The Ultimate Comiket Survival Packing Guide: What to Bring for Summer and Winter (If You Want to Stay Alive)

Comiket is incredible, chaotic, and absolutely unforgiving depending on the season.
In summer, Tokyo’s heat tries to melt you. In winter, the morning line tries to freeze your soul.
This guide breaks down exactly what to pack for both Summer and Winter Comiket so you can enjoy Japan’s biggest doujin event without collapsing, overheating, or turning into an icicle before you reach the hall.

Essential Items for Comiket: Year-Round Must-Haves

Printed Comiket Map (ESSENTIAL)

Paper is your ultimate backup. When you're surrounded by hundreds of thousands of attendees, the sheer volume of people will overwhelm the cellular networks. Your smartphone becomes useless when everyone's trying to connect at once. A printed A4 map lets you instantly check circle locations without fighting for a signal—critical when you're racing against time. And double-check your target circles' dates. Missing them because of a calendar mistake? That's a rookie error you'll regret.

Mobile Battery Pack (ESSENTIAL)

Here's the cruel irony: when cell service is terrible, your phone desperately searches for better signal, draining your battery at lightning speed. Add hours of waiting and constant use, and your phone will die before noon. Lose your map, SNS access, and contact with friends all at once? You're stranded. Get 10,000mAh minimum—don't cheap out on this.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Cash (¥1,000 bills & coins) (ESSENTIAL)

Most circles are cash-only, period. Having exact change makes everyone's life easier and keeps lines moving. Stock up on small bills beforehand. And whatever you do, don't be that person trying to pay with ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 bills—circles hate that.

Small Wallet (Coin Purse) (RECOMMENDED)

Speed is everything. A bulky wallet slows you down and clogs the line. Separate your bills and coins for lightning-fast transactions. Quick change access helps both you and the circles you're buying from.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Clear Files or A4 Case (RECOMMENDED)

Protect your precious purchases from getting bent, crushed, or soaked. Planning to buy a lot? Bring two clear cases.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Tote Bag (ESSENTIAL for shopping)

This is non-negotiable. Dump purchases immediately into a tote to maximize your mobility between circles. Deal with transferring everything to your backpack later when you take a break. A foldable one is perfect.

We recommend something that folds up small.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Bottled Drinks (RECOMMENDED)

Hydration becomes surprisingly difficult at the venue. Vending machines sell out fast. Summer brings heatstroke risk; winter brings harsh dryness. Don't rely on venue options—bring your own, especially sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions for summer. Buy them the day before or at station vending machines, not at the nearest convenience store to the venue (they'll be cleaned out).

Small Folding Chair (RECOMMENDED for queue endurance)

Morning queues are brutal on your legs and back. A lightweight folding chair is a lifesaver during those long waits and works even on wet ground. Just make sure you can fold it quickly when the line moves.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Wet Wipes & Handkerchief (RECOMMENDED)

Stay clean and comfortable. Summer means sweat—lots of it. Cooling wipes are especially clutch.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Summer Comiket Survival Kit: Beat the Heat

Folding Umbrella (ESSENTIAL for summer queues)

Direct sunlight during queue time will destroy you. A folding umbrella as a sunshade preserves your stamina dramatically. Note: using it while the line is moving is prohibited—shade during stationary waiting only. The difference in energy conservation is night and day.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Towel or Cooling Towel (RECOMMENDED)

Queue = direct sun exposure. Use towels to wipe sweat and shield yourself. On sunny days, protect your ears and neck from sunburn with a hat and towel combo.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Sunscreen (RECOMMENDED)

If you're facing summer sun, this is mandatory. Morning queues, major circle queues—you'll be baking under direct sunlight for hours. Protect yourself.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Salt Candy (RECOMMENDED)

Replenish salt lost through sweating to prevent heatstroke. Japan's humid summers make salt-supplementing snacks a standard countermeasure.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Winter Comiket Essentials: Stay Warm in Freezing Queues

Heat Packs (ESSENTIAL)

Winter Comiket mornings are punishingly cold. Waiting in queue drains your body heat fast. Adhesive heat packs are game-changers. Don't just bring one—prepare multiple. Even if you feel fine waiting, you might overheat once you start moving inside. Don't tough it out; remove them if needed.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Ear Muffs/Hat (ESSENTIAL)

Cold around your face makes your whole body feel frozen. You can bundle up everywhere else, but facial exposure is your weak point. When your ears get cold, your entire body suffers. Ear protection makes a massive difference in comfort.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Mask (ESSENTIAL)

Shields your throat and nose from cold air while raising perceived temperature. Masks aren't just for flu prevention—they're winter survival gear. Choose ones that won't hurt your ears during extended wear.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Emergency Aluminum Sheet (RECOMMENDED)

The kind from disaster kits. These are surprisingly excellent windbreakers that prevent heat loss from morning wind and cold.

USA: Amazon.com

UK: Amazon.co.uk

Summary: Don't underestimate Comiket

Comiket will humble you if you come unprepared. The crowds, the weather, the chaos—it's all real, and it's all intense. Treat this list seriously, and you might actually enjoy yourself instead of merely surviving.