JIMTOF2026 Guide: Preparation and How to Tour the Fair

JIMTOF2026, the 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair, runs from Monday, October 26 to Saturday, October 31, 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight.
Manufacturers from Japan and around the world show their newest machines and technologies in one place.
The venue is huge, though, and visiting without a plan can leave you with sore feet and little else.
This guide covers the essential facts (dates, admission) and the tips a first-time visitor needs to tour the fair efficiently.

Based on the official JIMTOF website ("Outline" and "Admission") as of October 19, 2026. Written before the show opens; details may change during and after the event.

Outline (Dates, Venue, Organizers)

Name

JIMTOF2026 — 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair

Dates

Monday, October 26 – Saturday, October 31, 2026 (6 days)

Hours

10:00–17:00 (until 16:00 on the last day)

Venue

Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center). East Halls 4–6 are closed for renovation during the fair

Organizers

Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association (JMTBA) / Tokyo Big Sight Inc.

Official site

https://www.jimtof.org/en/

JIMTOF is counted among the world's leading machine tool fairs alongside EMO (Europe), IMTS (USA) and CIMT (China).
Besides machine tool builders, it gathers tooling, peripheral equipment, software and automation companies.

Admission and Visitor Registration

JIMTOF2026 uses full registration for everyone, exhibitors included. Visitors must register and print their own visitor pass on A4 paper in color (pass holders are provided at the venue).

Admission

JPY 3,000 on the day / JPY 1,000 in advance (tax included). Free for students with a student ID

Advance tickets

JPY 1,000 when purchased on the official website between September 1 and October 25, 2026; JPY 3,000 for web purchases from October 26 or at the venue (cash only on site)

Invitation tickets

Distributed through exhibitors. Invitation holders are also encouraged to pre-register online (until 15:00 on October 31). Same-day registration at the venue is possible but may take time

Registration

Visitor registration (official) / Admission details (official, Japanese)

Finding Exhibitors and Booths

The official online catalog lets you search exhibitors by name, by booth on the hall map, and by product category.
If CNC automatic lathes are your focus, use the category search to list makers of automatic lathes, then plan your route on the hall map.

• Exhibitor search by name (official)
• Booth map search (official)
• Category search (official)
• Lectures and seminars (official) — pre-registration required (same-day attendance only if seats remain)

Our CNC automatic lathe manufacturer directory is also useful for drawing up your list.
The editorial team does not list individual booth numbers exhaustively; our sponsor's exhibit is shown in the clearly marked PR box below.

Decide Your Purpose and Plan First

Preparation before you arrive is what makes JIMTOF worthwhile. To cover the huge venue efficiently:

1. Clarify your purpose"Compare the latest CNC automatic lathes" or "discuss a specific machining problem" — knowing what you want narrows the booths to visit.
2. List the makers and technologies to seeCheck the exhibitor information in advance and decide your priority booths.
3. Plan your route on the hall mapThe fair spans the East, West and South Halls (East Halls 4–6 are closed). Decide a rough order so you are not shuttling between buildings.
4. Book appointmentsFor concrete consultations, contact the manufacturer beforehand and reserve a meeting on the day.

What to Wear and Bring

You will be on your feet all day in a very large venue, so comfort matters.

• Clothing — comfortable shoes are essential; walking several kilometers in a day is normal. Dress in layers you can adjust.
• Items — your printed visitor pass, plenty of business cards, a phone or tablet for notes, a power bank, a bag for literature, and a drink.
• Catalogs as data — paper catalogs get heavy fast. Ask for downloads or to have them sent afterwards.

What to Ask at the Booth

Rather than just looking, ask the staff specific questions — it changes the quality of what you learn.
If you are considering a CNC automatic lathe:

• Show your own part (ideally a drawing): "Can this be machined? Which model suits it?"
• Handling of difficult-to-cut materials and chips, and stability in unattended operation
• Whether the machine converts between guide-bushing and non-guide-bushing use, and the remnant / bar-diameter requirements
• After-sales support (start-up assistance, technical information, maintenance)
• Case studies of similar parts

Reading Swiss-Type vs. Fixed-Headstock and Gang vs. Turret Tool Posts beforehand makes these conversations easier.

Highlights to Watch For

Around CNC automatic lathes, four themes are worth your attention:

• Process integration through multitasking — simultaneous front and back machining, live-tool milling, complete parts from one machine.
• New answers to difficult materials and chip control — oscillation cutting, high-pressure coolant and similar technologies that stabilize unattended runs.
• Automation and labor saving — bar feeders, unloaders and in-machine measurement combined into unattended cells.
• Digitalization — conversational programming, machine monitoring and remote support that lighten setup and maintenance.

Comparing live demos across makers shows you the real behavior that no catalog can convey.

FAQ

Q. When is JIMTOF2026?
A. October 26–31, 2026 (six days) at Tokyo Big Sight, 10:00–17:00 (until 16:00 on the last day). Check the official site for the latest information.

Q. How much is admission?
A. JPY 3,000 on the day or JPY 1,000 in advance (tax included); free for students with ID. Invitation tickets are distributed through exhibitors.

Q. Is it worthwhile for a first-time visitor?
A. Yes. Decide your purpose and target booths beforehand and you will get a lot out of it; even just watching the live demos is instructive.

Q. Should I go without any purchase planned?
A. Yes. It is the quickest way to grasp the latest machines and technologies for future equipment planning. Wear comfortable shoes and tour systematically.

Summary

The key to JIMTOF2026 is preparation: register, decide your purpose, list the booths, plan your route and dress for walking.
At the booths, discuss your own parts in concrete terms for the most useful answers.
For the yearly calendar, see the Exhibition Schedule.