This is Hamamoto from TIMEWELL.
TechGALA Japan 2026 starts tomorrow. "I've registered, but which sessions should I actually see?" "There are apparently 110+ side events — how do I choose?" If you're feeling that way, this guide is for you.
This article covers the recommended main sessions and notable side events for TechGALA 2026 in detail. Read it before you go and you'll be positioned to get the most out of all three days.
What Is TechGALA Japan 2026?
"A Festival of Technology Opening the Future of the Earth"
TechGALA Japan is Japan's largest innovation festival, hosted by the Central Japan Startup Ecosystem Consortium — comprising Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Nagoya University, and the Chubu Economic Federation.
The 2025 edition drew approximately 5,000 attendees; this year's event is expected to grow further.
Event Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 27 (Tue) – 29 (Thu), 2026 |
| Venues | Multiple venues in Nagoya (Sakae area / Tsurumai area) |
| Attendance | 5,000+ (projected) |
| Speakers | 400+ |
| Sessions | 140+ |
| Exhibitors | 250+ companies |
| Side Events | 110+ |
Venue Map
TechGALA 2026 is held across two areas of Nagoya.
Sakae Area (Day 1 and Day 2)
- Chunichi Hall & Conference (main venue)
- Urban Net Nagoya Nexta Conference
- Nadia Park
- Matsuzakaya Nagoya
Tsurumai Area (Day 3)
- STATION Ai (main venue)
Six Theme Areas
Sessions at TechGALA 2026 are organized around six themes:
| Theme | Content |
|---|---|
| Mobility | Autonomous driving, flying cars, next-generation mobility |
| Sustainable Environment | Decarbonization, circular economy, environmental technology |
| Material | New materials, semiconductors, nanotechnology |
| Life Science / Well-being | Healthcare, medical, biotech |
| Advanced Technology | AI, robotics, quantum computing |
| Future Narratives | Future society visions, design thinking |
Tickets: Choosing the Right Option
| Ticket Type | Standard Price | Early Bird | Target / Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Pass | ¥150,000 | ¥105,000 | Executives, investors. VIP lounge, priority meeting slots |
| Business Pass | ¥30,000 | ¥21,000 | Business professionals. All sessions |
| Startup Pass | ¥20,000 | ¥14,000 | Startup community. Pitch viewing, meeting opportunities |
| Visitor Pass | ¥15,000 | ¥10,500 | General attendees. Exhibition and sessions |
| Student Pass | ¥5,000 | ¥3,500 | Students |
| City Pass | Free | Free | Side events only |
Recommendation: Side events alone are well worth attending — starting with the free City Pass is a perfectly reasonable approach.
Day 1 (1/27): A Day for "Depicting the Future"
Main Session Highlights
Day 1's theme is "Depicting the Future." A keynote by NIKE's futurist is the centerpiece.
Recommended Session 1: Keynote — "The Power to Design the Future"
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:45–11:45 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Speaker | Monika Bielskyte (NIKE's first Futurist in Residence) |
| Language | English (simultaneous interpretation available) |
Why attend: Monika Bielskyte holds a newly created "Futurist in Residence" position at NIKE. As a specialist in immersive media and information technology, her talk asks "what kind of future should technology create?" — a frame that goes beyond trend prediction to designing desirable futures. Relevant for innovators, designers, and executives alike.
Recommended Session 2: Medical Innovation Frontline
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 12:05–13:05 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Speakers | Fumiaki Ikeno (Stanford University Senior Research Fellow), Ruriko Tsushima (OB/GYN, Women's Healthcare Association Chair) |
| Language | Japanese |
Why attend: Two leaders of Japanese medical innovation in dialogue. Ikeno's Stanford work on medical devices alongside Tsushima's leadership in women's health — essential viewing for anyone working in healthcare.
Recommended Session 3: Mobility Innovation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 14:55–15:55 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Speakers | Kazumitsu Shirai (Toyota Motor Corporation) and others |
| Language | English |
Why attend: Aichi Prefecture is Toyota's home ground. The automotive industry is at a historic inflection point — hearing directly from Toyota about the future they are building is a rare opportunity.
Day 1 Side Events
Day 1 evening features many networking events:
| Event | Time | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-festival mixer | 18:00– | First meeting for TechGALA attendees |
| Startup Night | 19:00– | Networking with startups preparing to pitch |
| VC Meetup | 20:00– | Small-group session with investors |
Looking to optimize community management?
We have prepared materials on BASE best practices and success stories.
Day 2 (1/28): A Day for "Exploring the Present"
Main Session Highlights
Day 2's theme is "Exploring the Present." A day to understand the current state of the global startup ecosystem.
