※Although we try to list generally occurring events by month, event dates can change depending on the year. Always check official websites for specific dates.
January
Boro Ichi J
Price: Free
Boro Ichi is an annual antique fair open for 2 days in December, and 2 days in January. With over 430 years of history and 700 vendors, the availability of historic antiques to traditional Japanese craft works will inspire you. Interesting antiques and good deals on traditional art supplies / antique art supplies can be found if lucky.
February
Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions J
Price: NA
Yebisu International Festival for Art & Alternative Visions is an annual international art and film festival held in Ebisu over 10 – 15 days. Hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, series of events include exhibitions and screenings of genre-crossing, highly artistic works, live performance, lectures/discussions, etc. Their objective is to create a dialogue within photographic and film imagery of the past and future, and what it means to have these images past on. This event is an opportunity to question, hold discussions, and share ideas about imagery.
Dai Nippon Ichi J
Price: (TRADE ONLY; not open to public)
Dai Nippon Ichi is a trade fair held three times a year (February, June, September). The idea of this fair is to collaborate between Japanese traditional arts, quality craftsmanship, and new branding ideas. They present house hold items, interior products, fashion products made by Japanese master craft artist.
March
Art Fair Tokyo B
Price: 1 Day Pass: ￥1,500 | 2 Day Pass ￥3,000
Art Fair Tokyo is the largest commercial art gallery event in Japan held at Tokyo International Forum every year. High quality contemporary to traditional Japanese artworks are available for sale here.
April
NA
May
Design Festa B
Price: 1 Day Pass: ￥800 (advanced) / ￥1,000 (at door) | 2 Day Pass: ￥1,500 (advanced) / ￥1,800 (at door) | Kids under 12 : Free
Design Festa is the largest international art event in Asia held two times a year. (May & November) Over 10,000 amateur to professional artists gather every event with their original works of art, crafts, performance, music, fashion, photography, toys, etc. There are three indoors and outdoor stages for music, and most artwork at the booths are for sale.
June
Dai Nippon Ichi J
Price: (TRADE ONLY; not open to public)
Dai Nippon Ichi is a trade fair held three times a year (February, June, September). The idea of this fair is to collaborate between Japanese traditional arts, quality craftsmanship, and new branding ideas. They present house hold items, interior products, fashion products made by Japanese master craft artist.
Interior Lifestyle Tokyo B
Price: (TRADE ONLY; not open to public) ￥2,000
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July
Design Tokyo B
Price: (TRADE ONLY; not open to public) Free, tickets must be requested in advanced.
Design Tokyo is one of the leading trade shows for “Marketable” design products in Japan. All exhibited products go through a screening process to hold a booth. Here, you can see the latest fresh design and styles. If you are a company looking for new ideas and opportunities, this is a great event to attend.
August
NA
September
Tokyo Art Book Fair B
Price: Free
Tokyo Art Book fair is the largest art book fair in Asia held every year in Tokyo. Their 3 day fair includes exhibitions, movie screenings, talks, events and booths of galleries, artists, book binding & printing industries. The Gagosian Gallery from New York and other international galleries comes to set up a booth. There is food and live music provided outside if you get tired of walking around.
Dai Nippon Ichi J
Price: (TRADE ONLY; not open to public)
Dai Nippon Ichi is a trade fair held three times a year (February, June, September). The idea of this fair is to collaborate between Japanese traditional arts, quality craftsmanship, and new branding ideas. They present house hold items, interior products, fashion products made by Japanese master craft artist.
October
Tokyo Designers Week B
Price : ￥2,500 (advanced) |￥3,000 (at door)
Tokyo Designers Week is an annual event held every autumn in Aoyama, Tokyo. What started as an event solely for designers now features music, art, film, and fashion as well. You can see all the creative trends in Tokyo at this fair.
November
Maker Faire Tokyo J (Maker Faire US website E)
Price: ￥1,000 / Under 18 ￥500 (advanced) | ￥1,500 / Under 18 ￥700 (at door)
Maker Faire is the largest DIY-tech event for people who par-take in the Makers Movement. This is the Tokyo version of it held at Tokyo Big Site, with lots of interesting people gathering from farmers, engineers, programmers, craft artists, to the average hobbyist. Tech-influenced DIY communities gather to show their exciting creations. There will be lots of electronics, robots, crafts, electronic instruments, recycled & up-cycled creations, and more. Parents are encouraged to bring children as they have easy DIY demonstrations available for kids.
Design Festa B
Price: 1 Day Pass: ￥800 (advanced) / ￥1,000 (at door) | 2 Day Pass: ￥1,500 (advanced) / ￥1,800 (at door) | Kids under 12 : Free
Design Festa is the largest international art event in Asia held two times a year. (May & November) Over 10,000 amateur to professional artists gather every event with their original works of art, crafts, performance, music, fashion, photography, toys, etc. There are three indoors and outdoor stages for music, and most artwork at the booths are for sale.
December
Boro Ichi J
Price: Free
Boro Ichi is an annual antique fair open for 2 days in December, and 2 days in January. With over 430 years of history and 700 vendors, the availability of historic antiques to traditional Japanese craft works will inspire you. Interesting antiques and good deals on traditional art supplies / antique art supplies can be found if lucky.
Other Reoccurring Art & Design Fairs
Other reoccurring art fairs that don’t seem to have a specific preference of month.
GEISAI B
Price: NA
Produced by world renowned artist, Takashi Murakami, this art fair happens every two years. The exhibitors are mostly young emerging artists, in the purpose of trying to support and promote young artists of Asia.