Hatsujyu-kai

Hatsujyu-kai

Hatsujyu-kai (はつじゅー会) is a kemono fursuit exchange event in Japan aimed at people who are new to fursuit events. Its official account describes the goal as an event where beginners who wonder what a fursuit event feels like can join easily. Experienced suiters are welcome too, and the organizer runs supervised try-ons for people who have never worn a suit.

The regular editions are numbered and ran for one day at Yotsukaido Culture Center in Chiba, most recently edition 16 on April 11, 2026. That venue is closed for construction, so the next edition is a special two-night lodging event at Ryokan Koito in Iwaki, Fukushima, from November 13 to 15, 2026. New to fursuit events in general? Our first-con survival guide covers basic etiquette.

What to Expect

The November special uses all of Ryokan Koito and the neighbouring Kotakiya, about 15 seconds apart on foot. The organizer plans talks on enjoying fursuits, an introduction of newly debuted characters, guided location tours in the day and evening, and a walk to the local onsen shrine. Fursuit try-ons are offered with staff and volunteers helping you suit up and staying with you during the try-on. Bring sports innerwear, a swim cap or towel for your head, work gloves, drinking water and a change of clothes for a try-on.

You change in your own guest room, and the organizer plans headless spaces near both lobbies. Ask before hugging or photographing a character, and do not grab a suiter from behind. Every attendee wears a name tag with their handle, and the tag carries an RFID chip for swapping X accounts. The organizer allows photos of characters taken at the event to be posted online, but asks you to blur the faces of people without suits.

How to Get Tickets

For the November special, the two-night package costs 28,000 yen and includes participation, a room without meals, the shrine visit fee and other costs. Payment is by credit card through the ryokan's own booking system, and there is no payment on the day. No meals are provided, so plan to use nearby restaurants and convenience stores.

Registration works in steps: mark "参加する" on the TwiPla listing, receive a Discord invite by X direct message, then book and pay through the link posted on that server. The two-night places are no longer open. The organizer said one-night places would follow, so check the official X account for a new listing.

At the regular one-day editions, general entry cost 5,000 yen and first-timer entry cost 1,000 yen, paid on the day. The first-timer category is for people who have never attended an event built around fursuits, such as JMoF, OFFF or Kemocon.

How to Get There

Ryokan Koito is at 〒972-8321 福島県いわき市常磐湯本町笠井1, in the Iwaki Yumoto Onsen area. The ryokan is about 650 metres from JR Yumoto Station on the Joban Line and about 4 km from the Iwaki-Yumoto interchange of the Joban Expressway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fursuit to attend Hatsujyu-kai?

No. The event is built for people who have never worn a suit, and the try-ons let you wear one with staff help.

Can I still join the November 2026 lodging edition?

Two-night sign-up is closed; the TwiPla listing closed with 109 of its 151 places taken. The organizer said one-night places would be offered later; watch the official X account and TwiPla.

Is there a first-timer discount?

The regular one-day editions have a cheaper first-timer category. The organizer says the November 2026 special has no first-timer places.

Is Hatsujyu-kai 18+?

The organizer's listings reviewed for this guide do not state an age policy. Ask the organizer by X direct message if age affects your plans.