I got a sneak peek at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Hello, everyone!

This is Maho.
The other day, we were invited as a travel company to the test run of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which is scheduled to officially open on April 13th, 2025, and run until October 13th, 2025!

Even though it was still in the preparation stage, I could already feel the enthusiasm of the venue and the anticipation for the future.

Apparently, over 160 countries and regions are participating!

What was particularly impressive was the Grand Ring, which can be called the symbol of the Expo!

Grand Ring!

The first thing that caught my eye upon entering the venue was its magnificent scale!

The huge ring, gently arcing, has a total circumference of 2,025 meters (approximately 1.26 miles) and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest wooden structure.

Walking under the ring, I could physically feel its immense size. While it blocked the sunlight, it also had a sense of openness, gently enveloping the entire venue. From inside the ring, I could catch glimpses of the roofs and distinctive exteriors of each pavilion, which heightened my excitement for the upcoming Expo.

I heard that it will be lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere different from the daytime. A ring of light floating in the sky... just imagining it is captivating!

And another major attraction of the Expo is the unique architecture of each pavilion.

The USA Pavilion

From striking and innovative forms that catch the eye from afar to unique exteriors reflecting the culture and technology of their respective countries, and designs harmonizing with nature, no two are alike. Just looking at them made me feel like I was on a world tour. It was interesting to see designs that were very characteristic of their country, as well as designs that showed respect for Japanese aesthetics, with each offering a different interpretation.

The Japan Pavilion

For example, the Japan Pavilion,

based on the theme "Between Lives," expresses the relay of life through its circular structure. Its most distinctive feature is the countless "wooden plates" standing in a ring. The gaps between them allow glimpses of the interior, and this continuity between the inside and outside, the exhibits and the architecture, provides visitors with an opportunity to become aware of the "between" that is also part of the Japan Pavilion's theme. The "wooden plates," mainly made of CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), are designed for easy dismantling and reuse as buildings in various parts of Japan after the Expo ends.

I felt that each pavilion was expressing its own unique message and the Expo's shared theme of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives" through its architecture. Just strolling around these buildings will undoubtedly be one of the great pleasures of the Expo!

This test run made me even more excited for the official opening! 

I hope you all will come and experience this special place!

In the next blog post, Rie, who participated with me, will detail the unique experiences offered inside each pavilion. 

📔Osaka Kansai Expo 2025: A Look Inside the Pavilions

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan 

Location: Yumeshima Island, Osaka Bay area, Osaka, Japan.

Dates: April 13, 2025 – October 13, 2025

Theme: "Designing Future Society for Our Lives"

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