Recommended Session 4: The Global Startup Landscape
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:00–11:00 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Speakers | Shradha Sharma (YourStory CEO), Naotaka Nishiyama (Plug and Play Japan) |
| Language | English |
Why attend: Shradha Sharma founded YourStory, India's largest startup media platform. She delivers a front-line account of the startup ecosystem serving 1.3 billion people. "Why do unicorns keep emerging from India?" and "How should Japanese companies enter the Indian market?" are questions this session addresses.
Recommended Session 5: Grand Pitch 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 12:40–16:00 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Presenters | 15 startups from 10 countries |
| Language | English |
| Prize | ¥1,000,000 for the grand prize winner |
Why attend: TechGALA's signature event. 15 startups selected from Korea, Estonia, Canada, the US, France, Singapore, Germany, India, Taiwan, and more pitch in English. Both Japanese startups targeting overseas markets and foreign startups targeting Japan participate — expect opportunities to meet international companies considering Japan market entry.
Recommended Session 6: The Deep Tech Challenge
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 11:20–12:20 |
| Venue | Chunichi Hall |
| Speaker | Takeshi Ito and others |
| Language | Japanese |
Why attend: Deep tech — space, materials, biotech — requires a longer time horizon than AI or SaaS. This session covers the challenges of startups pursuing innovation with long-term perspectives in these domains.
Day 2 Special Event: Executive Leader's Party
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 18:00– |
| Venue | Tokugawa Art Museum |
| Eligible | Executive Pass holders and invited guests |
Why attend: A private party at the Tokugawa Art Museum — Nagoya's defining cultural institution. Surrounded by artworks including national treasures, with access to prominent entrepreneurs and investors. A genuinely rare setting for serious conversations.
Day 3 (1/29): A Day for "Creating Tomorrow"
Moving to STATION Ai
Day 3 takes place at STATION Ai, which opened in October 2024 — Japan's largest open innovation hub. A rare opportunity to experience the space directly.
Main Session Highlights
Day 3's theme is "Creating Tomorrow." A Nobel Prize laureate is on the program.
Recommended Session 7: Materials Research and Social Change
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 09:10–09:55 |
| Venue | STATION Ai |
| Speakers | Hiroshi Amano (Nagoya University Distinguished Professor, 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics), Ko Nagao |
| Language | Japanese |
Why attend: Professor Amano received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes. He is now a world leader in gallium nitride (GaN) research for next-generation power semiconductors. Hearing directly from a Nobel laureate about how materials research changes society — this doesn't happen often.
Recommended Session 8: The Future of Education
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:25–11:25 |
| Venue | STATION Ai |
| Speaker | Alex Kotran (MIT) |
| Language | English |
Why attend: How is AI changing education? An MIT specialist discusses next-generation learning incorporating design thinking. Relevant for educators and business leaders facing talent development challenges alike.
Recommended Session 9: Japanese Spirituality and Business
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 13:25–14:25 |
| Venue | STATION Ai |
| Speakers | Akitoshi Iriyama (Waseda Business School Professor) and others |
| Language | Japanese |
Why attend: Professor Iriyama is widely known as the author of "Global Standard Management Theory." He analyzes Japanese companies' strengths and challenges from a global perspective.
Closing Party at STATION Ai
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Time | 17:30– |
| Venue | STATION Ai |
| Content | Networking, live music |
The finale of TechGALA 2026. The last chance to deepen connections with people met over three days.
110+ Side Events: How to Choose
The real value of TechGALA is in its 110+ side events. Beyond the main sessions, side events are where TechGALA truly reveals itself.
What Are Side Events?
Side events are events planned and run independently by TechGALA participants — from morning through late night, across Nagoya: networking events, workshops, pitches, saunas, karaoke, and much more.
City Pass holders (free) can attend side events, so even without a main conference ticket, side events alone are worth your time.
Side Event Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Networking | Industry-specific mixers, themed meetups |
| Pitch / Demo | Startup pitches, product demos |
| Workshops | Hands-on sessions, design sprints |
| Talks / Seminars | Expert presentations, panel discussions |
| Activities | Sauna, morning runs |
| Food / Social | Nagoya food experiences, casual drinks |
10 Curated Side Events
From 110+ side events, here are 10 that stand out. All registrations available through TIMEWELL Base.
Day 2 (1/28) Recommendations
1. MUFG Three Tracks
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 28 (Wed) 17:00–20:00 |
| Venue | MUFG Nagoya Building 10F Lounge |
| Organizer | MUFG × Plug and Play Japan |
| Fee | Free |
| Register | TIMEWELL Base |
Why attend: Three tracks — "Startup Ecosystem," "Global Expansion," and "Open Innovation." Opens with a keynote on deep tech trends by University of Tokyo Vice Director Takashi Yamamoto, then covers the Chubu startup ecosystem, global expansion realities, and open innovation case studies — three hours of dense learning.
