FOODEX JAPAN Tokyo 2027

9–12 March 2027 | Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan

FOODEX JAPAN is the international food and beverage exhibition organised by the Japan Management Association. It brings food and drink products, specialist ranges and packaging innovation into a professional sourcing setting. Buyers can compare products and suppliers; producers and exporters can discuss their ranges with purchasing professionals. The 2027 edition is presented by the organiser as the 52nd show.

FOODEX JAPAN 2027 at a glance

The 2027 dates, venue and visitor hours are listed on the event and Hosted Buyer pages. Visitor pre-registration is scheduled to open on 2 December 2026. The 2026 show report provides the latest published scale figures.

Why FOODEX JAPAN matters to food and beverage professionals

Discover a wide range of products

The exhibition is centred on food and beverages, with dedicated 2027 feature areas for noodles, hot and spicy products, wine, non- and low-alcohol drinks and packaging innovation. This gives buyers a practical way to explore defined product interests alongside the wider food marketplace.

Compare suppliers and product fit

Product-based search in the exhibitor information guide and the Hosted Buyer Programme’s meeting functions help buyers narrow a broad field to relevant companies. Compare ingredients, formats, packaging, intended channels and supply requirements rather than collecting catalogues without a decision in mind.

Prepare for purposeful business conversations

The Hosted Buyer Programme supports pre-scheduled appointments, product-based meeting requests, flexible scheduling, dedicated meeting rooms and organiser-assisted matching. These are tools for structuring conversations; buyers and exhibitors should still define their objectives and confirm individual meeting arrangements.

Understand the show’s international reach

The organiser’s 2026 report records 3,238 exhibitors, including 2,126 international and 1,112 domestic exhibitors, and participation from 76 countries, regions and unions. It records 73,842 registered visitors. These are organiser-reported figures for the 2026 edition, not a forecast for 2027. The scale suggests that visitors may need to prioritise products and target companies before arriving.

FOODEX JAPAN sectors and product groups

The organiser’s current website identifies a broad food and beverage exhibition and highlights several specialist areas. Use the groups below to organise your product search; the product examples are evaluation prompts, not a confirmed exhibitor list.

Food products and ingredients

• Packaged and prepared food products
• Food ingredients and raw materials
• Seasonings, sauces and flavourings
• Chilled and frozen food lines
• Product formats and pack sizes suited to different sales channels

Beverages and wine

• Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks, a named 2027 feature area
• Wine, featured within the show sectors
• Tea, coffee and other beverage categories to assess with suppliers
• Bottled, canned and other packaged formats
• Ingredients, flavour profiles and product positioning for target channels

Noodles and prepared food

• Noodle products, with a dedicated 2027 feature area
• Dry, chilled and ready-to-prepare formats to compare
• Ingredients, seasonings and accompanying products
• Pack formats and preparation requirements
• Potential fit for retail, foodservice or distribution portfolios

Hot and spicy products

• Hot and spicy foods, a dedicated 2027 feature area
• Chilli-based sauces and condiments
• Seasonings and spice blends
• Packaged snacks and prepared foods with heat-led profiles
• Product descriptions and labelling needs for the intended market

Packaging innovation

• Food packaging innovation, named as a 2027 show feature
• Primary packs for food and beverage products
• Packaging formats, materials and shelf presentation to compare
• Product protection and handling requirements to discuss with suppliers
• Label area and language requirements to assess before market entry

Start-ups and emerging brands

• New food and beverage concepts presented through the start-up feature
• Distinctive ingredients and product propositions
• Packaging and format choices that support a new product
• Potential distributor or retail fit to evaluate
• Questions about supply capacity, shelf life and market documentation

Hot, speciality and international product ranges

• Speciality food ranges across the wider exhibition
• Products suited to importing, distribution and retail sourcing
• Regional food and beverage variations to compare
• Ingredient, allergen and product-specification information to request
• Possible product fit for foodservice, retail or specialist channels

Who should visit FOODEX JAPAN?

Retail, foodservice and wholesale buyers

Useful if you are sourcing products for a retail assortment, foodservice operation or wholesale portfolio. Prioritise:

• Product categories and formats that match your sales channel
• Ingredients, pack sizes and shelf-life specifications
• Supplier capacity, order terms and delivery expectations
• Packaging and labelling information for your market
• Companies that can answer a defined purchasing need

The product-based exhibitor information and appointment tools can help you focus supplier conversations. Confirm product, commercial and logistics details directly with each company.

Food and beverage importers and distributors

Useful if you are evaluating brands or products for a new or existing distribution portfolio. Compare:

• Product differentiation and target customer
• Export readiness and documentation available
• Packaging, language and market-specific adaptations
• Supply continuity, minimum order conditions and lead times
• Potential fit with your existing retail or foodservice network

Bring a clear brief on the channels and product specifications you can support. Treat initial discussions as market evaluation, not as confirmation of a distribution agreement.

