Comiket 2025 Guide: Dates, Tickets, What to Enjoy & Must-Know Tips for First-Timers
When it comes to Japanese culture that's gaining popularity worldwide, Pop Culture represented by anime and manga is at the forefront. Many people visiting Japan want to go to Akihabara, the mecca of pop culture, or visit spots related to their favorite anime.
In Tokyo, events related to Pop Culture are held daily in various locations. Among these events, the biggest event is Comiket, held in Odaiba, Tokyo in August and December.
In this article, the author will explain in detail the enjoyable aspects of Comiket and precautions for participation. Additionally, we'll introduce recommended spots in Tokyo for Pop Culture enthusiasts.
If you're interested in Japanese Pop Culture, please use this as a reference to plan your event participation and outings.
Pop culture-related events are held throughout Tokyo
In Tokyo, many Pop Culture-related events are held throughout the year in various locations.
Among the many events, there are big events held at large venues. For example, at a venue called Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, Comiket, a major Japanese Pop Culture event, is held twice a year.
Also, at Makuhari Messe, an event facility in Chiba Prefecture next to Tokyo, various large-scale events are held. Events by Niconico Video, a video site that distributes a lot of anime culture content, Comic-Con, and Tokyo Game Show are famous.
Additionally, in Akihabara, famous as the Mecca of Pop Culture, small and medium-sized events are constantly held. The most common are exhibitions of games and anime works, limited-time shops, and collaboration cafes.
Comiket is the world's largest doujinshi sale event held twice a year
Comiket is the world's largest doujinshi sale event held in Japan. It's held twice a year, in August and December, for 2-3 days each time.
It's basically held at Tokyo Big Sight, a large event facility in Odaiba. Until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, approximately 500,000 people attended annually, and since 2022, approximately 300,000 people have visited per event, making it a major event.
At Comiket, an immediate sale event of "Doujinshi" created by anime and manga fans and artists is held. There are also cosplay displays by participants, various events, and merchandise sales at corporate booths, allowing you to enjoy a festival-like atmosphere full of excitement.
From here, the author, who has visited the venue many times, will explain in detail the points necessary to enjoy Comiket.
What is Doujinshi?
Doujinshi refers to magazines and books created by fans of existing works such as anime, games, and manga. What's published in these books is fan art such as illustrations, manga, and novels.
Doujinshi are basically self-published. There are many high-quality works that are not inferior to commercial publications, and they have been a driving force in Japan's manga culture.
Even for Doujinshi with the same work as a theme, expressions vary greatly depending on the artist who created them. What I think is the charm of Doujinshi is that there are many works where you can feel the artist's extraordinary passion.
Comiket is the world's largest Doujinshi event where over 10 million Doujinshi are sold. Various items are sold, from Doujinshi of famous manga and anime that everyone knows to Doujinshi of niche works.
Event Overview and Access
Winter Comic Market 107
- Dates: December 30-31, 2025
- Access: Get off at Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line → Approximately 7 minutes on foot / Get off at Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome Line → - Approximately 3 minutes on foot → Tokyo Big Sight
- Admission: Early Tickets: ¥5,000/Morning Tickets: ¥1,210/Afternoon Tickets (Pre-sale): ¥400 (Same-day tickets): ¥1,000
- Website: https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/TAFO/C107TAFO/index.html
Summer Comic Market 106
- Dates: August 16-17, 2025 (Comic Market 108 in 2026, dates not yet determined)
- Access: Get off at Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line → Approximately 7 minutes on foot / Get off at Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome Line → - Approximately 3 minutes on foot → Tokyo Big Sight
- Admission: Early Tickets: ¥5,000/Morning Tickets: ¥1,210/Afternoon Tickets (Pre-sale): ¥400 (Same-day tickets): ¥1,000
- Website: https://www.comiket.co.jp/info-a/C107/C107Info.html#N400
What can you enjoy at Comiket? Detailed explanation by a Tokyo resident
You can purchase high-quality manga and novels created by fans
The main attraction of Comiket is purchasing high-quality manga and novels created by fans. At Comiket, manga fans and amateur artists create circles and exhibit booths where they sell Doujinshi for each circle.
Despite being self-published works with little profit, many Doujinshi with surprisingly high-quality manga, illustrations, and novels are sold.
Many people become professional novelists and manga artists from being popular Doujinshi artists. For example, one of my favorite manga artists was originally active at Comiket as a Doujinshi artist.
There are also artists who have been presenting their works at past Comikets or on the internet and have already gained high popularity. Long lines form at booths with popular artists to purchase Doujinshi that can only be obtained there.
Not just manga, but creative works such as photo books and guidebooks are also sold
At Comiket, in addition to Doujinshi manga and novels, many niche creative works are also sold. For example, what I often see are railway guidebooks created by railway fans and idol group guidebooks created by idol fans.
Sometimes beautiful self-published photo books taken by amateur photographers are sold. There are also many creative works that can be enjoyed by non-enthusiasts, such as travel books and gourmet books.
