Japan Expo Paris 2026: Highlights and Fan Reactions

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Japan Expo Paris marked its 25th anniversary in July 2026 with its largest-ever venue footprint, roughly 220,000 visitors, and a record turnout of accredited industry professionals.

A Record-Setting Anniversary Edition

The 2026 edition ran July 9-12 at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, expanding to approximately 154,000 square meters — its largest venue footprint in the event's history — with an added exhibition hall. Reported attendance was around 220,000 visitors across the four days.

Professional attendance also set a new record: 3,089 accredited professionals, including 860 from abroad, represented 642 companies and 1,016 exhibitors — underscoring the event's growing role as a business gathering, not just a fan convention.

Highlights and a Heatwave

The WABI SABI pavilion, dedicated to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, food culture, and art, featured 106 participating artists and companies. A Yoshiki concert was among the event's headline moments, drawing significant attention from fans. The event also took place amid a notable summer heatwave, which organizers and attendees both had to contend with across the four outdoor-adjacent exhibition days.

What Fans Are Saying

• "220,000 visitors for a 25th anniversary is an incredible milestone for the event."
• "The WABI SABI pavilion sounds like a great addition for fans interested in traditional culture, not just anime."
• "Heatwave or not, a Yoshiki concert at Japan Expo is a huge highlight."

Original Japanese

• 「25周年で22万人は本当にすごい数字」
• 「WABI SABIパビリオンは、アニメだけじゃなく伝統文化に興味がある人にもいい企画だと思う」
• 「猛暑の中でもYOSHIKIのコンサートは大きな見どころだったはず」

Easy Japanese

フランスの「ジャパンエキスポ」が25周年を迎え、2026年7月9日から12日まで開催されました。約22万人が来場し、過去最大の規模となりました。