Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
3DECOtech Tokyo is a premier exhibition dedicated to showcasing advanced materials and processing technologies aimed at achieving sustainable manufacturing.
Scheduled for December 16-18, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight, this event will gather industry leaders and innovators to explore solutions that contribute to a well-being society.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network and discover cutting-edge technologies that enhance both product functionality and environmental sustainability.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: 3DECOtech Tokyo runs from December 16 to 18, 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight.
- 2Scale and Focus: This exhibition showcases materials, processing technologies, and sustainable solutions.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by JTB Communication Design, Inc.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include product developers and industry professionals focused on well-being technologies.
- 5Entry: Visitor registration is now open; check the official website for details.
Why visit
Attending 3DECOtech Tokyo offers valuable insights into the latest advancements in materials and processing technologies. Attendees include product developers and industry professionals focused on well-being technologies. Visitor registration is now open; check the official website for details.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at 3DECOtech Tokyo provides companies with a platform to showcase their latest products and technologies to a targeted audience of industry professionals. This is an opportunity to enhance brand visibility, generate leads, and engage with potential partners focused on sustainable manufacturing.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Product developers in materials science
Sustainability officers from manufacturing firms
Researchers in processing technologies
Industry professionals focused on robotics
Buyers from companies seeking innovative materials
Engineers specializing in sustainable solutions
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Manufacturers of advanced materials
Suppliers of processing technologies
Companies focused on sustainable manufacturing
Developers of robotics and automation solutions
Providers of sensing technology products
Consultants in material science and engineering
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Functional materials for manufacturing
Processing machinery and equipment
Sustainable manufacturing solutions
Robotics and automation technologies
Sensing technologies for industrial applications
Innovative packaging materials
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
1Tokyo Big Sight Venue
Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center), Ariake, Koto City, Tokyo, Japan
Facilities
Parking
Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Tokyo Big Sight for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Who runs the show
Organisers
[
Local currency · JPY
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Tokyo
Primary international gateway serving Tokyo.
to venue
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel
midscale
Ariake, about 380 m from Tokyo Big SightUSD 150–190 / night
Three-star hotel, the closest captured option to the venue. Free Wi-Fi, paid parking, restaurant, accessible and kid-friendly facilities. Guest rating around 3.8 from roughly 4.9K reviews.
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo-Bay Ariake
midscale
Ariake / Tokyo Bay, about 710 m from Tokyo Big SightUSD 150–190 / night
Three-star hotel listed on Google Hotels for the show dates. Free Wi-Fi, paid parking, restaurant, accessible and kid-friendly. Guest rating around 4.0.
Far East Village Hotel Ariake, Tokyo
midscale
Ariake, about 1 km from Tokyo Big SightUSD 150–190 / night
Three-star hotel with transfer service noted in the capture. Free Wi-Fi, paid parking, restaurant, kid-friendly. Guest rating around 3.9.
Hotel Trusty Tokyo Bayside
upscale
Tokyo Bay area, about 1 km from Tokyo Big SightUSD 150–202 / night
Four-star hotel with free Wi-Fi, paid parking, restaurant, accessible and kid-friendly facilities. Guest rating around 4.0.
Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake
upscale
Ariake, walking distance to Tokyo Big SightUSD 150–202 / night
Four-star hotel with public bath, onsen, open-air bath, private bath and sauna, plus free Wi-Fi and parking. Guest rating around 4.1, the highest in the captured shortlist.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
airport bus
Estimated costJPY 180-320 single metro journey
Best forNarita Airport (NRT) to Tokyo Station and Ginza area (TYO-NRT)
Cheapest direct leg from Narita into central Tokyo; from the Tokyo Station or Ginza stop, continue by JR or subway to Shimbashi for the Yurikamome to Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon.
train
Estimated costJPY 500-1,200 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forKeisei Skyliner: Narita Airport (NRT) to Keisei-Ueno
Fastest Narita rail option at roughly 40-45 minutes. Change at Ueno to the JR Yamanote Line or subway toward Shimbashi, then take the Yurikamome to the venue.
