Pop Culture Hiroshima 2026 – Japan

• October 31, 2026
  Event date:
• November 1, 2026
  Event end:

What to expect

Event identity: Pop Culture Hiroshima is an event that provides a venue for international exchange through youth culture such as anime songs and cosplay that resonates across borders along with music. Officially, together with the NPO Music Brings Peace, it aims to broadcast the message Peace is Fun from Hiroshima to the world.

It is an annual anime and cosplay event that occurs in the heart of Hiroshima City, organized by Pop Culture Hiroshima Organization Committee. When it comes to anime tourism, Hiroshima is still considered a niche destination usually catering to Japanese people who live in the area, but this event aims to attract wider audience through youth culture.

International exchange: The main goal is cultural exchange between all participants, meeting cosplayers from all over the world, sharing experiences and making new acquaintances, spending time together in beautiful corners of Japan. Participants have opportunity to join cosplay parade, walk and photos in front of key places in the city, as well as stage where many events and cosplay show take place.

Free admission model: Recent editions list free admission, making it accessible for general public to watch parade and stage.

Festival dates

Main edition: October 31 – November 1, 2026, Pop Culture Hiroshima 2026.

Time: 1 pm–5 pm both days at NTT Cred Hall.

Venue for this edition: NTT Cred Hall, 6-78 Moto-machi, Naka-ku, 11th Floor of the Moto-machi Cred Pacela, Hiroshima.

Access: 3 minutes walk from Kamiya-cho Nishi or Kamiya-cho Higashi streetcar stop to destination.

Inquiries: Pop Culture Hiroshima Organization Committee Tel. 082-247-8604 Email info@pophi.jp Website https://www.pophi.jp/

Related qualification: National finals for international representatives such as Philippines, New Zealand, Bulgaria occur earlier in year via partner conventions like TOYCON Nexus in Manila and Overload in New Zealand.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venues & festival locations

Main venue: NTT Cred Hall, located at 6-78 Moto-machi, Naka-ku, 11th Floor of Moto-machi Cred Pacela, central Hiroshima shopping and culture complex.

Parade locations: Cosplay parade takes place through city center, with walk and photos in front of key places in the city, including Peace Memorial Park area, Hondori shopping street, and Kamiya-cho area.

Stage location: Main stage inside NTT Cred Hall hosts cosplay show, anisong performances, and international exchange events.

City-wide activities: Additional activities include organized dinner, walk around city, and rehearsals at various locations in central Hiroshima.

Partner venues: International partner events held at SMX Convention Center Manila, Overload in Auckland, Aniventure Comic Con in Bulgaria, and others selecting representatives for Hiroshima.

Full programme

Parade programme: Cosplay parade through Sakai-suji equivalent streets of Hiroshima, featuring international duos and local cosplayers, walking through heart of city with photos at key places.

Stage programme: Stage where many events and cosplay show takes place, including anisong performances and international representative introductions.

Exchange programme: Meeting cosplayers from all over world, sharing experiences, making new acquaintances, spending time together in beautiful corners of Japan, with organized walk and dinner.

International programme: Representatives from Bulgaria, Philippines, New Zealand, Norway, and other countries participate, each bringing two costumes per person, one for stage and one for parade.

Community programme: Music Brings Peace NPO activities broadcasting Peace is Fun message, including music performances and peace education.

Featured films & premieres

Cosplay showcase: Featured showcase is international cosplay show where duo representatives from around world perform on stage, not competitive and no jury or awards, focusing on cultural exchange rather than competition.

Anisong premieres: Anisong performances featuring artists performing anime songs that resonate across borders, including music that supports peace message.

Film screening context: While primarily cosplay and music, event may include screenings of anime works related to cosplayed titles and promotional videos for partner conventions.

Photography exhibitions: Photos from key places in city with cosplayers in front of Hiroshima landmarks displayed inside venue.

Guest introductions: Introduction of international guests and their handmade costumes, with stories behind costume creation.

Directors, actors & guests

International cosplayers: Guest duos selected via partner conventions worldwide, including Aniventure Comic Con Bulgaria, TOYCON Philippines, Overload New Zealand, and others.

Anisong performers: Local and national anisong singers performing on main stage, supporting Music Brings Peace mission.

Organizing committee: Pop Culture Hiroshima Organization Committee leads event, with cooperation from NPO Music Brings Peace and Hiroshima City.

City ambassadors: Local Hiroshima volunteers and guides assisting international participants with city walks and cultural exchange.

Industry guests: Representatives from partner conventions and cosplay community leaders attending for exchange.

