JapanFest 2026
Visitor Terms & Conditions

LIABILITY WAIVER

By attending and/or participating in JapanFest 2026, each attendee or participant 
1. Acknowledges that his or her attendance and/or participation involves risk; 

2. Agrees to assume and accept all risk of loss to persons or property (including death); 
3. Agrees to release the organizers, promoters, sponsors, hosts, and volunteers of JapanFest 2026 and their respective agents, officers, servants, affiliates, and employees from all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action, present, and future, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury including death, that such attendee or participant may sustain in connection with his or her attendance at or participation in JapanFest 2026; 
4. Agrees that this release is binding upon his or her heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, and  assigns; 
5. Grants JapanFest irrevocable permission to use his or her image, likeness, voice, or sound recordings in any media or promotional materials whatsoever and without compensation. 

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RULES AND REGULATIONS

All visitors of JapanFest 2026 must follow all the RULES AND REGULATIONS written on this page (document). Any violation of the rules and regulations will result in removal from the event. JapanFest reserves the right to remove any unruly visitors at its discretion. No refund will be made for such visitors and participants. 

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COVID-19: 

Regarding Masks: JapanFest may impose mask requirements according to CDC and venue guidelines. Please refer to the following links for CDC and venue guidelines regarding COVID-19. 

● CDC: CDC's guidelines 
JapanFest is not responsible for attendance influenced by COVID-19. JapanFest is not liable for any problems caused by COVID-19. Under Georgia law, there is no liability for an injury or death of an individual entering these premises if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of contracting COVID-19. You are assuming this risk by entering these premises. Sec. 51-16-3(a)(2), Georgia Code Sec. 4 of Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act. 

** COVID-19 rules and safety guidelines may be updated depending on the current public health situation and corresponding CDC and venue guidelines.  
In the event of an epidemic or pandemic, the Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice

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CHANGE OF SPECIAL EVENTS

Announced events and guests’ performers are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Every effort will be made to announce any changes via website, pre-convention publications, and/or newsletter, but sometimes last-minute changes may occur.

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EVENT SECURITY

To create a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, the following safety and security measures are implemented at JapanFest Atlanta 2026. 

Approved Bags (random checks may be performed by security) 
● Clear vinyl, plastic, or PVC bags, diaper bags & medically 
necessary items, and small clutch bags 

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Non-Approved Bags 
● Suitcases and other large bags

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"The following items/actions are prohibited at Gas South District ® : 

• Weapons of any kind (Includes pocket knives, brass knuckles, etc) 

• Backpacks 

• Bags, briefcases, or purses larger than 12" x 12" x 6" 

• Non-clear bags larger than 4.5" x 6.5" 

• Electronic devices larger than a cell phone (e.g. laptops, iPads or other tablets) 

• Signs on sticks or oversized signs (no larger than 8 1/2" x 11") 

• Coolers or outside food/beverage 

• Smoking of any kind, including but not limited to tobacco, vapor or e-cigarettes Illegal drugs 

• Laser pointers 

• Mace or pepper spray 

• Spiked or studded jewelry 

• Full facial coverings, like masks 

• Apparel with explicit wording or pictures 

• Crowd Surfing 

• Hoverboards 

• Balloons 

• Stickers 

• Large Golf Umbrellas (Collapsible personal umbrellas are permitted)   

• Pets/ animals* (Service animals are permitted)

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​Gas South District® management reserves the right to prohibit any item, including items 
not listed above, from entering the premises based on any specific show requirements. 

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CHILDREN

JapanFest prides itself on being a family-friendly festival. However, JapanFest does not provide any type of childcare so please plan accordingly. The convention space may become very crowded, and as such, adults should always accompany all minors. Please keep an eye on children at all times. Please note that there is no convention-wide public announcement system. If you find a lost child, please contact any security staff member and/or the Information Desk at the event. 

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BEHAVIOR

We reserve the right to ask you to leave the festival and refuse refunds for your admission if the JapanFest, Gas South Convention Center, security staff, or police personnel judge that your behavior is inappropriate. JapanFest reserves the right to interpret the meaning of inappropriate behavior. Safety is an important priority of JapanFest. The following acts of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated: fighting/sparring (fake or real, including sword swinging), heckling, impeding traffic flow, offensive behavior, failure to observe basic hygiene, public inebriation (or similar intoxication), or failure to follow rules of the event and/or venue. Attendees of JapanFest attend at their own risk. JapanFest takes no responsibility for any damage incurred to property or persons of guests, artists, dealers, or attendees. Smoking is not permitted inside any buildings. Offensive or revealing attire is not permitted. JapanFest is a family-friendly and family-oriented event, and as such, the event prohibits revealing costumes and attire.  Please have a full-coverage top + appropriate bottoms for women and shirts and bottoms for men.  If men are Cosplaying a shirtless character, we ask that they only remove their shirts for the contest and photos at the Anime village area.

