Title: Interior Lifestyle Tokyo 2025: Revolutionary Designs Delight Buyers [MICE News]

From June 18 to 20, Interior Lifestyle Tokyo, an international exhibition encompassing the entire interior design industry, was held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Established manufacturers and independent artists alike showcased revolutionary designs in tableware, furniture, home accessories, and textiles. Buyers from a wide variety of sectors were eager to determine the quality of products by touching, trying on, and even sitting upon them before conducting business negotiations. Furthermore, Interior Lifestyle Tokyo featured an abundance of international exhibitors, many of which congregated at the Italy and Latvia pavilions, as well as others from South and Southeast Asia. Japan’s leading MICE news outlet POP Inc. spoke exhibitors to discover the latest trends.

Okubo Enterprise Inc. introduced its new “Ishitote” line of decorative art pieces made from Aji stone, which is only found in a small, mountainous area of eastern Kagawa Prefecture on the island of Shikoku. The mines on these lands have been owned and operated by the family of current CEO Kazuhiko Okubo for the past 400 years. Historically, Aji stone has mainly been used to sculpt gravestones and traditional stone lanterns, due to its resistance to weathering and its aptitude for delicate detailing.
Recently, CEO Okubo has been striving to communicate his passion for the Aji stone to a wider audience with the release of Ishitote. Ishitote stones serve no purpose, says Okubo, but they are pleasant to look at and calming to hold. Okubo hopes that the stones can make “loneliness a little lighter and joy a little brighter.” Participating as a designer at a trade fair for the first time, CEO Okubo was originally nervous about exhibiting at Interior Lifestyle Tokyo 2025, but he was elated to have received many positive reactions from attendees.
Okubo Enterprise homepage: http://www.oochouba.jp/index.html

Tadayasu Co., Ltd. was promoting its Samurai Bottle Helmet. As the name implies, the bottle cap-sized traditional kabuto helmets are modelled after famous Japanese historical figures, such as Oda Nobunaga, that turn any bottle into a fierce samurai. While on the surface, Bottle Helmets may simply seem like fun novelty items, Tadayasu pays great attention to detail to accurately depict each aspect of the armor while honoring the long history of Japanese craftsmanship. The great love and care dedicated to each helmet is unmistakable when viewed up close.
Tadayasu exhibited at Interior Lifestyle Tokyo as part of the TOKYO Teshigoto pavilion. TOKYO Teshigoto gathers artisans from the Kanto region who handmake original designs of traditional Japanese crafts and connects them with business partners who support distribution. This year’s pavilion featured over 30 manufacturers, who create everything from to sandals to kitchen knives to umbrellas.
Tadayasu Co., Ltd. homepage: https://www.tadayasu.shop/en/

Ame Art Products is produced by renowned flower artist Norihiko Kamei. The lineup features miniature “spot gardens” that are designed with the use of preserved flowers and represent fantastic mountain sceneries which “bring a sense of enrichment to the heart.” One popular variety at Interior Lifestyle is the “Keshifuku” flower arrangement, which is set inside a metamorphic rock that fits in the palm of your hand. Each Keshifuku style is paired with an aroma oil that acts as a diffuser. The aromas are intended to reproduce the fragrance of the wind as it blows across the tiny landscape.
Norihiko Kamei’s homepage: https://www.kameinorihiko.jp/en

Dates for the next edition of Interior Lifestyle Tokyo have yet to be announced at this time.

FOOMA Japan 2025: On the Forefront of Food Processing Technology [MICE News]

On Tuesday, June 10, FOOMA Japan 2025, the country’s top food processing technology expo, opened at the Tokyo Big Sight. Spanning the entirety of the venue’s 8 East exhibition halls, nearly 1,000 exhibitors are displaying cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of food manufacturing, processing, and preparation. On the first day alone, a total of 22,699 visitors, including 1,274 from abroad, excitedly viewed live machinery demonstrations and engaged in active business negotiations. Japan’s leading MICE news outlet, POP Inc., spoke with exhibitors to learn more about the newest trends.

