Looking back at Tokyo Hyakki Yagyo 2025 from the organizer's perspective | Revealing all the mistakes and lessons learned

--A grueling day of rain, tears, and sweat

First, a status update

It's been a while. The reason I haven't updated recently is because, as you all know, I've been busy with the Tokyo Hyakki Yagyo and the Edogawa Yokai Exhibition. Among those, the Tokyo Hyakki Yagyo was a constant stream of communication, preparation, and on-site work. However, I'd like to share my honest thoughts as the organizer of the event, sharing the good things, mistakes, and help I saw amidst all that hectic work.

This year's trends

The event will be heldSaturday, October 25, 2025, location isKoenji Look Shopping StreetAs usualKoenji FestivalSince it was the same day, the whole town of Koenji was bustling with people.Start time: 13:30, the finale isPlans for the North Exit PlazaThe event runs from approximately 10:00 to 17:00.

Top 3 new features

• The Ten Monsters of the Underworld: Among the gathered yokai, we selected 10 with particularly high yokai power (quality and background power). They formed a core at the front of the procession, and the highlight was consistent.
• Official Yokai Caravan: The "guerrillas" scattered small highlights on the street corners before and after the queue, turning the waiting time into an event.
• Theme song "Tokyo Hyakki Ondo": It's a very catchy song that naturally gets you clapping along when the sound is played, and it was a big hit with the yokai.

This year's most painful failures

Part 1: Rain forecast meant we had to quickly secure a large venue
Anticipating bad weather, we secured a larger alternative space at the last minute. Yes, it was expensive. However, it was a decision we made to "purchase safety and continuity." As a result,Rescue for the cancellation of the Marche (Yokai merchandise sales) planned for the Etoile Shopping ArcadeDone.The event continued somehow by asking the official camera booth and merchandise vendors to move indoors.This gave visitors a reason to stay, and also protected performers' changing rooms, equipment, and power outlets.It's a pain in the budget, but it's cost-effectiveI believe there was.

Case 2: Changing room URL sent by mistake
Due to the chaos of changing the venue, we even made a double mistake by putting the URL in the correction email incorrectly. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused on the day.

• X and emailCorrected and sent
• Emergency instructions to the wrong location for the guidance staff
  We have resolved the issue. To prevent recurrence, we will thoroughly double-check in the future.

Numbers and Results (Flash Report)

• Impressions: Over 1 million(Increased compared to previous years).Tens of thousands of likesThere were multiple posts of the same class.
• Overseas exposure: Italian media visited us. It feels like the quality of the response has improved.
• Roadside density: I can clearly feel the increase. Next time, we will further strengthen the security and guidance measures.
  *Detailed breakdown will be added along with the photo inserts.

What was going on behind the scenes

• Rain Preparedness: This year I was busy preparing for the rain.Don't get wet or stopI invested with full resolve.
• Showcase design: With the Yomi Tenkai at its core, a caravan "ignites" the city.One piece luxury + surface distributionIt goes well with Koenji.
• Distributed receptionLast year, registration was concentrated in one place, so this year we have moved it to each changing room. This has eliminated the hassle of having to go to the registration desk and then to the changing room, and I think it has saved time.

Special thanks to those who helped me (titles omitted)

Special thanks to: Ryugu no Yakuza (Hirozumi)
He is the owner of the Koenji Japanese Musical Instruments Bar, and is like a big brother to me. He is a friend who works alongside us at the Yokaiya to make the Tokyo Hyakki Yakou a success.Greeting the people of KoenjiOn the day,Lubricants that improve the atmosphere on-siteIn addition, he also finds time to perform "Tokyo Hyakki Ondo"Until midnightTo the person who created it**. Thanks to this sound, the people, the queue, and our hearts all came together. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude.

