What to Bring to Comic Market 108: Packing Checklist

Forgetting one important item can change your entire Comiket day. Leave your wristband at the hotel and you may have to wait until afternoon entry. Bring only a 10,000-yen note and paying at a small circle may become difficult. Let your phone die and you could lose access to your map, train route, and meeting point at the same time.

Comic Market 108 takes place at Tokyo Big Sight on August 15 and 16, 2026. This guide covers what general attendees should pack, with extra notes for first-time international visitors.

Ticket procedures, transport routes, hotel choices, and detailed heat illness advice are covered in the other C108 guides. Here, the focus is simple: what should actually be in your bag?

Last checked: July 31, 2026.

The Short Packing List

At minimum, bring:

The correct ticket, wristband, or e-ticket for the day you are attending
An original passport or other accepted photo ID if your ticket type requires it
A fully charged phone
A charged power bank and the correct cable
Cash, including 1,000-yen notes and coins
A transit IC card or enough money for transportation
The official venue map and a short shopping list
Drinks and food you can eat quickly
A hat, towel, sunscreen, and practical cooling items
Essential medication, glasses, or contact lens supplies
A sturdy bag and something that keeps books flat and dry
Rain gear, tissues, wet wipes, and a small trash bag
Your return route, hotel details, and meeting point saved offline

Before leaving, physically check your ticket or wristband, required ID, phone, wallet, medication, and drink. Do not rely on memory.

Admission and Identification

Bring the Correct Ticket or Wristband

C108 tickets and wristbands are sold separately for August 15 and August 16. There is no two-day ticket or wristband, so check the printed or displayed date before leaving.

Depending on your admission type, you may have a physical AM or PM wristband, a paper Early Entry ticket, an AM e-ticket that must be exchanged for a wristband, or a Cosplay Changing Room Early Entry ticket.

A confirmation email or payment receipt is not automatically a substitute for the ticket, wristband, or QR code required by the official instructions. Keep it somewhere secure but easy to reach.

For the full entry process, use the C108 Tickets and Entry Guide for Foreign Visitors.

Bring Original Photo ID When Required

Named Early Entry and Cosplay Changing Room Early Entry tickets require an original passport or a photo ID issued by the Japanese government that matches the name on the ticket. Copies, scans, phone photos, foreign driver’s licenses, and student IDs are not accepted for these named tickets.

You may also be asked for proof of age when buying age-restricted works. Acceptance is decided by the seller, so carry suitable original identification if you plan to make those purchases.

Store your passport and other valuables in a zipped inner pocket rather than an open outside pocket.

Phone, Power, and Offline Information

Charge Your Phone and Power Bank

Your phone may be used for maps, ticket information, train updates, translation, messages, hotel directions, and emergency calls. Charge it fully before the event and bring a tested power bank with the correct cable.

Do not bring a damaged, swollen, cracked, leaking, or unusually hot battery. C108 rules prohibit large batteries but make an exception for ordinary small batteries used with personal devices such as phones and laptops.

Save Important Information Offline

Mobile service may slow down in a large crowd. Save the information you would still need without a stable connection:

The official C108 information map
Circle-space maps for the halls you plan to visit
Your priority list with hall, block, and space numbers
Your route to Tokyo Big Sight
At least one route back
Your hotel name, address, and nearest station
A meeting point for your group
Important phone numbers

Screenshots are useful for maps and notes. For an electronic ticket, follow the ticket provider’s instructions rather than assuming a screenshot will be accepted.

Money and Transportation

Bring Cash, Small Bills, and Coins

Cash remains the safest payment option for circle purchases. The official beginner’s guide recommends preparing coins in advance and avoiding large bills when sellers may not have enough change.

A practical setup is:

Coins for exact or near-exact payment
Several 1,000-yen notes
A separate reserve for transportation, food, or emergencies
A card or another payment method as backup

Do not carry more cash than you can manage safely. Keeping your return fare separate from your shopping money can prevent a small mistake from becoming a transport problem.