Aperza Inc. provides online platforms for the manufacturing industry. At FOOMA Japan, the company is promoting its electronic catalog service. Media Growth Representative Shuichi Hirata explained that Aperza creates catalogs featuring their manufacturer customers’ products and then distributes these catalogs in a way that makes it easy for users to access. Subsequently, information is then gathered from users that engage with the catalogs, and Aperza consolidates the data and relays it to the customer. Other services offered include factory process visualization and analysis, which can be utilized to solve problems such as lack of knowhow regarding properly applying collected data.
Aperza homepage: https://www.aperza.co.jp/

Nakanishi Seisakusho is exhibiting a new design for its conveyor-style deep fryers. Most industrial fryers only fry food from the vat below and require the contents to be rotated in order during cooking. Nakanishi has solved this issue by implementing a mechanism that simultaneously rains oil down from above to evenly fry all sides in record time. During a live demonstration at the company’s booth, the spokesperson added that Nakanishi’s fryers also contain automatic scum removal systems, use less oil than conventional fryers, and reduce black smoke, which facilitates the cleaning process. In addition, the manufacturer has found much success through its automatic rice cooking systems, continuous rice washers, and various food slicers.
Nakanishi Seisakusho homepage: https://www.nakanishi.co.jp/en/

Morikawa Food Machinery Co., Ltd. specializes in original, made-to-order baking dies and branding irons. Buyers can choose from 4 base models and customize their equipment dependent on the variety of baked good, the desired level of automation, and the required production capacity. At FOOMA Japan 2025, Morikawa is demonstrating the output of its fully-automatic taiyaki (Japanese fish-shaped cakes) baking machine. The technology handles every step of the production process, from dough feeding, to cream filling, to baking, and finally to serving, and it churns out an impressive 10 taiyaki per minute. The delicious scent of freshly-baked pastries permeates throughout the venue, and a constant line of visitors can be seen eager to sink their teeth into a taiyaki right off the line.
Morikawa Food Machinery homepage: https://www.morikawa-fm.co.jp/english/index.htm

FOOMA Japan 2025 will continue to be held until Friday, June 13 at the Tokyo Big Sight. Admission is free of charge for all industry professionals.

JPCA Show 2025: Electronic Equipment Innovations at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

On Wednesday, June 4, the 54^th JPCA Show, Japan’s total solution exhibition for electronic equipment, kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight. JPCA, the Japan Electronics Packaging and Circuits Association, is organizing the show in conjunction with several other widely renowned exhibitions, such as the 39^th Micro Electronics Show and the 26^th JISSO PROTEC Implementation Process Technology Show, in order to encompass the entirety of the electronics industry in one comprehensive event. On the opening day, over 16,000 visitors flooded the exhibition halls to discover the latest trends and innovations. Japan’s leading MICE news outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to determine the overall satisfaction of the event.

Walking the aisles of JPCA Show 2025, one can clearly see that the exhibition features a significant international presence. This mainly takes the form of manufacturers hailing from China. From Shanghai to Shenzhen, the entire industrial landscape of the Middle Kingdom has representation at this year’s event. And Chinese exhibitors are optimistic about their business prospects in the Japanese market.

Shenzhen Londian Wason Technology Co., Ltd. guides innovation in research and development, manufacturing, and sales in the new energy and electronic materials industries. At the JPCA Show, Londian Wason is featuring its selection of high-precision copper foils. Visitors can get up close and personal with a collection of PCB foils, including reverse treated copper, very low profile copper, and high-frequency double-sided copper. Overseas Sales Manager Wang Way explained that the JPCA Show is the company’s best opportunity to promote its products to Japanese buyers.
Londian Wason homepage: https://londianwason.com/enindex.html

PCBWay is a full-service electronics manufacturer that specializes in prototyping, assembly, and small-volume production of printed circuit boards. The company covers all areas of design, including schematic diagrams, algorithms, and 3D printing, and it offers a wide variety of PCB capabilities that can be customized to fulfill every customer’s needs. PCBWay has exhibited at JPCA Show for several years in a row, which has enabled them to create a significant customer base in the Japanese market. Representatives at the PCBWay booth specified that prominently displaying examples of PCBs at their booth has benefitted in drawing the attention of passing visitors.
PCBWAY homepage: https://www.pcbway.com/

