Halloween is upon us, and the city is decorated with orange ghost pumpkins and cheerful "Trick or Treat" signs. Here, we introduce recommended Halloween sweets and foods from Isetan Shinjuku.
Originating in Europe, Halloween is the day (October 31st) when the spirits of the dead return, and witches and ghosts are free to roam the human world. It is said that Halloween began when humans dressed up as these spirits to scare away evil spirits and decorated pumpkin lanterns as talismans. It has also become established as a small seasonal event before Christmas in Japan, growing more and more popular every year with parties and costume parades involving people of all ages.
Isetan Shinjuku is currently holding the "Isetan Halloween Fair." This year, they're offering sweets and breads with jack-o'-lantern and ghost motifs, as well as pumpkin-themed side dishes and deli items. The Halloween Fair will be livened up by 25 Western confectionery brands, 10 Japanese confectionery and bread brands, and 10 prepared food and deli brands.
Every year, the petit gateaus of Sébastien Bouillet Fascination are always a hot topic, as they come up with Halloween motifs. This year, they've introduced cute desserts with a skeleton motif, which have been selling well since the first day. Other popular seasonal gifts for close friends and family include the ghost and lollipops with cute jack-o'-lantern icing from Lolioli 365 by Anniversary, and the mille-feuille from Yokohama Français. While Western confectionery is the main focus, Halloween sweets like Japanese confectionery and bread, such as pumpkin buns from Suzukake and Mister Pumpkin (pumpkin bean bun) from Ginza Kimuraya, are sure to please people of all ages.
In addition, a Halloween-themed sweets-making experience event led by Masato Motohashi, owner pastry chef of "LOLIOLI 365 by Anniversary," is scheduled for October 22nd. Furthermore, during the Halloween fair period until the 31st, there will be events (limited to elementary school students and younger) where you can receive a present by saying "Trick or Treat" at shops with stickers, adding to the Halloween excitement.
