2025.10.21

[Complete Preservation Edition] No Worries Even for Beginners! Cosplay Event Participation Guide and Essential Things to Bring and Manners

kikka.7243@neuron-lab.net

I’m interested in cosplay, but I’m kind of nervous about attending an event…” “What should I bring?” What should I bring?” “I don’t know the rules and manners.”

For those cosplay event beginners who think so!

This article is a complete guide that covers everything from essential belongings, rules and etiquette that you absolutely need to know, and information on the most recent events so that you can enjoy your first time attending an event without any worries.

After reading this article, you will no longer be lost in preparation. Make your event debut with confidence!

INDEX

1. roadmap to participation in the cosplay event (preparation)

1. roadmap to participation in the cosplay event (preparation)

Find out how the process of attending your first event works and eliminate any concerns you may have.

step	Contents	remarks
1. determine the event and location	Decide on the event, venue, and date you would like to attend.	Check whether it is outdoors or indoors, and whether there are changing rooms.
2. preparation of cosplay costumes	Choose a character, then put together costumes, wigs, and props.	The rule of thumb is “don’t rush in at the last minute.”
3. confirmation of ticket and participation fee	Advance purchase is required for some events.	Also check the payment method (cash/electronic payment) for the participation fee.
4. preparation of personal belongings	Prepare for the event by checking the list to make sure you have not forgotten anything.	Please make use of the list of essential belongings in this article.

2. a list of essential belongings (you can’t start without it!)

We have compiled a list of must-have items to make your event comfortable.

2-1.[Absolutely indispensable] Things that must never be forgotten

category	indispensable item	reason
Participation certificate and money	Registration fee, event ticket (smartphone screen acceptable), cash	For same-day ticket purchases, food and drink, and prop repairs.
identification papers	Driver’s license, insurance card, student ID, etc.	For age verification and in case of problems.
Costume Related	Complete outfit, wig, shoes, skin-colored underwear	Minimum Preparation. Forgetting to change clothes is fatal.
Makeup and Care	Makeup tools, wig nets, hairpins	If you forget to apply makeup, the quality goes down significantly.
smart phone	For communication, checking time, and photography.	A mobile battery is also essential.

2-2.[Convenient to have] Items to make your event comfortable and smooth

category	Useful items to have	reason
Exchange-related	Name card (with SNS ID), business card	An essential item that facilitates photo exchanges and social networking.
Exchange-related	Candy for exchange (individually wrapped)	Useful for thanking people for taking pictures and greeting other layers.
Makeup and Care	Sweat wipes, combs, adhesive plasters, safety pins	Sweat protection, wig tangle prevention, and first aid for costumes.
Change of clothes	Large garbage bag (for undressed clothes), jacket/slippers	Organizing luggage in the changing rooms and carrying off shoes.
Photography	Mobile battery, small mirror	For charging smartphones used throughout the day and checking makeup.
Other	Small towel, drink for hydration	For heat stroke prevention and sweat wipes.

2-3. how to carry luggage: suitcase usage

Luggage for a cosplay event can be bulky and difficult to carry without damaging costumes. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you carry your luggage in a suitcase.

point	Why a suitcase is a good idea?
safety	Protects costumes, especially wigs and props, from impact and loss of shape during transportation.
convenience	It is easy to keep your belongings together and manageable in the changing rooms and easy to move around.
manners	It is safer and less disruptive to those around you to carry large items on casters than to carry them by hand.

Size guide] How big do you need?

Participation time and number of costumes	Recommended size	remarks
Several hours, 1 outfit	30L-40L (carry-on size)	Compact enough to hold makeup and shoes.
All day, 1-2 costumes	50L-60L (typical medium size)	Most versatile size. It can also hold a change of personal clothes.
All day, large props available	70L or more (L size)	If you have props or thick costumes, choose a large size.

[Efficient way of separating luggage]

It is important to sort the suitcases so that they do not damage the outfits and so that necessary items can be quickly retrieved in the changing rooms.

Outfits: Place each outfit in a clear clothing compression bag or a zipper bag. It is convenient to label the bags “before” and “after” the garments.
Wigs: To prevent wigs from losing their shape, wig stands are disassembled and placed in them, and the wigs themselves are placed in nets and stored in a dedicated box or space.
Small items and makeup: Plasters, safety pins, makeup, etc. should be packed in a small pouch and placed on the lid side of the suitcase (where they can be easily retrieved).

3. rules and manners of event participation that beginners should know

Important rules and manners, including unspoken ones, will be explained to ensure a smooth and safe event experience.

3-1.[Important] Rules and Manners in Changing Rooms

Changing rooms can be very crowded, so care must be taken to ensure a pleasant experience for both parties.

Remember the “spirit of giving and taking”: don’t take up too much space and change quickly.
Do not spread large luggage on the floor: keep your luggage as compact as possible. (Make use of suitcases!).
Refrain from unnecessary private conversation: be quiet so that other participants can concentrate on their makeup.
Wig spray outside of the changing rooms: it is a nuisance due to splattering and odor to the surrounding area.
Always take back any trash you generate: do not leave trash in the changing rooms.

3-2. tacit understanding [regarding filming

Photography, which is the main part of a cosplay event, also has its own manners that should be observed.

Do not take pictures without permission: Before taking a picture, always ask the person you are photographing, “May I take a picture?” and ask for permission.
Avoid prolonged occupation: do not keep popular photo spots or backgrounds to yourself.
Confirmation of SNS posting: When uploading photos you have taken to the Internet, be sure to ask the subject, “Can I post this on a social networking site?” When uploading photos to the Internet, be sure to ask the subject “Can I post the photo on a social networking service?

3-3. [Prohibited items] Things that must never be done

Never do anything that is prohibited by the event organizer or that may cause problems for others around you.

Excessive exposure (clothing that does not respect TPO ): No more than the event’s regulations.
Wielding of props, dangerous actions: Any actions that may cause injury to those around you are prohibited.
Conduct that disturbs general users: Wearing wigs or costumes outside the event venue or on public transportation is prohibited in principle. (Although it varies from event to event, it is an ironclad rule that changing should be done in the changing rooms.)
Unauthorized commercial photography: Any photography that generates money, other than personal commemorative photography, requires the organizer’s permission.

4. summary of cosplay events for beginners (information on recent events)

We recommend the following events for first-time attendees, which are relatively large, well-run events with strong rules, or events for beginners.

4-1. recommended events for beginners

Event Name	feature	Beginner Recommendations
Comic Market (Comiket)	The largest event of its kind in Japan.	The number of participants is very large and both cosplayers and staff are accustomed to the event.
acosta!	An event where you can enjoy cosplaying around town.	The changing rooms are spacious and the rules are clear and easy to understand.
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest	An annual cosplay event held in Ikebukuro.	The entire city becomes a venue, making it easy to enjoy an extraordinary experience.

4-2. major cosplay events in fall and winter 2025

(*This information is an example only. Please be sure to check the official website for the latest information before participating.)

October 2025: Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival (Ikehallo)
December 2025: Comic Market (C107)

Important: Please be sure to check the official website of each event for event dates and details.

Summary: The anxiety is over! Go to your event debut!

Everyone is nervous about attending a cosplay event for the first time.

However, as long as you keep “advance preparations (belongings)” and “rules and manners” in mind, you can complete the event in a fun and safe manner.

After reading this article, your fears should have been allayed. Now, let’s make sure you are well-prepared and have a great cosplay event debut!