Complex Micro Interconnection Co., Ltd. (CMI) manufactures flexible printed circuit boards, wires, and ultra-fine cables. CMI is based out of Taiwan, and it operates factories in Kunshan, China and Prachin Buri, Thailand. At JPCA Show 2025, the manufacturer is promoting the vast array of applications that its products support, such as wearable technology, smart home, virtual reality, and even military operations. Japan Sales Representative Scott Tsai elaborated on CMI’s participation, explaining that JPCA Show is the best exhibition in Japan for promoting electronic equipment. Furthermore, compared to the Taipei TPCA Show and the Shanghai CPCA Show, the Tokyo edition has received the highest praise. CMI is looking forward to a profitable turnout for the remainder of the exhibition.
Complex Micro Interconnection homepage: https://www.cmi.com.tw/

JPCA Show 2025 will continue until Friday, June 6 at the Tokyo Big Sight, and admission is free of charge for industry professionals.

Okinawa Mensore Festival Commences at Sunshine City [MICE News]

The 16^th Sunshine City Okinawa Mensore Festival opened on Friday, May 23^rd at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. The event is co-organized by Sunshine City and Onna Village in Okinawa, and was originally launched by the Coral Project, a coral conservation initiative that has been ongoing since 2006. 10 days of Okinawa-themed events will be held until Sunday, June 1^st. In 2024, a record 92,000 people visited the festival.

Shisa lion-dogs greet visitors at Higashi Ikebukuro Station.

The “Okinawa Products Exhibition” features 49 vendors offering Okinawa’s local specialties as well as lesser-known soul food. 12 companies are exhibiting for the first time at Mensore Festival, and for 3 vendors, it’s their sales debut outside of Okinawa. An eat-in corner has been set up in the venue where visitors can enjoy Okinawan cuisine, and the “Mensore Beer Terrace presented by Orion Beer” offers a 120-seat outdoor venue with live performances of sanshin, a traditional Okinawan stringed instrument.

Furthermore, ”5^th Orion Beer Snack Championship” is being held to determine which snack tastes the best with Orion beer, and the terrace also features a variety of programs to experience Okinawan culture, such as Ryukyuan dance performances.

In conjunction with the festival, Sunshine Aquarium is presenting “Animal Discovery: Mensore version” where visitors can learn about the wildlife of Okinawa, as well as a special exhibit on coral conservation efforts. During the event, a special booth has been implemented to introduce Onna Village’s environmental initiatives, and hands-on workshops will be held.

First time vendor sea grape farm ~uminichi~. They offer various sea grape cuisines, sea grape ice cream, and sea grape merchandise, and a sea grape scooping game is also available.

Automotive Engineering Exposition 2025 – Revolutionary Automobile Technology on Display [MICE News]

From May 21 to 23, the Yokohama edition of Automotive Engineering Exposition 2025 was held at Pacifico Yokohama. Covering over 26,000 square meters of Pacifico’s main and north halls, a total of 600 exhibitors showcased the latest advancements in automobile manufacturing and customization. In recent years, the global automobile industry has been making strides towards a comprehensive implementation of smart technology, and Japan is at the forefront of this movement. Throughout every sector of the fair, visitors discovered AI products and services, smart electronics, and automation support. Reporters from Japan’s leading MICE news outlet, POP Inc., spoke with exhibitors to learn about the newest trends.

Unipulse Corporation is a sensor and electronic device manufacturer that specializes in stress measurement. The company utilized Automotive Engineering Exposition to demonstrate its “Moon Lifter” electric balancer. While most lifters are remote-controlled, the Moon Lifter is both a sensor and a motor all-in-one, constantly detecting weight and position and automatically adjusting when moved.
International Sales Consultant Juyal Tara Chandra explained that the Moon Lifter is the only technology of its kind in the world. He added that the easy maneuvering of the lifter significantly reduces physical stress for laborers. This is especially helpful for the Japanese workforce, which has been experiencing a lack of manpower due to the country’s aging population. However, Chandra continued, though Unipulse’s other products have already gained popularity among industry professionals, the Moon Lifter is still relatively unknown, so the company is currently exhibiting at three trade fairs a month in order to promote it.
Unipulse Corporation’s homepage: https://www.unipulse.tokyo/en/

