Costume-loving Japan warms up for Halloween bash

The two point the way to the real Halloween party, which is taking place a few streets away. Amid inflatable ghosts and pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, hundreds of spectators crowd around a singer wearing a pumpkin-shaped hat.

In fact, the street party in Kawasaki, on the outskirts of Tokyo, is just a warm-up to Halloween on October 31.

The big bash happens on the Sunday before Halloween, when thousands of Japanese witches, vampires, devils and ghouls fill the streets of Kawasaki in a giant street parade.

Similar extravaganzas are erupting all over town. Tokyo Disneyland has been throwing Halloween fetes since mid-September - starting even earlier than theme parks in the United States.

"PLAY! PARTY!! CUTE TRICK!"

Unlike in the United States, most Halloween activities in Japan appear to target adults rather than children.