Screening schedule

Stage schedule: Stage events run afternoon both days, with rehearsals in morning, parade around mid-afternoon, and main cosplay show late afternoon.

Parade schedule: Cosplay parade scheduled during daylight hours to allow photography at key places, with walk and photos before stage show.

Exchange schedule: Organized dinner and meetings scheduled evening after stage events, mandatory for international representatives.

International qualification schedule: National finals for Philippines at TOYCON Nexus in June, New Zealand at Overload, Bulgaria at Aniventure, with winners preparing for Hiroshima.

Public viewing: General public can watch stage show and parade free, with seating on first-come basis at NTT Cred Hall.

Ticket types & accreditation

General admission: Free admission for public to watch parade and stage show at NTT Cred Hall, as listed in city newsletter.

International participant package: Prize for selected participants includes round-trip plane ticket to event in Hiroshima for both participants with one large suitcase each, hotel accommodation for event period, participation on stage, plus additional activities such as walk around city, cosplay parade, organized dinner and others organized by hosts with mandatory participation.

Costume requirement: At event, participants need two costumes per person, one for participation on stage and one for parade in city. Only costumes from Japanese titles allowed at Hiroshima event. Costumes not allowed to be too revealing, police fire military resembling real uniforms not allowed, costumes with blood not allowed, yakuza street gangs not allowed such as Tokyo Revengers.

Duo requirement: Participants must be duo, no single or more than two allowed, both from same title, for example both from Naruto, handmade costumes only, participants must be 18 by event, must have citizenship of qualifying country, must be willing to participate in all events organized including rehearsals, meetings, parade and stage performance.

Accreditation: International representatives receive official accreditation badge allowing access to rehearsals, stage, parade, and organized dinners.

Industry & professional access

Partner convention access: Representatives from partner conventions like Aniventure, TOYCON, Overload gain professional access for scouting and exchange.

NPO access: Music Brings Peace NPO members access stage and planning meetings for peace message broadcasting.

Media access: Local media and city international center provide coverage, with inquiries via city international exchange division.

Volunteer access: Volunteers from Hiroshima City assist with translation, guiding international participants around city.

Industry networking: Event provides networking for cosplay costume makers, anisong artists, and international convention organizers.

Red carpet & special events

Parade as red carpet: Cosplay parade through central Hiroshima serves as red carpet, with public lining streets to photograph international duos in elaborate handmade costumes at key landmarks.

Organized dinner: Special dinner organized for international participants and hosts, featuring Hiroshima local cuisine and exchange.

City walk: Guided walk and photos in front of key places in city, including Peace Memorial Park, providing special cultural experience beyond stage.

Stage introduction: Special introduction of each international duo on main stage with background of their home country and costume story.

Peace message event: Special event broadcasting Peace is Fun message from Hiroshima, with music performances supporting peace theme.

Festival rules

Costume rules: Only handmade costumes allowed, must be from Japanese titles at Hiroshima event, not too revealing, no police fire military resembling real uniforms, no blood, no yakuza or street gangs. Two costumes per person required, one for stage and one for parade.

Participation rules: Participants must be duo from same title, both 18 by event, must have citizenship of qualifying country, must be willing to participate in all events organized by Pop Culture Hiroshima including rehearsals, meetings, parade and stage performance, activities not optional. Participants who were representatives and took part in WCS, TOC, Cosplay Champions and ECG not allowed for some qualifications.

Conduct rules: Show is not competitive and there is no jury or awards, so focus on cultural exchange and respect. Follow staff instructions during parade and stage rehearsals.

Photography rules: Photography allowed at parade and stage for public, but respect cosplayers and ask permission for close-ups.

Safety: Event held in heart of city, follow traffic and pedestrian rules during parade, stay with group during city walks.

How to get there

Venue address: NTT Cred Hall, 6-78 Moto-machi, Naka-ku, 11th Floor of Moto-machi Cred Pacela, Hiroshima City.

Access: 3 minutes walk from Kamiya-cho Nishi or Kamiya-cho Higashi streetcar stop to destination, central location easily accessible from Hiroshima Station via streetcar.

From Hiroshima Station: Take streetcar line 1 or 2 to Kamiya-cho Nishi or Kamiya-cho Higashi, about 15 minutes, then short walk to Pacela building.

From Hiroshima Airport: Take airport limousine bus to Hiroshima Station or city center then transfer to streetcar.

City walk access: Parade route through central city easily accessible on foot from venue, with key places within walking distance.

Public transport & parking

Public transport recommended: Central Hiroshima location best accessed by streetcar and bus due to limited parking and heavy traffic in city center.

