The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 has finally opened! Under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” this major event gathers cutting-edge technology and culture from around the world. This article provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know to enjoy the Osaka Expo, from basic information and access methods to must-see pavilions and ticket details.
Basic Information and Theme of the Osaka Expo
The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, officially known as the “Japan International Exposition 2025,” will be held for 184 days from April 13, 2025, to October 13, 2025. The opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The theme of this exposition is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” This theme encompasses the idea of solving common global challenges, particularly achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and aiming for a future beyond them. The sub-themes are “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives,” focusing on the connections between each individual’s life, living, and society.
The expo’s logo, inspired by the “brilliance of life,” features a series of red spheres resembling cells. This design inherits the DNA of the 1970 Osaka Expo, expressing the energy and dynamism born from the connections between individuals. The eye-like parts represent the nuclei of cells and are arranged in five, matching the petals of the 1970 Expo logo.
Photo taken from OsakaExpo2025.
Access to the Venue
The venue for the Osaka Expo is Yumeshima (Dream Island), an artificial island in Osaka Bay. There are various ways to access the venue, with the main options listed below:
Access by Train (East Gate)
The Osaka Metro Chuo Line directly connects to Yumeshima Station (C09), which is right in front of the East Gate.
- From Shinkansen (Bullet Train): Take the JR Osaka Loop Line from Shin-Osaka Station (via Osaka Station) to Bentencho Station, then transfer to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. Alternatively, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi Station and transfer to the Chuo Line.
- From Kansai International Airport (KIX): Take the JR Kansai Airport Line/Hanwa Line to Tennoji Station, then transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to Bentencho Station, and finally take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. Another option is to take the Nankai Line from Nankai Kansai Airport Station to Namba Station, then transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi Station, and finally take the Chuo Line.
Access by Shuttle Bus (West Gate)
A direct shuttle bus operates from JR Sakurajima Station to the Yumeshima 1st Transportation Terminal in front of the West Gate. Reservations are required through the Kansai MaaS app. Shuttle buses to the West Gate also operate from major stations in the Kansai region.
Shuttle buses also run from the Expo P&R (Park and Ride) parking lots. If you are coming by car, please use the shuttle buses from the Maishima, Amagasaki, or Sakai Expo P&R parking lots to the Yumeshima 1st Transportation Terminal (West Gate).
Important Notes:
- Private cars and motorcycles are not allowed inside the venue.
- For security reasons, large luggage is also prohibited. Please store your luggage in lockers at hotels, stations, or the airport beforehand.
Featured Pavilions and Exhibitions
The Osaka Expo features a diverse range of pavilions aligned with its theme. Here are some particularly noteworthy ones:
Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion’s exhibition focuses on “Circulation.” Under the concept of “Between Lives,” it expresses the various “circulations” surrounding life through its architecture and exhibits.
Visitors can experience how kitchen waste collected from the venue is transformed into water by microorganisms, and how materials are created using the power of algae and Japanese technology, showcasing the circulation of waste, water, materials, and goods. The pavilion is composed of three areas: the “Plant Area,” “Farm Area,” and “Factory Area,” allowing visitors to recognize themselves as part of this grand cycle.
Additionally, the Japan Pavilion will publicly display a “Martian rock” discovered by a Japanese Antarctic observation team in 2000, with a corner where visitors can actually touch it.
Featured International Pavilions
Over 160 countries, regions, and international organizations are participating in the Osaka Expo, with many international pavilions showcasing unique architecture.
The Ireland Pavilion features a distinctive wooden exterior inspired by the traditional “Triskel” motif. The Malaysia Pavilion, designed by Kengo Kuma, boasts an eye-catching design of intersecting bamboo ribbons. The United States of America Pavilion displays the Stars and Stripes and American landmarks on LED screens on both sides and offers a simulated NASA rocket launch experience.
