Toyako Manga & Anime Festa: A One-Night, Two-Day Itinerary

Rushing through the TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa (TMAF) as a day trip is honestly a waste—with the whole onsen town serving as the venue, this festival truly comes into its own when you stay the night. Arrive the day before to settle in and get ready, enjoy the festa to your heart’s content, and spend the next day sightseeing around Lake Toya. Kamonoya, which runs 11 whole-house rentals at Lake Toya, offers a one-night, two-day itinerary that combines your fan pilgrimage with some sightseeing.

Evening view of Lake Toya

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. The times below are approximate and may shift depending on crowds and weather on the day.

[Day Before] Afternoon: Arrive at Lake Toya and check in

It’s about 2 hours by car from New Chitose Airport, about 2 hours from Sapporo, and about 20 minutes by bus from JR Toya Station to the onsen town. Arrive at Lake Toya during the afternoon and check in at your lodging first. Arriving the day before means you can move at a relaxed pace from the next morning. Unpack and lay out your costumes and props at the lodging to check them over, so you won’t be scrambling on the day.

If you have time, stroll along the lakeside or ease your travel fatigue in the free hand baths and foot baths. Every property comes with a full kitchen, so shopping for groceries nearby and cooking your own dinner at the lodging is a great option too—and it makes for a lively strategy session with your group. For where to buy ingredients and local food tips, see our Lake Toya food guide.

[Day Before] Evening: Watch the long-run fireworks from the lakeside

The star of Lake Toya’s evenings is the Long-run Fireworks Festival. During the season, typically from late April to the end of October, fireworks are launched from the lake for about 20 minutes every night from around 8:45 p.m. Watching the fireworks from the lakeside on the eve of the festa sends your pre-event excitement soaring. Because the fireworks move as they are launched, you can view them from a wide stretch along the onsen-town lakeside (conditions may change depending on weather and other factors).

[Festa Day] Morning to afternoon: Enjoy the festa to the fullest

Festa day at last. Get ready at the lodging in the morning and head to the venue in the onsen town. Admission is basically free, with the entire onsen town as the stage (information for the 2026 event; this may change from year to year).

If you’re into cosplay photography, move around and change up your locations—the lakeside, the back alleys, and more. Browse the itasha (anime-decorated car) displays, tour the onsen town on the keyword rally, and rest your feet at a hand bath or foot bath when you tire. If your lodging is in the heart of the onsen town, you can pop back midway to change costumes or take a break. For tips on shooting, changing, and getting around, see our detailed guide, How to enjoy the whole onsen town as a cosplay venue. Since the specific program and schedule change each year, check the official site at tmaf.toyako-prj.net as you go on the day.

[Festa Day] Afternoon to evening: Add some sightseeing

Once you’ve had your fill of the festa, head out to see Lake Toya after checkout. Choose based on your time and energy.

For a more detailed touring plan, see our Lake Toya model course as well. If you have time to spare, staying one more night and taking it easy on day three is a luxurious choice.

Recommended lodgings as a base for this course

If you want to shuttle to and from the festa from your base and enjoy both the fireworks and the sightseeing, a whole-house rental in the heart of the onsen town is convenient. For small groups to families, try Toya House (sleeps 8, from ¥24,000/night) or Lake Toya Building 2LDK (sleeps 6, from ¥11,000/night). For groups, Toya INN-East with its large screen (sleeps 11, from ¥30,000/night) or the large-capacity Toya Farmer’s House (sleeps 18, from ¥25,000/night) are handy. For details on choosing a lodging, see our festa trip accommodation guide. You can compare properties from the facilities list.

Booking directly through our official site is the best-value official rate, with no agency commission (best-rate guarantee). Check availability here

FAQ

Q1. Which is better, a day trip or a one-night, two-day stay?

If you’re coming from far away, we recommend the one-night, two-day option. Arriving the day before lets you move at a relaxed pace from the next morning and enjoy the evening long-run fireworks and the following day’s Lake Toya sightseeing. Lodgings fill up quickly during the festa period, so book early.

Q2. Can I still see the fireworks on the festa day?

Yes. The Long-run Fireworks Festival runs typically from late April to the end of October, with fireworks launched for about 20 minutes every night from around 8:45 p.m. The festa is usually held in late June, so you can watch from the lakeside on the eve or on the night of the event. Conditions may change depending on weather and other factors.

Q3. How much time does the second day’s sightseeing take?

The Usuzan Ropeway and the Lake Toya boat cruise to Nakajima each take about 1 to 2 hours, while a drive around the lake is roughly 40 km and about an hour by car. Time is limited on the afternoon of the festa day, so if you’d like to explore at leisure, staying one more night and sightseeing on day three is a great option.