Fall 2025 was an unusually dense season for Maker Faires. As the global DIY movement slowly regains momentum after COVID, each region has…
**Six Maker Faires in Fall 2025 — **A field report from Seoul, Tokyo, Rome, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Taipei on how DIY/Maker culture has evolved after COVID. (English and Chinese)
Chinese version follows below (简体中文在后半部分)
If you’re a maker, educator, or startup founder wondering which cities feel most alive right now, these six fairs offer a pretty good snapshot.
Fall 2025 was an unusually dense season for Maker Faires.
As the global DIY movement slowly regains momentum after COVID, each
region has started to develop its own direction again.
From September to November, I visited six Maker Faires across Asia and
Europe: Seoul, Tokyo, Rome, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Taipei.
(Some as an exhibitor, some as a visitor.)
Each city showed a very different “state of DIY” rooted in its social
context.
Here is a summary of what I saw.
Seoul — A Museum-Driven DIY Fair, the Closest to Tokyo in Spirit
Maker Faire Seoul 2025 was held on Sept 27–28 at the Seoul Science
Center.
This year, the identity of the event was very clear: a DIY fair
hosted by a public science museum, strongly tied to the city’s
educational and cultural programs.
Maker Faire Seoul 2025 高須
*うお、屋根がほとんど吹っ飛んでる 台風やばい 深セン皇岡口岸
自動運転車だ！ 香港空港内で、自動運転車がスタッフや荷物を運んでるらしい
施設内のものがこうやってAGV化していくのはすごく良い…*posfie.com{.markup–anchor
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The vibe is less like Silicon Valley and much closer to “Tokyo several
years ago” — a balanced mix of personal makers, families, and student
projects.
Startups were present, but the main stage clearly belonged to
individuals and schools.
The long-running organizational structure (science museum + municipal support + local communities) works surprisingly well; the fair has its own stable cast of regulars.
메이커 페어 서울
*상상을 현실로 만드는 즐거움, 메이커 페어
서울!*www.makerfaireseoul.com{.markup–anchor
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Tokyo — The World’s Best Maker Faire, but Harder Than Ever to Exhibit
Maker Faire Tokyo 2025 (Oct 4–5) remains, in my opinion and in the opinion of many international makers, the most creative, highest-quality Maker Faire in the world.
2025 メイカーフェア東京 高須
*CNC開梱中 100KGあります #Nestworks #MakerFaireTokyo #MFTokyo2025
箱全体だともっとあった
箱そのものもけっこう重そう…*posfie.com{.markup–anchor
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The level of the projects — technical depth, design, humor,
presentation — is unmatched. The diversity of exhibitors is also
impressive: startups, universities, art schools, hobbyists, Daily Portal
Z–style absurd inventions, Hebocon-like tiny-robot battles, and more.
However, one thing has clearly changed:
it has become harder and harder to exhibit.
Because hall capacity has shrunk, many young makers now say, “Tokyo
Maker Faire is something I go to watch, not something I can imagine
applying for.”
That is sad, because Maker Faire should be a place where anyone can
stand behind a table and show what they made.
Since capacity issues can’t be solved by passion alone, I’ve been
organizing group booths in Shenzhen and Taiwan to give newcomers more
chances to exhibit internationally.
Still, Tokyo MF continues to survive despite major operational changes — and that alone deserves huge respect.
Maker Faire Tokyo 2025 | Make: Japan
Maker Faire Tokyo
2025は10月4日（土）、5日（日）東京ビッグサイトで開催しますmakezine.jp{.markup–anchor
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Rome — Art-Driven DIY Reinforced by Government and Academia
Maker Faire Rome 2025 (Oct 17–19) was held at the industrial site
Gazometro Ostiense.
Rome — and Southern Europe in general — has traditionally had
strong design culture but weaker electronics/robotics within DIY.
2025 10 Maker Faire Rome
*Setup MakerFaire Rome We are front of , nearby これの #スタックチャン
版をつくるべきかも Maker Faire Roma 1st Day #MFR2025
#MAKERFAIREROMA…*posfie.com{.markup–anchor
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This year, however, Rome felt transformed. The organizers actively
blended Maker Faire with academic conferences on 3D printing,
robotics, and VR, and brought in EU/government-backed research
projects and tech companies.
As a result:
- [Tech density increased significantly.]
- [Microcontroller companies across Europe gathered — Raspberry Pi, STMicro, M5Stack, Arduino (their home turf), and others.]
- [The scale attracted even more people, creating a positive network effect.] Among the six fairs I attended this fall, Rome showed the most “organizational improvement power.”
Shanghai — Mostly International Schools, Hard to Recommend
To be honest, Maker Faire Shanghai is tough.
Most exhibitors were international schools, and the event is run by a
group that usually organizes beer festivals and miscellaneous cultural
events.
It works as a general weekend event at the Bund — with food stalls and
performances — but as a Maker Faire, it lacks depth.
I wouldn’t recommend flying to Shanghai just for this event unless
you already have another reason to be in town.