The France Pavilion, themed “Ode to Love,” features a large-scale exhibition sponsored by LVMH as the main partner. The Italy Pavilion highlights regional cuisine with weekly rotating menus, and it also houses the Vatican Pavilion, where Caravaggio’s masterpiece “The Entombment of Christ” is displayed.
The Nordic Countries Pavilion offers a rooftop restaurant where visitors can enjoy the cuisine and sweets of five countries: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The Switzerland Pavilion features the “Heidi Café” on its rooftop, where visitors can enjoy raclette cheese with a stunning view.
Other Major Pavilions
The Signature Pavilions feature messages from eight producers with unique perspectives. Notable pavilions include “Better Co-Being” produced by Hiroaki Miyata, “null²” by Yoichi Ochiai, “Dialogue Theater – Testimony of Life” by Naomi Kawase, and “EARTH MART” by Kundo Koyama.
Many Corporate Pavilions are also present, with companies such as NTT, the Electric Power Pavilion, Sumitomo Pavilion, Panasonic Group, Mitsubishi Future Pavilion, and Yoshimoto Waraii Miraii Pavilion showcasing future technologies and entertainment.
Ticket Information and Prices
There are various types of tickets available for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The main ticket types and prices are as follows:
Special discount tickets for people with disabilities, group discounts, and school group discounts are also available. While electronic tickets are the standard, those who have difficulty purchasing online can buy tickets through travel agencies and ticket vendors.
Please note that a separate “visit date and time reservation” may be required after purchasing your ticket, so be sure to check in advance. Reservations for viewing pavilions and events can be made starting three months before your visit date.
Featured Events and Entertainment
The Osaka-Kansai Expo will host a variety of events and entertainment throughout its duration.
Daily events include the “Ao to Yoru no Niji no Parade” (Blue and Night Rainbow Parade) held at the Water Plaza. After sunset, a spectacular show called “One World, One Planet” will take place, integrating sound, lighting, projection mapping, and drone shows.
Many limited-time events are also planned. For example, “Cho Kabuki Osaka Kansai Expo Hatsune Miku,” a collaboration between Kabuki actor Shido Nakamura and virtual singer Hatsune Miku, and “Yosakoi Banpaku,” where Yosakoi teams from across Japan and the world will perform. “EXPO2025 Summer Festival ~Bon Odori & Dance~” will feature a world record attempt for the largest number of people and nationalities in a Bon Odori dance, as well as interactive Bon Odori sessions for visitors to join.
Furthermore, “National Days & Special Days” hosted by participating countries and international organizations will be held almost daily, offering opportunities to experience the culture and unique features of each.
Economic Impact and Comparison with Past Expos
The Osaka-Kansai Expo is projected to have a significant impact on the regional economy. Estimates from the government and private think tanks suggest an economic ripple effect of ¥2.9 trillion to ¥3.3 trillion. Approximately 28.2 million visitors are expected, including about 3.5 million international visitors.
Japan has hosted five World Expositions in the past, making the Osaka-Kansai Expo the sixth. The 1970 Osaka Expo, a symbol of Japan’s rapid economic growth, attracted around 64 million visitors to an entertainment space showcasing the latest technology and new experiences of the time.
Compared to past expos, the Osaka-Kansai Expo focuses more deeply on the theme of “sustainability,” aiming for a “sustainable society centered on human life.” It also adopts the concept of a “People’s Living Lab,” working not only on demonstrating the latest technologies but also on developing social systems.
Summary
The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo is a major event where global wisdom and technology converge under the theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The venue on the artificial island of Yumeshima will feature various pavilions, including the Japan Pavilion, where visitors can experience cutting-edge technology, culture, and visions of the future society.
With a diverse range of ticket options available to suit different schedules and purposes, and a variety of events and shows planned, the expo promises new discoveries with each visit.
The event runs until October 13, 2025, so don’t miss this opportunity to experience the future society. For the latest information, please check the official Osaka Expo website, which is updated regularly before your visit.
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