Kyoto in autumn is known for temples and fall leaves — but this year, zombies are joining the scene. Re.Nova Kitayama, a park-style complex right by Kitayama Station in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, is holding the immersive Halloween event “Re.Nova Kitayama Halloween Zombie Night 2026” on just five days: Friday, October 30, Saturday, October 31, Tuesday, November 3 (a national holiday), Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The event is planned and directed by Hakutoraza, a Kansai-based horror marketing team behind many haunted houses and immersive events. Rather than the usual Halloween of dressing up and gathering in the city, it offers the horror experience itself as the main attraction.
Costumes with your dog by day, a “danger zone” by night
The venue changes character with the time of day. The daytime program (13:00–15:30) centers on a strange show by a sinister circus troupe, “Victor of the Amazing Circus,” and a dog costume parade led by a clown. People and dogs can both dress up freely, so it suits families and dog lovers.
In the evening program (18:00–21:00), the park, usually a place to relax, turns into a “zombie-infested danger zone.” Expect “Night Zombie,” with about 30–50 zombies roaming the grounds; a horror live show in which zombies close in from every direction; and “Zombie Dark Buster,” an interactive haunted house where you fight zombies with a gun in hand.
The main attraction: “Drive in the Dark,” inside a real wrecked car
The biggest draw is the hands-on haunted house “Yami no Drive” (Drive in the Dark). You climb into a real wrecked car parked in the dark, and with nowhere to escape in the sealed space, you must endure zombies attacking from outside the windows and from unexpected places. Because it is so frightening, participants must agree to a written pledge.
If you are easily scared, you might start with the other attractions, which cost ¥500–¥1,000 each. People with heart conditions and pregnant women cannot take part.
Halloween-only menus for a festive meal
The on-site restaurant “Re.member” plans Halloween-only dishes such as cheese fondue and squid-ink pasta, and food stalls will sell popcorn, churros and more. You can take a break between shows and haunted houses with something to eat.
The event is not limited to Halloween itself: it also runs on November 3, 7 and 8, for those who are not ready to let Halloween go.
Event details
- Name: Re.Nova Kitayama Halloween Zombie Night 2026
- Dates: Friday, October 30; Saturday, October 31; Tuesday, November 3 (holiday); Saturday, November 7; Sunday, November 8, 2026 (5 days)
- Hours: Daytime program 13:00–15:30; evening program 18:00–21:00
- Venue: Re.Nova Kitayama (1-4 Shimogamo Hangi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)
- Access: About 1 minute on foot from Kitayama Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line)
- Admission: Evening area entry ¥1,000 (free for preschool children); each attraction ¥500–¥1,000 (some optional extras); “Drive in the Dark” ¥4,000
- Notes: Cash only. All tickets, including for “Drive in the Dark,” are sold on site on the day. Entry will be limited if attendance exceeds 2,000. Details are subject to change.
- Special site (Japanese): https://renova-kitayama-event.com/halloween/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/re.nova_kitayama
