Nail Expos in Japan

Japan has some of the most influential nail artists in the world, and its nail events reflect a culture of precision, detail and creative design that the rest of the industry follows closely.

Japan Nail Expo is the dedicated event, held each November at Tokyo Big Sight. It combines a trade show with competitions and awards, making it a showcase for technical skill and new products in one visit. The wider Beautyworld Japan shows also give nails a strong place on their trade floors: Beautyworld Japan Osaka runs each October at INTEX Osaka, and Beautyworld Japan Tokyo fills Tokyo Big Sight each May. Looking further ahead, WorldSkills Aichi 2028 will bring the international skills competition to the Aichi Sky Expo near Nagoya, with beauty disciplines that include nails.

Every nail expo in Japan is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can plan your visit around the events that inspire you most.

Getting around

Tokyo Big Sight is in Ariake on Tokyo Bay, reached by the Yurikamome line to Tokyo Big Sight station or the Rinkai line to Kokusai Tenjijo station. Both Haneda and Narita airports connect to central Tokyo by train. INTEX Osaka is in the Nanko area, served by the Nanko Port Town Line, with Kansai International Airport the main gateway. The Aichi Sky Expo sits right beside Chubu Centrair International Airport, with trains running to Nagoya.

Where to stay

For Tokyo Big Sight, hotels in Ariake and Odaiba are closest, while Shimbashi and Ginza give easy access on the Yurikamome. In Osaka, the Nanko area or central Namba and Umeda work well. For WorldSkills, the hotels at Centrair are within walking distance of the venue.

Tips for Japanese nail events

• The Beautyworld Japan shows are trade only, so register as a professional before you travel.
• Carry cash as well as cards, as some smaller stands may prefer it.
• Look out for the competition area at Japan Nail Expo, where the detail of the work is worth seeing up close.