train
Estimated costJPY 500-1,200 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forJR Narita Express (N'EX): Narita Airport (NRT) to Tokyo and Shinagawa
Best fit for hotels in Shinagawa or Shibuya; from Shinagawa or Osaki connect to the Rinkai Line for Kokusai-Tenjijo. Covered by some JR rail passes.
rail
Estimated costJPY 500-1,200 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forYurikamome: Shimbashi to Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon
Driverless elevated line taking about 20 minutes, with an elevated walkway from Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon directly into Tokyo Big Sight. Trains get crowded in the 08:00-09:30 window on show mornings.
rail
Estimated costJPY 500-1,200 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forRinkai Line: Osaki or Shibuya to Kokusai-Tenjijo
Through services from the JR Saikyo Line make this the quickest route from western Tokyo; the station is a 7-10 minute walk from the hall entrances.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. JPY 20,000-26,000 one way (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forTokyo (NRT) to Tokyo Big Sight
Roughly 60-80 minutes over 57-62 km. Costly compared with rail plus Yurikamome, so most business travellers use it only for group transfers or early-morning arrivals.
parking
Estimated costApprox. JPY 1,500-2,000 per day (venue tariff; confirm current rate on arrival)
Best forTokyo Big Sight on-site car parks
The venue runs its own multi-storey parking, but it fills early on major show days. Pre-booking is generally not offered, so arrive before the morning rush or use rail.
Weather
Mid-December in Tokyo is cool and generally dry: typical daytime highs around 10-12 C, nights near 2-5 C, and low rainfall compared with the summer months. The Ariake waterfront is exposed, so wind off the bay makes the walk between station and halls feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Snow is rare but not impossible. Treat these as climatological bands, not a forecast, and check a seven-day forecast before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Japan has no roaming arrangement with most home carriers, so a data eSIM or an airport-pickup pocket Wi-Fi router is the usual choice for a three-day trip. Tokyo Big Sight offers visitor Wi-Fi in the halls, but coverage can be patchy in crowded hall corners, so plan for your own data. Power: 100 V, 50 Hz in eastern Japan with Type A flat-pin sockets; check chargers rated for 100-240 V and bring a plug adapter. Suica or PASMO IC cards double as payment on trains, buses and convenience stores.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business cards come first
At Japanese trade fairs the meishi exchange often happens before any badge scan or product discussion. Present your card with both hands, receive the other card with both hands, read it, and place it in a card case rather than a pocket - carrying 30-50 cards is normal for a three-day show.
Punctuality and appointment slots
Meetings start on time and a five-minute early arrival is the norm. Many Japanese exhibitors pre-plan booth appointments, so a written request with a hall and time window is far more effective than walking up to a stand and asking for the person in charge.
Bowing, not handshakes
A short bow is the default greeting; a handshake is acceptable when offered first by your counterpart. Attitude matters more than depth - keep it brief, keep eye contact light, and avoid physical contact beyond a handshake.
No tipping
Tipping is not part of Japanese service culture and can cause confusion in taxis, hotels and restaurants. Service is included in the price, and staff will generally return any extra change.
Cash still has a role
Cards and IC payment cover hotels, department stores, convenience stores and most restaurants, but smaller izakaya, market stalls and some taxis remain cash-based. Draw a modest amount of yen from a convenience-store or Japan Post ATM rather than carrying large sums.
Quiet public spaces
Trains and station platforms are expected to be quiet: phone calls are avoided on Yurikamome and Rinkai Line services. Stand meetings can be lively, but hall aisles are kept clear and loud speaker demos draw complaints at Japanese venues.
Queues and bag checks
Expect orderly queues and bag screening at the hall entrances on the first morning. Have your badge visible and your bag open before you reach the checkpoint, and follow staff directions rather than looking for a shorter line.