The many creative works full of originality are all things that are fun just to look at. I love finding ones with surprisingly unique themes, which has become a big enjoyment beyond Doujinshi.
Limited merchandise sales and special events by companies are held
Source:PR TIMES
At Comiket 2025, corporate booths of anime production companies and publishers are also exhibited, where limited merchandise is sold and special events are held.
In recent years, an average of about 140 companies have exhibited booths at Comiket. Anime production companies sell limited merchandise of anime works that can only be bought at Comiket, and events featuring popular voice actors are also held.
Limited merchandise of popular anime works sold by anime production companies is highly competitive, and you may not be able to get it unless you arrive early. If you have merchandise you're after, purchase an early entry ticket and line up from the morning.
Also, food manufacturers and beverage manufacturers exhibit, and products other than anime and manga-related items are also sold to the event participants who number in the hundreds of thousands.
You can enjoy highly accurate cosplay by attendees and cosplay photography
Along with Doujinshi, another thing that symbolizes Comiket is the high-quality cosplay of cosplayers.
At Comiket, attendees can freely cosplay within the venue if they use the dedicated changing rooms. Cosplayers embody their favorite anime or manga characters, and many people take photographs of the cosplayers.
Enjoy looking carefully at cosplay of popular characters with surprisingly high accuracy. In addition to character cosplay, there's also humorous cosplay that will make you laugh, so be sure to check it out.
If you want to take photographs, be sure to get permission from the cosplayer who will be your subject. If you ask, there are many people who will pose for the camera and even appear in photos with you.
Important Tips for Participating in Comiket! Information for Beginners Explained by the Author
If You Want to Purchase Something Specific, You Need to Line Up Early
If there is something you absolutely want to purchase at Comiket 2025, you need to line up early. Doujinshi and limited goods from corporate booths are available in limited quantities, and purchases are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Many popular circles' doujinshi and limited goods sell out quickly after the event starts.
For this reason, enthusiastic attendees purchase tickets that allow them to enter earlier. Even with tickets, long lines form for entry, so people line up for long hours from the morning to get into the venue quickly. The massive queues for venue entry are famous as a phenomenon that symbolizes Comiket.
Entry Time Varies by Ticket Type
At Comiket 2025, the entry time differs depending on the ticket type. There are roughly three types of tickets:
- Early Entry Ticket: ¥5,000 Entry from 10:30
- Morning Entry Ticket: ¥1,210 Entry from 11:00
- Afternoon Entry Ticket: (Advance Sale) ¥400 (Day-of Sale) ¥1,000 Entry from 12:30
The Early Entry Ticket allows the earliest entry. If there is popular doujinshi or something you absolutely must buy, it is recommended to purchase an Early Entry Ticket and line up early on top of that.
If you don't have anything you must purchase, there is no need to buy an early entry ticket or line up. With the Afternoon Entry Ticket, you can usually enter without waiting in line.
Even from the afternoon, you can fully enjoy the festival-like atmosphere by viewing cosplay and browsing through many doujinshi.
Depending on Booth Location, Extremely Long Lines May Form
At Comiket 2025, depending on the booth location, extremely long lines may form. Booths of circles selling doujinshi are arranged in three main areas across the spacious venue:
- Circles in front of shutters (entrances/exits)
- Circles near walls inside the venue
- Circles in the interior of the venue
Large circles have booths near the shutters, which are the entrances and exits of the venue. These booths are popular and well-known, selling large quantities of doujinshi and goods. Long lines often form, and early entry is necessary to purchase before items sell out.
Circles near the walls inside the venue are said to be the next most popular after shutter-front circles. Depending on the booth, doujinshi may sell out quickly, or you may need to wait in line for a while to make a purchase.
In the interior beyond the wall-side circles, other circles are basically arranged. There are many circles producing unique and high-quality works despite being small-scale.
For Summer Comiket, Hydration and Heat Countermeasures Are Essential
If you are participating in summer Comiket 2025, I strongly recommend staying hydrated frequently and taking thorough heat countermeasures. Summer Comiket is held in August, and visitors often wait for long periods in uncovered areas under Tokyo's harsh summer sun.
Especially if you plan to go early and line up, you will be directly exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods. Be sure to bring a hat or parasol. Many men also use parasols.
For hydration, I recommend bringing 2 liters or more of water. Every year at summer Comiket, many people suffer from heatstroke, so please be very careful. Additionally, bringing towels, rain gear, and sweat-management items will provide extra peace of mind.
In Winter, Having Extra Warm Clothing for Entry Waiting Provides Peace of Mind
Winter Comiket 2025 is held in December. Since Odaiba is a waterfront area, the sea breeze is cold and the environment is severely chilly.
Those lining up for entry should bring more warm clothing than usual. Since the venue interior and trains used for coming and going have heating running well, items that are easy to put on and take off are recommended.
In Odaiba in December, light snow may fall, so having a folding umbrella is also convenient.
