Shopping Guide
The 15th Japan Expo, Europe’s largest Japanese pop culture event, will be held at the North Paris-Villepinte Exposition Park in Paris, France for five days between July 2-6, 2014.
Launched in 2000 by a group of passionate young French fans of Japanese culture, Japan Expo is an event that showcases the diversity of Japanese pop culture. It celebrates a wide variety of genres within Japanese culture, from pop culture such as film, fashion, music, game, anime and manga, to traditional culture, literature, Japanese cuisine, kimono and cultural performing arts. Held at the venue are film screenings, fashion shows, live concerts, as well as exhibits and promotional events such as new product unveilings and lectures by cultural figures. Enthusiastic young teenagers and twenty-somethings make up the majority of participants, and as the largest Japanese culture and entertainment festival in Europe, the event is expected to draw a large number of visitors from neighboring countries, in addition to those from the host country France. The 2013 festival recorded attendance numbers of 230,000 people.
To commemorate the 15th anniversary, the festival will run one day longer than last year, going from four days to five, and is expected to host 260,000 visitors. Participation rates of Japanese companies have risen every year, and approximately 100 companies are scheduled to exhibit and attend the festival this year. In addition to companies focusing on pop culture like Asobi System, major companies like Rakuten and Fuji Film and government agencies and local governments such as the Japan National Tourist Organization and Sapporo City will also exhibit.
A joint concert with pop stars Berryz Kobo and ℃-ute will be held as the main guest artist events. The festival will place greater emphasis on showcasing traditional culture in the exhibitor booths, dedicating a space of 840 square meters to traditional Japanese items and folk crafts and holding demonstrations and lectures. There’s expected to be a focus placed on Japanese cuisine, which has gained attention in Europe.
As one of the official media partners of the Japan Expo this year, Tokyo Otaku Mode will continue to provide information surrounding the event. Be sure not to miss out on future details.
[2014 Event Details]
Name: 15th Japan Expo
Dates: July 2-6, 2014
Venue: North Paris-Villepinte Exposition Park
Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord Villepinte
93420 Villepinte, France
^*^ There will be increased RER service during the festival, as well as a 25-minute through service from Gare du Nord to Parc des Expositions station. It takes approximately 10 minutes to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to the venue.
Organized by: SEFA Event (JTS Group)
Size: approx. 230,000 attendees, 125,000 square meters, 700 exhibitors (2013 actual figures)
Approximately 260,000 attendees expected for 2014.
[Hours and Ticket Info]
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
^*^ Advance purchase ticket holders are allowed entrance one hour earlier (at 9:00 a.m.).
^*^ Wed., July 2 only: 2:00 - 9:00 p.m.