Sino-Japan Electric Heater Co., Ltd. manufactures various types of electric heating products. Operating factories in China and Mexico, the producer covers the entire spectrum of heating. From kitchen appliances to car parts, from toilet seats to vending machines, Sino-Japan does it all. Deputy Sales Manager Lee Nakamura proudly asserted that virtually every single vending machine with hot drinks throughout the country contains some of Sino-Japan’s parts.
At Automotive Engineering Exposition, the manufacturer focused on showcasing its car battery heater. In order to counteract the negative effects of cold climates on car batteries, the heater pre-warms the battery to the optimal temperature in order to support efficient usage. The Sino-Japan booth was constantly crowded with attendees throughout the event, and the car battery heater was the cause of much excitement.
Sino-Japan Electric Heater’s homepage: https://www.sjh.com.tw/en

CRI Middleware Co., Ltd. (CRIWARE) is an audio and video solutions provider that is notably famous for its work in video game development. Utilizing this experience, CRIWARE is applying its previously video game-related solutions in revolutionizing other sectors, including the automobile industry. The company’s exhibit at Automotive Engineering Exposition featured three main categories: “CRIWARE for Mobility,” “CRI-GLASSCO,” and “CRI-ADX AT.”
CRIWARE for Mobility covers interfaces that form a connection between the person surrounded by information while driving and the increasingly sophisticated vehicle. Solutions offered for mobility include safety driving support, vehicle-to-vehicle communication support, driver monitoring systems, and drive recorders. CRI-GLASSCO focuses on graphics systems, namely human-machine interfaces (HMI). CRIWARE enables vehicle manufacturers to easily create and modify dashboard HMIs without the need for exclusive software. CRI-ADX AT deals with sound design, supplying of sound data, and in-vehicle audio systems.
CRI Middleware homepage: https://www.cri-mw.co.jp/en/about/

The next edition of Automotive Engineering Exposition will be held in Nagoya from July 16 to 18 at the Aichi Sky Expo. Admission is free to all industry professionals.

FOODEX JAPAN 2025: Highest International Participation in Expo’s History [MICE News]

Opening on Tuesday March 11, FOODEX JAPAN 2025, Japan’s largest international cuisine exhibition, is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Celebrating its 50^th anniversary this spring, the world-renowned trade fair is continuing its tradition of promoting unrivalled business success for both exhibitors and visitors. This edition, the event is boasting an unprecedented level of international participation, featuring 2,000 companies exhibiting from abroad, which is approximately twice the number of Japanese exhibitors. On each of the first two days, almost 20,000 attendees gathered to discover the latest trends in food, beverages, and processing machinery from across the globe. Leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc.’s reporters were on the scene to learn what makes FOODEX Japan so enticing to foreign exhibitors.

Divided into National Pavilions, each country is able to display its own unique charm and characteristic products. Out of a total of over 40 pavilions, the countries with the largest representation are China, Italy, Taiwan, and Spain. Nevertheless, though their areas may be smaller in size, other countries are not easily overshadowed, and each exhibitor has their own story to tell.

Indonesia: CV Cariza Khansa Pratama is showcasing its banana chips mixed with various flavors, including cheese, which is surprisingly a popular combination with bananas in Indonesia. The pavilion is organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and sponsored by Bank Indonesia, explained Tokyo-based public policy student and Bank Indonesia intern Amelia. In addition, Bank Indonesia helps support Indonesian SMEs in international expansion and exporting to Japan.
CV Cariza Khansa Pratama homepage: https://smesta.kemenkopukm.go.id/ukm/bananania-keripik-pisang-aneka-rasa

