The reasons it's difficult are that cosplay wigs are challenging to create and adjust, and the costumes aren't sold in regular retail stores. Cosplay makeup is specialized compared to regular makeup, making it hard for beginners to achieve a high level of finish. Booking studio time is difficult. Arranging photographers skilled in cosplay photography is also extremely difficult. Furthermore, there are language barriers. Consequently, while cosplay's popularity continues to grow, the hurdles to immediately realizing it upon arriving in Japan are very high.