Recommended for:
- People wanting to start a startup in the Chubu region
- Corporate professionals advancing open innovation
- Startup founders considering overseas expansion
2. Startup × Corporate Large Networking Party
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 28 (Wed) 19:00–21:00 |
| Venue | Walking distance from TechGALA main venue (Sakae area) |
| Organizer | TIMEWELL |
| Fee | Free |
| Capacity | ~300 people |
| Register | TIMEWELL Base |
Why attend: A large-scale 300-person networking event for matching Tokai-area large and mid-size companies with startups. Casual music-filled atmosphere; light food and drinks (including alcohol) provided.
Recommended for:
- Startups wanting to collaborate with Tokai-area companies
- Corporate professionals looking for new business opportunities
- Anyone wanting to meet a large number of people efficiently
3. Seed VC View of the Chubu Startup Ecosystem
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 28 (Wed) 17:00–18:00 |
| Venue | MUFG Nagoya Building 10F |
| Language | Japanese |
| Register | TIMEWELL Base |
Why attend: A VC perspective focused specifically on the Chubu region. Real discussions about "why Chubu hasn't produced unicorns" and "the strengths and challenges of Chubu startups."
Day 3 (1/29) Recommendations
4. New Business Pitch Night
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 29 (Thu) evening |
| Venue | Near STATION Ai |
| Organizer | Shido Next Innovator alumni volunteers |
| Fee | Free |
Why attend: A volunteer pitch event by alumni of the Ministry of Economy's "Shido Next Innovator" program. 15 spots available for 5-minute business pitches — open to anyone. Audience feedback available, making it useful for refining business ideas.
Recommended for:
- People wanting to present a new business idea
- People wanting to hear other entrepreneurs' ideas
- People wanting feedback on their pitch
5. StartupSide Nagoya Night Party
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | During TechGALA (evening) |
| Venue | StartupSide Nagoya (6F, KDX Nagoya Nichigin-mae Building, 1-4-16 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya) |
| Organizer | Tsukurie Inc. |
| Fee | Free |
| Capacity | 60 people |
| Register | TIMEWELL Base |
Why attend: Networking event by startup support pioneer Tsukurie. Features elevator pitches by Aichi Startup Battle Accelerator Stage participants. StartupSide Nagoya facility tour included.
Recommended for:
- Seed and early-stage startup founders
- People considering starting a company
- Investors and VCs
Closing Party Special Event
6. Closing Party (nobodyknows+ Live & Premium Tuna Breakdown)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date/Time | January 29 (Thu) 17:00– |
| Venue | STATION Ai |
| Performers | nobodyknows+ (Nagoya-based) |
| Special Event | Premium tuna breakdown by Aichi long-established shop Kotobuki Shoten |
Why attend: The TechGALA 2026 finale. Live performance by Nagoya hip-hop group nobodyknows+ alongside a premium whole tuna breakdown by Aichi institution Kotobuki Shoten. The best possible way to close out three days.
More Notable Side Events
| Event | When | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Run | Days 1–3, early morning | Run through Nagoya while networking |
| Sauna Meetup | Day 2 evening | "Refresh" networking in a sauna |
| Nagoya Morning Coffee | Days 2–3 morning | Networking over Nagoya-style morning sets |
| AI × Healthcare Study Session | Day 2 afternoon | Medical AI frontline discussions |
| Web3 Night | Day 1 evening | Blockchain and NFT networking |
| Women Entrepreneurs Meetup | Day 2 midday | Female founders and investors networking |
| Student Entrepreneurs Mixer | Day 3 afternoon | Next-generation founder networking and mentoring |
How to Get the Most from Side Events
1. Register in Advance
Popular side events fill up fast. These in particular deserve early registration:
- 300-person large networking party (TIMEWELL-organized)
- MUFG session (near-invitation-only)
- Closing Party (ticket-type restrictions apply)
2. Stack Multiple Events
Side events run from morning through late night — attending 3–5 per day is feasible.
Day 2 Recommended Stack:
- 15:00– Grand Pitch 2026 (main venue)
- 17:00– MUFG Three Tracks (MUFG building)
- 19:00– Startup × Corporate Large Networking (Sakae area)
- 21:30– Sauna Meetup or after-party
3. Don't Stop at Business Card Exchange
When you meet someone at a side event, follow each other on social media on the spot. Business cards alone often lead to lost connections.
