Osaka Kansai Expo 2025: A Look Inside the Pavilions

Hello, everyone! This is Rie. Guess what? 

The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 is finally here!

Our team got to participate in a test run, and it was awesome! If you want the lowdown on all the cool architecture such as the giant wooden ring, check out Maho's post.

I got a big welcome from the official character, "Myaku-Myaku," and then went exploring the different countries' pavilions. I'm going to give you a quick peek at what I saw!

The official character, Myaku-Myaku is a mysterious creature born from the fusion of cells and water.

The Osaka-Kansai Expo will feature 191 pavilions from Japan and around the world.

After purchasing your admission ticket, you can apply for a lottery to visit pavilions and events through the EXPO 2025 Digital Ticket Site. There are three reservation methods: “2 Months in Advance Lottery,” “7 Days in Advance Lottery,” and “First-Come, First-Served for Available Slots,” depending on the pavilion or event.

I recommend booking early for pavilions and events you definitely want to experience, especially the Signature Pavilions, which were highly popular during the test run, with limited capacity.

【 Australia Pavilion】

My first stop was the Australia Pavilion. The Australia Pavilion's concept is “Chasing the Sun” Inside, the pavilion offers three immersive experiences centered on the land, sky, and sea, transporting you away from the everyday world. Upon entering, you'll find a forest inspired by eucalyptus trees. Here, you can enjoy discovering Australian wildlife and art carved by indigenous peoples.

The Land Section

As I looked up, I saw the night sky. The emu depicted by the stars is said to have had a significant influence on Aboriginal life.

The Sky Section

Emerging from the night sky, I was surrounded by a panoramic display of Australia's vast and stunning scenery on a multitude of screens! See if you can uncover the Indigenous voices woven into these visuals.

The Ocean Section

The area surrounding the Australia Pavilion is buzzing with stage performances and food booths serving up local flavors. We were starving, so I grabbed lunch right there at the Australia Pavilion.

I got a fantastic roll with crocodile fillet, a zesty lemon myrtle mayonnaise, and fresh green onions. Seriously good! The crocodile's texture was kind of like a cross between chicken and tuna. No weird smell at all, and the bread was a bit sweeter than what we're used to in Japan, which made the sauce even better.

Crocodile fillet roll

This is the beef brisket burger and Australian beer that my colleague ordered. It's a lavish burger with beef brisket slow-cooked for 16 hours, cheese, vegetables, and a special plum mayo. It looked so good!

Beef brisket burger

If you're looking for a unique dining experience, I recommend Kura Sushi. This major Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain offers a special Expo-only experience: sushi alongside representative dishes from 70 countries, delivered on a record-breaking 135-meter (around 443 feet) conveyor belt!

【Canada Pavilion】

The concept of the Canada Pavilion is ”'Regeneration.”

The pavilion expresses the Canadian landscape as frozen rivers melt and flow with the arrival of spring, and offers an immersive experience of the warmth and creativity of Canadian society.

Upon entering, I was given a tablet device with a handle.

A tablet device with a handle

When I held the tablet up to the iceberg-themed exhibits, I saw Canadian landmarks and aspects of Canadian culture. It portrays the lives and warmth of people living in harsh cold conditions.

Exhibit at the Canada Pavilion

It was a fascinating gimmick! Each iceberg revealed completely different images through the tablet, making it engaging to learn about Canada.

【OSAKA Healthcare Pavilion: Nest for Reborn】

Last but not least, I went to the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, a Japanese pavilion.

With the theme “Nest for Reborn.” Osaka, the host city of the Expo, showcases future healthcare and urban living experiences, as well as the potential of regenerative medicine centered on iPS cells.

Exterior of the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion

The pavilion is divided into several zones, with plenty of attractions even in the zones you can enter without advance reservations.

In the “Reborn Challenge” zone, Osaka-based companies involved in developing new technologies have booths to showcase their achievements and challenges related to the theme.

The exhibits change weekly, and I was able to see cutting-edge medical technologies up close, such as a projection mapping-based surgical support system and a test kit that can assess the risk of heart disease from a urine sample.

A projection mapping-based surgical support system

Right before the Reborn Challenge zone, I spotted the buzzworthy ”human washing machine of the future.”

This product is being developed to wash away not just your dirt, but also your stress! It automatically cleanses your body while monitoring your biological data with sensors on the back, providing a super relaxing and refreshing experience. I couldn't get a good look inside, but the gentle spray looked really nice!

Human washing machine of the future

As I neared the exit, I stumbled upon the 'Future of Food and Culture' zone – a must-see for any foodie like me!

I was totally wowed by the food of tomorrow! One booth that really caught my eye was the “future soft serve machine.” It serves soft serve that's safe for people with milk and egg allergies, and the cones are made from rice flour. But the best part? The adorable character that pops up and, get this, makes the ice cream out of clouds!

I also found juice stands with robot bartenders, futuristic “one-hand bento” boxes, and plant-based eats. It really felt like a food paradise for everyone!

And while I was waiting, I checked out some cool health tech, like an AI concierge that gave me a quick health reading (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels) just by talking to a screen, and some fascinating personalized plants.

The spread of home-use plant factories makes it possible to grow vegetables at home with customized nutrients and flavors to suit individual health needs

At this pavilion, I learned a lot about wellness technologies that will integrate into our future daily lives! The Expo was full of promising innovations that could improve the quality of life and well-being for many people.

To balance out all the excitement of the Expo, I think it's a great idea to also experience the tranquil side of Japan's culture. That's why I want to share our retreat tours, available near Osaka and Tokyo.

▼Retreat tour near Osaka
Setouchi Zen Wellness Retreat: A summer cultural journey along the coast


▼Retreat tours near Tokyo
Appi Nature Retreat: Connect with Nature and Awaken Your Senses

Matsushima Zen Retreat: Immerse Yourself in Scenic Beauty and Zen Culture

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"

【Tranquwell】

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