Highlights
- Hundreds of tuned, modified and one-off cars from Japan's top aftermarket builders
- Concept and world-premiere vehicles from major automakers
- Demo runs, motorsport stages and a massive parts-and-gear marketplace
Background & story
Launched in 1983, Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the world's largest custom-car shows, drawing about 270,000 visitors over three days in 2026, according to the organizer.
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- 5-min walk from Kaihimmakuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line (about 30 min from Tokyo Station). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- Digital tickets only (sold in advance, date-specific): ¥4,000 for Friday's public session, ¥3,000 for Saturday or Sunday (tax incl.). Elementary-school age and younger free with a guardian.. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- tech & builders, groups of friends, designers, solo-goers
Good to know
Tickets are sold in advance as digital tickets with no door sales, so buy online before you go; weekends are extremely crowded, so arrive at opening.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Tokyo Auto Salon 2027?
- Friday January 15 to Sunday January 17, 2027, at Makuhari Messe. Per the official outline, Friday is a business day (9:00–19:00) with a public session from 14:00; Saturday runs 9:00–19:00 and Sunday 9:00–18:00 (checked 2026-10-11).
- Where is the venue and how do I get there?
- Makuhari Messe, 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba (International Exhibition Halls 1–11, the International Conference Hall, Event Hall and outdoor area). It is about a 5-minute walk from Kaihimmakuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line, roughly 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by rapid train. The organizer says temporary parking shrinks every year and asks visitors to use public transport (checked 2026-10-11).
- How much are tickets and when did they go on sale?
- Advance digital tickets went on sale at 10:00 JST on Thursday October 1, 2026 via the official site (San-ei Ticket Service). Prices are ¥4,000 for the Friday public session (14:00–19:00) and ¥3,000 each for Saturday and Sunday, tax included and valid only on the selected date. Elementary-school age and younger enter free with a guardian (checked 2026-10-11).
- Are there same-day or paper tickets?
- No physical tickets are sold and there are no counter sales at the venue. The official ticket page states tickets are sold in advance as electronic tickets only and that no physical (paper) tickets are sold; the official FAQ adds that, depending on advance sales, same-day e-tickets may be sold online via the official site on the day, but never at a venue box office. Show the e-ticket on your phone to enter (without a smartphone, open the ticket URL on a PC and bring a printout of the QR code); re-entry is allowed on the same day only. Refunds and date or quantity changes are not possible after purchase, except if the organizer cancels the show (checked 2026-10-11).
- How crowded does it get, and is entry ever restricted?
- The organizer reported about 270,000 visitors over the three days of the 2026 show (January 9–11). The official site says entry may be restricted when crowded, and the Friday public session from 14:00 admits only holders of the limited-quantity special admission ticket (¥4,000) (checked 2026-10-11).
Getting there
Makuhari Messe (Japan Convention Center) — 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 261-8550