Jimi Halloween (地味ハロウィン): A Twist on a Classic Event

Jimi Halloween (地味ハロウィン) means “plain,” “subdued,” or “mundane Halloween.” It is a Japanese subculture and trend where people dress up in costumes that are very ordinary, even boring: everyday situations, awkwardness, and oddly specific scenarios are the costumes. Instead of being spooky, fantastical, or flashy, the appeal lies in finding humor and relatability in the mundane. It started around 2014 with a group of adults associated with Daily Portal Z. They felt self-conscious about dressing up in flamboyant costumes like witches or zombies, so they chose costumes that were so everyday that they required explanation. Over time, the trend has grown, more people participate, costumes go viral online, and there are annual events and gatherings around Japan. Even on social media, the hashtag #地味ハロウィン is commonly used to share the fun pictures found at this event!

When, Where, and How It Happens

When: Around Halloween season, especially late October, when most posts, gatherings, and parties take place.

Where: Jimi Halloween takes place primarily in Japan, with Tokyo at its center. The gatherings often happen in neighborhoods like Shibuya and Harajuku, which are already popular Halloween hotspots for younger generations and visiting foreigners. These areas are known for their street parties and creative costumes, making them natural stages for the subdued humor of Jimi Halloween. Over time, the concept has spread through social media and even inspired similar events abroad, such as in Taiwan.

How:

• Participants wear ordinary clothes, sometimes slightly modified or accessorized to hint at a specific scenario.
• Costumes often require explanation, for example, through a prop or pose that clarifies the situation.
• The humor comes from recognition, making people laugh because they have experienced that exact situation.
• Some events are organized, such as Daily Portal Z’s official party, while others happen online with people sharing their photos using the hashtag.

Why It Resonates

• Relatability: The costumes capture common situations, from commuting to shopping, that almost everyone has experienced.
• Alternative to flashy costumes: Many people find standard Halloween costumes overdone, uncomfortable, or attention-seeking. Jimi Halloween offers a more relaxed way to participate.
• Humor in the mundane: The funniest part is finding comedy in everyday moments.
• Social media friendly: The costumes are easy to photograph and share, and the captions or explanations become part of the humor.

Every year, Jimi Halloween participants come up with costumes that shine a spotlight on the small, almost invisible moments of daily life. Just to give a couple of examples, instead of vampires and superheroes, you’ll find someone dressed as “that person who was late for work but got a late pass at the train station and is now feeling more at ease,” a costume from 2023 that captured a very familiar kind of relief. That same year, another participant became a “cashier forced to wear something on every holiday,” gently poking fun at the realities of retail work.

In 2024, the ideas became even more playful. One person showed up as “a person listening to the song they are about to sing at karaoke,” earbuds in and nerves written all over their face. Others went for nostalgia and humor with “parents when they were young,” “a person who smiles at dogs as they pass by,” and even a loaf of “Yamazaki double soft bread,” complete with props to make the look oddly convincing.

The creativity of Jimi Halloween has always thrived on the ordinary. Back in 2020, someone braved the party dressed as “a person going to work on a windy day,” tie flapping and coat in disarray, while another chose the ultimate pandemic uniform: a business shirt paired with pajama bottoms to represent the work-from-home life. Even earlier, in 2019, there were costumes like “a person who forgot to take out the trash,” “glasses fogged up by a hot drink,” and “regret at not getting a shopping cart.” Each one turned a mundane frustration into a shared joke, sparking laughter because everyone had been there before.

That is the heart of Jimi Halloween: ordinary moments reimagined as costumes that need no special effects, just a keen eye for the humor hidden in everyday life.

Tips If You Want to Join

• Think of a small but common moment in your daily life, like commuting, waiting in line, or forgetting something.
• Use simple props that hint at the situation, such as a coffee cup, shopping bag, or phone.
• Keep it subtle, since understatement is the charm.
• And don’t forget to have fun!

Jimi Halloween is a refreshing twist on Halloween culture. Instead of over-the-top costumes, it celebrates the ordinary. What it lacks in spectacle, it makes up for with humor, relatability, and charm. It gives people a way to laugh at the little absurdities of life and to enjoy Halloween without pressure. So if you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate Halloween this year, why not give Jimi Halloween a go?

Featured Photo Credit: raira21

Looking to discover more Japanese fall festivities? Make sure to check out our Autumn Recommended Tours to have autumn fun on Halloween and beyond!