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LOST ITEMS

JapanFest takes no responsibility for lost items. All lost items will immediately be turned in to the Gas South Convention Center’s (GSD) Concierge Desk. Please contact the GSD Concierge Desk if you lose any items at the event. 

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ADVERTISING/SALES

NO SALES are permitted unless you are registered as a vendor. Anyone found posting, pasting, taping, or pinning material on convention property that is not an artist or vendor with prior approval will be immediately removed from the convention grounds. Advertisements CANNOT be placed anywhere at the event other than at your booth area and CANNOT be handed out in open public areas of the event.

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Costume, Prop, and Mask Policy

• Costumes must be family-friendly and comply with venue standards and local laws. 
• No real or functioning weapons are allowed, including firearms, ammunition, airsoft, paintball, BB guns, knives, bows and arrows, or swords, or any other real weapons not listed or items that could be used as a weapon. 
• Prop or fake weapons are only permitted if they are clearly non-realistic, made of soft materials, have no sharp or rigid edges, and cannot fire or be used as a projectile. 

• All props and fake weapons must be inspected and approved during security screening before being allowed into the venue. All approved prop weapons must be peace bonded by security. Tampering with or removing a peace bond will result in immediate removal of the prop from the venue. 
• Costumes and props must not obstruct aisles, exits, sightlines, or other guests. 

• Face coverings and costume masks must be removed during security screening and may not obstruct vision inside the venue. 
• Costumes that impersonate law enforcement, emergency personnel, military, or venue staff are prohibited. 
• Offensive, obscene, or unsafe costumes are not permitted. 
• Costumes and accessories may not include spikes, blades, needles, or pointed features. 
• Costumes may not include concealed storage compartments, backpacks, or hidden pouches. 
• Costumes and accessories may not include high-intensity LED lights, strobe lights, or lasers. 
• Costumes may not emit loud, disruptive, or continuous sound effects. 
• Costumes and props may not include liquids or messy elements such as wet or staining fake blood, glitter, bubbles, or smoke/fog effects, as these create safety and cleaning hazards. 
• Guests may not engage in role-playing, simulated combat, or behaviour that could cause alarm or disrupt others. 
• Venue security reserves the right to deny entry, request modification, or require removal of any costume, mask, or prop at any time.

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NO WEAPONS POLICY

JapanFest has a strict NO WEAPONS policy that will be enforced, regardless if it is sheathed, holstered or peace bound. This includes (but is not limited to): firearms, knives, bludgeons, stun guns, brass knuckles, bows strung with tense string/capable of firing, bullets, grenades, landmines, etc. Violation of these rules may result in a warning, having your prop removed from the convention grounds, or having you escorted off the convention property. Severe violations may result in action by the local Police Department. Please note that all rules can be superseded on the day of JapanFest by requests from the venue, security, or the Police Department.  Consideration may be taken into account for any last-minute changes of this nature. JapanFest reserves the right to eject anyone from convention grounds for failure to adhere to its weapons policy at any time.

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PROPS

“Live Steel” is NOT permitted at any time. “Live Steel” is defined as any metal that can: hold a bladed edge (regardless if sharpened or not), or shaped in a way that has sharp edges or spikes.  Any actual metal used in a piece must be rounded and curved and not be the ‘edge’ portion of a prop blade).  Examples of prohibited items in this category include metal swords or axes with blunted blades. Props must be cased or sheathed at all times. No clowning around or showing off in the common areas.  Any props used in an offensive manner will be confiscated. Violation of these rules may result in a warning, having your prop removed from the convention grounds, or having you escorted off the convention property.  Severe violations may result in action by the local Police Department. Please note that all rules can be superseded on the day of JapanFest by requests from the venue, security, or the Police Department.  Consideration will be taken into account for any last-minute changes of this nature. JapanFest reserves the right to eject anyone from convention grounds for failure to adhere to its prop rules at any time.

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WHEELCHAIR/ECV RENTALS

The Gas South Convention Center’s wheelchairs are reserved for emergency medical use only. Please bring your own wheelchairs and other assistance devices if needed. 

