by Philbert Ono, Updated: Sept. 13, 2025

Osaka Expo 2025 is an official world’s fair or world exposition being held for six months from April 13th to October 13th, 2025 in the city of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Expo hours are 8:50 am to 10:00 pm.

Osaka is in the Kansai Region of Japan which includes Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, and Wakayama Prefectures. The “Kansai” name is being included to get all these nearby prefectures as well as Tottori, Fukui, and Tokushima Prefectures involved as well.

World expositions are a mass gathering and showcase of many countries, cultures, peoples, technologies, and ideas following the expo’s overall theme. Over 150 countries and regions have pavilions or booths at Osaka Expo 2025 along with over 20 Japanese pavilions.

Many pavilions are eye-catching buildings attracting visitors with a variety of educational, cultural, and entertaining content in line with the expo’s theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” They may have short videos, cultural or art exhibits, arts and crafts, flora, interactive programs, freebies, live performances, restaurant/cafe, and gift shop.

Besides pavilions, there’s lots of live entertainment, stage performances, pop-up concerts, National Day events, water fountain show, evening drone show, nightly one-minute fireworks during summer, and premium fireworks once a month. Official stores are also popular for Expo 2025 merchandise.

The expo site is on a flat, man-made island called Yumeshima (夢洲) on the city’s waterfront facing Osaka Bay. The island was reclaimed as a waste dump landfill from 1977 to 1991.

The expo site is quite large, covering 155 hectares (383 acres). It’s much larger than Tokyo Disney Resort (291 acres) and Universal Studios Japan, also on Osaka’s waterfront.

World expositions have been around since 1851, now sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). Notable past expos include the Paris Expo in 1889 marked by the Eiffel Tower, Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 with the Space Needle, Expo ’70 in Osaka with Okamoto Taro’s iconic Tower of the Sun sculpture, and Expo 2005 in Aichi Prefecture.

The last one was Expo 2020 in Dubai from October 2021 to March 2022 (postponed due to COVID). The next expo will be Expo 2030 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Osaka Expo 2025 is the second world expo held in Osaka.

Getting to Osaka Expo 2025

The expo site is not far from central Osaka. Easy to get there by train, subway, or bus.

You enter the expo through the East Gate or West Gate. Most people enter through the East Gate because it’s close to Yumeshima Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line subway.

It takes about 35 minutes from JR Shin-Osaka Station and 25 minutes from JR Osaka Station. Along the way, you need to transfer to the Chuo Line at Bentencho Station (from Osaka Loop Line) or at Hommachi Station (from Midosuji Line). The train and subway run frequently.

If there’s bad weather or train delays, check the following pages:
JR West (Kansai Region): https://global.trafficinfo.westjr.co.jp/en/kansai/
Osaka Metro & New Tram: https://subway.osakametro.co.jp/en/guide/subway_information.php
Tokaido shinkansen bullet train: https://traininfo.jr-central.co.jp/shinkansen/pc/en/index.html

Shuttle buses (reservations required) also run from major train stations and airports (ITM and KIX) in Osaka to the West Gate.

From Yumeshima Station, it’s also possible now to either walk or take a shuttle bus (¥400) in the morning to the West Gate which is usually less crowded. But you need to have reservations to enter the West Gate.

The expo is also accessible for wheelchair users. More info…

CONTENTS

Basic Info

• What’s at Osaka Expo 2025?
• How’s the expo layout? (Expo 2025 map)
• How do I find my way around the expo site?
• What’s the Grand Ring?
• How do I buy Expo 2025 tickets and how much are they?
• Should I make reservations to visit pavilions?
• What should I bring to the expo?
• What NOT to bring to the expo:
• How crowded is the Expo? How long does it take to enter the Expo?
• How long does it take to enter the pavilions?
• How should I enjoy the expo?
• Would my kids enjoy the expo?
• What’s that weird mascot colored red, blue, and white?
• Should I believe all the negative reviews about the expo?

Pavilions and food

• What kinds of pavilions are there?
• Which are the must-see pavilions?
• How’s the Japan Pavilion?
• Is there a fast line for people in a wheelchair or with a disability?
• Which pavilions have a short waiting time?
• What can we see inside the pavilions?
• Do pavilions also have a restaurant/cafe or snack bar?
• How are the restaurants and food courts at the expo?
• How do I collect pavilion stamps?
• How do I collect pins?
• Tell me more about Expo 2025 pavilions:
• How long would it take to visit all the pavilions?
• What other interesting features and landscaping are there?
• Which countries are not at Expo 2025?

