10 Major Annual Business Events/Expos in Japan
Japan hosts some of the world’s most influential business events and trade expos, attracting thousands of industry professionals, buyers, and decision-makers from across the globe. Whether you’re looking to enter Japan’s retail, manufacturing, tourism, or technology sectors, these events provide valuable networking opportunities, market insights, and access to key industry leaders. This guide highlights 10 must-attend business expos in Japan that can help international companies establish a presence and grow in this highly competitive market.
Major Annual Business Events/Expos in Japan
- RetailTech Japan
- FOODEX Japan
- Tourism EXPO Japan
- BioJapan
- Tokyo International Gift Show
- HCJ
- ISOT (International Stationery & Office Products Fair Tokyo)
- Manufacturing World Japan
- JAPAN BUILD
- Japan Jewelry Fair
1. RetailTech Japan
Image Source: RetailTech Japan
RetailTech Japan is the largest and most influential trade show in Japan dedicated to retail technology and innovation. Organized by Nikkei Inc., this event gathers major players in retail, logistics, and digital marketing, offering insights into the future of shopping experiences.
Key Highlights:
- A comprehensive showcase of retail information systems, from cashless payment solutions to AI-driven customer analytics.
- Segmented exhibition zones, including digital marketing, in-store promotion, and warehouse logistics.
- Expected 80,000 visitors from retail, consumer goods, apparel, and food industries.
- Over 261 exhibitors and 1,211 booths, making it an essential networking platform for retailers.
Event Details:
- Date: March 4-7, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: Nikkei Inc.
RetailTech Japan offers international businesses direct exposure to Japan’s evolving retail sector and opportunities to collaborate with key industry decision-makers.
2. FOODEX Japan
Image Source: FOODEX Japan
FOODEX Japan is Asia’s largest food and beverage trade show, bringing together over 2,930 exhibitors from 74 countries. It is recognized as Japan’s top international food exhibition, connecting global food suppliers with buyers, distributors, and retailers.
Key Highlights:
- Internationally recognized and certified by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).
- Showcases a vast range of food products, from traditional Japanese cuisine to innovative global food trends.
- Facilitates 1,100+ business meetings with major buyers across Japan and Asia.
- A key platform for businesses interested in exporting Japanese food, expanding domestic food distribution, or importing international food products.
Event Details:
- Date: March 10-13, 2026
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: Japan Management Association (JMA)
For international food companies, FOODEX Japan serves as the ideal gateway to entering the Japanese and Asian food markets.
3. Tourism EXPO Japan
Image Source: Tourism EXPO Japan
Tourism EXPO Japan is one of the world’s most significant travel industry events, bringing together key players from the tourism sector, including airlines, travel agencies, hotels, and local governments. The event is organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JATA) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), making it a crucial platform for businesses looking to expand in Japan’s travel market.
Key Highlights:
- 100,000+ visitors expected, including 34,000 industry professionals and 66,000 general attendees.
- 1,100 exhibition booths featuring 500 domestic exhibitors, 380 international exhibitors, and 220 others.
- More than 5,500 business meetings scheduled for networking and partnership building.
- Special events include the Japan Tourism Award Ceremony, the Tourism Minister's Meeting, and professional seminars.
Event Details:
- Date: September 27-28, 2025
- Venue: Aichi Sky Expo, Tokoname City, Aichi
- Organizers: Japan Travel and Tourism Association, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
Tourism EXPO Japan offers an opportunity for international businesses to connect with Japan’s tourism sector, establish partnerships, and explore opportunities in the inbound travel market.
4. BioJapan
Image Source: BioJapan
BioJapan is Asia’s largest biotechnology industry partnering event. Established in 1986, it is also the world’s oldest biotech-focused exhibition, providing a platform for open innovation across various fields, including pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, and functional food technologies.
Key Highlights:
- Comprises three co-hosted events:
- BioJapan – Focuses on biotechnology and its applications in drug discovery, personalized medicine, and healthcare.
- Regenerative Medicine Japan – Aims to accelerate R&D and industrialization in regenerative medicine.
- healthTECH Japan – Showcases innovations in digital healthcare and life sciences, from AI diagnostics to digital therapeutics.
- Features over 1,000 exhibitors and a partnering system that enables direct business negotiations.
- Hosts more than 200 seminar sessions, bringing together top researchers and business leaders.
Event Details:
- Date: October 8-10, 2025
- Venue: Pacifico Yokohama
- Organizer: BioJapan Organizing Committee, JTB Communication Design
BioJapan serves as a crucial networking hub for companies seeking to expand in the biotech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare technology sectors in Japan.
5. Tokyo International Gift Show
Image Source: Tokyo International Gift Show
The Tokyo International Gift Show (TIGS) is Japan’s largest trade fair for personal gifts and lifestyle goods. This B2B-only event attracts buyers from department stores, specialty shops, wholesalers, and media, providing a premier platform for discovering and sourcing new products.
Key Highlights:
- Expected participation from 3,000 exhibitors and 100,000m² exhibition space.
- Over 91% of visitors attend with the purpose of purchasing inventory.
