Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 is set to take place from May 12 to 14 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. This event will gather professionals from various sectors including aerospace, telecommunications, and government agencies to explore the latest advancements in space technology.
With over 40 conferences and numerous exhibitors, attendees will have the opportunity to network and discover cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the future of the space industry. Spexa - Space Business Expo.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 runs from May 12 to 14, 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
- 2Scale and Focus: This expo focuses on the latest advancements in the space industry, showcasing innovations and technologies.
- 3Organiser: The event is organized by RX Japan, with more details available on their official website.
- 4Entry: Free admission with prior visitor registration required.
Why visit
SPEXA gathers Japan's space supply chain in one hall at Tokyo Big Sight: satellite integrators and component makers, launch and rideshare providers, ground-segment and antenna suppliers, and Earth-observation data and analytics firms. Free admission with prior visitor registration required.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will benefit from direct access to key decision-makers in the space industry. The event offers a chance to showcase products and services to a targeted audience, enhancing visibility and potential business opportunities. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Aerospace technology providers, Satellite manufacturers, Space data analytics companies. Position your offer across satellite technology and services, space exploration equipment, aerospace engineering.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Satellite prime contractors and subsystem procurement engineers sourcing buses, propulsion, avionics and flight components
Launch service providers and rideshare brokers meeting Japanese payload customers and government programme staff
Ground-segment engineers evaluating antennas, RF hardware, modems, mission control software and cloud ground stations
Earth-observation and SAR data users from mapping, agriculture, disaster response, infrastructure inspection and maritime monitoring
Government and agency programme staff working on space policy, science budgets and national security space programmes
Trading houses and distributors assessing representation and import agreements for overseas space hardware
Space startups and university teams looking for manufacturing partners, test facilities and funding contacts
Investors, insurers, lawyers and consultants underwriting launch, satellite operations and space-related risk
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Satellite bus manufacturers and subsystem suppliers for power, propulsion, attitude control and avionics
Launch vehicle providers, small-launch brokers and rideshare aggregators selling capacity to Japanese payload owners
Ground station operators, antenna and RF hardware makers, and mission control software vendors
Earth-observation data providers, SAR and hyperspectral sensor makers, and geospatial analytics firms
Space situational awareness, debris tracking and in-orbit servicing companies
Environmental test and qualification houses offering vibration, thermal vacuum, EMC and shock testing
Materials, additive manufacturing and precision machining suppliers serving space-qualified hardware
Space agencies, industry associations, universities and regional space clusters promoting programmes and funding schemes
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Satellite buses, platforms and structural components
Propulsion systems, thrusters and electric propulsion units
Attitude determination and control, star trackers and reaction wheels
Power systems, solar arrays, batteries and harnesses
Launch vehicles, rideshare slots and deployment hardware
Ground stations, antennas, RF front ends and modems
Mission control, flight software and ground-segment software platforms
Earth observation, SAR and hyperspectral payloads and data services
Space situational awareness, debris monitoring and collision avoidance services
Environmental test, qualification, calibration and certification services
Space materials, precision machining and additive manufacturing
Space-related education, training, policy and financing services
Location & Facilities
Venue
Tokyo Big Sight
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
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Tokyo, Japan
Why it matters
On 2027-05-12 to 2027-05-14, Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 in Tokyo covering Satellite buses, platforms and structural components, Propulsion systems, thrusters and electric propulsion units, Attit gives automotive buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
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.
Ariake, Koto-ku midscale hotels
Ariake, Koto-ku5-12 minutes on foot or one Yurikamome stop to venue
Approx. JPY 16,000-25,000 per night. Most convenient option during show days; rooms sell out early for trade fair weeks. Rates are estimates, confirm at booking.
Odaiba upscale hotels
Daiba, Minato-ku10-15 minutes by Yurikamome or taxi to venue
Approx. JPY 28,000-48,000 per night. Waterfront full-service properties with larger rooms and meeting space, useful for hosting customer dinners. Estimates only.
Shimbashi and Shiodome business hotels
Minato-ku, central TokyoAbout 20 minutes direct on the Yurikamome to Tokyo Big Sight station to venue
Approx. JPY 18,000-28,000 per night. Good access to JR lines for evening meetings in central Tokyo. Estimates only, confirm before booking.