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ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

Parking for the physically challenged is available in all Gas South Convention Center parking lots and decks. All spaces require a valid permit to be displayed at all times. Please note that the Gas South Convention Center no longer provides trolley service.

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INJURIES

Any incident resulting in injury or property damage MUST be reported to a JapanFest committee member (wearing red T-shirts during JapanFest)  or Gas South District staff member (GSD). This includes any incident that occurs during the festival itself or during the setup and take-down periods. Should an incident occur, please contact any JapanFest committee member (wearing red T-shirts during JapanFest), JapanFest volunteer, or GSD staff. Please do not leave the festival area until the JapanFest staff or GSD staff member meets with you. 

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PETS

Pets are not permitted inside the festival area due to Health Department regulations. We must strictly enforce this policy due to the food sales associated with JapanFest and to maintain public health at the event. 

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SERVICE ANIMALS

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as "dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." Service animals are welcome inside the Gas South Convention Center and must remain on a leash or in a harness at all times. Service animals will rest in the seating area of the individual with a disability, rather than in the aisle. A guest whose service animal poses a threat to the safety of other guests and employees may be asked to escort the animal off the premises. Animals that simply provide emotional comfort do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Therefore, Emotional Support Animals (ESA's) are not permitted inside the Gas South Convention Center.

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SMOKING

Gas South Convention Center is a NON-SMOKING facility. Smoking is not allowed in public areas of the facility, but there are designated smoking areas for patrons. Anyone observed smoking inside the facility will be asked to extinguish the item immediately. Any person who refuses to comply with the policy, after an appropriate warning, shall be subject to removal from the facility. Please check with the nearest Event Staff member if you cannot locate the designated smoking areas. Electronic cigarettes are permitted through Security for events, but they may not be used inside the building. E-Cigarettes are only permitted in designated smoking areas.

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EMERGENCY

Gas South Convention Center is entrusted with the safety assurance of JapanFest visitors. GSD security guards and police officers are present during the event to ensure the safety of the guests and help when needed. GSD security guards and police officers are stationed throughout the building during the event. In case of fire or severe weather, Gas South Convention Center's event coordinators, GSD security guards and Police officers are trained to safely guide our guests and participants to safety. Please follow their lead and instructions. Any incident resulting in injury or property damage MUST  be reported to the JapanFest staff and Gas South Convention Center event coordinators. Please report the incident to the nearest police officers (in uniform), GSD security guards (in uniform), JapanFest staff (in red colored shirts with "supervisor" on the back), JapanFest information center (First floor closer to the food court area) or Gas South Convention Center concierge desk (behind the main entrance ticket booth). You may also be able to reach JapanFest staff by calling 404-522-6938. All staff mentioned above have a radio to communicate with the Gas South Convention Center's event coordinators who are trained to take necessary actions to respond to any incident. Please do not leave the festival area until the JapanFest staff or the GSD event coordinators meet with you. Med techs are on-site during the event, and they are capable of helping with any incident where their service is required. 

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

In case of an emergency, please notify one of the following people: Gas South District staff member, event security, JapanFest staff (wearing red shirts with supervisor written on the back), and/or JapanFest information center. 

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CANCELLATION OF JAPANFEST

JapanFest reserves the right to cancel or postpone the festival due to unforeseen circumstances. 

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JAPANFEST WORKSHOPS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Registration: By registering for the workshop, participants agree to comply with these terms and conditions. 
Participant Responsibilities: Participants are responsible for their behavior during the workshop. Any disruptive or disrespectful behavior towards fellow participants, instructors, or organizers will not be tolerated. 
Safety: Participants are responsible for their own health and safety during the workshop. The organizers are not liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur. 

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Changes to Workshop Details: The organizers may make changes to the workshop schedule, content, or instructors if necessary. 
Participants will be notified of any such changes. 

Liability:  Neither JapanFest, its officers, directors, agents or employees, nor the organizers of any workshop, or any other JapanFest event or activity, shall be liable for any injury, damage, loss, liability, or expense incurred by any participant, whether directly or indirectly related to any workshop. By registering or participating in any workshop, or any other JapanFest event or activity, a participant acknowledges that he or she has read and understands these terms and conditions and agrees to abide by them. The provisions of this paragraph and the waiver of liability contained herein shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other liability waiver applicable to attendance at, or participation in, JapanFest or its activities. 

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Refunds & Cancellation

Due to event planning requirements, cancellations of the event, whether in whole or in part, are not permitted.
Accordingly, all payments made are non-refundable. 

**The organizers reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any activities. 
*JapanFest reserves the right to edit or change these Terms and Conditions at any time.