Kawasaki Halloween parade draws thousands in Japan

BBC

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Thousands of Japanese costume fans have joined forces for the Kawasaki Halloween parade - dressed as everything from a Chanel handbag to a Samsung Galaxy phone.

One marcher dressed up as a burned-out Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone. Photo: Reuters

The annual spectacle celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, and more than 130,000 people turned out to watch.

The parade is the biggest in the Tokyo area, and organisers said about 2,600 participants had dressed up in their finest fright-wear.

A trio of donut fans join forces in eye-catching wigs. Photo: EPA

The Japan Times reports that the prizes for this year's costume contest included a holiday to Italy and 100,000 yen (£788; $958) in cash.

Three children's parades were held on 29 October, while adults got their marching orders today.

The best costumes made inventive use of make-up and prosthetics. Photo: EPA

Several of those dressed up sported complex theatrical facepaint, or prosthetics including horns or huge fangs.

One sinister participant made the perfect zombie waiter, carrying a silver platter of fake human hands.

One six-year-old girl won hearts dressed as a droid from "Star Wars". Photo: AP

But the Japanese love of kitsch came through to counter the dark side, including a trio of girls dressed as multi-coloured donuts.

(BBC)