Check Your Transit IC Card

Check the balance on your Suica, PASMO, or other usable transit IC card before traveling to the venue. If the card is stored on your phone, keep a backup fare in cash in case the phone battery dies.

For station choices and routes, use How to Get to Tokyo Big Sight for Comic Market 108.

Food, Drinks, and Summer Gear

Bring Drinks Before You Reach the Venue

Stores and vending machines are available around Tokyo Big Sight, but large crowds can mean long lines or limited stock. Bring drinks before reaching the busiest part of the venue area.

The right amount depends on your entry time, expected outdoor wait, body size, health, and planned stay. Sports drinks, oral rehydration drinks, salt candies, and salt tablets are among the items listed in C108’s official heat guidance, but they do not replace rest or medical help when someone is becoming ill.

Keep cold bottles away from paper purchases. Condensation alone can damage books.

Pack Food You Can Eat Quickly

Do not depend entirely on venue restaurants or nearby convenience stores. Bring food that is easy to open, unlikely to spoil quickly, mild in smell, and reasonably resistant to being crushed.

Check storage instructions and expiration dates. Avoid leaving high-risk food in a hot bag for hours.

Heat and Weather Items

Useful summer items include:

A hat that stays on securely and provides shade
Sunscreen you have already tested on your skin
A small towel
A cooling towel, cold pack, frozen drink, or similar cooling item
A hand fan, folding fan, or portable electric fan
A compact sun umbrella, if you can use it safely
A light rain jacket or poncho
A waterproof bag for wet items

Personal sun umbrellas are not banned in the entry queue, but staff may ask you to fold one when the area is crowded or the line needs to move safely. Follow staff directions immediately.

Cooling products are only support items. If you develop dizziness, nausea, numbness, muscle cramps, unusual fatigue, or confusion, stop waiting and ask for help. The C108 first aid rooms offer basic first aid but are not medical facilities.

For detailed heat preparation, read the Comic Market 108 Heat Guide before the event.

Wear Clothes and Shoes That Can Handle the Day

Wear breathable clothes that dry reasonably quickly and allow you to move comfortably. Choose shoes you have already worn for a long day of walking. C108 is not a good place to test new shoes.

A spare pair of socks, blister bandages, or a lightweight change of shirt may be useful if you know you tend to need them.

Health and Personal Essentials

Bring anything you rely on in daily life and could not easily replace during the event. Depending on the person, this may include:

Prescription medication
Allergy medication or an inhaler
Headache or stomach medicine you already use safely
Glasses and a case
Spare contact lenses and contact lens supplies
Travel insurance information
Emergency contact details

Keep medication in recognizable packaging when possible. Do not use painkillers or cooling items as a reason to continue when you are too unwell to stay.

Maps and a Realistic Shopping Plan

Save the official information map and the circle-space maps for the halls you plan to visit. C108 circle-space maps are available online and can also be printed at participating convenience stores.

A short priority list is easier to use than a huge list of wishes. For each circle or booth, record:

Day
Hall or area
Block and space number
Circle or company name
What you hope to buy
Your spending limit

You can divide the list into A, B, and C priorities, with A reserved for the places that matter most. The official beginner’s guide recommends checking circles in advance and bringing a list together with the map.

A single pen is enough if you use printed maps. Marking something as purchased or sold out can save you from making the same long walk twice.

Bags and Purchase Protection

Use a Secure Main Bag

A backpack or stable shoulder bag keeps your hands free, but it should not be so large that it repeatedly hits people around you. In dense areas, move it to the front or carry it as directed by staff.

A useful main bag should:

Close securely
Keep valuables away from open outside pockets
Hold a drink upright
Give you quick access to your ticket or wristband and wallet
Separate wet items from paper purchases
Leave enough room for what you plan to buy
Remain comfortable when fully loaded

Test-pack it before C108. If it is already full before you leave, it is too full.

Bring One Sturdy Foldable Bag

A foldable bag gives you extra space when purchases no longer fit in your main bag. Choose one that can handle the weight of several books and, ideally, closes at the top.

