The American Halloween

I love America. Since I was little, I’ve always been fascinated by American culture. Well, “culture” might be a big word here; mostly, it’s just the movies I love.

I first visited the country I’d always dreamed of at the age of 37. My husband and I got married in Las Vegas. It was a place I had to visit someday after seeing it in Honeymoon in Vegas with Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker, and in Friends episodes. It was just the two of us, but it didn’t feel lonely at all—an Elvis lookalike joined us and even sang during the ceremony.

Movies gave me a way to experience America indirectly. I felt like I got to know prom nights, Thanksgiving dinners, and so on. The most fascinating of them all was Halloween. I think I learned the phrase “trick or treat” before I even knew “love or hate.”

I haven’t tasted authentic American Halloween treats, but I’ve enjoyed the experience through Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween events.

Given my age, I can’t join the wild Halloween gatherings in Shibuya, but I settle in at home, watch the livestreams, and enjoy a delicious pumpkin cake.