2026.09.10 18:00
A Word from the Chair
Hello everyone, how’ve you been? Mangluca here.
Half of 2026 has already gone by in a flash, and convention information announcements for JMoF 2027 are increasing day by day.
One of the biggest changes this time from last year (JMoF 2026) is the relocation of our convention venue. I’d like to write down the thoughts I’ve had about this as the JMoF Executive Committee Chairperson.
I’ve mentioned parts of this before at the previous closing ceremony and in events since then, but I wanted to write it out again to clearly share JMoF’s official view, independent of personal thoughts.
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The venue of an event has a considerable impact on the nature of the event itself.
The reason that JMoF decided this time to move the convention venue to its new location at Aichi Sky Expo was, first and foremost, because the venue we had been using until now (Loisir Hotel Toyohashi) had become too small to accommodate the growth in attendance over these past few years. While it is a great joy for JMoF to welcome so many attendees, ensuring the safety of the attendees in a crowded convention had become a big challenge.
In fact, for JMoF 2026, we set a limit on the number of pre-registrations and did not offer on-site registration, which we had always offered until that point. This was not what I personally wanted, but it was a difficult decision that we had to make for safety reasons.
I don’t think that expanding the scale of the convention, in and of itself, is a goal that JMoF should actively pursue.
However, when we think about how to make our world and activities (in more formal terms, what we might call “kemono culture”) more fruitful and more enjoyable, a situation in which a wide range of people have little opportunity to casually participate whenever they wish is not a particularly desirable one. In addition, I believe that it would likely benefit kemono culture as a whole to leave room to try and see how many attendees the current JMoF, a convention that (largely by coincidence) has become relatively large even among kemono-related events and conventions in Japan, could accommodate.
Also, since JMoF is held over multiple days, many attendees participate while staying overnight in hotels. Under such circumstances, the hotel connected directly to the convention venue has consistently become fully booked immediately, and the fact that there were few nearby accommodations within walking distance likewise became a major motivation for having to find a new venue where a sufficient number of accommodations could be secured in the vicinity.
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Thus, with the goal of eliminating the pre-registration limit and being able to accept on-site registrations as we’ve always done, both JMoF and I made the decision to leave the convention venue that had supported us for more than 10 years. However, this came with a number of challenges.
In addition to “being able to accommodate a sufficient number of attendees” and “being able to secure a sufficient number of lodging options within walking distance,” what I placed particular importance on this time was ensuring an environment in which “participants in freer forms of attire (such as fursuits) can move about with a certain degree of freedom outside the convention venue, like within the lodging facilities themselves or in nearby outdoor areas.” Precisely because I believe that expressive activity through what one wears and how one dresses carries no small significance within kemono culture, this was a condition I did not want to give up on. At the same time, it is also true that this requirement made selecting a new venue extremely difficult. Fortunately, at this year’s venue, Aichi Sky Expo, and at this year’s official hotel, Toyoko Inn Chubu International Airport No.2, as well as in the surrounding area, we have been able to fulfill these conditions to a certain extent (albeit with some restrictions). Even considering only the lodging capacity that the official hotel was able to set aside specifically for JMoF, it is more than double what we have had in the past.
Selecting an exhibition-hall-style venue larger than any we’ve used before also had a significant impact on JMoF’s budget planning. If we try to cover rising expenses with increased revenue, our options for passing on those costs are limited. To put it succinctly, the most obvious one would be the participation fees.
When setting the participation fee, each year the staff within the Executive Committee hold repeated discussions, but this year those discussions became particularly intense. Wouldn’t a substantial increase in the minimum fee required to attend JMoF put at risk the realization of the environment stated earlier, one in which “a wide range of people could casually participate whenever they wish”? Is it properly balanced against the activities that JMoF is trying to carry out? How should we estimate the number of attendees at the new venue? What fee amount would be able to ensure continuous operations... and so on; the list of factors is virtually endless. To be honest, I already prepared myself to some extent for the fact that we would have to revise the fee, but I must acknowledge that the size of the increase exceeded what I originally expected.
On the other hand, we were able to offer the plans at the official hotel for JMoF attendees at a more affordable rate. Given how many people attend with an overnight stay, one could say that it is welcome news that we have been able to keep the total cost of attending JMoF in check. Still, some people may question if this is something we can wholeheartedly celebrate, especially when considering whether the quality of the accommodation experience can be maintained or not (for example, many may feel disappointed that the hotel is no longer directly connected to the convention venue). Moreover, for those who are thinking of participating without staying overnight, it goes without saying that the fluctuations in the participation fee are all the more significant.
We can explain why we are asking everyone to shoulder a higher participation fee with terms such as “increased venue costs” or a “cautious projection of how much attendance will grow.” But I believe what is being asked of us more so than any such explanations, and what we are able to do, is to make JMoF a place where people can think, “I’m glad I came.” JMoF management runs on voluntary efforts, but that does not lessen the significance of the fact that we ask everyone to pay a participation fee in order to operate the convention. If anything, precisely because this is a place established by volunteers, JMoF cannot exist with staff alone. Together with every single attendee, I hope we can build JMoF 2027, and JMoF conventions in the years to come, into something wonderful. All of us on the staff are working hard every day to make that happen.
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Two years ago, when I became the JMoF Executive Committee Chairperson, I wrote down the following.
As a convention that welcomes a wide range of things, I want it to be a place that can show all of you attendees bigger and bigger dreams, one where you can feel something like, “we’re able to do something this incredible, and I’m right here as a part of it.” To make that happen, I hope to keep taking on new challenges while carrying on what those who came before us have built, with everyone’s help as well.
