An annual Tokyo event held to celebrate Halloween online began on Thursday.
Japanese telecom giant KDDI and the capital’s Shibuya Ward tourist association launched it to give people an option to safely enjoy Halloween at home.
Shibuya, famous for its scramble crossing, has previously drawn rowdy crowds of young people and foreign nationals at this time of the year, who congregated in the area.
Concerns over possible trouble and crowd crushes prompted ward officials to ask revelers to stay off the streets.
The virtual festivities can be accessed through a Virtual Halloween app that users can download.
People can use avatars to stroll through a digital twin of Shibuya, featuring its crossing, statue of Hachiko the dog and other landmarks recreated in detail.
Visitors can also chat with each other through text.
Live music shows, a puzzle-solving game and other virtual events are planned during Virtual Halloween, which runs through the end of November.