Shoes and indoor spaces
Some restaurants, traditional rooms and a few hospitality suites ask visitors to remove shoes. Wear footwear that slips off easily if your evening programme includes a tatami-style venue, and keep socks intact.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: NRT
Tokyo has two gateways: Narita (NRT) for most long-haul arrivals and Haneda (HND), which is much closer to Ariake and usually worth a small fare premium. Google Flights results for the 16-20 December window flagged prices as currently high from Dubai and New York while typical from London, Seoul and Sydney, so set a fare alert and track for a week rather than buying on the first search. Mid-December is busy ahead of the Japanese New Year peak, so morning arrivals that clear the same day are the safest choice for a 16 December start.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Tokyo (NRT): Primary international gateway serving Tokyo.. Allow road or rail time to Tokyo Big Sight; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Tokyo Big Sight: Ariake, about 380 m from Tokyo Big Sight: Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel; Ariake / Tokyo Bay, about 710 m from Tokyo Big Sight: Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo-Bay Ariake; Ariake, about 1 km from Tokyo Big Sight: Far East Village Hotel Ariake, Tokyo.
Ride-hail: Tokyo taxis are dispatched through apps rather than street hailing in most areas: GO, S.RIDE and Uber Taxi all operate, and app dispatch is useful for the fixed-fare Haneda transfers. During the 16-18 December show days, the taxi rank at Tokyo Big Sight queues heavily in the 17:00-18:30 window, and the Yurikamome or Rinkai Line is usually faster back into central Tokyo. Drivers rarely speak English, so show the destination in Japanese or hand over a hotel card.
Public transit: Tokyo Big Sight is served by two rail lines. The Yurikamome stops at Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon with an elevated walkway into the venue, reached from Shimbashi in about 20 minutes. The Rinkai Line stops at Kokusai-Tenjijo, a 7-10 minute walk from the halls, with through services from the JR Saikyo Line via Osaki. From Narita, take the Keisei Skyliner or JR Narita Express into central Tokyo and change at Shimbashi or Osaki; from Haneda, use the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu into central Tokyo before the bay-side transfer. Pay with a Suica or PASMO IC card, and avoid the 08:00-09:30 crush on show mornings if you can.
Parking: Tokyo Big Sight operates its own multi-storey car parks on the venue site, with a daily tariff set by the venue and no general pre-booking. Spaces fill early during large shows, so arriving before the morning rush matters if you are driving. Confirm the current rate, entry gate and vehicle height limits on the venue or organiser page before travelling, and note that the Yurikamome and Rinkai Line are the more reliable options on peak show days.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: Mid-December 2026 (show days 16-18 December), Tokyo, Japan
Temperature: Approx. 2-12 C: daytime highs typically 10-12 C, nights around 2-5 C, with wind off Tokyo Bay making Ariake feel colder (climatological band, confirm the forecast before travel)
Seasonality: December is one of Tokyo's drier months, with mostly clear, crisp days and a low but non-zero chance of rain; snow is rare. Cold, windy waterfront conditions are more likely to affect your walk to the halls than rain.
Packing: Pack a warm coat or a layered jacket over business dress, a light sweater for heated halls, and shoes that handle a 10-15 minute walk between station and venue. Add an umbrella for the small chance of a wet day, a scarf for the bay-side wind, and keep a compact bag so bag screening at the hall entrance is quick.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at 3DECOtech Tokyo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
D-14
Confirm your badge status and session plans
D-13
Lock flights into Haneda or Narita
D-12
Book the Ariake hotel tier
D-10
Map your rail route to Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon
D-9
Check passport validity and visa status
D-8
Arrange connectivity
D-7
Print and pack business cards
D-6
Book meetings and booth appointments
D-5
Prepare a December layer plan
D-3
Download offline maps and translation
D-2
Exchange a small amount of yen
D-1
Rehearse the first-morning route
Show day
Arrive 20-30 minutes before opening
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Tokyo Big Sight
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
23DECOtech Tokyo registration concourse
Tokyo Big Sight
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Tokyo Big Sight
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights¥190
- Per diem × 2¥150
Estimated total¥340
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether 3DECOtech Tokyo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For 3DECOtech Tokyo, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Functional materials for manufacturing and Processing machinery and equipment solutions and benchmarking suppliers at 3DECOtech Tokyo in Tokyo.
