On February 6, the 98th Tokyo International Gift Show, Japan’s largest trade show, opened at the Tokyo Big Sight. Twice a year, the Gift Show gathers over 3000 exhibiting companies from regions throughout Japan and countries across the globe and spans 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.
The spring edition is partnered with the concurrent LIFE x DESIGN fair and the Gourmet & Dining Style Show to showcase a wide variety of goods that complement people’s lifestyles. Themed areas feature such products as home furnishings and decorations, daily necessities, stationery and paper goods, youth fashion, pet accessories, and even glamping and outdoor saunas.
The Tokyo Gift Show is a thoroughly international trade fair, and industry professionals from every corner of the world can be spotted perusing the booths and partaking in business negotiations. The 3 countries with the most prominent representation are Japan, China, and the United States.
Japanese companies from various rural areas brought their products to the Gift Show in hopes of expanding their reach to the Tokyo Metropolis and beyond. From Akita Prefecture, Sasaki Trading Co. introduced its flower petal and leaf flavored sustainable ice creams which have historically been exclusive to Akita. From Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture, Kaiko Bussan Co. is presenting its stewed Konoshiro gizzard shad fish and carrot juice made entirely out of carrots. From Shizuoka Prefecture, Marushichi Seicha is showcasing its collection of craft brewed teas that, similar to wine, can also be paired with various cuisines, in response to the shift in popularity from tea leaves to bottled tea.
Chinese exhibitors congregate primarily at the official China Pavilion. Many Chinese companies, like Dongguan City-based For Season Clothing Co., operate their own factories and manufacture goods to be exported to Japan. For Season Clothing also receives orders directly from major Japanese franchises such as Sanrio for production of Japanese-licensed merchandise.
Popular United States brands such as Ty and Thrasher, as well as licensors of American cartoon and video game content, are taking advantage of the Tokyo Gift Show as an avenue to break into the Japanese market. Thrasher, in particular, is combining the efforts of several Japanese manufacturers of backpacks, shoes, and skateboard decks, under the management of Japanese wholesaler of foreign skate and street brands TRYON. Their goal is to create opportunities for the Japanese youth to find an entry into skate culture through Thrasher clothing, capitalizing on the gradually rising popularity of skateboarding in Japan as a result of the Olympics.
Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2024 will run until Thursday, February 8. The 2024 Autumn edition will be held from September 4 to 6 at the Tokyo Big Sight.