Food producers, manufacturers and brand owners

Useful if you want to introduce products, assess buyer interest or explore partners. Prepare to explain:

• Your product range and intended customer
• Ingredients, formats, pack sizes and production capacity
• Export markets and documentation you can provide
• Any product or packaging adaptation under consideration
• The type of distributor, retailer or foodservice partner you seek

The 2026 report shows substantial international exhibitor participation. For the 2027 edition, check the current exhibitor guidance and registration arrangements with the organiser.

Why visit FOODEX JAPAN?

1. Build a shortlist of suppliers. Search the exhibitor information by product, then rank companies by fit with your category and channel.
2. Compare product alternatives. Ask comparable questions about ingredients, formats, packaging, documentation and supply conditions.
3. Explore specialist ranges. Use the noodles, hot and spicy, wine, non- and low-alcohol and packaging innovation features to organise a focused route.
4. Assess a product for your market. Review label language, ingredient information, pack format and any requirements you must verify before buying or importing.
5. Use business-matching tools where relevant. The Hosted Buyer Programme offers product-based meeting requests, pre-scheduled appointments and organiser-assisted matching for participants in that programme.
6. Turn conversations into next steps. Record the product, contact, specification still needed and a concrete follow-up action after each discussion.

Why exhibit at FOODEX JAPAN?

Food and beverage producers, ingredient suppliers, beverage brands, packaging innovators and emerging companies may consider exhibiting when they have a clear target buyer and a defined product story. The organiser’s 2026 show report records 3,238 exhibitors and 2,126 international exhibitors, making the show’s international exhibitor mix relevant to companies evaluating cross-border visibility.

Exhibitors can use the event to present products, explain specifications, discuss channel fit and explore potential distributor or buyer relationships. The Hosted Buyer Programme provides a structured process for meeting requests and pre-arranged appointments for its participants; it does not guarantee a sale or partnership. Review the current stand, registration and programme terms directly with the organiser before committing.

Market-entry note: Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency states that food labelling must be in Japanese when food is sold in Japan. Overseas brands should assess translation, label content, product specifications and applicable requirements with qualified local advisers before planning a launch. The exhibition can support product and partner discussions, but it does not replace regulatory review.

What makes FOODEX JAPAN different?

A broad food and beverage exhibition paired with structured buyer-supplier meeting tools.

The current show programme highlights multiple specialist product areas, including noodles, wine, non- and low-alcohol drinks, hot and spicy products, packaging innovation and start-ups. The Hosted Buyer Programme adds product-based exhibitor search, pre-scheduled appointments, flexible meeting times, dedicated meeting rooms and organiser-assisted matching. For buyers with defined sourcing needs, that combination can help connect product discovery with scheduled discussions; exhibitors can use it to prepare more focused conversations with participating buyers.

What should you try to achieve at FOODEX JAPAN?

If you are a buyer or procurement professional

Leave with a prioritised list of products and suppliers that meet a specific sourcing brief. Before the show, write down category, ingredients, pack format, expected volumes and required documentation. During meetings, capture what is confirmed and what still needs checking.

If you are an importer or distributor

Identify a manageable set of brands for further market and channel assessment. Compare product differentiation, export readiness, language and labelling needs, supply conditions and the support required for distribution.

If you are an exhibitor or producer

Prepare a concise product proposition and a clear next step for each relevant buyer conversation. Bring product specifications and market documentation that you can share, and distinguish confirmed capabilities from details still under discussion.

How to prepare before FOODEX JAPAN

1. Define the sourcing or exhibiting objective

Choose a practical goal: for example, compare a short list of beverage formats, assess packaging options for a product line or identify distributors for a defined category. A focused objective makes it easier to decide which stands and meetings deserve time.

2. Build a target-company list

Use the official exhibitor information guide and its product-based search to identify relevant companies when the information is available. Keep three tiers: A for essential discussions, B for useful alternatives and C for exploration if time allows.

3. Request or arrange meetings early

If you qualify for and use the Hosted Buyer Programme, review its application and schedule. The programme describes product-based meeting requests, pre-scheduled appointments and organiser-assisted matching. Confirm your programme status and meeting details through the official process.

4. Prepare product-specific questions

• Which ingredients and product specifications define this item?
• What pack sizes and formats are available?
• What shelf-life, storage or handling conditions apply?
• Which markets does the supplier currently serve?
• What export documentation and product information can be provided?
• What minimum order conditions and lead times should be evaluated?
• Can labels or packaging be adapted for the intended market?
• Which food safety, allergen or labelling details require independent confirmation?

5. Set up a comparison record

For each product, capture company → product → why it fits → specification to confirm → contact → next action. Use the same fields for competing products so that post-show comparisons are useful.

6. Check registration and dates

The official event site states that visitor pre-registration is scheduled to open on 2 December 2026. Confirm the current registration instructions, access conditions and any programme-specific requirements before making travel plans.

