Second Awaji Island Cosplay Event Announced for 2026
Great news for cosplay fans! The “2nd Awaji Island COSPLAY ~ Awacos ~ Powered by World Cosplay Summit” has been officially scheduled. Organized by WCS, the company behind the globe’s largest cosplay event, the World Cosplay Summit, this exciting gathering is set for February 28, 2026. It will take place at the anime park “Nijigen no Mori” within Hyogo Prefectural Awaji Island Park. Even before general ticket sales begin, special accommodation set tickets are already open for reservation!
What is Awacos All About?
Awacos is an immersive, experience-based cosplay event designed to let cosplayers and visitors share and dive into the fantastic worlds of Japan’s beloved anime, games, and films. The perfect stage for this is Nijigen no Mori, a unique park that masterfully blends natural scenery with cutting-edge technology to bring two-dimensional worlds to life.
A Look Back at the First Awacos Event
The inaugural “Awaji Island COSPLAY ~ Awacos ~ Powered by World Cosplay Summit” was held on December 20, 2025, drawing a crowd of cosplayers primarily from the Kansai and Tokai regions. Participants had an absolute blast dressing up as their favorite characters, snapping photos, and socializing across the park’s various themed attraction areas.
They explored spots like the expansive “Ookina Shibafu Hiroba” (Big Lawn Square), “NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi Village”, “Doragon Kuesuto Airando: Daimaou Zoma to Hajimari no Shima” (Dragon Quest Island), “Gojira Geigeki Sakusen ~ Kokuritsu Gojira Awajishima Kenkyuu Sentaa~” (Godzilla Interception Operation), and “Kureyon Shin-chan Adventure Park”.
The park’s open, 360-degree natural environment created a perfect link with worlds like ‘Doragon Kuesuto’ (Dragon Quest) and ‘NARUTO’, giving everyone an incredible sense of immersion—like truly stepping into the story as their character. This unique aspect was a huge hit.
Rave Reviews from Participants
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive! Participants shared comments like: “Getting to shoot in such vast, natural locations was so refreshing,” “Cosplaying as my favorite character right inside the actual attraction areas was a dream come true,” and “There were so many amazing photo spots that one day wasn’t enough—I definitely want to come back!” The event generated major buzz on social media, with tons of posts showcasing the fun.
New Ticket Options for the Second Event
Riding on this wave of excitement, the 2nd Awacos is expanding access so more visitors can enjoy the core cosplay experience. Several ticket types will be available. The “Cosplayer Ticket” includes use of dedicated indoor changing rooms. For those who primarily want to photograph cosplayers or join in the community vibe, there’s a “Photography & General Ticket”. The idea is to let everyone freely explore all of Nijigen no Mori’s attractions and enjoy the endless combo of “nature x immersive worlds x awesome costumes & makeup” all day long.
Special “Hands-Free Cosplay” Accommodation Package
For a truly seamless experience, a luxurious accommodation package is being offered ahead of general ticket sales. The “Awacos Participant Exclusive ‘Hands-Free Cosplay’ Special Stay” combines a night at the official luxury villa “Gran Shario Hokuto Shichisei 135°” with event participation tickets.
What’s Included in the Package:
- Choice of Collaboration Room & Early Check-in: Stay in a special themed room and enjoy early check-in from 1:00 PM (normally 3:00 PM), allowing plenty of time for photos in your room.
- Free Shuttle to Event Venues: Complimentary rides to key photo spots like the Big Lawn Square, Kureyon Shin-chan Adventure Park, NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobi Village, Gojira Geigeki Sakusen, and Doragon Kuesuto Airando.
- Advance Luggage Receival Service: Send your cosplay gear—costumes, wigs, props—ahead to the hotel, where it will be safely delivered to your room.
- Free Post-Event Luggage Shipping: After checkout, all your cosplay items will be packed and shipped to your home for free, so you can travel light.
- Event Participation Ticket: Your Awacos entry ticket will be handed to you upon arrival at Nijigen no Mori.
Event Details at a Glance
Event Name: 2nd Awaji Island COSPLAY ~ Awacos ~ Powered by World Cosplay Summit
Date: February 28, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Changing room access / Photo time at Big Lawn Square)
Venue: Nijigen no Mori Anime Awajishima Park (2425-2 Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture)
Organizer: WCS Co., Ltd.
Cooperation: Nijigen no Mori Co., Ltd.
Note: Detailed ticket information will be announced at a later date. The accommodation set tickets opened for reservation on January 5.
By Nakase Koutarou
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