A cosplay event will be held throughout Himeji City! "Hime CON2024"

The HimeCON Executive Committee (Executive Committee Chairman: Makoto Nagao) will hold a cosplay event “HimeCON2024” set in Himeji City on March 23rd (Saturday) and March 24th (Sunday), 2024 in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. We would like to inform you that the event will be held.

On January 22nd (Friday), the ``HimeCON Ambassador Inauguration Ceremony'' was held at Himeji City Hall.
At this ceremony, on behalf of the Hime CON Executive Committee, Executive Committee Chairman Makoto Nagao (Representative Director of Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.) appointed Hideyasu Kiyomoto, Mayor of Himeji, as an ambassador for Hime CON2024. was officially announced. Mr. Nagao presented an original sash to Mayor Kiyomoto.
At the inauguration ceremony, Executive Committee Chairman Makoto Nagao gave a speech, expressing his thoughts on holding the event for the first time.

The cosplay event "Hime CON2024" aimed at revitalizing the region and facilities will be held for two days on March 23rd (Saturday) and March 24th (Sunday), 2024.
Name: Himecon2024
Date and time: Saturday, March 23, 2024 and Sunday, March 24, 2024, 9:30-19:00 (*Photography at each facility is allowed until 16:45)
Venue: Acrie Himeji (main venue/reception), Himeji Station North Nigiwai Exchange Square
Shooting locations: Himeji Castle, Himeji City Zoo, Harima Kunisoja Shrine, Gokoku Shrine, Kokoen Garden, Himeji City Museum of Art, Miyuki Dori Shopping Street, Tegarayama, etc.
Access: 10 minutes walk from Himeji Station (Acrier Himeji main venue/reception)
Tickets: Advance ticket sales for the event will start from January 22, 2024 (Monday).
◆Cosplay changing room ticket (participation ticket included) / camera participation ticket
Early bird: ¥2,700 / Regular advance: ¥3,200 / On the day: ¥4,000
◆Camera participation 2-day pass
Early bird: ¥4,700 / Regular advance: ¥5,200 / On the day: ¥6,000
*If you are participating in cosplay or cosplay photography, you will need to purchase a participation ticket.
*Sold at Rakuten Ticket.
Ticket sales location: https://r-t.jp/himecon
Official website: https://himecon.jp/

Cosplay photos can be taken at various locations including the main venue of Acrier Himeji, Himeji Castle, Himeji City Zoo, Harima Kunisoja Shrine, Gokoku Shrine, Kokoen Garden, Himeji City Museum of Art, Miyukidori Shopping District, Tegarayama, and more.
Let's take wonderful cosplay photos at a location that matches your favorite character!
*There are participation rules for each facility. Please follow the shooting rules and etiquette and enjoy.

Guests and cosplayers will be on stage at the main venue, Acrier Himeji, to liven up the event! Additionally, related events will be held at the North Nigiwai Exchange Plaza in front of Himeji Station.

World Cosplay Summit's popular stage project "Kosumi Selection" will be held on the main stage on both days.

In addition, a traveling version of the popular Kossami Selection at the World Cosplay Summit will be held on both days as "Kossami Selection in Hime CON2024." A runway and performance stage will be held.
"Kosumi Selection" is a stage event planned and held by the World Cosplay Summit with the idea that "as many cosplayers as possible can easily experience the fun of standing on stage in cosplay!" is. If you would like to participate, please feel free to apply.
[Kosumi Selection in Hime CON2024]
Event dates: March 23rd (Sat) and 24th (Sun) both days
Venue: Acrie Himeji Main venue Special stage
Entry period: February 1st (Thursday) to February 25th (Sunday), 2024
How to apply: Advance application required. Announcements and registration will begin on the HimeCON2024 official website.

On the first day, the 23rd (Saturday), the Japanese representative selection for the World Cosplay Summit 2024, which will determine the world's No. 1 cosplayer, will be held at the main venue. Cosplayers who have applied in advance will compete in pairs to win a ticket to the main competition.
We will be accepting entries from February.
We are looking forward to receiving enthusiastic applications from cosplayers.
[World Cosplay Championship Japan representative selection meeting]
Date: March 23rd (Sat) 16:00-17:00
Venue: Akrie Himeji Exhibition Hall A
Viewing: Free
How to apply: Advance application. For more information, please check the website of the Japan Representative Selection Committee.
URL: World Cosplay Summit Japan representative selection website (https://wcsjapan.net/)
The World Cosplay Championship, held by the World Cosplay Summit, is a competition held every year to showcase cosplay performances and determine the world's No. 1 cosplayer. The teams that survive the official qualifying rounds held by organizers from each country and region that have a partnership with WCS will advance to the main tournament to be held in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture in August.
The World Cosplay Summit is one of the world's largest cosplay events held every year in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. This is an event where "cosplayers and cosplay fans" who love Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga, and games gather to create a new form of international and cultural exchange.

Stage events themed around cosplay and subculture, such as ``I tried dancing,'' ``I tried singing,'' ``I tried playing,'' and ``Idol,'' are scheduled to be held at the Kita Nigiwai Exchange Square in front of Himeji Station as part of Hime CON2024. is. This stage event is something that can be enjoyed not only by cosplay fans, but also tourists and locals visiting Himeji. Free viewing for everyone.
The stage event will be held from 10:00 to 16:00 on Saturday the 23rd, and various stage performances will be held throughout the day. Performers and detailed timetables will be released on the Hime CON official website in early February.

*Second photo: Osu shopping street parade at World Cosplay Summit 2021. (WCS)
A "Cosplay Parade" will be held by event participants on the shopping streets leading from Himeji Station to Himeji Castle, including the Himeji Ekimae Shopping District and Miyuki Dori Shopping District.
Cosplayers dressed as characters from manga, anime, and games parade around, painting the city with bright colors. Participating in and viewing the cosplay parade is free.
*Please check the Hime CON official website for implementation times, routes, and participation methods.

An after party and networking event will be held on the night of the first day of "Hime CON2024" (Saturday, 23rd).

This event will be planned and managed by machicon JAPAN, one of Japan's largest machicon and matchmaking party information sites, and will provide a fun time for all event participants.
This is a party and networking event where people who love pop culture such as manga, anime, games, and cosplay can easily deepen their connections. This event will be held as a special event where you can make new friends with common interests.
Furthermore, we have prepared various events such as special profile cards and quiz competitions to encourage interaction. Through these fun activities, participants can enjoy natural conversation with each other.
Hime CON2024's after party and meet-up is sure to be a place to find new connections and foster deep friendships through shared hobbies. Please join us on this special occasion!
*Hime CON2024 after party special page will be released from early February.

◆Hime CON2024 event overview
[Schedule] March 23rd (Sat) and 24th (Sun) 2024 9:30-19:00 (*Photography at each facility is allowed until 16:45)
[Location] Akrie Himeji, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture (main venue/reception) Himeji Station North Nigiwai Exchange Plaza (sub venue)
[Sponsor] HimeCON Executive Committee (Shinki Bus, WCS, Himeji Sub Karu☆Festival)
[Sponsored by] Himeji City, Himeji Tourism and Convention Bureau, Himeji City Shopping District Association
Himecon2024 official website: https://himecon.jp/
HimeCON2024 X: https://twitter.com/himeconjp
<Cosplay photo shooting area>
Himeji Castle, Himeji City Zoo, Harima Kuni Soja Shrine, Gokoku Shrine, Kokoen Garden, Himeji City Museum of Art, Miyuki Dori Shopping Street, Tegara Mountain, etc.
*The latest details will be announced on the official website, X, and press releases.