Shibuya braces for large crowds of Halloween revelers - NHKニュース

A popular entertainment district in central Tokyo is bracing for large crowds of Halloween revelers this weekend. The Shibuya Ward office has fenced off the iconic Hachiko dog statue outside JR Shibuya Station.

Workers began covering the perimeter of the Hachiko statue with a tarp early Friday morning. The work was completed about two hours later.

Ward officials say this year's Halloween is expected to attract larger-than-usual crowds as the festival falls on a Saturday.

Covering the statue is part of efforts to prevent accidents and other trouble caused by large crowds of revelers and visitors. The tarp will stay in place through Sunday morning to protect the statue from damage.

Starting Friday evening, traffic control will be imposed around Shibuya station in coordination with police.

Ward officials and others will patrol the district on foot to call on people not to drink in public or litter the streets.

Ward official Noda Yuichi says they will ensure public safety on Friday and Saturday.

He is urging revelers to refrain from taking photos and videos in a way that will cause trouble to people around them, not to mention no drinking, smoking or littering.