terry
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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Fever Halloween
Where: Ageha, Shin-Kiba
The pitch: Superstar DJ Kaori presides over a lineup of hip hop and R&B spinners, complemented by dancers galore
Costume discount: ¥1,500 off
Costume contest: No
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ADD Halloween Special
Where: Club Asia, Shibuya
The pitch: Electro and house antics with Tomoyuki 'Fantastic Plastic Machine' Tanaka, The Lowbrows and Alyn
Costume discount: ¥2,500 off (¥1,500 off for partial costume)
Costume contest: No
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Kawasaki Halloween All Night Party
Where: Club Citta, Kawasaki
The pitch: MC Dabo, Manji Line and a host of other Japanese hip hop and reggae artists do their thing at the home ground of Kanto's largest Halloween parade
Costume discount: Er... you get a present
Costume contest: No
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Saturday

Vertigo Vision Big Halloween Party
Where: Sound Museum Vision, Shibuya
The pitch: Rapper and self-styled fashion icon Verbal is master of ceremonies for the night at Shibuya's newest (read: one day old) club
Costume discount: ¥500 off
Costume contest: No
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Electronic Tribe Halloween Party 2011
Where: Unit, Daikanyama
The pitch: British VJ unit Hexstatic headlines an eclectic lineup of electronica and weird beats
Costume discount: Free (¥1,000 drink ticket required); ¥1,500 off with partial costume
Costume contest: No
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Monster
Where: Ageha, Shin-Kiba
The pitch: Electro-flavoured beats in the main room, and Tokyo's most lucrative Halloween costume contest
Costume discount: ¥2,000 off
Costume contest: ¥300,000 top prize
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The Mid Night Circus feat. The Ring
Where: Warehouse702, Azabu-Juban
The pitch: Halloween's gayest party features go-go boys, drag queens and guest DJs Yo-C and Shinkawa supplying a hard house soundtrack
Costume discount: ¥1,500 off
Costume contest: ¥50,000 top prize
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Beyond Wonderland 2011
Where: Mado Lounge/Tokyo City View, Roppongi
The pitch: You won't get any higher this Halloween, at least not without breaking the law. DJs, circus performers and cheerleaders go wild at the top of Roppongi Hills
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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Noir Halloween Party
Where: Trump Room, Shibuya
The pitch: Expect to see some truly outlandish costumes at Tokyo's notoriously outré fashion-hipster playpen
Costume discount: Free for 'amazing' costumes, otherwise ¥1,000 off
Costume contest: No
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Whistlebump Halloween
Where: Xex Nihonbashi, Nihonbashi-Muromachi
The pitch: Expat-centric party promises live acts, DJs, performers and dance battles in a slick setting
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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Kawasaki Halloween All Night Party
Where: Club Citta, Kawasaki
The pitch: J-pop singer May J., hip hop DJs Hazime, Safari and SN-Z – and the Kawahallo Sexy Dancers
Costume discount: Ahem. You get a present
Costume contest: No
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Heaven or Hell
Where: Velours, Minami-Aoyama
The pitch: Partiers can choose to go to 'heaven' or 'hell'. Either way, you'll be spending the night at Velours
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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Halloween Party 2011
Where: Club Asia, Shibuya
The pitch: Perfume producer Yasutaka Nakata, Rip Slyme's Ilmari and pop-hip hop duo Halcali do their thing
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: ¥100,000 top prize
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Womb Halloween Party
Where: Womb, Shibuya
The pitch: House duo Layo & Bushwacka! headline at what's usually one of the city's most debauched parties
Costume discount: Free entry for the really good ones
Costume contest: No
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Real Grooves Halloween Costume Party
Where: Eleven, Nishi-Azabu
The pitch: Don't let the fancy dress distract you from the tunes, yeah? Latinotronics duo Mambotur (a.k.a. Argenis Brito and Pier Bucci) are the star attraction
Costume discount: ¥1,500 off
Costume contest: No
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TIFF Tokyo Special Halloween Party
Where: Le Baron de Paris, Minami-Aoyama
The pitch: Cinematically themed shindig includes a set by surf rock trio The 5.6.7.8's and, uh, flower art
Costume discount: No
Costume contest: No
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Scream!
Where: Legato, Shibuya
The pitch: Promoters Tri-bute and Ooooze combine their forces for a lavish bash atop Shibuya's E Space Tower
Costume discount: ¥1,000 off
Costume contest: No
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Air Halloween Party 2011
Where: Air, Daikanyama
The pitch: New York-based house producer Quentin Harris is guest of honour at one of the more muso-friendly parties
Costume discount: ¥1,500 off
Costume contest: No
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