Shinagawa and Osaki business hotels
Shinagawa-kuAbout 20-25 minutes on the Rinkai line to Kokusai-Tenjijo station to venue
Approx. JPY 16,000-27,000 per night. Shinkansen access at Shinagawa suits visitors combining SPEXA with trips to Osaka or Nagoya. Estimates only.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
tram
Estimated costApprox. JPY 390 one way (adult IC fare; confirm current fare)
Best forYurikamome, Shimbashi to Tokyo Big Sight station
Driverless elevated line with direct service to the venue; around 20 minutes from Shimbashi.
rail
Estimated costApprox. JPY 500-620 one way depending on origin (confirm current fare)
Best forRinkai Line, Shibuya or Osaki to Kokusai-Tenjijo station
About 7 minutes on foot from Kokusai-Tenjijo station to the venue's west halls.
rail
Estimated costApprox. JPY 800-900 one way (confirm current fare)
Best forKeikyu Airport Line plus Yurikamome, Haneda Airport to Tokyo Big Sight
Change at Shimbashi; total journey roughly 40-50 minutes including the transfer.
bus
Estimated costApprox. JPY 3,000-3,600 one way (confirm pick-up point and timetable)
Best forAirport limousine bus, Narita Airport to Ariake and Tokyo Big Sight area
Useful with luggage or late arrivals; journey time depends on expressway traffic.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. JPY 6,000-8,000 (metered, traffic dependent)
Best forTaxi, Haneda Airport to Tokyo Big Sight
Fastest door-to-door option outside peak traffic; confirm live fares and any fixed-fare scheme.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. JPY 20,000-26,000 (metered; fixed-fare options vary)
Best forTaxi, Narita Airport to Tokyo Big Sight
Usually slower and costlier than the limousine bus; reasonable only for late-night arrivals or small groups.
parking
Estimated costApprox. JPY 1,500-2,000 per day (confirm current rate at the venue)
Best forTokyo Big Sight on-site car parking
Capacity is limited during large trade fairs; rail is the practical option on show days.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. JPY taxi/rideshare from NRT to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forTokyo (NRT) to Tokyo Big Sight
Approx. 70-100 minutes by car or airport limousine bus; Main long-haul gateway; rail via Keisei Skyliner or JR Narita Express plus a Shimbashi or Rinkai line connection takes roughly 90-110 minutes. Confirm bus stops and timetables before travel.
Weather
Mid-May in Tokyo is mild and generally settled: daytime highs near 24 C, nights around 15 C, and rain on a handful of days. The June rainy season (tsuyu) has not started, so show week is usually drier than early summer, but a light rain jacket is worth packing. Halls are strongly air-conditioned, so bring a layer for long days on the floor.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Japan uses 100 V, 50 Hz power in Tokyo with Type A flat-pin sockets, so travellers from Europe need a plug adapter and most laptop chargers handle the voltage. Prepaid data eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi rentals are widely available at Haneda and Narita; a physical or digital Suica or PASMO card covers Yurikamome, Rinkai line and JR fares. Venue Wi-Fi is usually congested during show hours, so plan offline lead capture and a backup mobile hotspot for stand demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business card exchange
Meetings at Japanese aerospace firms and trading houses usually open with a two-handed card exchange. Carry bilingual cards, present them with the text facing the recipient and place received cards on the table rather than in a pocket.
Punctuality and seating
Arrive a few minutes early and expect a seating order that reflects seniority. Wait to be shown a seat, and address senior counterparts first when the meeting opens.
Cash and payments
Cards are widely accepted in Tokyo, but small restaurants and older shops may be cash only. Tipping is not customary, and attempting to tip can cause awkwardness.
Show floor etiquette
Ask before photographing a stand or hardware, and do not handle satellite components or RF hardware without an invitation from the exhibitor. Queues for badge scanning at popular booths are orderly, so join the end of the line.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: NRT
Book into Haneda (HND) where possible; it is much closer to Ariake than Narita (NRT), and the rail connection is simpler. Avoid routing through Japan during the 1-5 May Golden Week holiday period if you want better fares and easier hotel availability, and aim to arrive a day before the 12 May 2027 opening to absorb jet lag. Domestic connections from Osaka, Sapporo or Fukuoka into HND are frequent and worth booking early, as fares rise sharply within two weeks of travel.