Events, exhibitions, and art

• What kind of events are there?
• What are national days?
• What evening events are there?
• Is the expo beautiful at night too?
• What kind of exhibitions are there?
• Any public art at the expo?
• What’s the best public art at the pavilions?

Shopping

• Where are the Expo 2025 official stores?
• Does the official online store ship orders worldwide?
• Will they continue to sell official Osaka Expo 2025 merchandise after the expo ends?
• Where’s the Myaku-Myaku plush toy lottery?

Other questions

• It’s summer, how do I keep cool at the expo?
• What do the official volunteers at the expo site and train stations do?
• What other visitor’s facilities and services are there?
• Which hotels do you recommend?
• What should I do if there’s a tsunami warning?
• What happens if the Osaka Metro Chuo subway line stops operating?
• For smokers, where are the smoking areas?
• What else should I know?
• Are the official apps helpful?
• How do I get to Osaka Expo 2025?
• Osaka Expo 2025 Fact Sheet
• Basic Japanese for expo visitors

What’s at Osaka Expo 2025?

• Over 150 international pavilions/booths and 20+ Japanese pavilions. SDGs, healthcare, and the environment are common themes.
• The Grand Ring, the world’s largest wooden building, is Osaka Expo 2025’s defining feature. Walk on the Skywalk boardwalk for sweeping views of the expo.
• Other-worldly atmosphere with fantastical building designs and diverse landscapes.
• Lots of live entertainment, shows, events, and public art.
• Wide variety of food courts and restaurants including local Osaka cuisine and finger food.
• Many pavilions serve their native food and drink in their own cafe, restauramt, or food stand.
• Wildly popular official mascot Myaku-Myaku, a weird-looking cell creature.
• Lots of public art everywhere. Designer toilets, sculptures, wall art, etc.
• Official stores selling all kinds of expo merchandise (popular items tend to be sold out).
• Beautiful evening illumination of the pavilions and Grand Ring.

How’s the expo layout? (Expo 2025 map)

• Only two entrances: East Gate (red area on the right in the map above) and West Gate (blue area on the left) outside the Grand Ring.
• Most visitors arrive at the East Gate because it’s next to Yumeshima Station on the convenient Osaka Metro Chuo Line subway.
• The West Gate is mainly for shuttle buses (from major train stations like Sakurajima Station), tour buses, and taxi cabs. It’s less busy than the East Gate. From mid-June, it’s possible to walk from Yumeshima Station to the West Gate taking 20–30 min. (1.6 km). A shuttle bus also runs from Yumeshima Station to the West Gate in the mornings.
• If you need to borrow a wheelchair, note that the Accessibility Center is outside the gate. Go there before entering the gate.
• After you enter the East or West Gate, there’s a large plaza area with an Information Center where you can buy an official paper map for ¥200. (Download here for free.) Wheelchair accessible map and sensory map also available.
• The huge, wooden Grand Ring encircles all the international pavilions and Signature Pavilions. Japanese pavilions are outside the ring.
  Ring diameter is 675 meters, circumference 2,025 meters, and height 12 to 20 meters. You can walk on, below, or beside the Grand Ring. There are five escalators and elevators to reach the rim or top. See great views of the expo site. The Grand Ring will be your main point of reference while you walk around.
• Besides the Grand Ring, there are three east-west pedestrian paths (upper, lower, and waterfront) and one north-south path. They are light gray (or white) on the map. This is how we get around the expo site.
• The entrance to pavilions face these walking paths (especially those facing the ring) or plazas. Note that there are also gated back-end paths only for staff and closed to the public. (Google Maps might not know these closed paths.)
• Near the center of the expo site is a green patch called Forest of Tranquility, a small forested park. It’s a roundabout intersection for the north-south path and upper east-west path. This park also had a shallow pond where kids could play in, but it has been drained/closed due to excessive levels of Legionella bacteria in early June.
• The upper east-west path is the shortest route between the East and West Gates, 1.2 km (15-min. walk). It goes through the Forest of Tranquility.
• The waterfront east-west path faces the Water Plaza where the nightly water fountain show is held. (Suspended for a while from early June due to excessive levels of Legionella bacteria. They cleaned up the water and resumed the water fountain show in July.)
• Download official maps here…

How do I find my way around the expo site?

