Apple bobbing

Halloween is strongly associated with pumpkins, but apple bobbing is, as the name suggests, a game that uses apples. You fill a bucket or a basin with water and float apples in it. The game is to grab an apple using only your mouth, without using your hands.

More than 2,000 years ago

The origins of Halloween date back more than 2,000 years to Samhain, a festival celebrated by the ancient Celts to mark the end of autumn. It was a celebration of the start of the new year as well as an occasion to honor the spirits of the dead, and it later evolved into Halloween under the influence of Christianity.

toy store

The first to introduce Halloween in Japan was a toy store. That toy store is said to have been Kiddy Land’s Harajuku branch, which still has many locations nationwide today. Starting in the 1970s, they began selling Halloween-related goods, which helped the holiday spread.

turnip

Originally, Jack-o’-lanterns were made by hollowing out turnips. In Ireland and Scotland, people would carve scary faces into hollowed turnips and place candles inside to protect their homes from ghosts and evil spirits. The custom of using pumpkins began after Halloween became widely celebrated in the United States.

Trick or treat!

“Trick or treat” literally means “choose either a trick or a treat.” Children go around the neighborhood saying this phrase and receive candy. When hosting a Halloween party or event, be sure to prepare plenty of sweets!

Ireland, Scotland

Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and is believed to have begun primarily in Ireland and Scotland. It was a celebration of the harvest as well as a ritual to welcome the spirits of the dead. Over time, as many cultures intertwined, it evolved into the Halloween we enjoy around the world today.

To protect oneself from evil spirits

The custom of dressing up for Halloween traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. People believed that on this day, the spirit world came closest to the living world. It was thought that welcoming evil spirits would bring misfortune, so they dressed like spirits themselves to blend in with the ghosts and protect themselves. This tradition is the origin of modern Halloween costumes.

candy corn

A classic treat commonly eaten during Halloween in the United States is candy corn. It’s a colorful, triangular candy made with three colors—yellow, orange, and white—and because of its color scheme, it’s a Halloween staple that’s widely enjoyed in the U.S. and Canada.

Autumn Harvest

The orange color used in Halloween festivities symbolizes the autumn harvest. During this season, pumpkins and other orange fruits and vegetables are often harvested, and their colors are incorporated into Halloween decorations.

witch

According to Halloween folklore, if you wear your clothes inside out and walk at midnight on Halloween, it’s said you can see witches. There are many other Halloween legends as well, so if you’re curious, be sure to look them up!