Shenzhen — Where Startups, DIY, and Government Are Fully Aligned
Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025 (Nov 15–16) is introduced domestically as the “Greater Bay Area International Maker Summit,” and indeed the fair is filled with AI hardware and robotics startups.
2025大湾区国际创客峰会暨Maker Faire Shenzhen在深圳举办 | 最前线
*11月15日，"AI无界·万物新生"大湾区国际创客峰会暨Maker Faire Shenzhen
2025在深圳南山万科云城设计公社盛大举办！*eu.36kr.com{.markup–anchor
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Companies that began as maker-focused service providers — JLCPCB,
Seeed, WorldSemi, robotics startups — now play major roles in
China’s hardware industry. Their presence makes the fair feel like a
hybrid of Maker Faire + tech expo.
This is rare globally: DIY culture, hardware startups, and government policy (GBA & Shenzhen) are moving in the same direction.
This year the fair was further internationalized thanks to a joint event
with Fablab Asia Network, drawing makers from India, Europe, and across
Asia.
Arduino showed the new Arduino Uno Q, and Shanghai’s EDA Tech displayed
a CM0 developed with Raspberry Pi — proof that the Shenzhen supply
chain ecosystem is deeply embedded in the fair.
At the after-party, Seeed’s CEO Eric Pan performed a “maker rap.”
He’s 42, runs a 300-person company, had no time to rehearse,
half-failed to sing — and yet the moment was pure DIY spirit:
imperfect, emotional, and real.
Taipei — Finally Back, but Now Highly Government-Driven
Maker Faire Taipei 2025 (Nov 29–30) was held at Bottle Cap Factory Taipei, a beautifully renovated old factory.
The good news: the fair is finally back after COVID.
The bad news: the structure has changed dramatically.
It is now organized by Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor, with participation from cities and educational institutions. As a result, the venue is filled with school and vocational-training projects, while independent makers and individual creators have decreased significantly compared to pre-COVID years.
Maker Faire Taipei 開展！新北 17 校聯展炸出最強創客能量 - 生活新聞 -
PChome Online 新聞
*圖說：Maker Faire Taipei新北創客學校參展大合照。
(勁報記者胡光輝/新北報導)亞洲最受矚目的創客盛典--「Maker Faire
Taipei…*news.pchome.com.tw{.markup–anchor
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Scale is smaller than the golden era of Taipei MF.
This year, co-hosting robotics competitions (WRG Taiwan) brought teams from Thailand and Malaysia, adding some international energy.
Within this landscape, our Nico-Tech group has become “one of the oldest and largest collectives” in the event. Many visitors come specifically to see the Japanese makers, and we keep meeting returning fans every year.
If Taipei MF ever returns to being a hub for indie makers, I hope we can help build that path.
Conclusion — Six Fairs, Six Directions
When seen side by side, these six Maker Faires reveal clear differences:
- [Seoul: Museum-led, education-heavy, closest to Tokyo in style.]
- [Tokyo: Still world-class, but too difficult for newcomers to exhibit.]
- [Rome: Design-first DIY reinforced by government/academia, now impressively tech-dense.]
- [Shanghai: No comment.]
- [Shenzhen: DIY × startup × government aligned — a rare ecosystem globally.]
- [Taipei: Government-driven educational showcase; indies have
decreased, but continuity matters.]
None of these models is “correct.”
Each reflects its city’s social structure and ecosystem.
Where we choose to exhibit — and with whom we create — shapes the future we see.
I’ll continue joining these “frontlines of the future,” and if you want
to exhibit abroad, many Maker Faires will happily accept your
applications.
In our Nico-Tech joint booths, the barrier is even lower.
The future is not built alone — it is built collectively.