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, Koto-ku: Ariake, Koto-ku midscale hotels; Daiba, Minato-ku: Odaiba upscale hotels; Minato-ku, central Tokyo: Shimbashi and Shiodome business hotels.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing in Tokyo runs through licensed taxi companies via the GO, Uber Taxi Japan and DiDi apps, all of which connect you to metered cabs rather than private cars. Demand spikes around hall closing time at Tokyo Big Sight, so request a car before leaving the building or walk one stop to a quieter Yurikamome station. Confirm the app accepts foreign cards and shows the fare in yen before you ride.
Public transit: The venue is served by Tokyo Big Sight station on the Yurikamome line and Kokusai-Tenjijo station on the Rinkai line. Yurikamome services run frequently from Shimbashi through Odaiba, while the Rinkai line links Osaki, Shinagawa-side connections and Shibuya with the Kokusai-Tenjijo area. Toei and Metropolitan bus routes also serve Ariake, but rail is faster during show days. Fares are paid with an IC card or at ticket machines; there is no venue shuttle from the station, so budget a 5-10 minute walk.
Parking: Tokyo Big Sight has on-site car parks with capacity limited relative to trade fair attendance, charged by time or day rather than per visitor. On show days arrivals queue before mid-morning and the car park can fill; arriving by Yurikamome or Rinkai line is more reliable. Cyclist and motorcycle parking is available at the venue, and coach drop-off points should be arranged with the organiser in advance.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May (12-14 May 2027 show window)
Temperature: Approx. 15-24 C (59-75 F): nights near 15 C, daytime highs near 24 C, warming slightly toward the end of the month
Seasonality: Generally one of the drier months in Tokyo, with rain on a handful of days and roughly 130-140 mm across the month; the June rainy season has not yet started, but light rain gear is still sensible for the show week.
Packing: Pack light layers for cool evenings and strongly air-conditioned halls, plus a compact rain jacket or folding umbrella and comfortable walking shoes for long hours between halls and stations. Carry a phone battery pack for badge scanning and navigation, and keep a small cardholder for an IC transit card.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Register for a free visitor badge on the SPEXA site and save the confirmation QR code to your phone — Registration is free but required; check whether any session or exhibitor zone needs separate sign-up.
T-2
Book flights into Haneda (HND) in preference to Narita (NRT) for the shorter transfer to Ariake — Compare arrival times against the 12 May opening morning; a same-day arrival from Europe or North America is tight.
T-3
Reserve a hotel in Ariake or Odaiba, or a business hotel on the Shimbashi or Shinagawa rail corridor — Show week fills Tokyo Bay area rooms early; confirm cancellation terms before paying.
T-4
Shortlist exhibitors from the SPEXA exhibitor list and request meetings with satellite, launch and ground-segment suppliers — Japanese teams often confirm meeting slots two to three weeks ahead, so follow up rather than waiting.
T-5
Check your passport validity and Japan entry requirements for your nationality — Short-stay visa exemption applies to many nationalities; others need a visa issued before travel.
T-6
Set up connectivity: eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi plus an IC card (Suica or PASMO) for Yurikamome and Rinkai line rides — Physical and digital IC cards both work on the Yurikamome and JR; keep a small cash reserve for recharge.
T-7
Print or order bilingual business cards with your company name and title in Japanese where possible — Card exchange is still routine in Japanese aerospace and trading-house meetings.
T-8
Plan your hall route around the aisles that match your specification list rather than walking the floor at random — Tokyo Big Sight halls are large; allow 10-15 minutes to move between distant halls.
T-9
Confirm your transfer plan from the airport, including the last Yurikamome departure time if you arrive late — Late-night arrivals are better served by airport limousine bus or taxi than by rail.
T-10
Pack layers, a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes; halls are air-conditioned and May evenings are cool — Bring a phone battery pack, since badge scanning and navigation drain phones quickly on the floor.
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
2Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 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 Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027, 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 Satellite technology and services and Space exploration equipment solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 in Tokyo.
