Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

Costume and cosplay ideas to heat up your school cultural festival

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

At school cultural festivals, there are all kinds of events—exhibitions, food stalls, and even stage performances! Among them, many students probably want to stand out and have fun in free-style outfits, such as stage performances or costume contests.

Since it’s a once-a-year event, you want to make it a memorable day by dressing differently from usual, right? In this article, we’ll introduce recommended ideas for those looking for costumes and outfits for cultural and school festivals.

We’ve picked a wide range, from classic outfits to slightly more elaborate cosplay, so please use it as a reference.

Costume and cosplay ideas to amp up the excitement at school cultural festivals (1–10)

The Apothecary Diaries

[Chit-Chat Cosplay Makeup] I Want to Be Jinshi and Maomao [The Apothecary Diaries]

The Apothecary Diaries

“The Apothecary Diaries” is a work that was adapted from a light novel into a monthly manga and has also been made into an anime.

The anime’s theme song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai became a hot topic as well.

It’s a popular series, and the frustratingly slow-burn romance between the characters Maomao and Jinshi is one of its highlights.

Cosplaying as the two of them would definitely liven up any school or cultural festival.

Try completing the look with makeup, a wig, and colored contacts.

Store-bought costumes are convenient to use.

If you’re performing on stage, setting the background with a Chinese-style motif would really pull it all together.

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Amate Yuzuriha (Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX)

NEATMOA Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX Amata Yuzuriha cosplay costume casual wear JK uniform Halloween cosplay event Comiket AnimeJapan World Cosplay Summit

Amate Yuzuriha (Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX)

Released in January 2025, the film Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX has also begun airing as a TV anime from April.

The movie drew 850,000 viewers in its first 10 days and was a big hit.

Following Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, which for the first time featured a female pilot as the protagonist, the female lead of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Amate Yuzuriha, seems like a cosplay choice that would draw attention.

Amate Yuzuriha is portrayed as a high school girl.

Since her age is close to students who hold school and culture festivals, the cosplay should fit well.

And when it comes to Gundam, don’t forget to carry a Haro with you—that’s an essential touch.

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Ensemble Stars

Ensemble Stars, which began as a smartphone game, is an idol-training game that has garnered attention for its various media mix expansions.

Because it’s especially popular among women, it’s often used as a theme for cosplay, frequently serving as a basis for cross-dressing into male characters.

Another key point is that the distinctive characters wear a wide range of outfits, so choosing which character in which costume to portray is where your sense of style really shows.

It’s also important to select outfits suited to the occasion—whether you prioritize glamorous designs or ease of movement.

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Costume and cosplay ideas that excite at school cultural festivals (11–20)

Yor (SPY×FAMILY)

How about a costume inspired by Yor, the mother-role character from the manga SPY×FAMILY serialized on Shonen Jump+ by Tatsuya Endo? Including the hairstyle, the outfit is predominantly black, and the character exudes a gentle aura while also being strongly sexy.

The flared, cape-like skirt at the back and the high-heeled boots are particularly striking.

While the classic choice is her black, spy-like outfit, recreating some of her everyday clothes could offer a different kind of fun as well.

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B Komachi (Oshi no Ko)

[Oshi no Ko] B-Komachi “Sign is B” Tried Dancing [GGKD]

B Komachi (Oshi no Ko)

How about dancing to an idol song in a costume inspired by the idol group the new B-Komachi from the 2023 anime “Oshi no Ko”? The outfit introduced here is the school uniform worn by the members of B-Komachi.

If you customize a ready-made uniform, you won’t have to make it from scratch, so it’s an easy option.

It’s also sold on online shops, so you can purchase it when needed.

In addition, B-Komachi has a black outfit that they wear on stage.

If you prefer something other than the uniform, be sure to check that one out too.

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shrine maiden

[Miko Outfit] Si☆4 – Rainbow☆Mirai – @Shinjuku LOFT, Jan 6, 2020

shrine maiden

Miko outfits are popular not only for cosplay but also as costumes for idols.

In addition to the formal shrine-style miko cosplay you might see at a shrine, there are also cute variations with shorter skirt lengths and other arrangements.

If you look around, you’ll find a wide range of styles for sale, so try to find one that you like.

Also, if you purchase accessories associated with miko—such as kagura bells or a purification wand—you can create an even more authentic atmosphere.

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Japanese doll

@runchan162
Last school festival!! Rocking my natural hair as a Japanese doll ♡ It was seriously so much fun ♡♡ *I wore a kimono we had at home, so please don’t say the obi doesn’t match, and I dressed myself, so please don’t point out anything that’s not correct…#ljk's wonderful memories #06 #07 High school student #jk #ljk #LJK High school girl #Cosplay Cultural Festival
♬ Original song – Runrun – Runrun

Doesn’t that bob haircut of the wildly popular dance group Avantgardey remind you of traditional Japanese dolls? Combined with how Avantgardey often performs dances to classic Japanese pop songs, it kind of evokes a Japanese vibe.

If you want to create a slightly mysterious atmosphere, I recommend a Japanese doll cosplay.

You can actually find kimono at surprisingly low prices in vintage clothing stores.

A long straight wig makes it even better.

If you paint your face and hands white, you can turn into a Japanese doll that’s almost scary.

Just be careful not to frighten the little kids visiting the school festival!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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