Toya Cospa!: Guide to Lake Toya’s Autumn Cosplay Event

In the Lake Toya Onsen town, June’s “TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa” is followed by another gathering of cosplayers in the autumn: “Toya Cospa!” Unlike the big summer festival, it has a more relaxed, largely indoor scale, and quite a few visitors travel from afar to stay overnight for it. In this article, Kamonoya, a whole-house rental operator here in Lake Toya, walks you through how to enjoy Toya Cospa!, how to get here, and the lodgings you can use as a base.

Lake Toya Onsen town

What is Toya Cospa!?

Toya Cospa! is a cosplay event that started as a spin-off of the “TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa (TMAF)” held in June. Whereas the main festival turns the entire onsen town into its venue on a large scale, Toya Cospa! is held on a smaller scale, typically in October.

In autumn, once the big outdoor events have wrapped up, it strikes just the right mood for those who want to enjoy photography and mingling at a calm, small-group pace. If you’re curious about the June main festival, take a look at our complete guide to the TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa as well.

Note that the dates and the day’s schedule change from year to year. For the 2026 edition, please check the official site (cospa.toyako-prj.net) for the latest, accurate information.

The venue and how to enjoy the day

Toya Cospa! takes place at mainly indoor venues such as the Lake Toya Cultural Center and the Tourist Information Center. Because the venues are largely under a roof, they aren’t easily affected by autumn weather—a reassuring point for those traveling in from afar.

Past editions have featured content such as the following (the program varies by year):

Many people come specifically to take photos, and joining in cosplay is one of the pleasures. A changing room may require an entry pass, and the arrangements and how to take part can vary from year to year. Admission is typically free.

Getting to Lake Toya

The Lake Toya Onsen town is roughly a 2-hour drive from New Chitose Airport, and about a 2-hour drive from central Sapporo as well. By public transport, you can reach the onsen town in about 20 minutes by bus from JR Toya Station.

Since this is an event where you tend to carry a lot of luggage—costumes, photography gear and the like—coming by car is convenient. The availability of parking near the venues and the day’s traffic guidance can change from year to year.

Recommended whole-house rentals as your event base

For a cosplay event, having “a space that’s just yours” for changing, makeup and managing costumes makes everything far more comfortable. Every Kamonoya lodging is a whole-house, single-group rental, so you can spend your time without running into other guests—well suited to arriving a night early or staying several nights with your group.

If you’re arriving the night before with a large team, our large-group accommodation guide may also help. Every property has a full kitchen, so preparing meals together can make for a fun time as well. For details you may be wondering about—such as whether pets are allowed or the amenities on offer—please check each property page or get in touch.

Enjoy autumn at Lake Toya too

October is also the autumn-foliage season at Lake Toya. If you’d like to enjoy the autumn lakeshore before or after the event, take a look at our Lake Toya autumn foliage guide and foliage driving route as well. With an overnight stay, you can leisurely combine the event with some autumn-foliage sightseeing.

Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here. If you’d like to browse our other properties too, see the full list of facilities.

FAQ

When is Toya Cospa! held?

It is usually held in October. However, the exact dates and schedule change from year to year, so please check the official site (cospa.toyako-prj.net) for the latest, accurate information.

Is there an admission fee?

Admission is typically free. That said, the arrangements can vary by year—for example, an entry pass may be required to use the changing room.

Can beginners at cosplay take part?

Because it’s mainly indoors and modest in scale, it has an atmosphere that’s easy to join even for first-timers. There are also casual offerings to enjoy, such as photography and anime-song karaoke. Start by checking the day’s program, and take part at whatever pace feels comfortable.