2025 年秋季的六场创客嘉年华 — — 走访亚洲与欧洲，看见「DIY 的现在进行式」 作者：高须正和
2025 年的秋天，全球各地的 Maker Faire 接连举办。
疫情之后逐渐复苏的 DIY 生态，正在各个地区重新成长，方向也明显分化。
从 9 月到 11 月，我走访了 首尔、东京、罗马、上海、深圳、台北 六场
Maker Faire（有些是参展、有些是参观）。
每一座城市都呈现出完全不同的「当下 DIY 状况」。
以下是整理与观察。
首尔：由科学馆主导的「教育 × DIY」型活动
Maker Faire Seoul 2025 于 9 月 27–28 日在首尔市立科学馆举行。
今年的定位非常明确：以科学馆为主体的 DIY
活动，与地方政府的教育文化项目紧密结合。
整体氛围更像「几年前的东京 Maker Faire」，比起硅谷，更接近 个人创客 + 学校项目 + 家庭参与 的组合。
长期由科学馆与市政府支持，加上当地社区的参与，这个展会已经形成稳定而成熟的结构。
东京：全球水准最高，但参展门槛越来越高
Maker Faire Tokyo 2025（10 月 4–5
日）依旧是我心目中，也是许多国际创客眼中的：
全球创意最高、质量最强、呈现方式最精彩的 Maker Faire。
项目水准之高、类型之多元（创业团队、大学、美术院校、独立创客、搞怪系创意等），依然无人能比。
然而，东京 MF 的另一个现实是：
参展越来越难。
展厅面积缩小，导致很多年轻创客说：「东京 Maker Faire
是用来看、不是用来参展的。」
这是令人难过的现象，因为 Maker Faire
本应是「谁都能摆桌子展示作品」的场域。
因为容量问题无法靠热情解决，我近年推动了深圳与台湾的联合展区，让新创客更容易踏出第一步。
不过，无论主办方如何更换，东京 MF 能持续举办，本身就值得极大敬意。
罗马：原本偏设计的 DIY，被政府与学界强力导入"科技成分"
Maker Faire Rome 2025（10 月 17–19 日）在 Gazometro Ostiense 举行。
一直以来，我认为罗马（以及西欧许多城市）的 DIY
更偏「设计、造型、艺术」，电子与机器人较弱。
但今年的罗马完全不同：
主办方把 Maker Faire 与 3D 打印、机器人、VR 等学术会议合并举办，再结合欧盟与政府项目，把科研与企业大量引入。
产生了三点明显效果：
- [科技密度大幅提升]
- [欧洲各地的微控制器企业云集：Raspberry Pi、STMicro、M5Stack、Arduino 等]
- [规模变大 → 形成正向网络效应] 六场展会中，罗马是「运营努力最明显、进化幅度最大」的一场。
上海：几乎全是国际学校的展区
坦白说，上海的 Maker Faire 目前不太推荐。
大部分展出者是国际学校，主办团队本身平常举办啤酒节、嘉年华之类的活动。
作为外滩的商业活动，它没问题；但作为 Maker Faire，它缺乏深度。
除非你本来就因其他行程来到上海，否则不建议专程前往。
深圳：创业公司 × DIY × 政策方向完全一致的独特生态
Maker Faire Shenzhen 2025（11 月 15–16
日）在国内被称为「大湾区国际创客峰会」。
展会中有大量 AI 硬件、机器人创业公司。
像 JLCPCB、Seeed、WorldSemi 这种从创客服务起家的公司，如今已是中国硬件产业的重要玩家，他们的出现让整个展会呈现「创客嘉年华 × 科技展」的混合形态。
放眼全球，这种 DIY 与创业生态、再加上地方政策完全一致 的城市并不多见。
今年与 Fablab Asia Network
合办，使得来自印度、欧洲、东南亚的创客比往年更多。
Arduino 带来了新款 Uno Q；上海的 EDA Tech 展示了与 Raspberry Pi 合作的
CM0 — — 这就是深圳供应链的力量。
After-party 上，Seeed CEO Eric Pan 献上一段「创客说唱」。
42 岁、300 人公司的 CEO、几乎没时间练习、唱得乱七八糟 — —
但正是这种不完美的真实，才是 DIY 精神本身。
台北：终于回来了，但更像政府主导的教育展示
Maker Faire Taipei 2025（11 月 29–30 日）在 瓶盖工厂台北制造所
举办。
场地非常漂亮，是老工厂改造的文化空间。
值得庆幸的是：台北 MF 终于在疫情后复办了。
但结构已与过去完全不同：
现在由台湾劳动部主办，搭配地方政府与技术中心（台湾称
Fablab）参与。结果是：
学校作品与技职教育成果大量增加，独立创作者显著减少。
规模比疫情前的黄金时期小很多。
今年与 WRG Taiwan（亚洲机器人赛事）合作，使泰国、马来西亚等队伍带来一些国际能量。
在这样的结构中，Nico-Tech
反而成了「展会中最老、规模最大的独立创客群体之一」。
许多观众是冲着日本创客来的，我们每年也都能见到熟悉的访客。
如果未来台北 MF 能重新成为独立创客聚集的地方，希望我们能继续贡献力量。
结语：六场 Maker Faire，看见六种未来
对比六座城市，可以看到非常清晰的分化：
- [首尔： 科学馆主导，教育 + DIY 为主]
- [东京： 世界级水准，但参展门槛过高]
- [罗马： 设计城市 × 科研 × 政府，形成新型生态]
- [上海： 不评论]
- [深圳： DIY × 创业公司 × 政府方向一致的全球少见模式]
- [台北： 教育展示为主，独立创客减少；但能复办已十分珍贵]
这些并无所谓「好坏」。
它们反映的都是城市与社会结构本身。
你选择在哪里参展、在哪里玩、在哪里遇到人，
你看到的未来就会不同。
我会继续去这些「未来的前线」。
绝大多数海外 Maker Faire 都很容易申请展位，Nico-Tech
的联合展区更是门槛极低。
未来不是一个人造出来的，而是共同创造出来的。
By TAKASU Masakazu/高須正和{.p-author .h-card} on December 1, 2025.
Canonical link Exported from Medium on February 6, 2026.