Comic Market 108 Cosplay Guide: Changing Rooms, Photography Rules, and Cosplay Areas

Changing-Room Rules

The changing room is for changing, not for photography, meals, or waiting for friends.

C108 prohibits:

• Photos or videos inside, including selfies
• Using a phone camera as a mirror
• Leaving baggage unattended
• Eating or resting inside
• Waiting for friends inside or around the changing room
• Using coloring sprays, color mousse, paint, or similar items that could soil the venue
• Using electrical outlets

If you are unsure about a costume or cosplay item, ask Comic Market staff near the changing room.

Paid Baggage Storage for Cosplayers

C108 also provides paid baggage storage, or a cloak service, near the cosplay facilities.

Official C108 information lists:

• Conference Tower, 7F
• TFT Building West Wing, 2F
• Hours: 8:30-16:30
• Final day: until 16:00
• Standard item: ¥500
• Large item over 120 cm: ¥800

Space is limited, so do not build your entire plan around being able to store a bag there.

This service is useful if your costume creates extra baggage, but valuables should still be kept securely with you.

Exposure and underwear

Costumes that could amount to indecent exposure are prohibited.

The official rules prohibit:

• Wearing no underwear
• Underwear that is directly visible or visible through transparent material
• Excessive skin exposure

Swimwear requires appropriate underwear or support garments underneath.

Comic Market also recommends stockings or tights for costumes that could expose underwear when bending over or that leave much of the legs exposed.

If your costume is close to the limits, check the official cosplay rules before the event rather than judging by photos from a previous Comiket.

Costumes that could damage the venue

Do not use costumes with wet paint, liquids, or other materials likely to stain or damage the facility.

An item that is prohibited from being brought into Comic Market does not become acceptable simply because it is part of a costume.

Large Costumes, Masks, Capes, and Movement Restrictions

Some costumes can be used for posing but must be adjusted while moving through the venue.

C108 lists several restrictions outside the designated Cosplay Areas:

• Costumes taller than 2 meters or wider than 1 meter must be made safe for movement. If a large costume can be dismantled or transformed, it may be larger while posing. If you cannot move safely by yourself, you need someone to assist you.
• Long skirts, cloaks, and capes must not drag on the floor. Hold them up or remove the relevant part while moving.
• Helmets, masks, or other costume elements that significantly restrict your vision must be removed while moving.
• Sharp or otherwise dangerous costume parts must be removed while moving.
• When moving between Tokyo Big Sight and the TFT Building in swimwear, a leotard, or similar clothing, wear an outer layer.

The aim is not only costume compliance but safe movement through a very crowded venue.

Weapon-Like Props and Large Props

Props also have specific restrictions.

Items that violate Japanese law are prohibited, including regulated firearms, blades, and replicas that may fall under legal restrictions.

For toy guns such as airsoft, gas, or electric guns:

• Remove ammunition.
• Remove gas or other firing materials.
• Remove batteries.
• Make sure the gun cannot fire.
• Put it in a bag while moving around the venue.

Props taller than 2 meters or wider than 1 meter, such as large staffs or wands, must be disassembled while moving.

Do not throw, swing, kick, or otherwise use a prop in a way that could hit another attendee.

If you are unsure whether a costume or prop is acceptable, ask staff near the changing rooms before using it.

Where Are the Cosplay Areas?

C108 lists the following Cosplay Areas:

• East Hall 8, including indoor and outdoor space
• Gardens, north of Conference Tower 1F
• Rooftop Exhibition Area — afternoon only
• Outside East Hall 7, Antenna Site Parking Area — afternoon only

West Hall 4 is not a Cosplay Area at C108.

Opening times and access can change depending on entry queues, congestion, weather, and event operations. Outdoor areas may be restricted in bad weather.

Use the official C108 Information Map for the exact locations.

C108 Information Map

https://www2.comiket.co.jp/info-a/TAFO/C108TAFO/C108_InternationalMap.pdf

Photography Is Not Limited to the Cosplay Areas

This is an important point that is easy to misunderstand.

Comic Market’s official rules say that cosplay and photography may take place elsewhere in the venue, including inside the exhibition halls, as long as the rules are followed and the location is safe.

The Cosplay Areas are designated gathering places for convenience. They are not the only places where photography can take place.

However, that does not mean every location is suitable for a photo shoot.

Do not block walkways, interfere with circle sales, or create a crowd in a busy area. If staff or security decide that a shoot is causing congestion or a safety problem, they may stop the shoot, restrict equipment, or ask you to move to a Cosplay Area.

Follow on-site staff instructions even if you planned to shoot somewhere in advance.

Ask Before You Shoot

If a person will be identifiable in your photo or video, ask for permission before shooting.

Do not assume that someone wants to be photographed simply because they are wearing cosplay.

At busy cosplay areas, wait your turn and ask politely.

A useful phrase is:

写真を撮ってもいいですか？

Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?

“May I take a photo?”

If the cosplayer says no, does not want a particular pose, or says it is not a good time, respect the answer and move on.

Watch the Background Too

Permission is not only about the person posing for you.

C108 prohibits photographing or publishing other identifiable participants without permission, including people who are clearly recognizable in the background.

Before taking a photo, check what is behind your subject.

This is particularly important inside crowded halls, where a wide shot can easily include people who did not agree to be photographed.

Hidden or covert photography is also prohibited.

Do Not Pressure Cosplayers for Poses or Long Sessions

Comic Market asks photographers to consider both the subject and the people around them.

Avoid:

• Photographing one person for an excessively long time
• Surrounding one cosplayer with a large group of photographers
• Pressuring someone into a pose
• Shooting from an extreme low angle
• Taking close-up photos focused on the chest, buttocks, genitals, or similar areas
• Repeatedly asking for contact information
• Following or harassing someone

Intentional excessive exposure for a photo is also prohibited.

If a shoot is attracting a crowd, cooperate with the cosplayer and other photographers so that people can still move safely.

Photography Equipment May Be Restricted

C108 prohibits infrared cameras, special miniature cameras, and other equipment that the Comic Market Committee considers inappropriate.

Reflectors, tripods, flash stands, and similar equipment are not always prohibited, but staff may restrict them when the venue is crowded. At some times there may be no area where this equipment can be used safely.

Strong lighting that could cause an accident is prohibited.

If staff tell you to stop using a piece of equipment, put it away.

For Cosplayers

Before C108:

• I have the correct admission for the day I am attending.
• I will arrive and leave in regular clothes.
• I have ¥500 for cosplay registration for each day I cosplay.
• I checked my costume and props against the current rules.
• I know which changing room I will use.
• I know that registration to change into cosplay closes at 15:30.
• I will allow enough time to change back before the changing room closes.
• I will follow staff instructions if an area becomes crowded.

For costume repair items, camera batteries, summer supplies, cash, and other packing details:

What to Bring to Comic Market 108: Complete Packing Checklist

For Photographers

Before taking cosplay photos:

• I have the admission required for C108.
• I will ask before taking an identifiable photo or video.
• I will check the background for other identifiable attendees.
• I will not block walkways or interfere with circle spaces.
• I will not pressure someone into a pose.
• I understand that photography equipment may be restricted because of congestion.
• I will ask before posting an identifiable photo or video online.
• I will stop, move, or put equipment away when staff instruct me to do so.

If you are choosing between August 15 and 16 mainly for cosplay, see:

Which Day Should You Visit Comic Market 108? Day 1 vs. Day 2