New Caledonia: New Caldeonia Export Service (NCES) is the sole exhibitor hailing from New Caledonia, a French island territory in the South Pacific. NCES is promoting their “Lagoon Salt,” which is collected sustainably from sun-dried salt farms fed by the UNESCO world natural heritage lagoons of New Caledonia. Japan coordinator Taichi Stanny Furukawa elaborated that Lagoon Salt is healthier than regular table salt because it is made from 100% natural ingredients. Next, sommelier and wine educator Yumi Furukawa introduced their locally-crafted alcoholic beverage lineup. The popular Manta Citron is a refreshing lemon-flavored fruity beer that has been recognized across the globe. On the stronger side, NCES offers their iconic Blue Gin, which as the name suggests is a vibrant blue color due to the Asian Pigeonwings flower from which the spirit is made. Furukawa demonstrated how when mixed with tonic, the Blue Gin changes to an unexpected color: pink!
NCES homepage: https://www.s-tym.com/nces

Turkey: RDM Trade specializes in importing and exporting chicken products and animal feed. The company is taking advantage of the Turkey pavilion to exhibit for the first time at FOODEX in the hopes of securing connections in order to break into the Japanese market. Sales Executive Seyhmus Kacan was optimistic about their potential for success, revealing that RDM had already gained several customers just during the morning of the first day.
RDM Trade homepage: https://rdmtrade.com/en/

Armenia: Organized by the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, this pavilion is located in the FOODEX WINE section of the event. Throughout the multitude of brands being presented, Koor wines by Highland Cellars are the only Armenian wines available for purchase in Japan at this time, explained Commercial Director Zori Mkrtichyan. Despite being relatively less-known, the pavilion has been experiencing a constant influx of visitor traffic, and exhibitors are hopeful that more Armenian wines will soon find a home in Japan.
Highland Cellars homepage: https://koor.am/

Slovakia: MIGHTY WINE, an importer specializing in Slovakian wine, is representing the country’s pavilion in the FOODEX Global Wines Exhibit Zone. Offering tastings of several Slovakian wines, Wine Advisor and Sommelier Yoichi Ooka clarified that it has proven difficult for the country’s wines to enter the restaurant market in Tokyo since Slovakia is not as well-known as other wine-making regions. Currently they have only been made available at one wine bar in Ginza. Ooka added that FOODEX is crucial for Slovakia because it allows local sommeliers a chance to try the wines, though he worries that the exhibition’s Tuesday through Friday dates may not be optimal for restaurant professionals to visit.
MIGHTY WINE homepage: https://mighty-wine.com/

Mexico: San Cosme Mezcal is being imported to Japan by JDOX Co., Ltd. Though San Cosme is produced in Mexico, the owners are actually based out of Germany. According to a San Cosme representative, the German parent company originally began by exporting Jagermeister to Mexico before creating their own mezcal. Now, after partnering with JDOX, San Cosme has become the best-selling mezcal in Japan. 2025 is San Cosme’s third year participating in FOODEX, and the exhibitors are delighted with the visibility of their booth compared to previous years.
San Cosme homepage: https://sancosme.mx/

Hawaii: Kuleana Rum Works is exhibiting for the first time at a Japanese trade fair to test the demand for their all-natural rum Agricole. Distilled from native Hawaiian heirloom sugarcane, Kuleana does not use any added sweeteners or flavors in crafting its four varieties of rum. And the dedication to perfection has paid off; Kuleana’s “Hokulei” blend was named Best American Aged Rum in 2024. Building off this success, the company has decided to attempt expansion outside the United States, said Vice President of Hospitality Keith Mallini, and chose Japan as a likely contender due to the proliferation of Hawaiian-themed bars and restaurants and the general Japanese affinity for Hawaiian culture.
Kuleana Rum Works homepage: https://kuleanarum.com/

FOODEX JAPAN 2025 will continue until Friday, March 13. Admission is free of charge for food, beverage, and hospitality industry professionals after completion of online pre-registration.

JAPAN SHOP 2025: Innovations in Retail Technology at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

From March 4 to 7, Japan’s largest retail technology exhibition, JAPAN SHOP 2025, was held at the Tokyo Big Sight. Spanning the venue’s entire East and South exhibition halls, JAPAN SHOP ran alongside the Architecture + Construction Materials Expo, LIGHTING FAIR, RETAIL TECH JAPAN, SECURITY SHOW, Building Maintenance CONNECT, Good Appliance Expo Tokyo, and the Japan International Franchise Show. By the third day of the event, over 100,000 attendees had visited, hoping to discover the latest innovations in efficient store systems, shop fixtures, and commercial space design. Reporters from leading Japanese MICE news outlet POP Inc. waded through the packed aisles to learn about the hottest trends.

