“Can an anime event really be fun if you don’t cosplay—or if you’re bringing kids?” Plenty of people feel that way about the TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa (TMAF). The answer is “Yes, absolutely.” The entire onsen town becomes the venue, admission is basically free, and you can browse the itasha cars, wander the streets, and pair it all with a hot-spring stay—making it an easy day out for families and first-timers alike. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals around Lake Toya that families love, shares how to enjoy it in a relaxed, low-key way.
Dates and content change from year to year. For the latest, accurate information, please check the official site at tmaf.toyako-prj.net. The 2026 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, June 28.
Free admission, easy to drop by
TMAF has free admission as standard, with free parking provided too (based on 2026 event information; this may change from year to year). There’s no need to buy tickets in advance, so you can simply “pop in and take a look”—a real plus for families. You can join in as casually as making a side stop during an onsen trip, moving at a comfortable pace while keeping an eye on how busy it gets.
Itasha displays that kids enjoy too
A big hit with younger children is the itasha display. Rows of cars decorated in colorful anime artwork make for an exciting sight for any kid who loves vehicles. Even without knowing the anime, they can enjoy the “cool cars” and “cute cars.” Just getting up close and taking photos makes for a lovely memory. The lineup changes from year to year.
A stroll through the onsen town with the Keyword Rally
The Keyword Rally, which takes you walking around the onsen town, is perfect for families. Because it turns the town into a kind of game, kids stay engaged instead of getting bored (the specific activities and how to take part change from year to year). Between checkpoints, you can rest at the hand baths and foot baths dotted around—something only an onsen town offers. When little legs get tired, dip your feet in the warm water and take a breather; it’s a wonderfully relaxed way to spend the day. Simply strolling while taking in the lakeside scenery becomes a pleasant activity in itself.
Pair the festa with sightseeing
You don’t have to fill a whole day with the festa alone. Enjoying the festa lightly in the morning and heading out for Lake Toya sightseeing in the afternoon suits families well. There’s plenty for the whole family nearby, including the Usuzan Ropeway, Showa-Shinzan, the Lake Toya boat cruise to Nakajima, and the Silo Observatory. In the evening, there’s also the Long-run Fireworks Festival (typically late April to the end of October, roughly 20 minutes each night from around 8:45 p.m.). Being able to watch fireworks from the lakeside even on a festa day is a big draw.
For a concrete plan of how to spend the day, see our one-night, two-day model itinerary.
A whole-house rental makes a handy family base
For trips with kids, a whole-house rental where you never have to worry about other guests makes everything easier. Every Kamonoya property comes with a full kitchen and is rented as a whole house or private unit. Your children can be a little boisterous without you fretting about the neighbors, and you’re free to arrange mealtimes however you like. With a kitchen on hand, warming up baby food or catering to picky eaters is stress-free too.
Family favorites include Toya House, in the heart of the onsen town and equipped for BBQ (sleeps 8, from ¥24,000/night); the family-friendly Lake Toya Building 2LDK (sleeps 6, from ¥11,000/night); and Toya INN-East, where a large screen lets you enjoy anime in the evening (sleeps 11, from ¥30,000/night). For three-generation trips or large families, there’s also Lake Toya Base (sleeps 20, from ¥30,000/night). For more tips on traveling with kids, take a look at our Lake Toya model course as well. You can compare properties on our facilities list.
For details on pet policies and amenities, please check each property page or contact us.
Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here.
FAQ
Q1. Can a family who doesn’t cosplay still enjoy it?
Yes. Admission is basically free, and there’s plenty to enjoy without cosplaying—browsing the itasha display, walking the town with the Keyword Rally, and resting at the hand baths and foot baths. Pair it with an onsen and Lake Toya sightseeing, and you’ll have a full, satisfying day.
Q2. Is it okay to bring small children?
Because you get around on foot through the onsen town, you can enjoy it comfortably at your child’s pace or with a stroller. That said, the festa gets crowded on the day, so hold hands to avoid getting separated and take frequent breaks. For the day’s rules and venue details, please check the official site at tmaf.toyako-prj.net.
Q3. Can I do both the festa and Lake Toya sightseeing?
Yes. Since the festa is held in the onsen town, you can combine it with the Usuzan Ropeway, Showa-Shinzan, the Lake Toya boat cruise to Nakajima, and more. Stay a night and you can also enjoy the evening Long-run Fireworks (typically late April to the end of October).