1. Kobayashi-san
   I entered the wrong URL for the changing room.Correction emails sent out simultaneouslyThey also thoroughly fixed the gaps in our reception work. Their quick decision-making, responsiveness, and attention to detail really helped us. We're always grateful for their help. Thank you.
2. Hibiki-san
   With wrong instructionsGuiding participants who have drifted to another locationInstantly recover,Launch arrangementsHe took care of me until the very end. He was my benefactor, turning an awkward moment into a good memory with his smile and careful planning. He did his best even though he was freezing in the cold. Thank you.
3. The Onibi family and volunteers
   Distributed among familiesChanging room receptionEven at peak congestionSoft, fast and without mistakesI was moved to tears by the wonderful cooperation that only a family can have. I can't express my gratitude enough to the staff for allowing them to enjoy themselves.
4. Chara-san
   Kappado store owner.Delivering the kappa costume to the scene and attending to itThey even took care of adjusting the size, ensuring the flow of people, and how the photos were taken. The costumes don't end when they are put on - they accompanied us all the way to "putting them on stage". That's the spirit of a professional. Thank you as always.
5. To the members of our official organizations, the Villain Alliance and Hengen-do, and our company's magicians
   Yokai CaravanEveryone who brightened up the Koenji look.A series of small highlightsBy doing so, they transformed the waiting time into "experience time." Interacting with shopkeepers, talking to children -- the "energy of the town" rose to a new level. The top-level groups and magicians stood out even in the queue.
6. Volunteer staff
   In the rain,・Queue guidance ・Wide trash areaThe worse the visibility, the more effective the gentle voice. I once again realized that it is not the rules that ensure safety, but the behavior of people. Thank you for your cooperation.
7. Aiko Amiri
   Before we askRushing to the starting point, at the same time as the commandA conch blastThat one sound brought the room together and everyone was in unison. It was the embodiment of the saying that sound creates order.
8. Tripods (Hei-san, Agito-san, Namio-san)
   Official CameraThis year, they participated again, and the smiles of the audience and the movements of the Yomi Tenkai monsters were amazing.Capture every moment you wantThe work of a craftsman. Records surpass memory. With the power of photography, this year's Tokyo Hyakki Yagyo can be relived again and again.
9. Koenji FestivalNosan and Usan
   It's thanks to Koenji Festival that this event has been able to generate such excitement. It's because Koenji Festival gets the whole town excited that so many people come to see Tokyo Hyakki Yakou and learn about it. I imagine it must have been stressful for you, as you're coordinating with the entire town, not just Koenji Look Shopping Street, as our company does. Thank you for fighting alongside us.

Reflection and promises for next time

• Email operations: Two-person check system
• Overseas support: Always have an English press kit and a sheet of paper with shooting rules on hand.
• Open chat operationResumption: We thought it would be better to have a chat channel for communication on the day, so we would like to resume the event after tightening the operating rules.

Difficulties in interacting with the local community (honesty)

This year tooMany participantsKu,It took a while to decide on a starting point.First of all, this is a reality. Safety, traffic flow, noise, business trends of stores - none of these can be taken lightly.
In addition, IConsult with shopping districts other than Look Shopping DistrictI went around toThe advance explanation was insufficient,andRumor-based misconceptionswas already widespread,The image of the local community had been damaged.I realized this. As a result,Abandoned due to lack of coordinationThere are also areas where this is done.
The most painful of these was"What benefits does renting out space as a 'starting point' bring to this area? Even if you think you're doing something good, isn't that just your own self-indulgence?" I was left speechless and unable to respond properly at the time.That's what I felt. I was very disappointed. In reality, the number of people coming to enjoy the Tokyo Hyakki Yagyo and the number of spectators are increasing, and it is indirectly creating excitement in the local area. I knew that because the numbers show it every year, but when I was told that to my face, I couldn't say it with confidence. (Because some stores don't contribute to profits at all.)

Event scenery

Photo courtesy of Torideoz (https://x.com/tripods_camera)

Finally

We were bracing for rain, struggling with budgetary constraints, and sweating over emails. But we were able to move forward thanks to everyone who was involved: performers, volunteers, the merchants' association, security and cleaning staff, and everyone who applauded along the route. Thank you so much.
Next year will be safer and more fun.Tokyo Hyakki Yakou, and will become even stronger. Please look forward to it.

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Event notes (reference)

• Date and time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00–17:00
• Location: Koenji Look Shopping Street / Finale: Koenji Station North Exit Square
• Queue: Starts at 13:30