Key Takeaways: Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2026 (IKEHALLO) fills Ikebukuro’s streets and parks from October 30 to November 1. Friday night runs 16:30–22:30 for ages 18 and over only, while Saturday and Sunday run 10:00–18:00 with Canon-loan photo shoots, game booths and free activities. A new Memorial Photo Session on Hareza Ikebukuro’s red staircase costs 8,000 yen per group of up to four.
Halloween cosplay event in Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2026
Oct 30 – Nov 1
Fri 16:30–22:30 (18+ only) / Sat and Sun 10:00–18:00
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2026 (池袋ハロウィンコスプレフェス2026), nicknamed IKEHALLO, takes over the streets and parks of Ikebukuro from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. It is one of the biggest Halloween events in Tokyo aimed at cosplayers and photographers. On October 10, Dwango announced the second batch of programs: photo shoots with popular cosplayers using borrowed Canon gear, a brand-new paid photo session on the red staircase at Hareza Ikebukuro, a first-ever collaboration with the local fire station, and plenty of help for visitors from overseas.
This guide is based on the organizer’s announcement of October 10, 2026. The general admission fee was not included in that announcement, so check the official site (English version) before you go. Programs and times can change.
Contents
Dates, hours and the 18+ Friday night
The festival runs for three days, but Friday is a different kind of event. The evening program on October 30 is called IKEHALLO Night (池ハロナイト) and is limited to people aged 18 and over. High school students are not admitted, even if they are 18. Saturday and Sunday are open daytime days.
| Event | Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2026 Powered by dwango |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| Hours | Oct 30 (Fri): 16:30–22:30, IKEHALLO Night, 18+ only Oct 31 (Sat) and Nov 1 (Sun): 10:00–18:00 |
| Venue | Ikebukuro area, Toshima City, Tokyo (several parks and facilities) |
| Admission | Not stated in the latest announcement. Check the official site. |
| Organizer | Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest Executive Committee (池袋ハロウィンコスプレフェス実行委員会): Dwango, Animate, Hakosta, Sunshine City and Toshima City |
| Supported by | Toshima City Tourism Association, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Toshima Branch, Toshima City Federation of Shopping Streets |
| Official info | Official site (English) / Full program list / Official X |
Photo programs: shoots, sessions and gatherings
If you come with a camera, these three programs are the core of the weekend. They differ a lot in how you get in, so read the entry rules carefully.
Gachi Satsuei Area (ガチ撮影エリア) with Canon
The program returns this year in partnership with Canon Marketing Japan. You borrow a Canon camera and lens, including the latest models, and shoot one of six popular cosplayers. The loan lineup includes the EOS R8 Mark II mirrorless camera, announced on September 16.
- When: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1
- Where: Ike-Sunpark (イケ・サンパーク)
- A Canon ID is required for each experience
- New this year: numbered tickets are distributed through an advance lottery on Dwango Ticket
| Day | Cosplayers (names as listed by the organizer) |
|---|---|
| Oct 31 (Sat) | 雨音るみ, やもはちこ, ひのきお |
| Nov 1 (Sun) | まおと, すずら, 小鳥みやび |
Memorial Photo Session (new this year)
A professional photographer shoots your group on the open red staircase, the landmark of Hareza Ikebukuro. You go home with the photos the same day on an SD card. This is the only program in the announcement with a price attached.
- When: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1
- Where: Hareza Ikebukuro (Hareza池袋)
- Price: 8,000 yen including tax per group (up to 4 people), SD card included
- Tickets must be bought in advance. Details are on the official site.
Cosplay Gatherings
A regular IKEHALLO program where cosplayers meet up by theme to shoot and socialize. This year’s themes are first-timers at IKEHALLO and cosplay beginners, game titles, and original-character cosplay. A new theme, Welcome to IKEHALLO, is aimed at cosplayers from outside Japan.
- When: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1
- Where: Naka-Ikebukuro Park (中池袋公園)
Game and anime booths
Sponsor booths run on Saturday and Sunday. Most of them feature cosplayers dressed as characters from their titles, so they double as extra photo spots.
| Booth | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| NTE: Neverness to Everness | Naka-Ikebukuro Park, main stage | Photo shoots with cosplayers as characters from the urban RPG. More updates come from NTE. |
| Delta Force | Naka-Ikebukuro Park | Photo shoots, original novelty giveaways and a mini game with prizes. Stage appearance on Nov 1 only. |
| Wuthering Waves (鳴潮) | Ike-Sunpark | Halloween photo spot with cosplayers as game characters. Free novelty for visitors. |
| SANKYO | Ike-Sunpark | Try new pachinko machines such as P羽根BASTARD!! (arriving in November), get an original sticker, try a candy scoop game, and enter an SNS prize draw. |
| KADOKAWA | Ike-Sunpark | Booth for the TV anime 一式さんは恋を知りたい。, airing from January 2027. Popular cosplayers expected on Oct 31. |
Cosplayers announced so far, by booth:
| Booth | Both days | One day only |
|---|---|---|
| NTE | すずら (as Mint) and others | – |
| Delta Force (photo shoots) | 篠原みなみ, カモミール, Liz | Oct 31: 穗波あみ Nov 1: 幸まる |
| Delta Force (stage, Nov 1) | – | Nov 1: 篠原みなみ, カモミール, Liz, 幸まる, KAMIU, IneedS |
| Wuthering Waves | 桃戸もも, タト / 外ノ凛凛, 月海つくね, 百莉ゆり, 𝑨𝑹𝑰 / ケバブ兄さん | Oct 31: 枣糕 Nov 1: シスル |
| SANKYO | ZIRO (as 夢夢ちゃん), 篠宮なほ (as ジャムちゃん), しおのめり (as ナナちゃん) | – |
There is also a soundtrack this year. In a first collaboration with The VOCALOID Collection ~ 2026 Summer~, the organizers picked a song titled “aソぼっ！” by アオワイファイ from the submitted songs. It plays as BGM around the venues and in related videos throughout all three days.
