9 Exhibitions in Kanto That You Shouldn't Miss

The International Tokyo Toy Show is Japan's number one toy exhibition. With a long history, the fair whose tagline is "EnterTOYment" features a plethora of games, stuffed animals, electronic gadgetry, dolls, and seasonal gifts to delight any child, and make every adult feel young at heart. Annually open to the public on its last two days, the Toy Show has a number of workshops (and playshops) geared towards parents and children, with over 150 exhibitions to explore in between. It invites you to shed responsibility and enter a world of make believe.

The Tokyo Game show is an annual video game expo held in September which highlights both Japanese and international game developers. Open to the general public for two days, the expo invites both established and emerging game designers to promote their new releases and announce upcoming innovations. It includes showcases, demo areas, merchandise booths, and a cosplay area. While video games are the major draw, games for PC and smart devices are also included in the lineup.

A biennial exhibition for automobiles and motorcycles, the Tokyo Motor Show is more than just a car show. It's a chance for big name brands to bust out their new concept pieces, show off innovative futuristic technology, and debut their most revolutionary ideas. Most of the cars on display aren't commercial models, but rather, trailblazing mock-ups and prototypes that give a clue as to where the auto world is heading, and what progress we might see down the line. Cutting edge and cool, it's one of the world's biggest shows of this nature.

These days, regional mascots are a must for tourism promotion. The World Character Summit assembles all of these unique local mascots each November in Hanyu City, Saitama Prefecture. In the year 2014, the summit featured mascots not only from 42 prefectures but also from ten foreign countries including the U.S.A. And Germany, for a total of 430 mascots. The festival events include fashion and stage shows as well as weddings where the mascots take part.

The Tokyo International Quilt Festival at Tokyo Dome provides everything you want to know about quilts. They have a different exhibition theme each year, and the latest works by popular quilt artists and antique quilts are exhibited. Winners of the Japan Quilt Grand Prix are also announced. Other highlights include talk shows on stage, quilt lessons, quilt workshops, and booths selling quilting supplies. A must-see event for quilt lovers.

The International Orchid Festival brings diverse orchids from all over the world under one roof. About 100,000 plants of 3,000 varieties of Western, Oriental, and Japanese orchids are displayed. The Japan Grand Prix has six judging categories such as Individual, Fragrance, and Arts for selecting winners. Besides the orchid displays, there are booths selling orchids, flower artist demonstrations, orchid craft-making workshops, and stage entertainment.

The Tableware Festival offers all kinds of information about tableware. Japanese and foreign tableware brands arrange their tableware exhibits to suit the year's exhibition theme. You can also see dining space arrangements by celebrities and cultural figures. The latest foreign-brand tableware and Japanese pottery are for sale. Seminars on table setting and flower coordination are also held.

A major travel event in which travel information on locations throughout Japan and all over the world is concentrated. The event introduces visitors to the latest local travel information and recommendations through booths run by tourism associations from municipalities throughout Japan in the domestic area and those run by the tourism boards, hotels, and airline companies of various countries in the overseas area. With various amenities such as a food court where one can enjoy dishes from around the world and a stage where local songs and dances are performed, one can get the sense of having travelled around the world just being at the venue and immersing oneself in the plentiful forms of entertainment.