For an environmentally-friendly way to increase efficiency in inventory management, whywaste japan introduced its “Expiry Management” app. The smartphone app logs the expiration dates of products and automatically sends notifications when said dates are near. Therefore, employees can immediately know which products need to be marked down or disposed of each day, as opposed to being required to check the entire stock. Customer Support Director Kankuro Arisumi elaborated that Expiry Management users have experienced an overall 80% decrease in work time, as well as a 40% decrease in food waste.
whywaste japan official homepage: https://www.whywaste-japan.jp/

Standing out amongst the store display manufacturers, OnTheWall Inc. creates plastered and painted walls for all types of commercial and residential facilities. Based out Shizuoka, the company uses Italian materials for their products. OnTheWall’s booth at JAPAN SHOP 2025 was abuzz with attendees experiencing hands-on the delicate yet strong balance of their craftmanship. OnTheWall representatives explained that the manufacturer has been exhibiting at JAPAN SHOP for five years straight, and the event is the perfect opportunity for them to meet face-to-face with both new and returning customers.
OnTheWall official homepage: https://onthewall.co.jp/

Meanwhile at the Japan International Franchise Show, Kids-UP Co., Ltd. was drawing in visitors with informational sessions for their “Vision-UP” service. Kids-UP currently operates a chain of English language schools for children with several dozen locations throughout eastern Japan. In addition to searching for investors to help expand their schools to other regions, the company utilized JAPAN SHOP in order to promote the various support roles offered by Vision-UP. These assist other educational facilities in improving their techniques, such as by sharing school management knowhow, training staff, and providing educational software and tools. Despite worries about inclement weather during the exhibition, booth staff was delighted by the heavy visitor traffic.
Vision-UP official homepage: https://vision-up.biz/en

Managed by Pizzicato Design Inc., Jelly Jelly Cafe leads the Japanese board game cafe market. What has brought about its success, Omiya branch manager explained, is the affordability. With the purchase of only one drink, guests are able to play boards games for a total of 5 hours, and bringing in food is permitted. Furthermore, not only is a vast collection of international games available to be played, but Pizzicato Design even produces their own board games.
Jelly Jelly Cafe official homepage: https://jellyjellycafe.com/

The next JAPAN SHOP is scheduled to be held from July 10 to 11 at INTEX Osaka in the Kansai region. Admission is free to all industry professionals.

Ginza Sony Park Celebrates Grand Opening

On January 26^th, the Sony Group held the grand opening of “Ginza Sony Park,” the final form of its project to rebuild the Sony Building in Ginza, Tokyo.

The Ginza Sony Park Project, based on the concept of “a facility open to the city,” aimed to reinvent the Sony Building, which has watched the growth of the Ginza district for over 50 years.

No tenants or permanent stores will be implemented. Each floor will offer activities that change over time.

For example, the B3 floor will be used for casual dining, and “blank” spaces throughout the building, such as the aboveground atrium, will be places where people can freely stroll or rest.

Sony also wanted its building process to be unique, so the first phase was an experiment in which the new building was not constructed immediately, but rather the partially demolished building was turned into a park from August 2018 to September 2021.

Afterwards, the second phase of the demolition and new construction was resumed, with the project being completed in August 2024.

By deliberately keeping the building low, at about half the height of the average Ginza building, Sony created a blank space and a new landscape in a city with a high concentration of buildings.

Name: Ginza Sony Park
Location: 5-3-1 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
Floor configuration: 5 above ground, 4 below ground
Site area: 707.42 m²Total floor space: 4,357.49 m²Height: 33.9 m

Tokyo Gift Show Spring 2025: Strong International Prescence at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

On Wednesday February 12, the 99^th Tokyo International Gift Show kicked off at the Tokyo Big Sight. Held alongside the 17^th LIFE X DESIGN exhibition, the 37^th Gourmet Show, and the 19^th LIVING & DESIGN exhibition, the Gift Show is Japan’s largest trade fair, featuring 3,000 exhibiting companies and covering approximately 100,000 square meters of booth space. Japan’s leading MICE News outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to explore the innovations in the gift industry.

