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Tokyo International Gift Show: Buyer Guide for 2027

By Ilyas Kerbal,

Tokyo Big Sight convention centre with its inverted pyramid design
Photo: takaharu SAWA haru88, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Tokyo International Gift Show (TIGS) is Japan’s biggest trade show for lifestyle products. Each edition fills about 100,000 m² of Tokyo Big Sight with around 3,000 exhibitors of home décor, tableware, stationery, fashion accessories, toys, cosmetics and food gifts. It’s the main place for retailers and importers to discover Japanese design and craft brands, and for Asian suppliers to break into Japanese retail. The Tokyo Gift Show buyer list is a strong target for anyone selling to Japanese stores.

Tokyo Gift Show facts
Industry Consumer goods trade
City Tokyo, Japan
Venue Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake, Tokyo
Dates Twice a year, Spring (Feb) and Autumn (Sep). 2026: 4–6 Feb and 2–4 Sep
Frequency Twice a year
Moves between cities? No, always Tokyo
Typical scale ~150,000 attendees · ~2,500 exhibitors
Visitor ticket Free trade registration (buyers only)
App / platform Online English exhibitor directory
Official website giftshow.co.jp

Details checked in October 2026. Dates, prices and venues can change between editions, so confirm on the official Tokyo International Gift Show website before you book travel.

What is the Tokyo International Gift Show?

It’s organised by Business Guide-Sha and runs concurrent shows such as LIFE×DESIGN, LIVING & DESIGN and a gourmet food section. Categories include:

  • Home décor and interior goods
  • Tableware and kitchenware
  • Stationery and paper goods
  • Fashion accessories and personal goods
  • Toys and character goods
  • Cosmetics and wellness
  • Gourmet food and gifts

Inside Tokyo Big Sight during an exhibition

Both editions of the Gift Show fill around 100,000 m² of Tokyo Big Sight. Photo: Masahiko OHKUBO, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Two editions a year

Edition Month 2026 dates
Spring February 4–6 February
Autumn September 2–4 September

Both are held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Koto-ku. The next edition is the spring 2027 show in February.

Who visits

Visitor What they’re looking for Who should prospect them
Japanese retailers, department stores and select shops New brands and products Brands, importers into Japan
Importers and wholesalers Lines to distribute Japanese and Asian makers
E-commerce buyers Online-friendly products Brands, fulfilment firms
Museum shops and gift store owners Unique, giftable items Craft and design brands
International buyers (US, Asia, Europe) Japanese design and craft Export-ready Japanese brands
Product designers and brand owners Inspiration and partners Manufacturers, packaging firms

Planning to exhibit at Tokyo International Gift Show? I build Tokyo International Gift Show attendee and exhibitor lists before the event: names, job titles, companies, company size, LinkedIn profiles and work emails where available, delivered as a CSV ready for HubSpot, Salesforce or Pipedrive. Ask for your Tokyo International Gift Show list

Registration

Trade buyers register online in advance, and one badge covers all three days. Buyer guides don’t mention a fee. It’s trade-only: no general public, no students and no children under 12.

Exhibitor directory and ordering platforms

An official exhibitor directory, searchable in English, helps buyers build a target list, and third-party portals such as orosy let overseas buyers order from Japanese makers after the show. The directory covers exhibitors only. Buyers (the people many exhibitors and service companies want to reach) aren’t listed anywhere you can export.

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Unique Japanese design and craft brands Too big for three days without a plan
Twice-yearly cadence Deals rarely close on the floor
Free trade entry Many suppliers aren’t export-ready
English exhibitor directory Mostly Japanese-language
Design-focused concurrent shows Buyers handle logistics and customs afterwards

Outdated titles and missing companies cost you meetings. I clean and enrich Tokyo International Gift Show profiles before delivery, so the file you import is one your reps can trust. Get a clean Tokyo International Gift Show list

Preparing for the Gift Show

  1. Use the English directory to shortlist exhibitors by category.
  2. Check export readiness before you fall in love with a product.
  3. Expect follow-up, not orders. Japanese suppliers usually close after the show.
  4. Bring a Japanese speaker for detailed conversations.
  5. Plan logistics in advance if you’ll import.
  6. If you sell to Japanese retailers, start outreach a month ahead with an enriched buyer list.

FAQ

When is the next Tokyo International Gift Show?

The spring edition is held in February and the autumn edition in September. In 2026 they ran 4–6 February and 2–4 September.

Is the Tokyo Gift Show open to the public?

No. It’s trade-only, with no students or children under 12.

Is there an exhibitor list?

Yes, an official directory searchable in English. It doesn’t include buyer details.

Can I get a list of Gift Show buyers?

I can compile an enriched list of exhibitors and buyer profiles for your target categories.

Walk into Tokyo International Gift Show with a target list

A good list turns a Tokyo International Gift Show trip from “let’s see who walks by” into a calendar of booked meetings. I build those lists for sales and business development teams: who is exhibiting, who is visiting, their roles, their companies and how to reach them, formatted for your CRM.

Request the Tokyo International Gift Show attendee and exhibitor list

Sources

Photo credits