Min. budget
$450.00
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 Satellite technology and services and Space exploration equipment products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
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.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is SPEXA held?
SPEXA runs 12-14 May 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight in the Ariake district of Koto-ku, Tokyo. The venue is served by Tokyo Big Sight station on the Yurikamome line and Kokusai-Tenjijo station on the Rinkai line.
Is visitor entry to SPEXA free?
Visitor admission is free with advance registration through the organiser. Register online before travel so your badge is issued ahead of the show and you avoid queueing at the on-site registration counter on the first morning.
Who exhibits at SPEXA?
Exhibitors span satellite bus and subsystem makers, launch and rideshare providers, ground-segment and RF hardware suppliers, Earth-observation and SAR data companies, test and qualification houses, and space agencies, universities and regional clusters.
Which airport should I fly into for Tokyo Big Sight?
Haneda (HND) is the closer gateway, roughly 15-20 km and about 20-35 minutes by car depending on traffic. Narita (NRT) is around 60-75 km and typically 70-100 minutes by car or airport limousine bus. Both connect to the venue by rail via Shimbashi and the Yurikamome line.
How do I get from the airport to Tokyo Big Sight by train?
From Haneda, take the Keikyu Airport line to Shimbashi and change to the Yurikamome for Tokyo Big Sight station, around 40-50 minutes in total. From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner or JR Narita Express to central Tokyo plus a Yurikamome or Rinkai line connection takes roughly 90-110 minutes.
Is SPEXA a trade-only event?
The show is built around business visitors, engineers and programme staff from the space sector, with free visitor registration required. Check the registration categories on spexa.jp before booking, since some sessions or exhibitor areas may be restricted to trade badge holders.
What language are exhibits and signage in?
Most exhibitor materials and signage at Japanese trade shows are bilingual Japanese and English, and booth staff at international-facing companies usually speak English. Bring Japanese business cards if you plan formal meetings, since card exchange is standard practice.
Where should I stay for SPEXA?
Ariake and Odaiba hotels are within walking distance or one Yurikamome stop of Tokyo Big Sight and are the most convenient option during show days. Shimbashi, Shiodome and Shinagawa offer cheaper business hotels with a direct 20-30 minute rail ride to the venue.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in May?
May is mild and generally dry by Tokyo standards, with highs around 24 C and nights around 15 C. The June rainy season has not started, but a few rain days are normal, so pack a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes for walking between halls and stations.
Glossary
- Satellite bus
- The structural and service platform of a satellite, providing power, propulsion, attitude control, thermal management and data handling onto which payloads are integrated.
- LEO
- Low Earth Orbit, typically 300-1,200 km altitude, used by imaging constellations and broadband megaconstellations because of lower latency and launch cost.
- Rideshare launch
- A launch arrangement in which several small satellites share one rocket, lowering cost per kilogram but fixing the schedule and orbital insertion to the primary mission.
- SAR
- Synthetic Aperture Radar, an active microwave imaging technique that produces imagery day or night and through cloud cover, widely used for disaster and maritime monitoring.
- Ground segment
- The terrestrial part of a space system: ground stations, antennas, modems, mission control and the data pipelines that task spacecraft and distribute their products.
- SSA
- Space Situational Awareness, the tracking and cataloguing of objects in orbit to support collision avoidance, reentry prediction and traffic management.
- Thermal vacuum testing
- A qualification test that reproduces the vacuum and temperature cycling of space to verify that hardware survives launch and orbital conditions.
- In-orbit servicing
- Missions that rendezvous with existing spacecraft to refuel, repair, relocate or deorbit them, an emerging market adjacent to debris removal.
- Downstream data
- Value-added products and analytics built on satellite data, such as change detection, crop monitoring or infrastructure inspection, sold to non-space customers.
- NewSpace
- The segment of the industry built around privately financed small satellites, commercial launch and data services, in contrast with institutional and heritage programmes.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Spexa - Space Business Expo 2027 Tokyo
- Spexa 2027
- Spexa Tokyo 2027
- Space Business Expo Tokyo 2027
- Tokyo Japan
- Satellite technology and services
- Space exploration equipment
- Aerospace engineering solutions
- Satellite data and analytics
- digital transformation expo
1 more alternate names hidden
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Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.