Shopping Bazaar

One of the largest draws for Tokyo, OK is our Shopping Bazaar, which is made up of merchants and artists from all over the country.

The Shopping Bazaar for Tokyo, OK is

open all three days of the convention,

Friday 2pm - 7pm

Saturday 10am - 7pm

Sunday 10am - 5pm

Applications are live!

Vendor PLAZA

sell/offer pre-packaged / manufactured items

Vendors are merchants who offer pre-packaged or manufactured goods within the Shopping Bazaar. This includes professionally produced merchandise such as collectibles, apparel, accessories, media, toys, prints, and other retail products intended for direct sale to attendees.

For attendees, Vendor booths function like a curated marketplace; bringing together fan-focused retail, pop-culture goods, and specialty items in one centralized area of the event.

For businesses and creators, Vendor participation provides direct access to an engaged, interest-driven audience in a high-traffic retail environment.

For Attendees

Vendor booths are ideal for discovering:

Licensed and original merchandise
Collectibles, apparel, and accessories
Fandom, pop-culture, and specialty retail items
Event-exclusive or limited-run products

Vendor spaces are organized to encourage browsing and discovery while maintaining clear walkways and consistent booth layouts for accessibility and crowd flow.

Some Vendor booths may also be operated by featured guests or event partners, offering exclusive merchandise or branded experiences tied directly to the event.

For Vendors & Retail Businesses

Vendor participation is intended for:

Retailers selling pre-made or manufactured goods
Small businesses, brands, and distributors
Established merchants seeking in-person exposure
Organizations operating as commercial vendors under a partnership or sponsorship agreement
Featured guests offering merchandise tied to their work or appearances

Vendors benefit from:

Access to a targeted, fan-driven audience
Structured booth placement within the Shopping Bazaar
Inclusion in event maps and directories
On-site operational support and standardized policies
Opportunities for repeat participation across OS4CA events

Vendor booths are distinct from Artists (who sell primarily handmade or original art) and Exhibitors (which focus on outreach or education rather than retail sales).

Partner & Featured Guest Booths

In some cases, Vendor booths may be occupied by:

OS4CA or Event Partners operating under a partnership or sponsorship agreement
Featured Guests selling merchandise related to their appearances

While these booths may not follow the standard Vendor application process, they are still categorized as Vendor spaces due to the nature of the goods offered and their placement within the Shopping Bazaar.

Is a Vendor Space Right for You?

A Vendor space is a good fit if you:

Sell manufactured or pre-packaged products
Operate as a retail business or brand
Want direct engagement with attendees in a live event environment
Are seeking repeat exposure across multiple events

If your primary focus is handmade art, original illustration, or craft-based goods, you may be better suited for the Artist Market.

If your organization is mission-focused rather than sales-driven, the Exhibitor District options may be a better fit.

Learn More

Artist Market

sell/offer anything related to their own personal hard work, craft or designs

Artists are merchants who sell items created through their own personal work, craft, trade, or original designs. Artist booths feature handmade, illustrated, or independently produced goods that are the result of the artist’s direct creative effort.

Artist spaces are distinct from Vendor booths. Artists do not sell manufactured or mass-produced merchandise such as DVDs, factory-produced keychains, plushies, or similar pre-packaged retail items.

The Artist Market exists to highlight creativity, originality, and individual craftsmanship within the Shopping Bazaar.

For Attendees

The Artist Market is where you’ll find:

Original art, illustrations, and prints
Handmade crafts and specialty items
Custom designs and independently produced goods
Unique pieces you won’t find in traditional retail spaces

Artist booths are ideal for attendees looking to directly support creators, discover one-of-a-kind work, commission a piece, or engage with artists about their process, inspiration, and craft.

Because all participating Artists are juried, the Artist Market is curated for quality, originality, and variety.

For Artists & Creators

Artist participation is intended for individuals who:

Create their own artwork, designs, or handcrafted goods
Sell items that are primarily the result of their own labor and creativity
Operate independently or as small creative businesses
Wish to engage directly with attendees in a creator-focused environment

Examples of Artist-appropriate items may include:

Original illustrations or prints
Handcrafted items or artisan goods
Custom designs based on original artwork

Artists are expected to represent their own work honestly and transparently.

Juried Selection Process

Artist selection is 100% juried.

All Artist applications are reviewed to ensure:

The work is original and creator-produced
The items offered align with Artist Market standards
A balanced and diverse Artist Market is maintained

The jury process helps ensure fairness, consistency, and a high-quality experience for both attendees and participating artists. Acceptance is based on submitted materials and does not guarantee acceptance for future events.

Is an Artist Space Right for You?

An Artist space is a good fit if you:

Primarily sell work created by your own hands or designs
Do not sell mass-produced or factory-manufactured merchandise
Want to showcase originality and craftsmanship
Are comfortable with a juried selection process

If you primarily sell manufactured or pre-packaged items, you should apply as a Vendor.

If your organization is mission- or outreach-focused rather than sales-driven, Exhibitor District options may be more appropriate.

Learn More

Exhibitor Districts

merchants who promote branded items or
community organiztions

The Exhibitor Districts are dedicated spaces for organizations, institutions, programs, and community groups to share information, promote initiatives, and connect with attendees.

Unlike the Vendor or Artist Market, Exhibitor booths are primarily focused on outreach, engagement, and promotion, rather than retail sales—though limited sales or branded items may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Exhibitor Districts may be located in multiple areas across the event, depending on space, programming, and attendee flow.

This distributed layout allows Exhibitors to integrate naturally into the overall event experience.

For Attendees

Exhibitor booths are where you can:

Learn about local and regional organizations
Discover community programs, clubs, and interest groups
Explore upcoming events, conventions, or initiatives
Meet authors, artists, or creators promoting a specific work
Engage with guests, partners, and the event’s selected charity

Exhibitor Districts emphasize connection, education, and community engagement, offering opportunities to interact directly with the people and organizations shaping local culture.

For Exhibitors & Organizations

Exhibitor participation is intended for:
• Non-profit organizations
• Government or educational institutions
• Area events or conventions
• Community arts and enrichment groups
• Interest-based clubs (e.g., anime, manga, gaming, cultural groups)
• Local or regional authors and artists promoting a specific book, webcomic, or project
• Community programs or events without 501(c)(3) status
• Participants in OS4CA’s Industry Exchange Program (IEP)

Exhibitors benefit from:
• Visibility within a high-engagement event environment
• Direct interaction with attendees
• Placement aligned with event flow and programming
• Inclusion in event directories and maps
• Opportunities for long-term community relationship building

Sales & Merchandise Policy

Exhibitors may, in some cases, promote or sell branded or related items; however:

All exhibitor sales are subject to review and approval by OS4CA.

Approval is dependent on factors such as:

Alignment with the exhibitor’s mission or promotional purpose
Product type and scale
Placement within the event
Distinction from Vendor or Artist Market offerings

OS4CA reserves the right to limit, condition, or deny sales activity for Exhibitors to maintain clarity between merchant types and ensure a balanced Shopping Bazaar and exhibitor experience.

Guests, Partners, Charity, & IEP Exhibitors

Exhibitor Districts also include:

Featured Guests, often grouped within designated Guest Avenues
Event or Organizational Partners, operating under partnership agreements
The Featured Charity for the current year’s event
Industry Exchange Program (IEP) participants, placed according to program scope and engagement goals

These exhibitors may follow customized placement, branding, or engagement guidelines specific to their role within the event or program.

Types of Exhibitors

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Photo by DestroyerX

Category I

Category I includes:

Guests
Event and organizational partners
The convention’s selected charity
Non-profit organizations
Government or educational institutions
Industry Exchange Program (IEP) participants

Category I exhibitors typically focus on outreach, education, advocacy, professional exchange, or official partnerships.

Category II

Category II includes:

Community arts and enrichment groups
Local or regional authors or artists promoting a specific work
Interest groups (e.g., anime/manga clubs, fandom groups)
Community programs or events without 501(c)(3) status

These exhibitors emphasize grassroots engagement, creative promotion, and community connection.

Learn More

Is an Exhibitor Space Right for You?

An Exhibitor space is a good fit if you:

Represent an organization, program, or community group
Are primarily promoting information, engagement, or a specific project
Do not operate as a full retail merchant
Want visibility and connection rather than direct sales

If your primary activity is selling manufactured goods, you may be better suited in the Vendor Plaza.

If you sell primarily handmade or original art, consider the Artist Market.

Looking to apply to the Industry Exchange Program? You can do so here!