Thin disposable bags can tear. One reliable spare bag is better than several weak ones.

Keep Books Flat and Dry

Doujinshi, postcards, and prints can bend quickly inside a crowded bag. Bring a rigid document case, an A4 or B5 folder, or another flat protected section.

Do not place paper purchases next to a cold bottle, used towel, wet umbrella, or melting ice pack.

A few small zip bags or plastic bags are also useful for wet towels, trash, receipts, cables, and small goods.

Optional Items

A Small Folding Stool

The official beginner’s guide lists a folding chair as an optional useful item. Bring one only if it is compact, light, and easy to close as soon as the line moves.

Never place it where it blocks a walkway, and follow staff instructions. Many visitors are better off saving the weight and planning proper seated breaks elsewhere.

Camera Equipment

For personal photography, bring only the equipment you can manage safely: a charged camera, spare battery, memory card, strap, and weather protection.

Ask each identifiable person for permission before taking a photo. Keep equipment out of walkways and stop if staff say the area is too crowded.

Cosplay Items

Cosplayers may also need:

Costume, wig, and makeup items
Regular clothes for arrival and departure
Bags for clean and used costume items
Safe props that meet the current rules
500 yen for the changing-room registration fee each day
The registration leaflet received at the changing room

All cosplayers must change in an official changing room. Arriving from your hotel in costume, leaving in costume, or changing and applying makeup in a restroom is prohibited.

Check the current C108 cosplay rules before bringing a replica weapon, large prop, unusually wide costume, or anything that could be considered dangerous.

Two-Day Attendees

Tickets and wristbands are separate for the two days. After Day 1:

Confirm your Day 2 ticket or wristband
Recharge your phone and power bank
Refill cash and your transit balance
Replace drinks and food
Dry or replace towels and clothes
Remove Day 1 purchases from your event bag
Recheck the Day 2 map and priorities
Be honest about your physical condition

A nearby hotel can make this reset easier. See Where to Stay for Comiket: Best Areas and Hotels Near Tokyo Big Sight.

How to Organize Your Bag

Quick-Access Pocket

Keep these secure and easy to reach:

Ticket or wristband
Required ID
Phone
Wallet
Transit card

Top or Outer Section

Keep queue items near the top:

Drink
Towel
Hat
Cooling item
Tissues
Rain gear

Main Compartment

Use the main section for:

Food
Power bank
Medication
Spare clothing
Foldable bag
Plastic or zip bags

Flat Protected Section

Reserve a flat area for:

Printed map
Shopping list
Document case
Doujinshi and prints

This layout helps you avoid emptying the entire bag at the entrance or damaging books while searching for a cable.

What Not to Bring

Avoid a Full-Size Suitcase When Possible

Suitcases are not listed as a blanket prohibited item for ordinary attendees, but they are difficult to handle on packed trains, in queues, and inside crowded halls. Leave large luggage at your hotel or another suitable storage location whenever possible.

If you bring a rolling case, keep control of it and do not leave it in a walkway or near emergency equipment.

Leave Unnecessary Valuables Behind

Do not bring excess cash, spare cards, expensive jewelry, or anything else you do not expect to use. Keep your phone, wallet, passport, and purchases with you rather than placing them on a floor, chair, or unattended table.

Do Not Overpack

Every extra item becomes part of the weight you carry through heat and crowds. Before adding something, ask whether you will realistically use it and whether it is worth the space that could be used for purchases.

Prohibited and Dangerous Items

C108 prohibits items including:

Weapons and realistic replicas restricted by law
Fuel, fireworks, flammable materials, and other dangerous items
Animals other than service animals
Large batteries, apart from ordinary small batteries for personal devices
Helium-filled or other floating balloons
Anything staff, security, fire officials, or police consider dangerous

Alcohol consumption is prohibited. Cosplay props have additional restrictions, so do not assume that something is allowed simply because it is sold as a toy.

The Day-Before Check

Pack while reading the checklist rather than relying on memory.

