A Creative Day at Comitia: Exploring Independent Art at Tokyo Big Sight from Funabashi

Hi everyone! It’s Angie from Jabble Funabashi Eikaiwa (船橋の英会話スクール).

Everyone that knows me knows that I like to keep occupied, especially on days off. Idle hands and all that.
Unfortunately, I was busier than usual recently, and a long weekend snuck up on me! Now, I know I could simply stay home and take it easy, especially after being so busy, but what a waste! 　After all, I’m living in Japan so I should seize the opportunity and do something interesting.

As a teacher at Jabble Funabashi Eikaiwa, I always like to explore new places and experiences around Chiba and Tokyo, especially ones I can share with students.
So I asked the Funabashi Jabble students if they had any suggestions. One of our students mentioned that they were attending Comitia on the weekend.
To be honest, I’d never heard of it, but it turned out to be a convention showcasing independent artists.
Since moving to Chiba, I’ve attended a few comic markets, but never a completely independent artists’ convention. What better time than now, right?

As it turns out, Comitia was held at the same place as the comic markets I’ve been to before, Tokyo Big Sight.
Predictably, the event was really crowded, although it was mostly confined to only one section of the convention center.
Shortly after entering the building, I was swept up in the crowd and deposited into the vast hall.
To be honest, it was a little overwhelming. According to Comitia’s website, the event can see anywhere from 15,000 to 25,000 visitors over a weekend.

The first thing I did when I entered was to look up the circles, or exhibitors, I was interested in on the map.
There must have been over 2,000 vendors at the event, so it was only prudent to be strategic with my time.
On the way to the venue, I was flipping through the event magazine and scrolling on social media for the circles’ posts.
It was easier said than done though, because even as I was making my way to the posted maps, bright colors and interesting designs were already drawing my attention away.

At some point, I threw in the towel and just started wandering the aisles.

And honestly? That was probably the best decision I made all day.

There’s something really nice about letting go of a plan at an event like this.
Every few steps, something new catches your eye, a bold illustration, a quirky character design, a beautifully arranged table display.
It felt a bit like treasure hunting, except instead of searching for one specific thing, I was just open to whatever I happened to find.

Some booths had neatly stacked books with clean, minimalist covers, while others were bursting with color and personality.
There were hand-drawn comics, art prints, zines, and even some unique items I hadn’t expected.
Every table felt a little different, and that made the whole experience feel fresh from start to finish.

I’d pick something up, flip through a few pages, smile at a funny panel, then gently place it back before moving on, only to stop again a few steps later.
It became a bit of a rhythm: walk, pause, browse, repeat.

Time passed much faster than I expected. One minute I was telling myself I’d just do a quick lap, and the next I was checking the time and realizing I’d been there for hours.

Of course, I couldn’t leave empty-handed.

I ended up picking up a few small books and stickers, things that stood out to me in the moment.
That’s part of the charm of Comitia, I think. You’re not just buying something because it’s popular or well-known, you’re choosing it because it caught your eye and made you stop.

By the time I finally made my way out of the hall, I was definitely feeling the effects of the crowd and all the walking, but in a good way.
It felt like a full day, the kind where you’ve really done something different.

Looking back, I’m really glad I didn’t spend that long weekend at home.

Living and working in Funabashi, I really appreciate having access to events like this in nearby Tokyo.
It’s one of the many reasons I enjoy teaching at Jabble Funabashi Eikaiwa, there’s always something new to discover and share, both inside and outside the classroom.

If you’re based in Chiba or studying English at Funabashi Jabble Eikaiwa, Comitia is definitely worth checking out at least once.
Just be prepared to walk a lot, get distracted often, and maybe come home with a few more things than you intended.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a day off, and a great reminder that there’s always something interesting happening just around the corner.

船橋校
Angie

【日本人スタッフによる要約】
ジャブル船橋校の講師Angieが、休日に東京ビッグサイトで開催されたコミティア（COMITIA）に参加した体験を紹介します。
初めて訪れた自主制作のアートイベントで、2,000以上の出展者による個性豊かな作品に触れ、まるで宝探しのような時間を楽しみました。
計画を立てて回るつもりが、途中から自由に歩き回ることで、より多くの魅力的な作品と出会うことができました。
千葉・船橋からアクセスしやすい東京のイベントとして、英語学習者にもおすすめの週末の過ごし方です。