Throughout Japan, numerous events and festivals are held where visitors can experience the charm of traditional crafts all in one place. These gatherings, featuring live demonstrations, exhibitions and sales, and workshops where you can connect with artisan skills and culture, attract attention not only from craft enthusiasts but also as venues for tourism and community exchange.
This article introduces 10 representative traditional craft events held nationwide in ranking format.
Be sure to check out these craft festivals where you’re guaranteed to make new discoveries by participating.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Major Traditional Craft Events Ranking
Traditional craft events held throughout Japan offer precious opportunities to experience the unique history and culture of each region.
Pottery markets, craft exhibitions, and craft expositions reflecting regional characteristics are held annually in large numbers.
This ranking introduces 10 must-see events for craft enthusiasts, from popular ceramic events like the Arita Pottery Fair and Mashiko Pottery Fair to nationwide exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and KOUGEI EXPO. By understanding the timing and locations and visiting these events, you can fully enjoy the appeal of crafts not only through shopping and viewing but also through interaction with makers and hands-on programs.
Arita Pottery Fair (Saga)
Event Overview
Event Dates
April 29 – May 5, 2025
9:00-17:00 (approximate)
Location
〒844-0002
Throughout Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District, Saga Prefecture (Main area: from Kami-Arita Station to Arita Station street)
Visitor Count
April 29 – May 5, 2024 (120th edition): Approximately 1.12 million people (final day: approximately 180,000 people)
Contact Information
Arita Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TEL 0955-42-4111
Official URL
https://www.arita-toukiichi.or.jp/
Details
The Arita Pottery Fair is Japan’s premier ceramic event, held during Golden Week with the entire town of Arita as its stage.
Tents from kilns and trading companies line approximately 4km of streets, with over 400 vendors gathering. Everything from classic Arita porcelain to contemporary designs is displayed and sold, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. Bargain markets, limited sales, and artist interactions are also enjoyable features, making it a spring tradition for ceramic enthusiasts nationwide. With everything from everyday tableware to fine art pieces available, the event is popular with both collectors and tourists.
Mashiko Spring & Autumn Pottery Fair (Tochigi)
Event Overview
Event Dates
April 29 – May 6, 2025
November 1 – November 4, 2025
9:00-17:00 (final day until 16:00)
Location
〒321-4217
Various locations throughout Mashiko Town, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture (centered on Jonai-zaka and Dosojin districts)
Visitor Count
109th Mashiko Pottery Fair Spring: Approximately 410,000 visitors
Contact Information
Mashiko Pottery Fair Executive Committee (Mashiko Town Tourism Association)
TEL 0285-70-1120
Official URL
https://toukiichi.mashiko-db.net/
The Mashiko Pottery Fair is one of Japan’s largest pottery markets, held twice yearly in spring and autumn, featuring over 600 tents and attracting approximately 500,000 visitors.
Centered on Mashiko pottery, it also features new designs by young artists and crafts from around the country, appealing to a wide audience. With the entire town serving as the venue, visitors enjoy hunting for bargains and limited pieces while having direct interactions with makers. Food booths and live events are also abundant, making it an event where tourism and shopping can be enjoyed simultaneously.
Setomono Festival (Aichi)
Event Overview
Event Dates
September 13 (Sat) & 14 (Sun), 2025
Location
Around Meitetsu Seto Line “Owari-Seto Station” and throughout Seto City, Aichi Prefecture
Address
〒489-0811
12-1 Yamawaki-cho, Seto City
(Owari-Seto Station)
Admission
Free
※ Varies by event, restrooms available
Contact
0561-85-2730
(Seto City Marutto Museum & Tourism Association)
Parking
Available (parking near the venue is limited, so please use public transportation)
Details
The Setomono Festival is a nationally famous ceramic event held in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, the home of Seto pottery.
About 200 kilns and trading companies participate, with the “Great Setomono Bargain Sale” being the main attraction where pottery can be purchased at better prices than usual. Over 300,000 people visit annually, beloved by ceramic fans, local residents, and tourists alike.