The Tokyo International Gift Show exhibition hall is truly a delight for the senses. Visitors are whisked away to a new world with each aisle they enter. Bright, eye-catching licensed merchandise exhibits of beloved characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Tom and Jerry that feature virtually every neon color known to mankind are juxtaposed with the lush, green jungles of gardening and floral exhibits. Fragrant perfumes and beef sizzling on the grill offer feasts for the nostrils. And the lulling tunes of hand-crafted wooden guitars are contrasted with the upbeat tones of children’s xylophones.

International participation is at an all-time high this year. A total of 342 international exhibitors from 14 countries and regions are exhibiting, with some companies coming from as far as Spain, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Outdoor recreation brand Waboba Inc. hails from Sweden and has arrived at to the Tokyo International Gift Show in order to showcase their patented Moon Ball, the “highest bouncy ball on Earth.” The company’s booth features a giant gumball machine full of Moon Balls that draws a constant crowd. Global Sales Manager Jonatan Fällman Olander explained that this Gift Show marks Waboba’s first time ever exhibiting at a trade fair in Japan. After participating in international exhibitions throughout Europe and North America, the company is looking to expand into the Japanese market, and Olander has high expectations after a successful first day.
Waboba official homepage: https://waboba.com/

From Taiwan, Tailloon Balloons Co., Ltd. is a balloon manufacturer that produces the country’s most prominent line of balloon products, Prolloon. Tailloon exhibits at two Japanese trade fairs every year: the Tokyo International Gift Show’s spring and autumn editions, said representative Scott Yu. Compared to other international fairs across the world in which the company also exhibits, the Gift Show provides a consistently good turnout, and Yu added that there had already been significant traffic by the Tailloon booth on day one.
Tailloon Balloons official homepage: https://www.prolloon.com/

By far the country with the most exhibitors, however, is China, with a whopping 273 companies. Traveling from the southern metropolis of Zhongshan, F.F. Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd. is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that predominantly produces candles at their self-owned and operated factory. At the Gift Show, the company is showcasing their “omamori” style charms that each incorporate an original fragrance. F.F. is able to exhibit at Japan fairs many times per year due to assistance from their Japanese agent ForAsu.

Though the international representation is certainly impressive, Japanese companies at the Gift Show are equally hard at work presenting new and exciting trends to shake up the status quo.
TAKEO Co., Ltd. is revolutionizing the world of insect cuisine. The company creates a wide variety food and beverages made with protein from insects, and some fan favorites include salted whole-insect snacks and lollipops with insects fossilized inside. At their cafe in Asakusa, Tokyo, TAKEO offers such delicacies as silk moth meatball curry, cricket ice cream, and even giant water bug beer. Chief Sustainability Officer Shinjiro Saeki recommended the sweet and fruity Water Bug Cider, which is made from the similarly fruity extract of the insect and has been making waves among the booth visitors. Popularizing consumption of insects as an alternative protein source may be an important step towards ameliorating the world food crisis.
TAKEO official website: https://takeo.tokyo/

Based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Kishi’s Co., Ltd. produces party goods for every occasion. Their booth is decorated to look like a traditional Japanese festival with a touch of flair and showcases the company’s signature festival stalls. The stalls are lightweight and portable, and they feature popular children’s carnival games such as target shooting, yoyo fishing, and ring toss. Sales Planning Division’s Tomoyuki Fukuyama elaborated that Kishi’s can also custom-make original stall designs for their customers.
Kishi’s official homepage: https://www.kishis.co.jp/index_en.html

The 99^th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2025 will continue until Friday, February 14. Admission is free for all industry professionals.

HCJ 2025: Restaurant and Hotel Show Satisfies Tastebuds and Eyeballs at Tokyo Big Sight [MICE News]

On Tuesday, February 4, Japan’s largest hotel and restaurant trade show, HCJ 2025, commenced at the Tokyo Big Sight. HCJ is the gathering of 3 major exhibitions: HoteRes Japan – The International Hotel & Restaurant Show, Caterex Japan – The Exhibition for the Catering Industries, and the Japan Food Service Equipment Show. The 2025 edition features over 850 exhibitors across 20,000 square meters of booth space showcasing products and services benefitting hotel and restaurant operators. A total of 12,068 industry professionals visited HCJ on the opening day, and approximately 60,000 attendees are expected throughout the 4-day event. Reporters from Japan MICE media outlet POP Inc. spoke with exhibitors to uncover the latest trends.

