acosta!, a cosplay event held across Japan each month with an annual attendance of over 300,000 visitors, is running a Golden Week special at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro from May 5–10, 2026. The event, titled "Special Concept Week," features a unique concept where the eligible participants change each day.
The initiative was born from growing diversity in the acosta! community, where differences in experience level and purpose among attendees prompted organizers to experiment with daily restrictions based on age and cosplay style. The goal is to create an environment where participants share more in common, making it easier for everyone to find their place at the event.
Daily Schedule Overview
May 5 (Tuesday) — Students Only
Open exclusively to students up to university level. Newcomers to cosplay are welcome in a setting designed to feel approachable.
- Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Eligibility: Students up to and including university level (student ID required)
May 6 (Wednesday) — Ages 25 and Up
Reserved for participants aged 25 and older, offering a space where like-minded adults can enjoy socializing and photography together.
- Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Eligibility: Ages 25 and over
May 8 (Friday) — All-Night Event
A late-night session for those who find daytime events difficult to attend, or who are looking for the distinctive atmosphere that nighttime photography provides.
- Hours: 10:00 PM–5:00 AM
- Eligibility: Ages 18 and over only (high school students not permitted due to late-night format)
May 9 (Saturday) — Male Crossdressing (Dan-so) Cosplay Only
Cosplayers on this day are limited to male crossdressing (dan-so) cosplay, with the aim of fostering more specialized interaction among attendees.
- Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Eligibility: Cosplay must be dan-so (male crossdressing); no dress code for photographers or general attendees
May 10 (Sunday) — All Genres (No Restrictions)
The final day is open to all cosplay enthusiasts with no genre or eligibility restrictions.
- Hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Eligibility: Open to everyone; standard event format with no genre limitations
Event Information
| Dates | May 5 (Tue), 6 (Wed), 8 (Fri), 9 (Sat), 10 (Sun), 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (May 8 only: 10:00 PM–5:00 AM) |
| Venue | Sunshine City, Ikebukuro |
| Organizer | Hacosta Inc. |
| Co-organizer | Sunshine City Co., Ltd. |
| Cooperating bodies | Toshima City, Animate Co., Ltd. |
| Official Website | https://acosta.jp/event/202605_gw/ |
| Official X (Kanto/Tohoku) | https://x.com/acosta_info |
| Official X (Kansai/Tokai/Kyushu) | https://x.com/acosta_west |
| Official TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@acosta_jp |