TIMEWELL Base's community features let event participants continue networking after the event ends.
Find All Side Events on TIMEWELL Base
All TechGALA 2026 side events are searchable and registerable on TIMEWELL Base.
TechGALA 2026 Side Event List →
172+ people already in the community.
TIMEWELL Base offers:
- Event search: Filter by date, category, keyword
- Registration: One-click signup
- Reminders: Notifications before events
- Attendee preview: Check who else is coming
- Community: Continue connecting after the event
Efficient Three-Day Schedule by Attendee Type
Startup Founders and Executives
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Keynote (Monika) | Exhibition floor | Networking |
| Day 2 | Global startup landscape | Grand Pitch 2026 | Executive Party |
| Day 3 | Prof. Amano keynote | Spirituality and business | Closing Party |
Note: Grand Pitch 2026 is essential. Strong investor and corporate presence.
Corporate / New Business Teams
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Medical innovation | Mobility | Industry mixer |
| Day 2 | Speed Dating | Grand Pitch 2026 | Themed meetup |
| Day 3 | Materials research | Exhibition meetings | Closing Party |
Note: Speed Dating enables efficient matching with 40+ companies. Toyota, AWS, regional banks all participating.
Investors / VCs
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Keynote | Individual meetings | VC Meetup |
| Day 2 | Global startup landscape | Grand Pitch 2026 | Executive Party |
| Day 3 | Deep tech session | STATION Ai visit | Closing Party |
Note: Grand Pitch is the efficient way to see 15 startups from 10 countries at once.
Students and Young Professionals
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Keynote | Exhibition experience | Student mixer |
| Day 2 | Deep tech challenge | Grand Pitch 2026 | Startup networking |
| Day 3 | Future of education | STATION Ai tour | Closing Party |
Note: City Pass (free) + side events only is a perfectly valid option.
Nagoya Food Recommendations
The city itself is part of the TechGALA experience.
Sakae Area (Day 1 and Day 2)
Ibasho Honten (Hitsumabushi)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Hitsumabushi / eel cuisine |
| Address | 3-8-121 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya |
| Access | 3 min walk from Sakae Station Exit 1 |
| Hours | 11:00–14:00 (reduced hours) |
| Closed | Fridays |
Classic Nagoya eel in the Kansai style (non-steamed), with a distinctive tare sauce made from local tamari soy. If you're going to try hitsumabushi during TechGALA, this is the place.
Tsurumai Area (Day 3)
Ramen Juumu (Italian × Ramen)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Creative ramen (Italian fusion) |
| Address | 2-1-2 Goikedori, Showa-ku, Nagoya |
| Access | 5 min walk from Arahata Station (Tsurumai Line) |
| Hours | 11:30–14:30, 17:30–21:15 |
| Closed | Wednesdays, 2nd Thursdays |
An Italian chef-run creative ramen shop unique in Nagoya. The #1 dish: Tomato Mazemen (¥1,100) in red-green-white Italian colors. A short detour worth making after Day 3 at STATION Ai.
Summary: Making the Most of TechGALA 2026
Key Points
- Day 1 is "Depicting the Future": NIKE futurist Monika Bielskyte's keynote is the main draw
- Day 2 is "Exploring the Present": Grand Pitch 2026 gives you 15 startups from 10 countries in one session
- Day 3 is "Creating Tomorrow": Nobel laureate Prof. Hiroshi Amano speaks; closing at STATION Ai
- 110+ side events: Search and register on TIMEWELL Base
- City Pass (free) covers side events: A low-barrier entry point
Pre-Event Checklist
- Purchase ticket (or get free City Pass)
- List sessions you want to attend
- Search and register for side events (TIMEWELL Base)
- Prepare business cards (100+ recommended)
- Charge your portable battery
- Wear comfortable shoes (significant walking between venues)
TechGALA 2026 side events are managed and published on TIMEWELL Base. TechGALA side event coordinator Kazuki Takezawa said about choosing TIMEWELL Base:
"TIMEWELL Base stood out for its well-organized, highly readable page design and AI-powered support. Both first-time event organizers and participants can intuitively understand the content and how to register."
View TechGALA 2026 Side Events on TIMEWELL Base →
References
- TechGALA Japan Official Site
- Aichi Prefecture Press Release: TechGALA Japan 2026 Highlights
- PR TIMES: TechGALA Japan 2026 Featured Programs & Artists
- TNL Mediagene: TechGALA Japan 2026 Keynote Speakers
- Plug and Play Japan: TechGALA 2026 Speaker Information
- TIMEWELL Base: TechGALA 2026 Side Events