- Offers online business matching through the organizer’s B2B portal, Gift Net.
Event Details:
- Date: September 3-5, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: Business Guide-Sha, Inc.
For international brands, TIGS is an ideal gateway into Japan’s retail market, offering opportunities to connect with major distributors and retailers.
6. HCJ
Image Source: HCJ
HCJ is Japan’s largest trade show for the hospitality and food service industry, bringing together three specialized exhibitions:
- Hoteres Japan – Focuses on hotel, restaurant, and leisure industry solutions.
- Caterex Japan – Showcases innovations for food service, catering, and home meal delivery.
- Japan Food Service Equipment Show – Highlights the latest in kitchen and service equipment.
Key Highlights:
- 826 exhibitors and over 50,000 visitors from hotels, ryokans, restaurants, and food service businesses.
- Covers a wide range of sectors, including kitchen equipment, food & beverages, tableware, digital solutions, guest room amenities, and hospitality technology.
- Addresses key industry challenges, such as sustainability, labor shortages, and digital transformation.
Event Details:
- Date: February 4-7, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: Japan Management Association
HCJ is the premier event for international companies looking to enter Japan’s hospitality, food service, and accommodation industries, providing a comprehensive networking and business platform.
7. ISOT (International Stationery & Office Products Fair Tokyo)
Image Source: ISOT
ISOT is Japan’s largest trade show for stationery and office supplies, showcasing the latest trends in writing instruments, notebooks, planners, and business accessories.
Key Highlights:
- Part of the Lifestyle Week Tokyo, featuring 1,100 exhibitors and 35,000 products across multiple categories.
- Highlights sustainable stationery, inbound tourism-focused goods, and influencer-driven merchandise.
- Attracts buyers from bookstores, lifestyle shops, and department stores, creating valuable business opportunities.
Event Details:
- Date: July 2-4, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: RX Japan Ltd.
For stationery and office product brands, ISOT is a must-attend event to enter and expand in Japan’s highly specialized retail market.
8. Manufacturing World Japan
Image Source: Manufacturing World Japan
Manufacturing World Japan is Asia’s leading trade show for the manufacturing industry, featuring cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation. The exhibition covers a broad range of sectors, including mechanical components, DX solutions, additive manufacturing, and factory automation.
Key Highlights:
- 10 specialized shows catering to different manufacturing needs, from CAD/CAE and IoT platforms to factory equipment and measuring instruments.
- A top destination for R&D professionals, production engineers, and digital transformation leaders looking to enhance productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
- International reach, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across Japan and abroad.
- Co-located conferences where industry executives share insights on manufacturing trends, case studies, and advanced technologies.
Event Details:
- Date: July 9-11, 2025
- Venue: Makuhari Messe, Chiba
- Organizer: RX Japan Ltd.
Manufacturing World Japan provides a valuable opportunity for global companies to showcase their solutions to key decision-makers in Japan’s manufacturing sector.
9. JAPAN BUILD
Image Source: Japan Build
JAPAN BUILD Tokyo is Japan’s premier exhibition for the building and housing industries, featuring thousands of products and cutting-edge solutions. The event focuses on smart buildings, digital construction, real estate tech, and sustainable architecture.
Key Highlights:
- 8 specialized shows, including Building Material & Housing Equipment Expo, Smart Home Expo, and Green Building Expo.
- Covers the latest in IoT, automation, BIM, AI-driven property management, and decarbonization technologies.
- Global networking platform for construction professionals, architects, real estate developers, and urban planners.
- Live demonstrations and conferences exploring digital transformation and sustainable construction.
Event Details:
- Date: December 10-12, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
- Organizer: RX Japan Ltd.
JAPAN BUILD Tokyo is a crucial event for businesses seeking to enter Japan’s building, construction, and real estate markets.
10. Japan Jewelry Fair
Image Source: Japan Jewelry Fair
Japan Jewellery Fair (JJF) is Japan’s premier B2B jewellery trade show, co-organized by Informa Markets and the Japan Jewellery Association. The event is known for fostering long-term business relationships between global buyers and Japanese jewellery professionals.
Key Highlights:
- Over 350 exhibitors showcasing fine jewellery, gemstones, watches, and accessories.
- Attracts 12,000+ trade visitors, including retailers, wholesalers, designers, and luxury buyers.
- Live WeChat streaming with 38,000+ international viewers, expanding its global reach.
- Exclusive networking opportunities to connect with Japan’s leading jewellery makers and global traders.
Event Details:
- Date: August 27-29, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 5 & 6
- Organizer: Informa Markets Japan Co., Ltd. / Japan Jewellery Association
JJF is the ultimate event for businesses looking to tap into Japan’s high-end jewellery market and forge lasting partnerships with key industry players.
Conclusion
Attending Japan’s major business expos provides international companies with direct access to key players in various industries, including retail, manufacturing, tourism, and construction. These events serve as a gateway to building relationships, exploring business opportunities, and understanding market trends in Japan. By participating in these trade shows, global businesses can establish credibility, expand their networks, and successfully navigate the Japanese market.