Min. budget
$82,686.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Functional materials for manufacturing and Processing machinery and equipment products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$372,087.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Tokyo show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the December 2026 edition held?
The edition runs 16-18 December 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight in the Ariake district of Koto-ku, Tokyo. Hall allocation and daily opening hours are set by the organiser and are usually confirmed on the official site (en.www.cj-exhibition.com) in the weeks before the show, so check the schedule page before you fix travel times.
What is the fastest way to Tokyo Big Sight from Narita Airport?
Take the Keisei Skyliner to Keisei-Ueno (about 40-45 minutes) or the JR Narita Express to Tokyo or Shinagawa, then transfer to the Yurikamome at Shimbashi for Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon, or to the Rinkai Line for Kokusai-Tenjijo. Total door-to-door time is typically around 1.5-2 hours with luggage. The TYO-NRT airport bus to central Tokyo is the cheapest first leg, followed by the same rail transfer.
Is Haneda Airport closer to the venue than Narita?
Yes. Haneda (HND) is roughly 12-16 km from Ariake, about 20-35 minutes by road or 40-50 minutes by Keikyu or Tokyo Monorail plus a change to the Yurikamome or Rinkai Line. If your airline offers a Haneda option, it usually saves an hour at each end of the trip compared with Narita.
Which station should I use on show mornings?
Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon on the Yurikamome puts you on the elevated walkway straight to the venue; Kokusai-Tenjijo on the Rinkai Line is a 7-10 minute walk to the hall entrances. Arrive before the first session block if you still need to collect a badge, because bag checks and badge queues build up quickly after opening.
Do I need to register before I arrive?
Registration rules are set by the organiser for each edition, so confirm the visitor route and any badge fee on en.www.cj-exhibition.com before booking flights. Japanese trade fairs commonly use online pre-registration with a photo or ID for badge printing, which is faster than registering on site on day one.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in mid-December?
Mid-December in Tokyo is typically dry and cool, with daytime highs around 10-12 C and nights near 2-5 C. Rain is less frequent than in summer, but cold, windy days on the Ariake waterfront feel chillier than the temperature suggests. Check a forecast in the week before travel and pack a warm layer you can remove in the heated halls.
Do I need a visa to attend as a business visitor?
Japan grants visa-free short-term stays to many nationalities for business meetings, trade fair attendance and sightseeing, but the list varies by passport. Check the visa and travel information published by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for your nationality, and confirm with the organiser if you need an invitation letter for the application.
Are there hotels within walking distance of the halls?
Yes. A shortlist for these dates includes Tokyo Bay Ariake Washington Hotel (about 380 m), Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo-Bay Ariake (about 710 m), Far East Village Hotel Ariake (about 1 km), Hotel Trusty Tokyo Bayside (about 1 km) and Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake (walking distance). Rates for 16-18 December sit roughly in the USD 150-200 band per night in the captured data, so book early.
Can I use credit cards, or do I need cash?
Cards are widely accepted in Tokyo hotels, department stores, convenience stores and most restaurants, and IC cards such as Suica cover trains, buses and small purchases. Keep some yen for smaller shops and taxis, and use convenience-store or Japan Post ATMs for foreign-card cash withdrawals.
Is there parking at Tokyo Big Sight?
Yes, the venue operates its own large car parks, but spaces are in high demand during major show days and the daily tariff is set by the venue. If you drive, plan to arrive early and confirm the current rate, entry gate and hall access on the venue or organiser site before travelling.
What kind of power adapter do I need?
Japan uses 100 V with 50 Hz power in eastern Japan including Tokyo, and Type A flat-pin sockets (Type B with an earth pin exists in some buildings). Laptops and phone chargers rated 100-240 V normally need only a plug adapter; appliances with heating elements may run below their home-market performance.
Will staff speak English at the venue?
