Tokyo Auto Salon — The Complete Visitor’s Guide

If you’re into JDM car culture, Tokyo Auto Salon is the one event you cannot miss. Held every January at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, it’s the world’s biggest custom car show — and for car enthusiasts visiting Japan, it’s a bucket list experience.

I’ve been going since I was a kid, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked those halls. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.

What Is Tokyo Auto Salon?

Tokyo Auto Salon is an annual custom car and aftermarket parts exhibition held in mid-January at Makuhari Messe. Unlike motor shows focused on new production cars, TAS is all about modified and custom builds — from full aero kits and widebody monsters to track-built time attack machines and stance builds.

Every genre is represented. JDM legends, domestic tuners, international brands — it’s all there under one roof.

When to Go

Tokyo Auto Salon runs for three days in January each year. There’s one important thing to note about the schedule: Friday is a half-day. Doors open in the afternoon, not the morning, and there’s no extension to the hours. If you’re only in Japan for a short time, Saturday or Sunday will give you the most time inside.

Saturday is the highlight day — the outdoor demonstration area hosts a drift show, and if you’re already inside the venue, it’s free to watch. Don’t miss it.

Getting There

By Train (Recommended)

The vast majority of visitors should take the train. In 2026, attendance hit 200,000 people — the roads around Makuhari Messe on event days are a nightmare, and parking is extremely limited.

The easiest route from Tokyo is the Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station to Kaihin-Makuhari Station, which is a short walk from the venue. The ride takes around 30–40 minutes depending on the service.

For navigating transfers and train times, Yahoo! Transit (Yahoo乗換案内) is the best app to use. It’s far more accurate for local trains than Google Maps and gives you real-time updates.

By Car

If you’re planning to shop heavily — and you should be, more on that below — driving makes it easier to carry your haul back. But be prepared: you’ll want to arrive by 7:00 AM to secure parking before the queues build up. The lots fill fast.

Tickets

Tickets are a single tier: ¥3,000 per person.

Advance purchase is required — you cannot buy at the door. Tickets are available through the official website: 👉 https://www.tokyoautosalon.jp/2026/ticket/

Buy yours before you travel to Japan. They do sell out, especially for Saturday.

What Time to Arrive

Doors open at 9:00 AM, but getting there early is critical regardless of how you’re getting there.

• By car: Aim to arrive by 7:00 AM to get parking sorted before the rush
• By train: Try to be through the gates by 8:00 AM — the entry queue builds up fast once the show opens

What to Expect Inside

All Genres, All Builds

TAS covers the full spectrum of custom car culture. You’ll find everything from street-legal show cars to full race builds, kei car mods, luxury customs, and everything in between. If it’s been built or tuned in Japan, chances are it’s here.

Don’t Miss: Liberty Walk

The Liberty Walk booth is one of the most impressive at the show — it’s large, heavily invested, and always draws a crowd. Their widebody builds are the kind of thing you’ve seen in photos a thousand times, but seeing them in person hits differently.

Saturday Drift Show

On Saturday, the outdoor area hosts a live drift demonstration. This is included with your entry ticket at no extra charge. Find a spot early and watch some of the best drivers in Japan put on a show.

Shopping: The Real Hidden Gem

Here’s something that surprises a lot of first-timers: Tokyo Auto Salon is one of the best places in Japan to buy car parts.

Brands and vendors offer serious discounts at the show — 40% off is not unusual, even on premium products. Japanese car enthusiasts often hold off on major parts purchases throughout the year specifically to buy at TAS. If you’re planning to do any kind of build work, this is the time to stock up.

The tradeoff is that you’ll need to carry everything out. If you’re flying, think carefully about what you can realistically bring back.

How Long to Spend

Plan for at least half a day. The venue is large and there’s a lot to cover.

One tip that makes a big difference: check the floor map the night before. TAS publishes a full exhibitor map ahead of the event. Spend 15 minutes the evening before identifying the booths you don’t want to miss and planning a rough route. If you just wander, it’s easy to spend an hour in one section and then realize you’ve missed something important on the other side of the hall.

What to Wear and Bring

A few practical things worth knowing:

It gets hot. It’s January in Japan, so you’ll bundle up to get there — but inside Makuhari Messe with tens of thousands of people, it gets warm quickly. Wear layers you can easily remove.

Travel light. Booths give out tote bags, you’ll pick things up as you walk, and if you’re shopping, you’ll accumulate bags fast. Start with as little as possible.

Quick Reference

Tokyo Auto Salon is one of those events that reminds you why Japan is the spiritual home of JDM culture. Go once and you’ll be coming back every year.