Business calendar

Trade fairs, deadlines and key dates in Japan

Which trade fairs are worth the trip and how to get there, what ICEX organises in Japan, and when Japan closes for the year. Click on a line to see the details.

What’s next

Deadlines and trade fairs in the coming weeks

22OctFair · ChibaJapan IT Week21–23 October
18NovTrade Fair · OsakaSMART ENERGY WEEK18 to 20 November
25NovExhibition · TokyoSpanish Design Exhibition at the Embassy in Tokyo25–27 November

Trade fairs in Japan

Each trade fair organises them. Below, how to take part: through the ICEX Spanish Pavilion or with your own stand

October 2026
21OctElectronics and household appliances · ChibaJapan IT Week21–23 OctoberOwn stand · contact the organiser
Makuhari Messe
Software, digital services and technology for businesses. Published several times a year.
Official website Partners in this sector →
November 2026
18NovElectronics and household appliances · OsakaSMART ENERGY WEEK18 to 20 NovemberOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
INTEX Osaka
Solar, wind, hydrogen and batteries: Japan’s leading energy trade fair.
Official website Partners in this sector →
February 2027
17FebCosmetics and personal care · TokyoCOSME Week17–19 FebruaryOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Cosmetics: brands, ingredients, packaging and manufacturing, with buyers from the distribution sector and retail outlets.
Official website Partners in this sector →
17FebOlive oil · ChibaSupermarket Trade Fair17–19 FebruaryOwn stand · contact the organiser
Makuhari Messe
The Japanese Supermarket Trade Fair: buyers from food retail chains and suppliers of packaged and fresh produce.
Official website Partners in this sector →
March 2027
9seaOlive oil · TokyoFOODEX JAPAN9–12 MarchSpanish Pavilion (ICEX) · Registration closed · €500 See on ICEXOwn stand · deadline has passed For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Asia’s largest food and drink trade fair: importers, distributors and retail chains are on the lookout for new products, with country-specific pavilions.
Official website Partners in this sector →
16seaOlive oil · TokyoHCJ (Hoteles Japan, Caterers Japan, Japan Food Service)from 16 to 19 MarchOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Hospitality, restaurants and catering: the gateway to the Japanese HORECA sector for wine, olive oil and gourmet food.
Official website Partners in this sector →
April 2027
13AprOlive oil · TokyoFABEX13–15 AprilOwn stand · contact the organiser
Tokyo Big Sight
Trade fair for ready meals and catering: ingredients and products for kitchens and food service.
Official website Partners in this sector →
21AprPharmacy, health and supplements · TokyoCPHI Japan21–23 AprilOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Pharmaceutical industry: active ingredients, contract manufacturing and services.
Official website Partners in this sector →
May 2027
19MayOlive oil · Tokyoifia JAPAN19 to 21 MayOwn stand · contact the organiser
Tokyo Big Sight
Ingredients, additives and functional foods for the food industry.
Official website Partners in this sector →
September 2027
29SepFootwear · TokyoFaW TOKYO (Fashion World Tokyo)from 29 September to 1 OctoberOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Fashion, footwear, handbags and accessories: buyers from shops and department stores.
Official website Partners in this sector →
October 2027
6OctCosmetics and personal care · TokyoJAPAN PACK6–8 OctoberOwn stand · contact the organiser For exhibitors
Tokyo Big Sight
Packaging: machinery, materials and solutions, including for the food industry.
Official website Partners in this sector →

ICEX’s activities relating to Japan

ICEX organises the following: conferences, seminars, trade missions and exhibitions

25NovExhibition · TokyoSpanish Design Exhibition at the Embassy in Tokyo25–27 NovemberSee on ICEX

When to work with Japan

Public holidays, closures and good times for writing over the next twelve months

November 2026
3NovPublic holidayCulture DayTuesday 3 November
21NovLong weekendLabour Day21–23 November · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend
25NovOpportunityThe festive gift-giving seasonfrom 25 November to 20 December
The other major season for corporate gifts (gourmet food, wine, cured meats). As in the summer, the catalogues are prepared months in advance.
Year-end gifts · Usual dates, not a public holiday
December 2026
29DecClosureThe end of the year and New Year’s29 December to 3 January 2027 · offices closed
General closure of businesses, banks and government offices. Shipments arriving on those days will be held up at customs: allow plenty of time when planning your Christmas and New Year deliveries.
Year-end and New Year period
January 2027
9JanLong weekendComing of Age Day9–11 January · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend
February 2027
11FebPublic holidayNational Foundation DayThursday 11 February
23FebPublic holidayThe Emperor’s BirthdayTuesday 23 February
March 2027
1seaEnd of the financial yearSpring Equinox and Substitute Public Holiday1–31 March · offices closed
Most Japanese companies end their financial year on 31 March: it can be difficult to arrange meetings and secure new decisions, but it is a good time to get included in the following year’s budgets if discussions are already underway.
Financial year-end · Usual dates, not a public holiday
20seaLong weekendSpring Equinox and Substitute Public Holiday20–22 March · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend
April 2027
1AprOpportunityNew financial year1 to 15 April
New budgets and teams are being finalised (in April, many people change roles): a good time to introduce yourself, after checking who the new manager is.
New financial year · Usual dates, not a public holiday
29AprClosureGolden Week29 April to 5 May · offices closed
Many companies are closing or operating at reduced capacity, and it’s the peak travel season: don’t schedule visits or product launches, and expect delays in replies and at customs.
Golden Week
July 2027
1JulOpportunitySummer gift-giving seasonfrom 1 July to 15 August
Businesses and families give each other high-quality food and drink as gifts: the catalogues are finalised months in advance (in spring). To be included in the next season’s catalogue, contact importers at the start of the year.
O-chugen · Usual dates, not a public holiday
17JulLong weekendOcean Day17–19 July · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend
August 2027
13AugClosureObon13–16 August · offices closed
It isn’t an official bank holiday, but many companies and factories close for a few days so staff can visit their families: avoid setting deadlines and scheduling meetings during this time.
Obon · Usual dates, not a public holiday
September 2027
18SepLong weekendRespect for the Elderly Day18–20 September · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend
23SepPublic holidayAutumnal equinoxThursday 23 September
October 2027
9OctLong weekendSports Day9–11 October · offices closed
Three consecutive days off work in Japan: expect slower responses both before and after.
Long weekend

ICEX programmes throughout the year ORDERWIZZ B2B digital platform, JOOR 2026 B2B online platform – Fashion sector, New Spanish Books Japan 2026 – Rights sales…

ORDERWIZZ B2B digital platform from 1 January to 31 December
JOOR 2026 B2B online platform – Fashion sector from 1 January to 31 December
New Spanish Books Japan 2026 – Rights sales from 1 January to 31 December
ORDERWIZZ B2B digital platform from 1 January to 31 December

Public holidays: Cabinet Office of Japan (内閣府), accessed on 16 October 2026. Obon, gift-giving seasons and the financial year are common dates, not official public holidays: each company has its own calendar. Trade fairs: dates verified on each fair’s official website; ICEX activities and pavilions, sourced from icex.es (ICEX Spain – Export and Investment and the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office in Tokyo). Please check there before booking your trip.