Lotte World kicks off fall horror festival with Junji Ito collaboration

Lotte World is bringing a celebrated Japanese horror manga franchise to a theme park setting for the first time, strengthening its fall season lineup.

Lotte World Adventure will host "An Invitation to a Strange World," a fall festival developed in collaboration with the Junji Ito Collection, running Sept. 19 through Nov. 15. It marks the first time the world of the Junji Ito Collection has been realized in a theme park.

The festival is built around the concept of a door opening at Lotte World that leads into a strange realm, unleashing Junji Ito's horror universe where reality and fantasy blur. Popular characters including Tomie and Soichi will anchor a range of content designed to let visitors step directly into the world of the works.

The festival will also feature a broad mix of offerings — photo zones, hands-on experiences, collaboration products and food and beverage menus. Spaces throughout the park will be styled using characters and iconic scenes from the collection to immerse visitors in its distinctive horror world, and exclusive products and menu items will be available only during the festival period.

Ahead of the full fall season launch, the indoor Adventure area will be transformed into a "Mystery Party Zone" starting Sept. 12. The space will be decorated around the concept of a party thrown by guests who have arrived at a mysterious castle. Further details on the fall festival "An Invitation to a Strange World" will be released on the official Lotte World website at a later date.