Most people might instinctively try to obtain the official expo map (paper). However, it’s not free (¥200) and not very useful because the pavilion names are not labeled on the map. The index of pavilion names is not in alphabetical order either. Very frustrating to try and find anything on such a map.

You can download it for free online in English or Japanese and see what I mean.

You can buy the official map as a keepsake for ¥200 at the Information Center near the East or West Gate.

The expo site has map signboards here and there, but like the official paper map, the pavilion names are not labeled on the map (except on the enlarged map view), and pavilion index is not in alphabetical order.

You should download the Expo 2025 Personal Agent app which includes a map of the expo site with pavilion names labeled as well as toilet locations. It also shows your current location.

Google Maps might be useful, but it might not know which walking paths are open or closed to the public and the location of pavilion entrances. Some back-end paths are closed to visitors.

Expect to get lost on your first and second days at the expo. But no worries, you’ll find your way somehow by following the sun or stars or finding a security guard or volunteer to help you.

What’s the Grand Ring?

The Grand Ring (大屋根リング) is Osaka Expo 2025’s defining feature and the world’s largest wooden structure as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. It uses traditional Japanese nuki joinery with no nails. This stilt construction may be found at large Japanese Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto. The Grand Ring is the same height as Kiyomizu-dera.

All Expo 2025 visitors are awed by the ring’s scale and construction. You can go up to the rim and walk completely around (2 km) and enjoy the views from a height of 12 to 20 meters. The top boardwalk is called “Skywalk.” The outer diameter is 675 meters, and inner diameter 615 meters.

The ring was constructed by three Japanese construction companies, each one simultaneously building one-third of the ring using mostly wood from Japan (Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress) and some Scots Pine. The ring was completed in March 2025.

Inside and out, the Grand Ring is most impressive.

Under the Grand Ring are benches, drink vending machines, and trash bins.

Benches under the ring make it a convenient place to sit and rest. Soft drink vending machines are also provided. However, since it’s an open-air structure, when it rains, the benches will get wet. On rainy days, a hand towel or plastic sheet may come in handy.

And when it’s really crowded, there aren’t enough benches, so people will sit on the ground. A compact, folding chair would be nice.

Five escalators and elevators take you to the top of the Grand Ring’s Skywalk until 9:00 pm. The ring is lit up in the evenings.

After the expo ends, at least part of the Grand Ring will likely be preserved. More info about Grand Ring…

How do I buy Expo 2025 tickets and how much are they?

• To buy tickets and make reservations to visit pavilions or events, you need to register and receive an Expo ID. One Expo ID can be used to buy tickets for multiple people such as your spouse or family members who will enter the expo with you. Details here…
• If you just want to visit the expo and don’t care to make any pavilion/event reservations, buy the Expo Quick ticket. You don’t need to register for an Expo ID. Details here…
• Ticket prices vary depending on the day, time, season, visitor age, etc. One-day weekday adult ticket is ¥6,000, one-day weekend/weekday adult ticket is ¥7,500, and night ticket valid from 4:00 pm (formerly 5 pm) to 10:00 pm is ¥3,700.
  People planning to visit the expo four times or more should buy the Season Pass for ¥30,000.*
  There’s also the Summer Pass valid during July 19 to Aug. 31 for ¥12,000. Tickets are cheaper for age 17 and below, and free for age 3 or younger infants.
  *Note that the sale of Season and Summer Passes will end on August 17. Ticket details here…
• Your expo ticket will be a QR code you need to show at the entry gate either on your smartphone/tablet screen or a paper printout. Since the Wi-Fi or cell phone signal or the expo website at the gate might not connect due to overload, best to take a screenshot of your QR code in advance (day before or earlier) and show that image instead of trying to login at the gate to show it.
• Expo tickets cover admission to all pavilions and events. It’s also tied to all your pavilion and event reservations. Just show your ticket’s QR code when entering reserved pavilions or events. You will spend money (cashless) only on food, souvenirs, and any extra services inside the expo.
• More info here…

Should I make reservations to visit pavilions?

