The TOYAKO Manga & Anime Festa (TMAF) is a popular early-summer event that turns the whole Lake Toya Onsen town into its stage. If you’re traveling in from afar, the single biggest factor in how your day goes is where you stay. Changing into cosplay, hauling bulky luggage, staying the night before as a group—situations that can feel awkward at a regular hotel are easy and relaxed in a whole-house rental. Kamonoya, which runs 11 private-rental houses around Lake Toya, has put together the tips that genuinely help when choosing a place to stay for a festa trip.
The festa’s dates and program change from year to year. For the latest, accurate details, please check the official site at tmaf.toyako-prj.net. For 2026, the event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 to Sunday, June 28.
Why a whole-house rental suits a festa trip
Every Kamonoya property is a fully kitchen-equipped, whole-house or private-room rental, so you never share space with other guests. That matters a great deal for a festa trip.
First, changing and getting ready. You can prepare in the privacy of your own accommodation and do the final checks on makeup and costume at your own pace. Next, luggage. Costumes, wigs, props—festa trips tend to mean a lot of gear, but with room to spread out you can lay out your suitcases with space to spare. And then time with your group. In the evening you can cook together in the kitchen and talk through the next day’s plan—an ideal way to spend the trip for a team or club. Sorting through your photo shoot and touching up costumes is easy too, precisely because the whole place is yours.
Properties in the heart of the onsen town, near the venue
Because the festa takes over the entire onsen town, staying right in the center of the onsen town makes getting around easy. It’s simple to head out to the venue after changing, then pop back to your accommodation for a rest when you need one.
For a small group or family, Kamonoya Toya House (sleeps 8, from ¥24,000/night) sits in the heart of the onsen town and even allows BBQ. For a couple or a pair, Lake Toya Building 1R (sleeps 3, from ¥7,000/night) and Lake Toya Building 1R Hokusai (sleeps 3, from ¥8,000/night), or the slightly larger Lake Toya Building 2LDK (sleeps 6, from ¥11,000/night), are all handy apartment-style units in the town center.
Larger properties, ideal for a night-before stay with a group or club
If you’re traveling as a big group with a club or team, a large property where everyone can stay under one roof is the way to go. Toya Farmer’s House (sleeps 18, from ¥25,000/night) is a whole-house rental for large groups, complete with a fireplace. Lake Toya Base (sleeps 20, from ¥30,000/night) has a large screen too, so an evening anime-viewing party with everyone is one way to enjoy it. Toya INN-East (sleeps 11, from ¥30,000/night) also comes with a large screen and suits groups well.
We’ve also gathered our tips for staying as a large group in the Lake Toya large-group stay guide. Compare options by party size and budget from the list of properties.
Arriving the night before is the right call: come early and make the most of the festa
The festa is held over the weekend. If you’re coming from far away, we recommend arriving the day before (staying over on Friday or Saturday night). You can get ready with time to spare from the morning of the event and move around while avoiding the peak crowds. Accommodation in the onsen town tends to fill up during the festa period, so once your dates are set, booking early gives you peace of mind.
If you arrive early, you can also enjoy a stroll along the lakeshore and the Long-run Fireworks Festival (typically late April to the end of October, about 20 minutes nightly from around 8:45 p.m.). For putting together a festa-plus-sightseeing itinerary, see our one-night, two-day model course.
What to pack and how to move on the day
The rules on changing and photography, and whether registration is required, change from year to year. The area around the onsen town gets crowded on festa day, so if you’re coming by car, find out in advance where the free parking is and allow plenty of time (parking information may change from year to year).
For details on each property’s facilities (amenities and so on), please check the individual property pages or get in touch. For how to spend your time in the onsen town and the etiquette to keep in mind, see also enjoying the whole onsen town as a cosplay venue.
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 I change into cosplay at the accommodation?
Every Kamonoya property is a whole-house or private-room rental, so you can change and get ready in privacy inside your accommodation. That said, the venue’s changing rules and whether registration is required change from year to year, so please check the day’s rules on the official site at tmaf.toyako-prj.net.
Q2. When should I book for the festa period?
Accommodation in the onsen town tends to fill up during the festa period (scheduled for June 27–28 for 2026). We recommend booking early, as soon as your dates are set. Event dates change from year to year, so please check the official site for the latest information as you plan.
Q3. Are there properties that can host a large club?
Yes. There are properties where a large group can stay under one roof, such as Lake Toya Base (sleeps 20) and Toya Farmer’s House (sleeps 18). You can choose from the list of properties to match your party size and budget.