Comiket 109 (C109), Dec 29–31, 2026: First-Timer Guide

More than 100,000 people a day gather on the Tokyo waterfront at the end of the year. Beyond the lines stands Tokyo Big Sight, with its inverted-triangle building. The first two questions for a first-time visitor are which pass to buy—when and where—and what time to arrive.

This article answers those two questions first. We have divided the details among articles 01–05 below.

When Is Comiket 109? ― Three Days, December 29 (Tue.)–31 (Thu.), 2026

The venue is Tokyo Big Sight. This will be the first three-day event since C97 in winter 2019. The official site says that all of the venue will be available again in fiscal 2027, so the three-day format is planned for “this winter only.”

East Halls 4–6 cannot be used because of major renovation work.

Once you enter the venue, the route splits in the Entrance Hall, beyond the space under the inverted-triangle building (Entrance Plaza, second floor). The East Halls are to the left and the West Halls to the right (confirmed during our October 2026 reporting). Follow staff directions on the day (see 01 for how to walk through the venue).

	Hours
Circles (booths selling doujinshi and other works)	10:30–16:00
Corporate booths	10:30–17:00 (until 16:00 on Day 3)
Changing rooms (cosplay)	10:30–17:30 (until 17:00 on Day 3)
Cosplay areas	Until 16:30 (until 16:00 on Day 3)

Day 3 is December 31, New Year’s Eve. The corporate booths and cosplay activities close earlier than usual.

The Short Answer

For a first visit, PM entry is enough. To prepare for wristbands selling out, buy one before departure in your country, if possible and if it is sold there. Just before noon on the day, take a train from Shinjuku or Shibuya that runs directly onto the Rinkai Line, and get off at Kokusai-Tenjijo Station.

Here Is Why

• Buy your wristband before departure if possible. Last winter, advance AM wristbands sold out at almost every store. The Committee expects enough PM wristbands overall, but individual stores may sell out. Last time, they were sold at Animate stores in places including Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, and at Toranoana and Melonbooks stores in Taipei (check the official announcement to see which stores will sell them for C109). Last time, an eplus overseas e-ticket for AM entry was also available online.
• If you do not make it in time, buy one at a store after arriving in Japan. You can buy one if it is in stock at stores such as Animate in Ikebukuro or Akihabara. If that also fails, the last resort is a same-day PM wristband at the venue (1,000 yen last time, with a long line). For details, see “02 Tickets and Wristbands.”
• Winter mornings are cold. On average, Tokyo mornings are around 2°C during the three days of the event. Arriving at noon is much easier on your body than waiting outside from the morning (see 05 for preparing for the cold).
• There are direct trains from Shinjuku and Shibuya. The Rinkai Line connects with the JR Saikyo Line, and some trains run directly from Shinjuku and Shibuya to Kokusai-Tenjijo Station. For details, see “01 How to Get There.”

We also traveled from Ichigaya to the venue on a weekday in October 2026. It took about 36 minutes including the wait for the transfer. Leave Kokusai-Tenjijo Station through Exit B and follow the covered walkway; the inverted-triangle building will come into view straight ahead. Both the lockers outside the station and those inside the venue were full even at midday on a weekday. Expect them to be even less likely to have space on a Comiket day (see 05 for luggage).

The Next-Best Option (For People Who Want a Particular Book First Thing in the Morning)

If an overseas e-ticket for AM entry like last time is released, get it on the day sales open. Last time (C108), it was sold through eplus, allowed entry from 11:00, and cost 1,331 yen. Quantities were limited and sales were first-come, first-served. On the day, it was exchanged for a wristband near a Rinkai Line station from 8:00 onward. Because of the exchange start time, you could not join the very front of the AM line. Check the official announcement for how C109 tickets will be sold.

There is also “Early Entry,” which allows even earlier entry (last time, from 10:30; 5,000 yen plus a 385-yen ticketing fee), but it requires a lottery, your legal name, and your original passport, making it a time-consuming option for travelers (see 02).

What Is Comiket, Anyway?

It is an event where you buy fan-made books (doujinshi) and other works directly from their creators (circles). There are corporate booths too. The Committee estimates that people came from 75 countries and regions for the last winter event (C107).

All genres (types of works) and circles change completely each day. Go on the day for the genre you like. The list showing which genres are on which days will be released close to the event, after booth placement is finalized.

Preparation Calendar

1. Now ― Book your accommodation (see “04 Where to Stay”). Also decide how your phone will connect (see “05 What to Bring in Winter”).
2. November 6 ― The C109 Web Catalog is released.
3. Around early November ― Entry prices and times are announced (the English page says “late October or early November”). The Early Entry lottery follows.
4. About one month before the event (planned) ― Tickets other than Early Entry go on sale. Last time (C108), AM and PM wristbands and the eplus overseas e-ticket went on sale about five weeks before the event. In addition to stores in Japan, they were sold at Animate stores in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and other locations (last time). For ticket details, see “02 Tickets and Wristbands.”
5. Early December ― The printed catalog and map (the map will also be available as a PDF on the official website and at convenience stores) and the exhibitor list are released.
6. Close to the event ― The daily genre list and venue map are released. Use these to decide which day to go.
7. After arriving in Japan ― If you still do not have a wristband, buy one at a store (subject to stock). Also add money to your IC card and prepare coins (see 05).
8. On the day ― When you arrive outside the venue, put the wristband around your wrist. For trains to the venue, see “01 How to Get There.”

Prepare for Winter Comiket with Article 05

Cold weather, coins, an IC card, and a phone that may struggle to connect: at winter Comiket, “I will sort it out when I get there” does not work. We list what to prepare before arrival in “05 What to Bring in Winter.” If you plan to cosplay, also read “03 Cosplay Rules” (you may not come from your hotel in costume).

Decide Where to Stay Early

If you are unsure, stay along the subway Yurakucho Line, in an area such as Ichigaya. One line connects you with Ikebukuro, where the stores are, and Shin-Kiba, just before the venue. The venue is one transfer and about 31–36 minutes away (figures checked in October 2026, not the year-end timetable). We also stayed in Ichigaya in October 2026. Choose Ariake, the area where the venue is, if you want to line up from the morning or walk to the venue; choose Shinjuku if a direct train matters most.

→ See “04 Where to Stay.”

See places to stay near Ichigaya Station on a map (Stay22, ad)

Articles in This Guide

• 01 How to Get There ― The station you will use most is Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line. From Shinjuku, Shibuya, and the airports, including how the JR Pass applies.
• 02 Tickets and Wristbands ― All four types of passes in one table, and where and when to buy them.
• 03 Cosplay Rules ― Do not arrive in costume from your hotel. Changing rooms, photography, and props.
• 04 Where to Stay ― If unsure, stay along the Yurakucho Line, in an area such as Ichigaya. Walkable Ariake, or direct trains from Shinjuku.
• 05 What to Bring in Winter ― Cold weather, coins, an IC card, lockers, and shipping the books you buy.