Correct day confirmed
Correct ticket, wristband, or e-ticket packed
Required original ID packed
Phone charged
Power bank charged and tested
Cable tested
Cash, 1,000-yen notes, and coins prepared
Emergency return fare separated
Transit IC card balance checked
Official maps saved
Priority list saved or printed
Route to Tokyo Big Sight saved
Return route saved
Hotel and meeting point saved offline
Drinks and food ready
Essential medication packed
Hat, sunscreen, towel, and cooling items packed
Rain gear packed
Main bag checked for comfort
Foldable shopping bag packed
Book-protection case packed
Wet-item and trash bags packed
Weather, WBGT, transport, and official C108 updates checked

Do not wait near the venue overnight or arrive before the first trains in an attempt to gain an advantage. Overnight and late-night waiting around Tokyo Big Sight is prohibited. Get enough sleep, eat breakfast, and travel at a time appropriate for your admission type.

The Door Check

Immediately before leaving, physically touch and confirm:

Ticket or wristband
Required ID
Phone
Wallet
Essential medication
Drink

“I’m sure I packed it” is not the same as seeing it in the bag.

Complete C108 Packing Checklist

Admission and Identification

□ Correct ticket, wristband, or e-ticket for August 15 or 16
□ Required original passport or accepted photo ID for a named ticket
□ Suitable proof of age if planning to buy age-restricted works
□ Passport stored securely, when applicable

Phone and Information

□ Fully charged phone
□ Charged power bank
□ Correct charging cable
□ Official C108 information map
□ Relevant circle-space maps
□ Priority circle and booth list
□ Route to Tokyo Big Sight
□ Return route and backup route
□ Hotel name and address
□ Group meeting point
□ Emergency contacts

Money and Transportation

□ Cash
□ 1,000-yen notes
□ Coins
□ Separate emergency return fare
□ Backup card or payment method
□ Transit IC card with enough balance

Food and Drink

□ Drinks
□ Electrolyte drink, salt candy, or another suitable item if needed
□ Portable food
□ Bag for food packaging
□ Small trash bag

Summer and Weather

□ Hat
□ Sunscreen
□ Towel
□ Cooling item
□ Hand fan or portable fan, if useful
□ Compact umbrella or sun umbrella, if useful
□ Rain jacket or poncho
□ Waterproof bag for wet items
□ Breathable clothing
□ Comfortable, broken-in shoes
□ Spare socks, blister bandages, or shirt if personally needed

Health and Personal Items

□ Essential medication
□ Glasses and case
□ Contact lens supplies
□ Travel insurance information
□ Tissues
□ Wet wipes
□ Mask or other personal hygiene items, if needed

Maps and Shopping

□ Short A/B/C priority list
□ Day, hall, block, and space number for each priority
□ Spending limit
□ Pen

Bags and Purchase Protection

□ Secure main bag
□ Sturdy foldable shopping bag
□ A4 or B5 document case or folder
□ Zip bags or plastic bags
□ Separate bag for wet towels, umbrellas, and cold bottles

Only If Needed

□ Compact folding stool
□ Camera and charged batteries
□ Memory card
□ Cosplay costume and regular clothes
□ Rule-compliant props
□ 500-yen changing-room registration fee
□ Separate Day 2 ticket or wristband

Official Information to Recheck

Before leaving, check the latest versions of:

Queue locations, weather measures, transport conditions, and event-day procedures can change. Current official announcements and staff directions always take priority over a saved article or an older map.

Conclusion

A good Comiket bag is not the biggest one. It gives you quick access to your ticket or wristband, keeps your phone working, helps you handle the heat, protects your purchases, and still feels manageable at the end of the day.

Start with your ticket or wristband, required ID, your phone, money, medication, and drinks. Add the map, a realistic shopping list, weather protection, and a safe way to carry books. Then remove anything you are unlikely to use.

For the rest of your C108 planning, use the dedicated guides to tickets and entry, Tokyo Big Sight access, summer heat, choosing Day 1 or Day 2, and finding a practical hotel area.