Free hands-on activities and food
You do not need to be in full costume to enjoy these. Several are explicitly free, and some are designed for families too.
Disaster drills at Toshima Fire Station
For the first time, IKEHALLO teams up with the Fire Prevention and Disaster Preparedness Festa (防火防災フェスタ) held at Toshima Fire Station. You can join real disaster-preparedness drills and take photos while still in cosplay. Drill participants receive a prize while supplies last.
- When: Saturday, October 31 only, 10:00–15:00
- Where: Toshima Fire Station (豊島消防署)
- Canceled if the weather is bad
VANTAN wound makeup and tattoo stickers
A free booth where students of the Vantan Design Institute apply Halloween wound makeup or tattoo stickers in the design you choose. It works on top of existing makeup, and anyone from kids to seniors can try it. Saturday and Sunday at Ike-Sunpark.
Japanese culture experiences
Ride a rickshaw, try calligraphy or learn origami, all in costume. The calligraphy corner has a Halloween theme where you can freely draw words or pictures, and the rickshaw takes you around Ikebukuro for photos. Saturday and Sunday at Higashi-Ikebukuro Chuo Park (東池袋中央公園).
Ikebukuro Halloween Food
Food stalls with Halloween-themed drinks, sweets and light meals. Saturday and Sunday at Higashi-Ikebukuro Chuo Park.
Support for overseas visitors
IKEHALLO goes out of its way to help visitors who do not speak much Japanese:
- Pocketalk staff: staff wearing a marker carry Pocketalk translators and can guide you in 92 languages in real time. Look for them at reception, some photo areas and among roaming staff.
- Live stage translation: scan a dedicated QR code to follow the audio from the Naka-Ikebukuro Park main stage translated in real time on your own phone.
- Welcome to IKEHALLO gathering: a cosplay meet-up theme just for cosplayers from abroad (see above).
- English website: the organizer runs an English version of the official site.
Translation support runs on all three days, October 30 to November 1.
Which venue has what
The festival is spread across several spots in Ikebukuro. Use this table to plan your route.
| Venue | Programs |
|---|---|
| Ike-Sunpark (イケ・サンパーク) | Gachi Satsuei Area, Wuthering Waves, SANKYO, KADOKAWA, VANTAN makeup |
| Naka-Ikebukuro Park (中池袋公園) | Main stage, Cosplay Gatherings, NTE, Delta Force |
| Hareza Ikebukuro (Hareza池袋) | Memorial Photo Session (red staircase) |
| Higashi-Ikebukuro Chuo Park (東池袋中央公園) | Food stalls, rickshaw, calligraphy, origami |
| Toshima Fire Station (豊島消防署) | Disaster drill collaboration (Oct 31, 10:00–15:00) |
Tips before you go
- Sort out lotteries and tickets early. The Gachi Satsuei Area now uses an advance lottery on Dwango Ticket, and you also need a Canon ID. The Memorial Photo Session is advance-ticket only. Neither is something you can decide on the spot.
- Check the age rule for Friday. IKEHALLO Night is 18+ and closed to high school students. Check the official site for how entry is handled.
- Plan Saturday morning around the fire station. The drill collaboration only runs on October 31 until 15:00, prizes are first-come, and it is cancelled in stormy weather.
- Keep your phone charged. Photos, QR translation and tickets all live on your phone. If you hold a d ACCOUNT, d VALUE PASS gives free, unlimited ChargeSPOT power bank rentals, which is handy on a long day out.
- Confirm admission. The latest announcement does not list a general entry fee or registration rule, so read the official program page first.
Looking for more things to do this autumn? We also cover the Musashino Art University Festival 2026 later in October, and the Asoview campaign with up to 3,000 yen off leisure tickets for other weekend outings. If you are new to paying for tickets in Japan, our guide to credit cards for foreigners in Japan explains which card to get first.
FAQ
- When is Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest 2026?
- It runs from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026 in the Ikebukuro area. Friday is IKEHALLO Night from 16:30 to 22:30, and Saturday and Sunday run from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Can teenagers join the Friday night program?
- No. IKEHALLO Night on October 30 is for ages 18 and over, and high school students cannot enter.
- How much does the Memorial Photo Session cost?
- It costs 8,000 yen including tax per group of up to four people. The SD card is included, and tickets must be bought in advance.
- How do I get into the Gachi Satsuei Area?
- You need a Canon ID for each experience. From this year, numbered tickets are given out through an advance lottery on Dwango Ticket.
- Is there help for visitors who do not speak Japanese?
- Yes. Marked staff carry Pocketalk translators covering 92 languages, and a QR code lets you follow the Naka-Ikebukuro Park main stage audio translated on your own phone.
Source: Dwango press release (October 10, 2026) and the official IKEHALLO site. Information as of October 11, 2026. Always check the official site for the latest details.