At Watashi no Meihinchō, we hope to help build “a world where good crafts are passed on in good ways.”
Each month, we highlight notable craft and artisan events taking place across Japan.
December offers numerous opportunities to experience craftsmanship up close—from juried exhibitions and folk-art shows to department-store craft fairs and museum exhibitions dedicated to exceptional handwork.
If an event is happening near you, we encourage you to visit.
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🗼 Kanto Area (Tokyo / Chiba)
🎪 Japan Folk Art Museum Exhibition 2025 — Juried New Works
📍 Tokyo – Japan Folk Art Museum (Komaba, Meguro-ku)
🗓️ Nov 22 (Sat) – Dec 17 (Wed)
🛍️ A long-standing juried exhibition showcasing newly created folk crafts from across Japan, including ceramics, textiles, dyeing, wood and lacquer, glass, and bamboo.
🔗 https://mingeikan.or.jp/
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🎪 Traditional Crafts Public Competition 2025
📍 Tokyo – National Art Center Tokyo, Exhibition Room 1D (Roppongi, Minato-ku)
🗓️ Nov 26 (Wed) – Dec 8 (Mon) ※Closed Dec 2 (Tue)
🛍️ A new nationwide competition featuring works from regions designated as “Traditional Crafts” by METI. Makers present both traditional technique and innovative ideas in this first contest-style exhibition.
🔗 https://kyokai.kougeihin.jp/kouboten/
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🎪 Traditional Crafts Competition 2025 — Awarded Works Exhibition
📍 Tokyo – Aoyama Square (Akasaka, Minato-ku)
🗓️ Dec 19 (Fri) – Jan 8, 2026 (Thu) ※Closed Dec 28 – Jan 3
🛍️ A compact but high-quality exhibition of selected works from the above competition, including award-winning pieces that capture the present moment of traditional craftsmanship.
🔗 https://kougeihin.jp/external/20251126/
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🎪 “Takumi no Waza” — Master Artisans of Japan
📍 Tokyo – Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store, Main Bldg. 7F Event Hall
🗓️ Dec 27 (Sat) – Jan 5, 2026 (Mon)
🛍️ A year-end/New Year tradition bringing together distinguished artisans from across Japan. Demonstrations accompany sales of craftworks, lifestyle tools, apparel, and more.
🔗 https://www.mistore.jp/store/nihombashi.html
※ Depending on publication timing, event pages may not yet appear on the official department store website.
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🎪 Artisans of Japan Exhibition
📍 Chiba – Sogo Chiba Store (Chuo-ku, Chiba City)
🗓️ Dec 9 (Mon) – Dec 15 (Sun)
🛍️ A department-store pop-up featuring artisans from across Japan, including the doll-making studio Nagoe Ningyō known for traditional Hina dolls.
🔗 https://www.sogo-seibu.jp/chiba/
※ Details may be updated through the store’s event calendar.
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🏔 Chubu / Hokuriku Area
🎪 Special Exhibition: “Shigeo Suzuki — Making by Hand and Eye”
📍 Aichi – Toyota Municipal Museum of Folk Craft (Toyota City)
🗓️ Oct 11 (Sat) – Jan 12, 2026 (Mon, Holiday)
🛍️ An exhibition exploring the work of printmaker Shigeo Suzuki, a contributor to the Mingei movement. It highlights the relationship between hand and eye through woodblock prints and book design.
🔗 https://www.mingeikan.toyota.aichi.jp/
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🎪 49th “Artisans of Japan” Exhibition
📍 Aichi – Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store, Main Bldg. 7F Event Hall
🗓️ Nov 26 (Wed) – Dec 7 (Sun)
🛍️ A major fair gathering artisans of clothing, food, and living tools. Pottery, lifestyle goods, apparel, and foods rooted in everyday craftsmanship are showcased.
🔗 https://www.matsuzakaya.co.jp/nagoya/topics/5_classic_event_syokunin_2511.html
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🏯 Kinki Area
🎪 “Master Artisans’ Street & Takumi Skills Fair”
📍 Osaka – Keihan Department Store Moriguchi, 8F Event Hall
🗓️ Nov 27 (Thu) – Dec 2 (Tue)
🛍️ A showcase of top-level artisans from across Japan and makers connected to the Keihan railway region. Demonstrations, custom-order consultations, and a wide selection of craftworks are available.
🔗 https://www.keihan-dept.co.jp/moriguchi/event/015956/
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🏞 Chugoku / Shikoku / Kyushu Area
At this time, no additional pottery markets or department-store artisan fairs with December dates have been officially announced.
However, many regional craft museums and art museums hold seasonal exhibitions.
We recommend checking local craft centers, prefectural museums, and department-store event calendars for more opportunities.
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Notes for Visitors
※ This page is compiled as of December 1, 2025, based on:
・ official websites of department stores, museums, and craft centers
・ organizations related to traditional crafts
・ official announcements from exhibiting workshops
※ For some department-store events (e.g., Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Sogo Chiba), detailed pages may not yet be available. Dates listed are based on exhibitor announcements.
Please check each venue’s official website for the latest information on schedules, opening hours, and visitor guidance.