The decision to leave the venue we’ve used for more than ten years and move to a new one is precisely that kind of challenge, but challenges are more often than not no easy matter.
In particular, this challenge of moving to a new venue has a high likelihood of significantly changing the experience of everyone who attends JMoF.
Walking outdoors from the venue to your hotels, the limited business hours of the nearby retail stores and restaurants, the unique setting of an airport island away from the city...... Especially for those of you who have attended JMoF in the past, many of you may find yourselves painfully aware of how inconvenient these conditions are.
My message to all of you is: “Sorry, but please hang in there.”
Even in the harsh concrete jungle of the airport island, I want you to make it through and survive with enough energy to laugh it all off.
When we set this year’s theme, that was the feeling we had in mind when we chose “Lost in Transit” and gave it the subtitle “Adrift at Centrair.” (The phrase “Lost in Transit” itself is based on the story of a person who lived for years without being able to leave Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris, France, which was a story that also served as inspiration for the film “The Terminal”.)
With that, I’ll see you all at the airport island next January. Godspeed.
(Mangluca)
Messages from Our Departments
Venue & Regional Cooperation
As the area around Chubu Centrair International Airport, where our new convention venue is located, differs significantly from the area around our previous venue in Toyohashi, we are making various arrangements to ensure that all attendees have an even better convention experience.
Within walking distance of the venue Aichi Sky Expo and the official hotel Toyoko Inn Chubu International Airport No.2, there are numerous restaurants and convenience stores located in the airport terminal and Flight of Dreams. As many of these establishments close early in the evening, we are also making arrangements to ensure that attendees can make use of the food court, cafés, and other dining options within the venue itself.
Additionally, while the venue and the official hotel are approximately 700 m apart (about a 9-minute walk), we are also planning to operate a shuttle bus that attendees can ride even while wearing their fursuits.
Further details will be announced as they become available, so please stay tuned for updates.
(Zuilang)
Stage Engineer Team
First, we sincerely apologize for the very short application period for the Performance Stage this year. We know it has caused a lot of trouble for all performers. Please allow us to take this opportunity to explain a bit of the background on what happened.
Our Stage Engineer Team (SET) is dedicated to providing the best support so all performers, including humans and furries, can step onto the stage with peace of mind and showcase the results of their hard work. To achieve this, SET must understand every part of the show and prepare thoroughly to ensure everything runs smoothly.
However, changing our venue this year has had a huge impact on us.
We can no longer rely on our experience from Loisir Hotel Toyohashi; in addition, we are facing all kinds of new adjustments for this new stage. As mentioned, SET wants to make the stage a safe and reliable place, so our top priority right now is securing enough time to thoroughly prepare the stage operations. These are the reasons why we had to move up the application deadline for performers this year...
The biggest change for this year will be the rehearsal process. Previously, we could have a run-through in a closed space. Since rehearsals will inevitably be visible to the audience this time, conducting a full run-through is impossible because that would basically count as the actual performance. Because of this, it’s more important than ever that both we and the performers are on the same page about their vision in the preparation phase so that we only need minimal checks on the day of the show.
In our hearts, we have always aimed to lower the bar so that more performers feel comfortable taking the stage. However, as the convention grows bigger, maintaining this balance is getting harder. We ask for a screening video as part of the application because we want to fully understand your performance and make sure we can technically help you to realize your best performance on stage. We know this creates an extra hurdle for applicants, and we truly feel terrible about it.
Finally, we are sincerely sorry that we have not been able to accept applications from overseas performers since 2022. Once the JMoF has grown at our new venue, we hope to share some good news with you. Thank you so much for your interest in the Japanese furry scene.
We have shared a lot this time, but we are truly grateful to all the performers who have overcome these restrictions to apply, and we would love to support you every step of the way. We are thrilled to shape this next chapter of the performance stage together with you. Once again, thank you so much for your continued support!
(GINKO)
Dealer Coordination
This is Dealer Coordination.
Since we are moving to a new venue, the Dealer’s Room will be held in a new format.
First, we have changed the name from the “Dealer’s Room” to the “Dealer’s Den.” While it was previously held in a “room”, from this time, we hope it will become a space within the main hall where dealers can create their own unique “dens.” We are excited to see even more humans and furries visiting and hanging out there.
Regarding the Dealer’s Den, the exhibition fee has increased compared to previous years. Previously, the hotel provided tables and chairs, but for the new venue, we must rent all equipment. In addition to that, other essential costs have also risen; we are truly sorry for the added burden.
In return, the event will take place on Day 2 (Sat., January 9, 2027), and we will extend the opening hours to a whole 8 hours, from 12:00 to 20:00 (scheduled)!
With so much more time available, we hope dealers take advantage of it. Feel free to take commissions, step away to visit other booths, or manage your time as you like.
Although almost everything is a first for us, we are working hard to create an event that everyone can enjoy to the fullest. We truly hope you will join the Dealer’s Den!
(inumimi moeta)
Social Media
Since we are moving to a new venue for the next JMoF, it is natural that you might have more questions or concerns than last year. To address this, our Social Media department is changing traditional operations to more actively connect with attendees. We will do our best to deliver accurate information more actively so that everyone can relax and enjoy the new JMoF.
JMoF 2027 starts on Fri., January 8th next year. Until then, feel free to share your thoughts, like what you want to do next or fun memories from past events. Let’s keep the conversation going and keep things exciting. We will keep sharing posts to boost that excitement.
(Bunbun)