Tokyo's Shibuya Ward will start enforcing a no-drinking ordinance in the area around Shibuya Station from Friday in a bid to deter Halloween crowds.

The restrictions will be in place between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. until November 1.Ward officials and security guards will patrol the streets around the station.

Convenience stores and other establishments near the station will be asked to refrain from selling alcohol on Saturday and Tuesday, when the number of visitors is expected to peak.

In previous years, crowds of revelers started gathering around the station from the weekend before Halloween, causing a series of problems involving alcohol.

Shibuya has seen an increasing number of young people and foreign visitors drinking on the streets since the government downgraded the coronavirus in May.

Ward officials say the risk of more serious problems is growing as this is Japan's first Halloween since the country eased COVID restrictions.

The ward plans to enhance security measure to the highest level during the Halloween period.