Streetcar: Hiroden streetcar network provides frequent service to Kamiya-cho area, with day passes available.

Parking: Pacela building offers paid parking, but fills quickly during events. Coin parking available around Motomachi area but expensive.

Bus: City buses serve Kamiya-cho and Motomachi areas, connecting to Hiroshima Station and other districts.

Walking: Central area highly walkable, with Peace Memorial Park, Hondori, and venue within 10 minutes walk.

Accommodation areas

Motomachi and Kamiya-cho immediate: Hotels such as Hotel Granvia Hiroshima, Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, and APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Ohashi offer walking distance to NTT Cred Hall.

Hiroshima Station area: Major hotel hub with extensive options including Hotel Granvia, Sheraton, and business hotels, about 10 minutes by streetcar to venue.

Peace Memorial Park area: Hotels near Peace Park offer scenic views and easy access to parade route and venue.

Hondori shopping street: Boutique hotels and guesthouses near Hondori offer shopping and dining options close to venue.

Booking advice: Book early for Halloween weekend as Hiroshima hotels fill due to autumn tourism and festival. International participants receive hotel accommodation for event period as part of prize including round-trip plane ticket and hotel.

Food & dining

Pacela building: Motomachi Cred Pacela building includes restaurants and cafes on lower floors, offering convenient dining before and after stage events.

Kamiya-cho area: Extensive dining options including okonomiyaki, oyster dishes, and Hiroshima specialty foods within short walk of venue.

Hondori and Okonomi-mura: Famous okonomiyaki village and Hondori shopping street offer wide range of local foods, about 5 minutes walk.

International participants: Organized dinner included for international duos, featuring Hiroshima local cuisine and exchange with hosts.

Convenience: Convenience stores and vending machines abundant around venue and along parade route.

Accessibility

Venue accessibility: NTT Cred Hall on 11th floor of Pacela building has elevators and accessible restrooms, with barrier-free access from streetcar stops.

Parade accessibility: Parade route through flat central city streets suitable for wheelchairs, though crowds can be dense. Early arrival recommended for best viewing spots.

Streetcar accessibility: Modern Hiroden streetcars have low-floor accessible cars, though some older cars require steps. Check accessible schedule.

Rest areas: Benches and rest areas available in Pacela building and along Hondori shopping street.

Support: Pop Culture Hiroshima Organization Committee provides information via email info@pophi.jp and phone, with city international center offering multilingual support.

Best screenings to attend

Main cosplay show: Main cosplay show at NTT Cred Hall featuring international duos from Bulgaria, Philippines, New Zealand, Norway and more, showcasing handmade costumes from same Japanese title.

Parade viewing: Cosplay parade through heart of Hiroshima with photos in front of key places, offering best opportunity to see both costumes per person, stage and parade versions.

Anisong stage: Anisong performances supporting Peace is Fun message, featuring artists performing anime songs that resonate across borders.

International introduction: Introduction stage where each international duo shares story behind costumes and cultural exchange experience.

City walk photos: Walk and photos event in front of Peace Memorial Park and other key places provides unique backdrop combining cosplay and Hiroshima’s peace message.

Previous year’s highlights

International growth: Previous editions attracted representatives from multiple countries via partner conventions, with third-time participation from Aniventure Bulgaria and growing representation from Southeast Asia and Europe.

Free admission success: Free admission model allowed large public attendance at NTT Cred Hall and along parade route, increasing visibility of pop culture and peace message.

Handmade costume focus: Emphasis on handmade costumes and duo from same title created high-quality showcase, with participants needing two costumes per person demonstrating dedication.

Peace message: Collaboration with NPO Music Brings Peace successfully broadcast Peace is Fun message from Hiroshima, with music and cosplay combined.

Community exchange: Organized walk around city, cosplay parade, and dinner created strong bonds among international participants, with mandatory participation in all events fostering deep exchange.

Official tickets & accreditation

Official website: https://www.pophi.jp/ is official portal, with information via info@pophi.jp and phone 082-247-8604.

Admission: Free admission for general public to watch parade and stage at NTT Cred Hall, as listed in Hiroshima NOW newsletter.

International participant package: Round-trip plane ticket with one large suitcase each, hotel accommodation for event period, participation on stage, plus additional activities including walk around city, cosplay parade, organized dinner and others organized by hosts.

Qualification tickets: For international qualification, register via partner conventions like Aniventure Comic Con cosplay show with additional question for Pop Culture Hiroshima prize, requiring preliminary judging and one costume for both show and qualification.

Accreditation: Official accreditation for international duos includes access to rehearsals, meetings, parade, stage performance, and organized activities.

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