
For a single day in June, cosplay studio Haco Stadium will be welcoming dolls, instead of people, to partake in photo shoots at their Ikebukuro location.
You may remember when we introduced Haco Stadium Tokyo last year, the ultimate cosplay photo studio just outside Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. Since then the business has branched out by opening up two more locations, this time with one actually located in Tokyo and another in Kanagawa Prefecture, which appears to not only be popular with costumers, but with doll enthusiasts, too.
This is thanks to multiple “Piccolo Doll Off-kai” (“Off-Party”) doll photography and meet-up events, with the first event coming to their Ikebukuro, Tokyo, location on June 19, 2016. Anytime between 4:00–9:00 p.m., visitors are encouraged to bring their favorite dolls, figures, and plushies for a photo shoot in any of the facility’s different themed rooms as they chat with fellow doll owners, all for the price of 2,000 yen (US$17.75).
The first event received such an overwhelming amount of positive feedback that the doll shoots have now become a tradition at Haco Stadium CURAS in Kawasaki, and hopefully they’ll be just as much of a success in Tokyo. Here are a few tweets from people who participated in some of the past off-parties:
▼ “I’m back from the Piccolo Doll Off-kai! Thank you to everyone who accepted my sudden invitation after the event.”
ピッコロドール撮影会お疲れさまでした!
— カリノちゃん (@carino2262) March 13, 2016
また解散後の私の急な誘いに付き合って頂いた方々ありがとうございました。
(@curas_space)#Piccoloドールオフ会 pic.twitter.com/HDwTGAEKN8
▼ “I went to the 3/12 Piccolo Doll Off-kai at CURA Kawasaki (@curas_space). Next month I want to take some of my smaller dolls.”
https://twitter.com/mitsumakko/status/709189195995029504▼ “This month’s event was my first Doll Off-kai. I think I’ll probably join next month’s as well??”
https://twitter.com/eririnsama/status/711423054912425984▼ “Now that I’m on my lunch break, I’ve updated my blog with my 393rd post. It contains shots I took at Piccolo★Doll Off-kai★Vol.03. #piccolodolloffkai”
昼休みなので、ついでに393回目のブログ更新。今回はPiccolo(ピッコロ)★ドールオフ会★Vol.03で撮影したドール写真になります。#Piccoloドールオフ会 https://t.co/I1nWorEbIp pic.twitter.com/avzXDWXEra
— ボーダー (@Borderline1263) March 14, 2016
If you’ll be in or near the Tokyo area this June and are eager to make some new friends that share your love of dolls, we recommend checking the event out.
Studio Information
Haco Stadium cosset (Ikebukuro)
Address: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 3-2-1 Animate Sunshine 5F/6F
東京都豊島区東池袋3-2-1 アニメイトサンシャイン5F・6F
Open 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Doll Off-kai: June 19, 2016 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Website
Source: Twitter/@carino2262, Twitter/@mitsumakko, Twitter/@eririnsama, Twitter@Borderline1263 via Culture LAB
Feature/top image: Twitter/@hacopr
And, for those whose dolls “die”…
Akihabara Shrine seeks shrine maiden to perform memorial services for “deceased” anime figures

New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Beautiful exclusive Totoro tenugui towel is a gift from Disney to Ghibli physical media buyers
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Cup Noodle releases cold-water instant ramen in Japan, but can it really be made with just cold water?
Yakuza members arrested for building a road on mountain they don’t own
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Cup Noodle and Columbia team up for a weird and wonderful T-shirt that’s very Japanese
Sanrio eco-friendly plushies are here for the earth-conscious lovers of all things kawaii
Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks?
Japanese government sets up new group to deal with trading card boom
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
If you love Pokémon and cats, you’ll love Japan’s cat Pokémon cat toys and feeding dishes[Photos]
Hatsune Miku, VTuber Suisei Hoshimachi perform opening pitch at pro baseball game in Japan [Video]
McDonald’s Japan reveals new Pokémon collaboration range, covering McNuggets and lucky bags
Giant Snorlax, other snoozing Pokémon appear in Yokohama for Pokémon Sleeping Faces Research [Pics]
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines