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Ohayocon - A Columbus Tradition

Once a year, the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Columbus, Ohio becomes a haven for Japanese culture, loud music, and colorful costumes galore. Men and women of all ages stand in line for over two hours to get their passes into the weekend event known as Ohayocon, a convention that celebrates Japanese entertainment.

Since 2004, Ohayocon has been held in the Hyatt-Regency Hotel, housing 3042 people in that year and growing every year after. As of 2012, Ohayocon attendance had hit a record high of 12,198 paid attendees, over 4 times the 2004 numbers.

According to director of rooms at the Hyatt-Regency, Mike Kiesel, attendees sell out the rooms yearly, keeping the staff on their toes as convention-goers walk, talk, visit special attractions called panels, and socialize amongst their peers.

San Khon, a regular convention-goer, said that Ohayocon is first and foremost a social event, a weekend of fun and relaxation, where people interested in Japanese entertainment and culture can display their creative skills through dressing in costume (known amongst convention-goers as "cosplay"), and meeting new friends. 

However, that is not to discount the other attractions of Ohayocon, such as the musical guests, the collection of vendors selling imported merchandise, and the round-the-clock panels detailing facets of the subculture that has formed around Japanese entertainment. People from all over the world come to Ohayocon to discuss their areas of expertise, whether it be music, art, animation, video games, or something else entirely.

In conclusion, Ohayocon has been a Columbus staple for many years and looks like it will be for years to come. With guests, costumes, and attractions, it is an experience unlike many others. Whether one comes for the social aspect, the special attractions, the merchandise, or the experience as a whole, Ohayocon has carved its own niche into Columbus, a niche that doesn't seem to be fading any time soon.