Japan and cosplay seemingly go hand-in-hand when it comes to the Otaku community, and it's not too far off, seeing how popular it is. Cosplay is a beloved hobby in countries around the world and any avid cosplayer has considered cosplaying in Japan at one point or another.
Conventions such as the bi-yearly Comiket and Anime Japan garner thousands of attendees every year to join in on the cosplay scene. Though it can be a little tricky to get your head-start into Japan's cosplay culture. Good news, you still can! Bad news, there are some very specific rules you have to follow.
Acquiring The Goods
Many cosplayers in Japan make their own stuff, but there exists a variety of cosplay-exclusive stores and establishments for those who want to get in on the fun. Assist Cosplay (also known as Assist Wig in the US) is one of the more popular ones cosplayers go to for their materials. Wigs of all lengths and colors, contacts, face tape, fake blood and even fake tears are few to name of Assist's available products. Con celebrities such as Suzu Momoi has been a poster model for its international marketing and domestic material.
Mandarake is another establishment in Japan that sells primarily used goods, but has begun to expand its products to cosplay and accessories. Mitsubado in Akihabara is similar, though it's primarily focused on second-hand cosplay. But if you're looking for the fresh stuff, and you're in the area, ACOS, the sister store of Animate has got you covered with official cosplay costumes and other accessories. What's more, it's got a whole floor to itself on the 5th floor of Akihabara Culture Zone.
Cosplaying
Here's where it gets tricky. Cosplay in Japan is heavily regulated, meaning that unless you have permission or there's an event going on, you can't cosplay. There could be a multitude of reasons for this, some of which could be because some cosplayers have armor or other heavy equipment along with it. Alternatively the individual runs the risk of standing out too much, which is widely frowned upon in an otherwise conformative society. Unless you get permission from the city for a public cosplay shoot or there's a cosplay event, you can't do it - and even then, you'll need to change at the venue. For some events such as Anime Japan, you may need to get a separate ticket just for cosplaying and will need to have pictures taken in a designated location. Needless to say, it's not as carefree as overseas. But to make up for this, there are other options.
There are various cosplay studios throughout Japan, HACO STADIUM being one of them. All locations have a range of photo sets, as well as professional photographers on standby. If you make a reservation, you'll be granted access to all photo sets within a 45-minute time frame for 3,000 yen, and if you grant permission for the company to use your photos for marketing material, you'll receive a discount of 1,500 yen. So, fortunately, you're not completely out of options if you want to cosplay while in Japan.
Conventions
Despite Japan being the primary destination for aspiring cosplayers worldwide, the con scene has its reservations as well. Over in the West, having parties and an official hotel block is the norm. In Japan, having any kind of solo event is strictly prohibited, and you'll need to find your own accommodations if you wish to commute.
This isn't to imply that there is no fun, however. While it is a widely regulated hobby, cosplay is still a very much beloved past-time for many in Japan, and conventions abroad are always well worth the experience!