Winter Wonder Festival 2026

Winter Wonder Festival Tokyo 2026

Better known as Wonder Festival 2026 [Winter], takes place on Sunday, 8 February 2026 from 10:00 to 17:00 at Makuhari Messe (International Exhibition Halls 1–8) in Chiba, just outside Tokyo. It’s a must for anime figure collectors, garage kit builders, and pop-culture travelers who want to experience Japan’s creative scene at full intensity, all in one day.

What is Winter Wonder Festival (Wonder Festival)?

Wonder Festival is described on the official site as one of the world’s largest festivals dedicated to figure modeling and sculpture, welcoming around 2,000 exhibitors and more than 30,000 attendees each year. It’s also an event where both professionals and amateurs bring and showcase “garage kits” for exhibition and sale, which is why the experience feels so different from a standard anime convention. Tokyo Cheapo captures the vibe well by noting that manufacturers unveil upcoming figures while amateurs also showcase creations, and that you’ll see a wide range of characters from Japanese media and some from Western media too.

If you love collecting, WonFes is like stepping inside the future of figure culture for a day. You see prototypes, limited releases, and rare sculptural work in the same halls, with the kind of buzz that makes you want to take photos, compare notes with strangers, and leave with a new favorite character you didn’t expect to fall for.

Confirmed 2026 date, time, and venue

The official Wonder Festival 2026 [Winter] website confirms:

• Event date: Sun, Feb 8, 2026
• Time: 10:00–17:00
• Venue: Makuhari Messe, International Exhibition Halls 1–8
• Venue address: 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-8550, Japan

Tokyo Cheapo also confirms the event is held at Halls 1–8 of Chiba’s Makuhari Messe and lists the date as Feb 8, 2026, reinforcing that the winter edition lands in February. For travelers, the most important planning takeaway is this: even though many people call it “Tokyo” Wonder Festival, the venue is in Chiba, which affects how you book hotels and plan your morning transit.

Ticket prices (verified) and what to budget

The official event site lists clear admission pricing:

• Advance Ticket: JPY 3,700
• Same-day Ticket: JPY 4,000

Tokyo Cheapo provides additional ticket options and context, noting:

• Whole-day advance tickets at ¥3,500, or ¥2,200 if you are 22 and under.
• An afternoon ticket for ¥2,300.
• Same-day tickets for ¥4,000.
• Free entry for children of elementary school age and below.

Because ticket categories and fees can change by sales channel and language options, treat the official site’s admission fees as the most authoritative baseline, and use the Tokyo Cheapo breakdown to understand common ticket types and potential discounts.

What you’ll see inside: figures, garage kits, and rare finds

The official site explains that Wonder Festival features one-of-a-kind sculptural works, newly released creations from individual dealers, and various limited-edition items, plus stage events and hands-on experience areas. Tokyo Cheapo adds that many booths allow and encourage photos, making it especially interesting for toy photography fans. That’s one reason WonFes feels so alive: it isn’t only shopping, it’s discovery, documentation, and community in motion.

Expect to see a mix of:

• Major manufacturers unveiling new lines and prototypes.
• Independent creators selling garage kits with one-day licenses and distinctive sculpting styles.
• Limited items that can sell out quickly, especially for popular franchises.

Stage events, hands-on areas, and cosplay culture

Wonder Festival isn’t only about tables and display cases. The official site notes that stage events, hands-on experience areas for painting and assembly, and cosplay performances are all part of the festival’s appeal. Tokyo Cheapo also confirms that stage events can include talk shows about upcoming or recently concluded anime.

Cosplay is welcome, but it’s structured. Tokyo Cheapo notes that you typically cannot arrive or leave in cosplay, and that you’ll need to register, with an additional cloakroom fee mentioned (around ¥500) depending on the year’s setup. If cosplay is part of your plan, build extra time into your morning because changing and managing costumes adds complexity on a one-day event schedule.

Practical travel tips: how to do WonFes smoothly

Makuhari Messe is reachable by train, and Tokyo Cheapo notes the venue is about 0.6 km from Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the Keiyō Line. For visitors, that’s a major convenience: you can stay in central Tokyo and commute, or you can stay closer to the venue for an earlier start and a calmer exit.

A realistic “first-timer” plan:

• Arrive early if you want limited items or the best photo opportunities.
• Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking and standing all day.
• Consider packing light or bringing a foldable tote, because purchases add up fast.

Tokyo-area local relevance: turning a one-day event into a full trip

Winter Wonder Festival Tokyo 2026 fits beautifully into a Tokyo itinerary because February is often a strong time for indoor events and pop-culture exploration. Many travelers build a “Tokyo creative week” around WonFes, pairing it with neighborhoods known for anime, gaming, and design shopping.

If you’re traveling as a collector, plan an extra day after WonFes to browse safely, pack properly, and avoid rushed airport baggage stress. This is also a great time to visit Tokyo’s museums, cafés, and evening viewpoints, keeping your trip balanced between high-energy convention hours and calmer city experiences.

Verified Information at a glance

• Event name: Wonder Festival 2026 [Winter] (Winter Wonder Festival Tokyo 2026)
• Event category: Figure modeling and sculpture festival (garage kits, collectibles, stage events, cosplay)
• Confirmed date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
• Confirmed time: 10:00–17:00
• Confirmed venue: Makuhari Messe, International Exhibition Halls 1–8
• Confirmed venue address: 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-8550, Japan
• Verified admission fees (official): Advance JPY 3,700; Same-day JPY 4,000
• Verified scale (official description): ~2,000 exhibitors and 30,000+ attendees each year
• Access note (listing): Approx. 0.6 km from Kaihin-Makuhari Station

If Tokyo is on your 2026 list and you love figures, anime culture, or hands-on creativity, lock in February 8, arrive early at Makuhari Messe, and let Winter Wonder Festival turn one day in the Tokyo area into a full-on collector adventure you’ll want to relive every time you look at what you brought home.