• You can if you want to, but It’s not required. The pavilion reservation/lottery system can be frustrating to figure out to obtain the desired reservations. You can make advance reservations 2 months, 7 days, and 3 days in advance. If you win any reservations, you will be informed by email. More info…
• If you fail to secure advance reservations, you can still make same-day reservations for pavilions after you enter the expo. There are reservation terminals (on-site registration terminals) where you can try and snag any available pavilion reservations. These terminals might be more efficient and faster to make reservations than using your cell phone. Check the unofficial map for the location of the nearest reservation terminal. However, pavilion reservations tend to fill up by late morning.
  The best chances of making same-day reservations is if you enter the expo by 9:00 am and rush to the on-site terminals. And to enter the expo at 9:00 am (or slightly earlier when the gates open), you will need to start standing in line from at least 7:30 am at the East Gate or take the earliest shuttle buses to the West Gate. Having a compact, folding chair would be good.
• Most international pavilions do not require reservations, while most Japanese pavilions require reservations (advance or same-day), although this policy can be fluid. Visitors with reservations can enter the pavilion at the specified time with minimal wait time, while people without reservations may or may not have a long wait time. Pavilions not requiring reservations here…
• Normally, you can just enter the expo, walk around, and enter any pavilion with a line/queue not too long. A 20- to 30-minute wait is reasonable, but long wait times of 2 hours or longer have been reported at popular pavilions during peak hours. Best to try and enter the popular pavilions in the evening after 7:00 pm when the crowds begin to thin. Also see my list of pavilions usually having a short waiting time.
• The least crowded period is from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Best to aim for the popular pavilions during this time.
• Note that although the expo’s closing time is 10:00 pm, most pavilions will close by 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm for their last pavilion tour when they stop letting people in. Visitors must exit the pavilions and expo site by 10:00 pm.
• Some pavilions may have certain hours when reservations are not required, such as the Japan Pavilion not requiring reservations for 9:25 am to 10:30 am and 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Some international pavilions (like Canada) allow their citizens to enter the fast line. USA Pavilion has an English line (English tours once an hour) which may be faster than the Japanese line.
• A few pavilions (like null²) might distribute timed-entry tickets (seiriken) to allow entry at certain times.
• People in wheelchairs can enter through a faster line.

What should I bring to the expo?

• Take a screenshot of your QR code digital ticket in advance and show that at the gate instead of trying to login to the website/app and accessing your QR code. Cell phone or Wi-Fi signal or the website might not work at the expo gate.
• Bring some snacks and drinks in case you’re unable to eat when you’re hungry. Restaurants and convenience stores in the expo can be crowded.
• Drinks must be in PET plastic bottles or paper cartons. Anything in glass bottles or metal cans is not allowed. Metal water bottles (thermos) are permitted. Expo site has water refilling stations (free).
• Bring a credit card or topped-up IC tap card (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, etc.) to buy food, souvenirs, etc., at the expo. No cash is accepted at the expo site. (IC = integrated circuit.)
• Rain or shine, bring a compact umbrella. A dark-colored umbrella can provide shade under the sun.
• Cap or wide-brimmed hat for shade.
• Sunglasses. Much of the ground is pretty white, making it bright for the eyes.
• Be sure your smartphone is fully charged or bring a power bank. The battery tends to wear down quickly at the expo.
• Bring a collapsible chair to sit on while waiting in line.
• Bring a small notebook with blank pages to collect rubber stamp impressions. Or buy the Expo 2025 Stamp Passport at the official store at JR Shin-Osaka, Osaka Station, or at the expo site. Also see the question about collecting stamp impressions.

What NOT to bring to the expo:

• No large luggage or suitcase. No large lockers available at the expo. Available lockers are small (handbag or small rucksack).
• No pocket knives, scissors, nail clippers, or anything sharp or pokey.
• No glass bottles or metal cans.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• No pets except for service dogs, hearing dogs, and guide dogs.
• The entry gates have a security/bag check where you’ll have to discard any banned items.
• More details here…

How crowded is the Expo? How long does it take to enter the Expo?

Long lines to enter the East Gate starts to form by 7:00 am. These people will start entering the expo by 8:50 am. During the rest of the morning, it will typically take 60 to 90 minutes to enter the expo. Gates open slightly before 9:00 am. People having reservations to enter at 10 am or 11 am will stand in line as directed by the staff.

You can always enter the expo anytime after your reserved entry time, but not before. So you can be late.
East Gate’s live camera: https://www.youtube.com/live/knR19va6ZCI
West Gate’s live camera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkAVMmJA9uQ

How long does it take to enter the pavilions?

Basically, most all international pavilions do not require reservations, while most all Japanese pavilions require reservations which can be very hard to figure out and to get.

