Salon Idées Japon 2025: the Japanese Christmas market opens at the Bastille Design Center this weekend.

The Salon Idées Japon is getting a makeover this year. Gone is the Passage Choiseul in the Opera district, replaced by the 11th arrondissement of Paris and the Bastille Design Center for this 2025 edition, which runs from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23.

If you're looking for a great outing idea, come and discover this unmissable event for lovers of Japanese culture in a completely different setting. Located at 74 Boulevard Richard Lenoir, this venue is a former hardware factory dating from 1850, which has been converted into a cultural space. With 670 m² spread over three floors and skylights that let in natural light, the place has plenty to offer. It is easily accessible by metro via the Richard-Lenoir (line 5) or Saint-Ambroise (line 9) stations. This year, 60 exhibitors, 19 creative workshops, and 12 conferences will take over the venue for three days of immersion in the Japanese world, and best of all, admission is free.

The Salon Idées Japon is the perfect place to find originalJapanese-style Christmas gift ideas. The event brings together nearly 100 Japan enthusiasts: artists, designers, specialists, authors, and world travelers who share their love of Japanese culture through their creations. There is a wide variety of items on offer: accessories, jewelry, ceramics, decorative objects, cards, calligraphy, washi paper, books, pouches and bags, hats, traditional dolls, fabrics, and kimonos. Not to mention the gourmet side of things, with tea, sake, miso, and Japanese pastries. Everything you need to create a very Japanese Christmas.

The three-level layout makes it easy to find your way around. On level 1, you'll find art, workshops, conferences, and travel information for those who dream of visiting Japan. Level 0, on the ground floor, features accessories, decorations, fabrics, and kimonos. Level -1 is entirely dedicated to tableware and food. This layout creates a real journey through different Japanese worlds.

Among the exhibitors are familiar names such as Kimono Rikiki, La Maison des Kokeshi, Mizutama Bijoux, and Atelier LUM'design. On the food side, Pâtisserie Mayu, Umami Soup, Nihoncha Paris, and Wewantsake offer a taste of Japan without having to board a plane. The Ibaraki Prefecture will also be present to showcase the specialties of this Japanese region, which is less well known than Tokyo or Kyoto. It's an opportunity to venture off the beaten track, culinarily speaking.

The workshop program is one of the fair's great assets, and frankly, it's very appealing. This year, 19 creative workshops are being offered by Franco-Japanese specialists. You can learn about kintsugi with Takako Hirano, an ancient technique that involves repairing broken objects with gold. The principle is beautiful: rather than throwing things away, we enhance the scars. Tsumami zaiku, the refined art of fabric folding, is taught by Naoko Noguchi. Miki Kubo offers an introduction to tenkoku, the art of traditional seal engraving.

Craft enthusiasts can also try their hand at making 2026 zodiac animals and colorful chirimen cats with tweezers, guided by Kaoru Diop. Ruben Bellini teaches how to make coasters using the kumiko technique, while Masako Tomita introduces fabric dyeing. For drawing enthusiasts, Sanae Multon offers a manga workshop. The workshops will take place throughout the three days, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is available online on the fair's website, and we advise you to book quickly as places are limited and fill up fast.

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In terms of conferences, the fair will host 12 meetings with specialists on Japan. Magazine founders, book authors, and seasoned travelers will share their areas of expertise and recommendations for traveling in Japan. These conferences offer a rare opportunity to exchange ideas with true connoisseurs of the Japanese archipelago. Admission to these meetings is free, allowing everyone to enjoy these moments of exchange without having to reach for their wallets. The full conference program is available on the exhibition's official website.

The change of venue brings a new dimension to the Salon Idées Japon. The Bastille Design Center is a 19th-century industrial building that has retained its authentic character. This former factory store has been completely transformed into a cultural space while preserving its period architectural features. The original glass roofs flood the space with natural light, creating a unique atmosphere that showcases the creations on display. We absolutely love this venue, located not far from the Marais.

What's more, the Bastille district offers plenty of opportunities to extend your visit. Just a stone's throw away is the Marais with its boutiques and galleries, the Place des Vosges with its classical architecture, and the Canal Saint-Martin for a stroll along the water. The area is full of Japanese restaurants where you can take a gourmet break between discoveries. For fans of Japanese culture, this is an opportunity to combine several experiences in one day.

In short, if you're looking for something fun to do on the weekend of November 23 and you're interested in Japanese culture, this fair is for you. With free admission, three days of opening hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a new location in the 11th arrondissement, the Salon Idées Japon 2025 promises new discoveries.

Whether you're looking for original Christmas gifts , want to learn about Japanese craft techniques, or simply want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture for an afternoon, this event has something to satisfy everyone's curiosity. All this in a historic and bright setting that's a change from the usual trade shows. We look forward to seeing you at 74 Boulevard Richard Lenoir for three days of Japanese escape without leaving Paris.