Immediately upon entering the Big Sight’s East exhibition halls, visitors are greeted with an array of scents, from crispy potato croquettes straight from the fryer to fresh linens on hotel beds. The Big Sight venue offers a unique mixture of comfort and relaxation with exciting live cooking demonstrations and energetic foodservice robots.
Speaking of food, among all of the culinary delights being presented at HCJ 2025, the prevalence of waffles stands out in particular. Only to mention a few examples, Suntec Corporation is exhibiting its waffle batter dispenser and waffle maker for use in cafes and restaurants, complete with unorthodox toppings such as salsa and Bolognese sauce. Gibier Inc. is presenting premium Belgian waffle Danish pastries. And the American Waffle Company is offering its Golden Malted waffle and pancake flour mix and personal waffle maker.

However, Japanese sweets are not content to take a back seat to their international counterparts. Rex Very Co., Ltd. an Asakusa-based ice cream manufacturer, is showcasing its wide variety of gelato and Japanese snacks. Furthermore, the company is using HCJ 2025 as a platform to reveal its new “First Flush Tea” product line. Originating from Rex Very’s own matcha sweets cafe named Kaminari Issa, First Flush Tea provides individual tea bags containing the cafe’s original matcha blend, as well as other varieties of green tea. Designer Mayumi Matsuzaki explained that the tea bags are perfect for use in hotels as a welcome drink for guests, or placed in lounges or on buffets.
Rex Very official homepage: https://rex-very.com/

A newcomer to HCJ this year, Lusciouz is making a big impression in the glassware sector. The manufacturer has dedicated its booth entirely to exhibiting its decanters, sommelier corkscrew knifes, and its pre-release “HOTARU” line of crystal wine glasses. “Hotaru” is the Japanese word for “firefly,” which denotes the glasses’ signature characteristic: their glowing stems. When a HOTARU glass is placed under a spotlight, the stem becomes a luminous beam that is striking to behold. Each glass is meticulously hand-crafted and stands out remarkably in bar or restaurant settings.
Lusciouz is a division of Fukuoka-based Adaptrend Co., Ltd., the distributor of the well-known “Shogun Candy” Japanese snack boxes, which have become widely popular internationally. CEO Akimasa Okazaki elaborated that at this point, Shogun Candy has accumulated the highest number of reviews for Japanese goods on US Amazon. He hopes that unveiling Lusciouz products will allow them to also gain traction in Tokyo as the company works toward a full release.
Lusciouz official homepage: https://lusciouz.jp/

In addition to products, services are playing a prominent role in the exhibition as well. Pasona Group Inc. is introducing its Avatar Work Service, employing an animated avatar staff member to assist customers. A Pasona Group operator controls the avatar remotely in order to check in visitors at hotel reception desk, answer inquiries at an information booth, or fills in for any number of other roles. Avatar Solution Team Member Mari Fujimoto explained that since one operator can act as multiple avatars at one time, the service is critical in mitigating the stresses caused in light of recent labor shortages. The Avatar Work Service also offers personnel training and career counseling for employees who may find it easier to discuss more openly with an avatar.
Pasona Group official homepage: https://avatarwork.pasonagroup.co.jp/

Custom art solutions provider K ART Corp. is offering interior design for commercial facilities based around creating the optimal art to “harmonize” with their spaces. From total design consulting of an entire interior concept from scratch, to implementing art installations that complement company branding, K ART has solutions for every situation. At HCJ 2025, the company’s art gallery has created an interior design space that allows visitors to immerse themselves firsthand into the harmony that their art provides.
K ART official homepage: https://k-art-tokyo.com/

HCJ 2025 – HoteRes Japan, Caterex Japan, and the Japan Food Service Equipment Show will continue until Friday, February 7 at the Tokyo Big Sight. Admission is free for all industry professionals with pre-registration.

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