The wait time to enter a pavilion greatly varies depending on the pavilion’s popularity, day of the week, and time of day (less crowded before 10:00 am and in the evenings). It can be zero waiting time or as long as 5 to 6 hours (usually Italy). If you have reservations, the wait time will be shorter at your reserved entry time.

If the wait line gets too long, the pavilion might decline people from standing in line and tell them to come back later. That’s why you might see a crowd of people standing near the wait line until the pavilion allows people to stand in line again.

If you fail to obtain pavilion reservations, just walk around the expo and enter any one with a short line.

The official website has a new feature indicating the approx. wait times at pavilions. However, not all pavilions are listed: https://www.expovisitors.expo2025.or.jp/map

Also see Which pavilions have a short waiting time?

How should I enjoy the expo?

After entering, login to Expo 2025 Personal Agent app and refer to the map and your current location. Then just walk around and enjoy the architecture, landscapes, atmosphere, etc.

• Look for pavilions with a relatively short line, then line up.
• Talk to pavilion attendants (if they are not busy) and ask questions about their country, culture, or pavilion. This is what I enjoy the most. You learn a lot.
• See performances or stage entertainment. Check the day’s event schedule.
• Walk on, under, or along the Grand Ring.
• Enjoy diverse landscapes and designer toilets.
• Try different food at restaurants, food courts (marketplaces), and pavilion cafes.
• Shop for Expo 2025 souvenirs at the official stores near the East and West Gates.
• In the evening, enjoy the colorful illuminations, evening water fountain show (usually 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm), and drone show (around 8:57 pm), weather permitting. During summer, there will be one-minute fireworks nightly. The fireworks and drones are launched south of the Water Plaza and ring.

Would my kids enjoy the expo?

Yes, definitely. There are many pavilions geared for kids such as Kuwait, Jellyfish Pavilion, and Panasonic (Land of Nomo) and playground areas for kids. They would also enjoy the cool mist at Inochi Park (every 15 min.), the food and desserts (lots of ice cream or soft serve), and the overall atmosphere.

Osaka Expo 2025 is also educational since your kids will see and hear the names of many countries of the world, see native people from different countries in their native dress or costume.

What’s that weird mascot colored red, blue, and white?

It’s Osaka Expo 2025’s official mascot Myaku-Myaku, an organic, cell-based creature. Perhaps one of Japan’s weirdest official mascots. “Myaku” means “pulse” in Japanese.

Despite the weirdness and public disdain before the expo opened, the mascot has grown on the Japanese public and has become wildly popular. It can pose standing, sitting, or lying down. Stuffed Myaku-Myaku toys are selling very well and even selling out. More details here…

When Myaku-Myaku appears at the expo at random, he is mobbed by people wanting to take selfies. He actually poses for selfies with some people.

Should I believe all the negative reviews and comments about the expo?

No. People write negative things mainly to get your attention, reaction, or comments. Negative posts and bad news always attract more attention than positive posts. Many of the negative comments and posts I’ve seen on social media are obviously untrue or exaggerated (“hardly any places to eat,” “tasteless food,” etc.) or reflective of the person’s lack of information or lack of preparation. Quite a few people have a negative attitude.

However, it is true that the official websites, apps, and maps are poorly designed/organized and not as useful or practical as it should be. Hard to find things with a crippled online search function. Pavilion reservations/lottery system is also too complex.

And when you hear people say this or that pavilion was good/bad or try to rank pavilions, it doesn’t mean much because they are personal opinions. Different people have different tastes, preferences, and expectations, so naturally they will have different opinions. Best not to pay too much attention to such reviews.

There are many ways to override any negatives if you come prepared and well informed. Also note that expo rules, conditions, and schedules are constantly changing. What was true in April-May might not apply anymore.

Best to go and see it for yourself.

What kinds of pavilions are there?

• There are international pavilions (all inside the Grand Ring) and Japanese pavilions (most outside the ring).
• International pavilions use different types of buildings:
  • Standalone buildings which can be large or medium-size. There are about 40 standalone international pavilions. They are the fancy ones such as the Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, UK, and USA Pavilions. More here…
  • Shared generic buildings partitioned into multiple rooms such as Algeria, Bangladesh, and Peru.
  • Large shared halls called “Commons” where there are 20 to 30 booths representing different countries. There are five Commons halls (A, B, C, D, F). They house booths for countries such as Jamaica, Israel, Pakistan, Palestine, and Ukraine. Most of the 150+ participating countries have booths instead of standalone pavilions.
• Japanese pavilions include the Japan Pavilion, local government pavilions, corporate pavilions, and eight “Signature Pavilions” designed by prominent Japanese artists showcasing their unique concepts. They all have their own buildings. More info here…

International pavilions

Here’s a small sample of international pavilions.