How to make the most of the exhibition

Start with the product groups most closely tied to your objective, then use the exhibitor guide to compare relevant companies. Reserve time for both scheduled meetings and unplanned product discovery. At each stand, ask for the information needed to make a decision: specifications, ingredients, packaging, market documentation, supply capacity or next-step contacts.

Keep a concise record rather than collecting every brochure. Separate confirmed facts from estimates or verbal statements that need written confirmation. For any prospective purchase, verify commercial terms and regulatory requirements after the show before making a commitment.

FOODEX JAPAN visitor profile and business opportunities

Practical information for international visitors

Confirm transport, entry arrangements and current travel requirements before departure. Visa conditions depend on nationality and individual circumstances.

One day or several days at FOODEX JAPAN?

One day

Worth considering if you already know your priority categories and have a compact target-company list. Book the most important conversations where the official programme allows, and reserve time to compare products in your strongest area of interest.

Two days

May suit buyers who need to compare several product groups or balance scheduled discussions with floor exploration. Use the first day to test your shortlist and the second to follow up on the most relevant suppliers.

Three or more days

Consider the full four-day schedule if you have multiple product categories, hosted-buyer meetings or a broader research objective. The event runs from 9 to 12 March; use the shorter final-day opening hours when planning your route.

After FOODEX JAPAN: where the real value starts

Within a short time after the exhibition, sort contacts into three groups: A – immediate evaluation for products matching a current need; B – potential for suppliers or partners requiring further review; and C – market intelligence for useful comparisons without an immediate purchase plan.

For A and B contacts, request the information that was missing: complete specifications, ingredient and allergen details, packaging data, product documentation, samples where appropriate, supply conditions and written commercial terms. Compare like with like, verify any claims that affect compliance or purchasing decisions, and agree a clear next step with each contact.

FOODEX JAPAN visitor checklist

Before the exhibition

• ☐ Define the products, suppliers or partner types you need to evaluate.
• ☐ Review the exhibitor information and product categories as they become available.
• ☐ Apply through the Hosted Buyer Programme if relevant and confirm meeting status.
• ☐ Check visitor registration, travel requirements and the venue arrangements.
• ☐ Prepare product, packaging, documentation and supply questions.

During the exhibition

• ☐ Prioritise target companies and allow time for product comparison.
• ☐ Record confirmed specifications separately from follow-up questions.
• ☐ Note the contact and a specific next action after each relevant conversation.
• ☐ Check product and label requirements with qualified advisers when needed.

After the exhibition

• ☐ Sort contacts into immediate, potential and market-intelligence groups.
• ☐ Request missing documentation and written commercial details.
• ☐ Compare products against the same sourcing or market-entry criteria.
• ☐ Follow up with a clear decision, question or next meeting request.

Is FOODEX JAPAN worth visiting?

FOODEX JAPAN is most useful for food and beverage buyers, importers, distributors, producers and suppliers who arrive with a defined product or market objective. Its broad product scope and the Hosted Buyer Programme’s structured meeting tools can support focused comparison and discussion. The value depends on choosing relevant categories, checking the right details and following up systematically; walking the exhibition without priorities is less likely to produce useful decisions.

Make your FOODEX JAPAN visit purposeful

What product, supplier or market decision do you want to be better prepared to make after the exhibition? Discover. Compare. Meet. Decide. Follow up.

Food and beverage opportunities in Japan

Market-entry consideration

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency states that food labelling must be in Japanese when food is sold in Japan. This is a practical requirement for overseas brands assessing packaged products for the market. The organiser’s feature areas for food, beverages and packaging innovation give participants relevant subjects to discuss, but they do not establish market size or guarantee buyer demand.

What this could mean for exhibitors

Food and beverage companies may use the exhibition to discuss product fit, packaging and potential distribution with professional participants. Before planning entry, exporters should assess Japanese-language label needs and verify product-specific rules and commercial conditions with qualified local advisers. The available market evidence for this guide does not quantify Japan’s food and beverage demand, so treat conversations as initial research rather than proof of commercial viability.

What this could mean for visitors

Buyers and distributors can compare products and ask suppliers how they handle product specifications, packaging and Japanese-language information. This can help define questions for later due diligence; regulatory compliance and market suitability still need independent confirmation.

How ilikevents can help you at FOODEX JAPAN

A focused sourcing visit or exhibiting plan takes preparation. ilikevents can help visitors organise their participation and help exhibitors plan their presence and business discussions.

For visitors

• Exhibition visit planning around your food and beverage sourcing goals
• Flight and hotel arrangements
• Visa application assistance
• Airport transfers and local transportation
• Interpreter and business guide services
• Exhibition ticket and registration assistance
• Business meeting coordination
• Factory visits and industrial tours

For exhibitors

• Exhibition registration and organiser coordination
• Stand selection and participation planning
• Booth design and construction
• Exhibition staffing and interpretation
• Promotional materials and advertising
• Business meeting arrangements
• Local market research and distributor identification
• Accommodation, flights and transportation

Explore Event Opportunities

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