Fireworks are held in the evening, allowing visitors to enjoy shopping during the day and festival atmosphere at night throughout the day. It’s a rare opportunity to experience both pottery shopping and summer festival vibes simultaneously.
Hasami Pottery Festival (Nagasaki)
Event Overview
Schedule
April 29 – May 5, Reiwa 7 (7 days) 9:00-17:00
Location
Throughout Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture
Yakimono Park Plaza
Number of Vendors
Approximately 150 stores (Previous 2024: approximately 150 stores)
Visitor Count
260,000 people, 104% compared to previous year
(Previous 2024: 250,000 people)
Tour Buses
59 buses, 91% compared to previous year
(Previous 2024: 65 buses)
Shuttle Bus
Arita Station ⇆ Venue shuttle: 4,044 people, 112%
(Previous 2024: 3,625 people)
Details
The Hasami Pottery Festival is a large-scale event centered on modern and practical Hasami pottery suitable for everyday use.
About 150 kilns and trading companies set up at the venue, attracting a wide range of visitors from local residents to tourists.
With many simple and stylish designs, it’s gaining popularity among younger generations and international fans. Bargain markets and outlet sales are available, offering purchases at better prices than usual.
Beyond ceramics, events that fuse food and culture are also featured, garnering high attention as a Golden Week tourist destination.
KOUGEI EXPO IN ISHIKAWA (Ishikawa)
Event Overview
Period
November 8 (Fri) to November 10 (Sun), 2024
10:00-17:00 (until 16:00 on November 10)
Venues
Ishikawa Prefectural Memorial Shiinoki Guest House / 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa / Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History / Kanazawa Central Tourist Information Center, and others
Admission
Free admission
Details
KOUGEI EXPO (National Convention for Traditional Crafts Month) is the largest-scale exhibition and sales event in Japan where traditional crafts from across the country gather, hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
November has been designated as “Traditional Crafts Month” since 1984, with the event held annually in different locations nationwide.
2024 (41st edition) was held in Ishikawa Prefecture for the fourth time in 12 years, bringing together local crafts like Kutani pottery, Kaga Yuzen, and Wajima lacquerware along with 76 traditional crafts from across the country.
With 50,000 to 100,000 annual visitors, the event features not only exhibitions and sales but also enriched “TEWAZA LIVE” (demonstrations and experiences) and “CRAFT MARKET” (exhibitions and sales). It’s an event that draws wide attention from businesses, collectors, and general visitors as a place to experience the appeal of traditional crafts up close.
Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Fair (Tokyo)
Event Overview
Event Name
Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Fair 2025
Event Dates
February 7 (Fri) – February 9 (Sun), 2025
Annual early February event
Venue
Tokyo International Forum B1F Lobby Gallery
Details
The Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Fair is a regular event introducing Ishikawa Prefecture’s traditional crafts in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Over 36 types of crafts from the prefecture, including Kutani pottery, Wajima lacquerware, Kaga Yuzen, and Kanazawa gold leaf, gather in one place, promoting their appeal through exhibitions, sales, demonstrations, and workshops.
Being held in central Tokyo, it’s easily accessible for people visiting for tourism or business. With over 20,000 annual visitors, it serves as a valuable opportunity to experience Ishikawa’s craft culture in the metropolitan area. The event is gaining popularity among younger generations and international tourists.
Monozukuri & Takumi Craftsmanship Festival 2025 (Tokyo)
Event Overview
Event Dates
July 25 (Fri) – 27 (Sun), 2025 (3 days)
Location
Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Building (2nd-5th floors)
Opening Hours
10:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on final day)
Admission Fee
Free admission with abundant hands-on programs available, enjoyable for everyone from families to professional craftspeople.
Official Website
https://www.monozukuri-takumi-expo.tokyo/en/
Details
The Monozukuri & Takumi Craftsmanship Festival is a large-scale event where craftspeople and artisans from across the country gather to showcase traditional techniques and contemporary manufacturing.
Hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government and related organizations, it covers a wide range of fields including crafts, Japanese food culture, and architectural techniques. With abundant demonstrations and hands-on programs, it’s enjoyable for children and adults alike. The “Future Craftspeople Experience Corner” is particularly popular, allowing younger generations to experience craftspeople’s skills, contributing to cultural inheritance. Being held in central Tokyo makes it easily accessible, appealing for both tourism and educational purposes.
Traditional Expo 2025 (DENTO EXPO 2025) (Aichi)
Event Overview
Date & Time
May 6, 2025 (Tue, Holiday) 11:00-17:00
Venue
Maker’s Pier Central Park
Address
2-7-1 Kinjoufutou, Minato-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Maker’s Pier Central Park
Admission
Free
Organizer
Traditional Expo Executive Committee (Suikyo Co., Ltd. Representative: Shohei Sano)
Details
Traditional Expo 2025 is a hands-on Japanese traditional culture event. It attracts attention as a venue for domestic and international visitors to experience the appeal of traditional crafts.
The venue features a wide range of fields including ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles, along with demonstrations, workshops, and craft sales.
Aichi is known as a production area for Seto pottery and Tokoname pottery, with exhibition compositions that fuse regional culture with national crafts being a distinctive feature.
It’s expected to serve as a global platform for craft promotion from both tourism and industrial perspectives.
JAPAN CRAFT EXPO2025 (Osaka)
Event Overview
Event Dates & Times
2025
June 16 (Mon) 09:00-21:00
June 17 (Tue) 09:00-21:00
June 18 (Wed) 09:00-18:00
Location
2025 Japan International Exposition
Osaka-Kansai Expo
EXPO Messe “WASSE”
Content Overview
Experiences and demonstrations from craft production areas nationwide
Sales of crafts from across Japan
Organizers
Japan Craft Production Area Association
Yomiuri Shimbun
Details
JAPAN CRAFT EXPO is a hands-on exposition hosted by the Japan Craft Production Area Association and Yomiuri Shimbun.
In 2025, it was held during the Osaka-Kansai Expo period, taking place in the “WASSE” area within the expo grounds, featuring 20 craft brands and 3 organizations from across the country.
In addition to exhibitions and sales of diverse traditional crafts including ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and woodwork, visitors could experience crafts holistically through “making,” “viewing,” and “buying” via craftspeople demonstrations and visitor-participation workshops.
With many general consumers including expo visitors and international tourists attending, it served as a valuable venue for experiencing Japanese traditional crafts with all five senses.
72nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Nationwide)
Event Overview
Event Dates & Times
September 3 (Wed) – September 15 (Mon, Holiday), 2025
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM [Final day ends at 5:00 PM]
Location
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 7th Floor Event Hall
Admission
Free admission
The Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition is the most prestigious juried exhibition hosted by the Japan Kōgei Association, featuring works by artists ranging from Living National Treasures to emerging talents.
From 1,128 submitted works across seven fields—ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, metalwork, dolls, bamboo and wood crafts, and miscellaneous crafts—approximately 550 carefully selected pieces including winning entries and latest works by Important Intangible Cultural Property holders (Living National Treasures) are gathered together, captivating craft enthusiasts with their high technical standards and artistic quality.
Starting with the Tokyo exhibition (Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store: September 3-15), it tours 11 venues nationwide, offering a valuable opportunity for many visitors to directly experience the current state of crafts.
Also positioned as a venue for new work debuts, it’s a must-see exhibition for collectors and industry professionals.
Summary
Traditional craft events held throughout Japan serve important roles not merely as exhibition and sales venues but as stages for exchange connecting makers and users.
From regionally-focused events like the Arita Pottery Fair and Mashiko Pottery Fair to nationwide gatherings such as the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and KOUGEI EXPO, each has its own characteristics, and visiting them allows you to experience the depth of craft culture.
Treasure hunting, purchasing limited items, craftspeople demonstrations, and hands-on programs offer great appeal for both collectors and tourists.
With numerous events planned nationwide in 2025 as well, these will serve as excellent opportunities to deepen your knowledge of the traditional crafts world through travel and shopping.