Shared buildings

COMMONS halls

Large shared halls called “Commons” usually have 20 to 30 booths representing smaller countries or those on a budget. There are five Commons halls (A, B, C, D, F). Commons buildings have restrooms.

Commons buildings let you visit many countries in a short time. They have booths or small rooms. A good place to collect many rubber stamp impressions.

Signature pavilions

“Signature Pavilions” were produced by prominent Japanese artists. The eight Signature pavilions usually require reservations. They are inside the Grand Ring around Inochi Park.

Japanese pavilions

Local government pavilions include Kansai Pavilion (left) and Osaka Healthcare Pavilion (right). They are outside the Grand Ring.

Japanese corporate pavilions include Iida Group/Osaka Metropolitan University (left) and Pasona Nature Verse (right) showing a small artificial heart made of stem cells. They are also outside the Grand Ring.

Also see the official website’s list of pavilions here.

Which are the must-see pavilions?

• Your country’s pavilion (or booth) if there is one.
• Any pavilion without a long line/queue.
• Any pavilion or country you’re interested in.

Many people who have been to the expo have been posting their opinions about various pavilions. Pavilions they liked or didn’t like. Keep in mind that it’s very subjective. As with food or drink, what one person liked might be something you wouldn’t like and vice versa. Everyone has different tastes, preferences, attitudes, and expectations.

The most popular pavilions include many of the large pavilions especially Italy, France, USA, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait, Jordan, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Gundam Next Future, Pasona Nature Verse, and the Signature Pavilions. They tend to have long lines or it may be hard to get reservations.

How’s the Japan Pavilion?

The Japan Pavilion is actually an organic waste-recycling plant. It’s quite interesting if you understand what it’s about before you visit. See my detailed blog post about Japan Pavilion here: https://photoguide.jp/log/2025/05/japan-pavilion-at-osaka-expo-2025/

Is there a fast waiting line for people in a wheelchair or with a disability?

Yes, most pavilions have a priority line for people in a wheelchair, etc. Ask a pavilion attendant to guide you to the fast line.

Which pavilions have a short waiting time?

Depending on the pavilion’s popularity, capacity, and tour format, the wait time to enter can vary greatly. The fastest pavilions are those which allow a constant flow of people to enter, tour the pavilion, and exit. If there are no small rooms or exhibits where people tend to hang around, It can go smoothly and quickly.

Others allow only a certain number of people to enter at one time because the pavilion is small or because there are multiple rooms where only a maximum number of people can stop and look at things.

From my experience, pavilions with a relatively short wait time (30 min. or less) include the following (random order): France (long line moves quickly late in the day), USA (English line in the evening), Vietnam on Mondays (when live musicians are not playing), Festival Station (event hall), Robot and Mobility Station, Qatar, UAE, Colombia, Malaysia (evening), Philippines (evening), Mozambique, Nepal, Bahrain, Earth at Night, Spain (long line moves quickly), Indonesia (line moves quickly), Cambodia, Chile, Bangladesh, Senegal, International Organizations, COMMONS A–F (except E), Jellyfish (upper level), Kansai Pavilion multipurpose space, Osaka Healthcare Pavilion 1st floor, and Future Life Village.

Also see the official website’s Current waiting time for pavilions.

Official info on pavilions here.

What can we see inside the pavilions?

They may have short videos, cultural or art exhibits, arts and crafts, flora, interactive programs or hands-on activities, freebies (Australian steak, etc.), live performances, restaurant/cafe, and gift shop. The restaurant/cafe or food stand usually has a separate line or entrance from the pavilion tour.

Pavilion attendants guide visitors through the pavilion speaking in Japanese and/or English and their native language. If they are not busy, ask them questions about their country, culture, pavilion, etc. They are all very friendly.

Some pavilions have areas not requiring reservations combined with areas requiring reservations.

A small sample of pavilions is shown in the photos below.

Some pavilions have flora such as the lush rainforest with waterfall in the Indonesia Pavilion (left) and imitation forest in Australia Pavilion (right).

Many pavilions show short videos or projected images like the USA Pavilion (left) and Colombia Pavilion (right).

