For fountain pen devotees, ink enthusiasts, and stationery lovers, one of the coziest highlights of the autumn calendar is officially gearing up for its return. Now in its ninth year, the Tokyo International Pen Show (TIPS) 2026 is scheduled to run across a three-day holiday weekend from November 21 (Saturday) through November 23 (Monday/Holiday) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-kan.
Tickets started selling on September 23rd, 2026 which happens to be "Fountain Pen Day" (万年筆の日)
Rooted in the simple Japanese concept of kaku, the wonderful, tactile acts of writing and drawing, TIPS has blossomed from a cozy gathering into a vibrant global celebration. It brings together commercial manufacturers, independent artisans, and passionate individual makers under one roof, drawing a wonderfully enthusiastic crowd of travelers and locals eager to discover small-batch inks and unique writing tools.
The Tokyo International Pen Show is now on their ninth year, and is growing due to the recent boom in journaling
A Record-Breaking Floor Full of Analog Treasures
This year's event is slated to feature the largest vendor lineup in the show's history, spanning the 3rd, 4th, and 5th-floor exhibition halls. Visitors will find an incredible array of craft-focused goods, including:
Handcrafted Pens: Everything from beautifully turned wooden fountain pens to gorgeous Urushi and Ebonite designs crafted by independent makers.
Specialty Inks and Fine Papers: A dazzling rainbow of mixable inks, shimmering shades, and notebooks specially designed to handle wet nibs smoothly.
Workshops and Clinics: Interactive seminars, lettering masterclasses, and on-site nib tuning to get your favorite daily writer performing at its absolute best.
Community Initiatives: Continuing a popular tradition from previous years, the show offers free admission to seniors aged 65 and older—a lovely effort to share the joy of putting pen to paper with every generation.
You'll find a large selection of rare hand-crafted pens that often sell out quickly. So come early
Limited-edition fountain pens are also very popular and sell out early in the morning
Ticket Tiers and Event Details
Tickets went live on September 23 (fittingly celebrated domestically as "Fountain Pen Day"), and because early entry slots tend to get snapped up quickly by eager fans, it's a good idea to secure your spot ahead of time:
Fast Pass (3-Day Access): ¥8,000
Standard Pass (3-Day Access): ¥4,000
Saturday, Nov. 21 (13:00 – 17:00): ¥3,000
Sunday, Nov. 22 (09:30 – 17:00): ¥2,000
Monday, Nov. 23 (09:30 – 16:00): ¥1,000
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-kan (Floors 3–5), conveniently located a five-minute walk from JR/Tokyo Monorail Hamamatsucho Station or a two-minute walk from Yurikamome Takeshiba Station.
For more information regarding the event, or if you're interested in getting a ticket, you can check out their website here (Japanese Only): https://tokyo-international-penshow.com/
