【January 2026】Notable Trade Shows and Events in Japan
For some, this season brings thoughts of hot springs. As for me, I enjoy creating a hot-spring atmosphere at home with bath additives. As the year draws to a close, we have compiled a list of notable trade shows and events scheduled to take place in January 2026.
Three major events related to mobility will be held during this period: the Japan Mobility Show in Sapporo, the TOKYO AUTO SALON in Tokyo, and Automotive World. Each approaches the automotive and mobility sector from a different perspective and provides insights into current industry trends. In addition, the Japan Camping Car Show is also attracting attention as a large-scale event that draws significant visitor numbers.
At Makuhari Messe, the event-related expo LIVeNT will also be held. Often described as an “event for events,” LIVeNT offers a comprehensive overview of technologies and services related to events, ranging from live entertainment to event operations. From this edition, a new zone titled “Business Support World” has been introduced, focusing on areas such as shareholders’ meetings and employee training. In addition to live and entertainment fields, the expo has expanded its scope to include corporate events and internal initiatives. This is a trade show well worth attention.
Over the past year, our editorial team has highlighted schedules of trade shows and events held across various regions. Thank you, as always, for reading. We look forward to continuing to share information in the coming year and wish you a pleasant year-end season.
Hokkaido
Japan Mobility Show Sapporo 2026
from January 23 to January 25 at the Daiwa House PREMIST DOME
an event where visitors can experience future mobility and related technologies.
Kanto / Tokyo
TOKYO DIGICONX(TOKYO XR, Metaverse & Content Business World)
from January 8 to January 10 at the Tokyo Big Sight
The event brings together businesses and creators involved in XR, the metaverse, AI, Web3, and other related technologies, providing a platform for cross-industry exchange and collaboration.
TOKYO AUTO SALON 2026
from January 9 to January 11 at the Makuhari Messe
It is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest custom car shows, showcasing a broad range of vehicles, technologies, and automotive culture.
Tokyo Esports Festa 2026
from January 9 to January 11 at the Tokyo Big Sight
Designed to be accessible to participants of all ages, from children to seniors, the event features esports competitions alongside exhibitions by related industries, seminars, and educational programs.
Pet Haku 2026 Yokohama
from January 10 to January 12 at the Pacifico Yokohama
an interactive, participatory event designed for pets and pet enthusiasts
JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS
on January 12 at the Pacifico Yokohama North
an annual ceremony honoring contributions and achievements in Japan’s esports scene
Fishing Festival 2026 in Yokohama
from January 16 to January 18 at the Pacifico Yokohama
a large-scale fishing event showcasing products, activities, and trends from across Japan’s fishing industry
HandMade In Japan Fes
from January 17 to January 18 at the Tokyo Big Sight
a market featuring small shops run by 3,000 creators from across Japan, showcasing works such as accessories, fashion items, interior goods, tableware, and art.
SBJ BUSINESS TRADE SHOW
from January 20 to January 22 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center (Hamamatsucho)
an exhibition centered on snowboard-related products, along with outdoor goods, serving as a venue for developing new business opportunities between exhibiting companies and retail businesses.
Automotive World
from January 21 to January 23 at the Tokyo Big Sight
the exhibition brings together the latest technologies across advanced automotive themes, including carbon neutrality, digitalization and electrification, autonomous driving, connected cars, and lightweight technologies. It is described as the world’s largest exhibition in the field of advanced automotive technologies.
NEPCON JAPAN 2026
from January 21 to January 23 at the Tokyo Big Sight
an exhibition recognized as one of the largest in Asia, focusing on electronics development and manufacturing.
SC Business Fair 2026
from January 21 to January 23 at the Pacifico Yokohama North
A business-oriented trade fair that brings together professionals involved in shopping centers (SCs) from across Japan, positioned as the only exhibition in the country dedicated to business matching and networking within the shopping center industry.
LIVeNT
from January 21 to January 23 at the Makuhari Messe
a comprehensive exhibition consisting of two shows—the Live Entertainment Expo and the Event Management Expo
Food Service Solution Expo: Yakiniku Business Fair / Izakaya Japan
from January 21 to January 22 at the Sunshine City Convention Center (Bunka Kaikan Building)
a specialized trade show for the food service industry, described as the only exhibition in Japan offering this level of scale and quality.
JAPAN STARTUP SELECTION – the 12th Edition –
on January 26 at the CITY HALL & GALLERY GOTANDA
connections are formed between 31 carefully selected regional startups—companies that can only be encountered at this event—and corporations and investors from a wide range of industries
HVAC&R JAPAN 2026
from January 27 to January 30 at the Tokyo Big Sight
a biennial comprehensive exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight showcasing the latest technologies and products in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating systems
Energy Innovation Comprehensive Exhibition
from January 28 to January 30 at the Tokyo Big Sight
An exhibition designed to create a wide range of business matching opportunities related to energy innovation, focusing on the optimization of energy use through GX (Green Transformation) and DX (Digital Transformation), further promotion of energy-saving initiatives, the introduction of renewable energy, the application of water treatment technologies, and marine development aimed at realizing OX (Ocean Transformation).
Tama Mirai Industrial Fair
from January 30 to January 31 at the Tokyo Tama Mirai Messe
An exhibition that connects industry, innovation, and everyday life, showcasing initiatives and technologies aimed at linking business activity with future-oriented living.
Japan Camping Car Show 2026
from January 30 to February 2 at the Makuhari Messe
Japan Camping Car Show 2026 will be held across Halls 1 through 6 at Makuhari Messe. The event is described as the largest camping car show in Japan at this scale, and one of the largest of its kind in Asia.
Tokai / Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
TechGALA Japan 2026
from January 27 to January 29 in the Sakae area
TechGALA Japan 2026 is a technology-focused event held in and around Nagoya, Aichi, positioned as a platform showcasing innovations aimed at shaping the future of the planet.
PrintDoors2026
from January 28 to January 29 at the Port Messe Nagoya
PrintDoors 2026 is a comprehensive printing equipment trade show held annually in the Chubu region, bringing together a wide range of machinery, technologies, and solutions related to the printing industry.
Kansai / Osaka
AI Expo Osaka 2026
from January 21 to January 22 at the My Dome Osaka
AI Expo Osaka 2026 is a specialized event focused on artificial intelligence, drawing attention from across the industry as a platform for showcasing technologies, solutions, and business applications related to AI.
Kansai COMITIA
on January 25 at the Intex Osaka
Kansai COMITIA is a self-published creative works fair where creators and readers come together, collectively shaping the event through the exhibition and sale of original works.
FOOD STYLE Japan 2026 ＜Kansai＞
from January 28 to January 29 at the Intex Osaka
FOOD STYLE Japan 2026 ＜Kansai＞ is a food-related business trade show covering the food service, prepared food, and retail sectors, serving as a venue for commercial exchange across the food industry.
Board Game Business Expo Japan
from January 31 to February 1 at Intex Osaka
an event described as Japan’s first board game event to combine large-scale sales and business networking, positioned as one of the largest of its kind in western Japan
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“AnimeJapan 2026,” one of the world’s largest anime events, confirmed for March 28–31, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight
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