Major Tokyo rail stations and the venue area carry bilingual signage, and international-facing exhibitors usually have English-speaking staff, but not every booth will. Save addresses in Japanese on your phone, keep a translation app handy and ask hotel front desks to write taxi destination cards.
Glossary
- Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center)
- The bay-side complex in Ariake, Koto-ku that hosts this December edition. It is split into the West, East and South halls plus the Conference Tower, so check your hall number before setting a meeting point - walking between the far halls takes 10-15 minutes indoors.
- Ariake
- The reclaimed waterfront district in Koto-ku where Tokyo Big Sight sits. Most hotels within walking distance of the halls are in Ariake or the wider Tokyo Bay area, and the district is quiet at night compared with central Tokyo.
- Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon Station
- The Yurikamome station directly in front of Tokyo Big Sight. Exit and follow the elevated walkway to the halls; this is the shortest rail arrival for badge pick-up on the first morning.
- Kokusai-Tenjijo Station
- The Rinkai Line station on the opposite side of the venue, roughly a 7-10 minute walk to the hall entrances. Useful if you are coming from Osaki, Shibuya or the JR Saikyo Line without changing at Shimbashi.
- Yurikamome
- The driverless elevated transit line linking Shimbashi in central Tokyo with the Ariake waterfront, including Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon. Fares are distance-based and paid by IC card or ticket machine at the station.
- Rinkai Line
- The underground rail line serving Kokusai-Tenjijo, running from Osaki through Oimachi and Shin-Kiba. Through services from the JR Saikyo Line make it the fastest rail route to the venue from western Tokyo.
- Suica / PASMO
- Japan's rechargeable IC cards for trains, buses and convenience-store payments. Visitors can load a physical card at station machines or use a mobile IC card in a compatible phone; the card also works on the Yurikamome and Rinkai Line.
- TYO-NRT airport bus
- The low-cost express bus between Narita Airport and central Tokyo (Tokyo Station and Ginza areas). It is the cheapest direct option from Narita, after which you continue by rail to Kokusai-Tenjijo or Kokusai-Tenjijo-seimon.
- Keisei Skyliner
- The fastest scheduled rail service between Narita Airport and Keisei-Ueno in central Tokyo, taking around 40-45 minutes. From Ueno you change to the JR Yamanote Line or subway toward Shimbashi for the Yurikamome.
- Narita Express (N'EX)
- JR East's limited-express service from Narita Airport into Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya and Shinjuku. It suits travellers staying in Shinagawa or Shibuya, who can then reach Ariake via the Rinkai Line.
- Meishi (business card)
- The business card exchanged at the start of almost every Japanese B2B meeting. Present and receive cards with both hands, look at the card before putting it away, and carry a supply in a card case - cards are often exchanged before badges are scanned.
- Consumption tax
- Japan's consumption tax is included in displayed prices at shops, restaurants and hotels. The standard rate applies to most goods and services, with a reduced rate for food and certain everyday items; receipts show the tax breakdown separately.
- Booth / stand
- The exhibitor space allocated within the halls. Japanese venues enforce detailed build regulations on height, fireproofing and electrical work, so contractors must submit drawings for approval before the build-up period.
- Pocket Wi-Fi / eSIM
- Two common connectivity options for short business trips to Japan, since home-country roaming can be expensive. Data-only eSIMs are activated before departure; pocket Wi-Fi routers can be rented at the airport and shared between colleagues.
- Tax-free (duty-free) shopping
- Many retailers in Japan offer tax-free purchases to short-stay visitors on presentation of a passport. It applies to goods taken out of the country, not to services such as hotel nights or transport.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Tokyo Big Sight
- sustainable manufacturing
- 3DECOtech Tokyo 2026
- Tokyo Japan
- Processing Technologies
- Robotics
- Trade show B2B Trade Expo Tokyo
- Functional materials for manufacturing
- digital transformation expo
- Tokyo technology expo 2026
Trust footer
Sources
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References
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Publishers
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Date checked
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CJ Exhibition
- event_website
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.