On the Way Home It Gets Crowded, So Leave the Venue With Time to Spare
During the return time period, stations near the venue become extremely crowded. If you want to return smoothly, leave the venue with time to spare. Kokusai-Tenjijo Station and Tokyo Big Sight Station start getting crowded around 15:00.
Also, if you are using transportation IC cards like Suica, be sure to charge enough for round-trip transportation costs in advance. From my experience, trying to line up at ticket machines to charge in the heavily congested station on the day is very difficult.
Using apps for overseas tourists that allow online charging is also recommended.
Tokyo's 3 Great "Mecca of Pop Culture" to Enjoy Along with Comiket 2025
Akihabara
Among the Mecca of Pop Culture you should definitely visit in Tokyo, the most famous is Akihabara.
Akihabara is a district that developed as shops dealing with radios and electronic devices such as computers gathered together. Currently, countless anime shops and game stores are concentrated here, and there are also many game centers, maid cafes, and idol goods shops.
One of the recommended spots in Akihabara is Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba, a large electronics retailer located right near Akihabara Station. In addition to an overwhelming selection of computers, home appliances, and digital products, they also sell many hobby items such as anime figures and game goods.
In Akihabara, you can sometimes find street performances of singing and dancing, and if you love Pop Culture, just walking around the city should give you plenty of stimulation.
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Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba
- Address: 1-1 Kanda Hanaoka-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: 9:30 AM 10:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0352091010
- Official Website: http://www.yodobashi.com/ec/store/0018/index.html
Experience Japanese Pop Culture More Deeply by Making a Pilgrimage with a Guide Who Knows Akihabara Inside Out!
If you want to enjoy Akihabara more deeply, try making a Pilgrimage to spots where you can enjoy Pop culture with a local guide.
With Magical Trip's Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour, a guide who knows Akihabara inside out will take you to retro game shops, game centers, maid cafes, and more.
Using this tour, you can fully enjoy spots in the vast Akihabara that would be difficult to find or enter alone. At a maid cafe, take commemorative photos in Kawaii poses with the maids and fully enjoy their energetic performances.
It's also recommended to shop for treasure goods at retro game shops that tourists have difficulty finding, with help from your local guide.
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- Meeting point: In front of Ticket Office right outside of Electric Town Gate of JR Akihabara station/1-chome, Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Tour Area: Akihabara
- Start Time: 14:00
Ikebukuro
Along with Akihabara in Tokyo, Ikebukuro is where many anime fans gather. The characteristic of Ikebukuro is that many female anime fans gather there.
Ikebukuro has a street called Otome Road where anime shops, comic stores, and cosplay shops are concentrated. The shops on Otome Road carry many goods for BL works and romance games popular with women, and it is known as the Mecca for female otaku.
Perhaps the most famous anime shop in Ikebukuro is Animate Ikebukuro store, located right near Otome Road. Animate is an anime shop chain with locations nationwide, and the Ikebukuro Store is its first store.
It was renovated in 2023, and currently boasts one of the world's largest sales floor areas as an anime shop. On the 3rd floor manga sales floor, you can buy many BL comics from the genre called "Boys' Love" in Japan.
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Animate Ikebukuro store
- Address: 1-20-7 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM 9:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0339881351
- Official Website: https://www.animate.co.jp/shop/ikebukuro/
Nakano
In Nakano, there is a large building called Nakano Broadway with 3 basement floors and 10 floors above ground. Nakano Broadway has many manga shops, anime shops, and other niche culture shops gathered together, and is also called the Mecca of Japanese subculture.
Nakano Broadway houses the main store of Mandarake, a famous Japanese manga specialty store. Currently, Mandarake has stores separated by specialty—anime, manga, figures, toys, cards, etc.—from the 1st to 4th floors of Nakano Broadway.
Particularly for manga, they boast an overwhelming selection said to offer manga of every genre. When I start looking for interesting manga here, I always lose track of time and spend hours.
They also sell used items, and you can find rare goods such as retro figures and out-of-print photo books and books. If you're looking for rare goods, you might be able to find them at Mandarake in Nakano Broadway.
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Mandarake Nakano store
- Address: 5-52-15 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: 12:00 PM 8:00 PM
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 0332280007
- Official Website: https://www.mandarake.co.jp/dir/nkn/
If You Want to Enjoy Authentic Japan, Have a Local Guide Show You Around the City!
Besides enjoying Pop Culture, if you want to enjoy Authentic Japan, use Magical Trip's tours to have a local guide show you around the city.
Magical Trip offers tours by local guides in various parts of Tokyo and throughout Japan, including the Akihabara tour introduced in this article.
By using local tours, you can experience the culture of the city deeply, not just superficial sightseeing. Local guides who know the city and culture well will treat you like a friend, take you to recommended spots, and teach you lots of knowledge.
Besides Akihabara, Tokyo has many other charming and unique neighborhoods. It's recommended to participate in tours in various areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, and Tsukiji.