Mega-popular Italy and Holy See Pavilion has national treasure art pieces carefully shipped from Italy for display in the pavilion. The pavilion is very art-oriented with many other sculptures and art pieces.

Some pavilions have their own stage for entertainment such as Canada (left) and Malaysia (right).

Some pavilions have live demonstrations such as the “human washing machine” in the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion (left) and yoga session in the Indian Pavilion (right). Both related to human health.

Japan Pavilion features beneficial microorganisms such as algae and koji mold (to brew sake). One highlight is the Hello Kitty-shaped algae and Martian meteorite rock found in Antarctica. More about the Japan Pavilion here…

Do pavilions also have a restaurant/cafe or snack bar?

Yes, many pavilions have a small restaurant/cafe, snack bar, or food/drink stand. They usually have a separate entrance from the pavilion tour, so you can enjoy their food and drinks without going through the busy pavilion.

Some pavilions even serve their native beer such as the Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, German, Italian, Spain, Thailand, UK, and USA pavilions. Native coffee is also served at pavilions like Indonesia and Colombia. Pavilion cafes/restaurants usually stay open until 9:30 pm. More info here…

How are the restaurants and food courts at the expo?

There’s a good number of restaurants and food courts, a few convenience stores, and food trucks. The largest food courts are along the northern rim of the ring (Ringside Marketplaces) and the waterfront (Water Plaza Marketplaces). Sushiro sushi restaurant is very popular and hard to get in. The least crowded food court is probably the faraway Wind Plaza Marketplace near the West Gate and Expo Arena.

There are also drink vending machines near the East and West Gates and under the Grand Ring.

How do I collect pavilion stamps?

Most pavilions or booths have a unique rubber stamp which you can impress in a stamp booklet or the official Stamp Passport. Popular thing to do.

The stamp is usually near the pavilion exit accessible only to pavilion visitors. Or it may be outside the pavilion available to anyone. The stamp stand usually has two identical rubber stamps, so two people can use a stamp at the same time.

There are also special stamps or limited edition stamps available only on certain days (like national days) or periods to celebrate something such as the ten millionth visitor.

When using the Stamp Passport to collect stamps, you need to find out which page to stamp it. The pages are color-coded for each expo area, same as on the official map.

There’s also a full-page, multiple overlay stamp (重ね押しスタンプ) to create an ukiyoe stamp of Myaku-Myaku in the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa. Each stamp has a different color and design that adds to the final stamp image. The official Stamp Passport has a special page for it.

You can assemble the full-page stamps at the following pavilions: COMMONS A, B, C, D, and F, and International Organisation Pavilion. So there are total six overlay stamps which will combine to create the final image. Official info here…

How do I collect pins?

Although trading pins is not so common at expos in Japan like at the Olympics, it’s prevalent among the pavilion and expo staff. They usually have pins available only to staff (not generic ones sold at the gift shop), so they trade them with other staff.

If you’re just a visitor and not staff, don’t expect any staff to trade their staff-only pins with your generic ones. They know you will resell staff pins for a high price.

Best to wear pins on your lanyard to show people you’re a collector/trader, and perhaps someone will come up to you and make an offer.

Most pavilions sell pins in their gift shop. Pavilion pins can cost at least ¥1200 or more, so it can become an expensive hobby. I found Japan Pavilion pins to be the cheapest, below ¥1,000. Official stores also sell Myaku-Myaku pins.

Tell me more about Expo 2025 pavilions:

• There might be a lack of English at pavilions, especially the Japanese pavilions. The Japanese have never been good at English.
• Pavilions don’t have public restrooms except for the Commons buildings. Toilets are mainly near the East and West gates, in food courts (Marketplaces), and along the waterfront. Check the Expo 2025 Personal Agent app’s toilet map.
• Flash photography not allowed inside pavilions.
• Most pavilions close at around 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm as the last entry time even though the expo closes at 10:00 pm by when everyone must leave the site.

How long would it take to visit all the pavilions?

There are about 180 pavilions and booths. It would take weeks to visit all the pavilions and booths if you go every day. Along the way, you will likely get distracted by attendants, meals, rest breaks, side events, and entertainment which will reduce the time you have to visit pavilions/booths.

Visiting the expo on consecutive days will be exhausting. Best to allow a one-day break if you have the time.

What other interesting features and landscaping are there?

Besides pavilions and the Grand Ring, other notable structures and features include the following:

Water Plaza

The southern part of the expo site is occupied by the Water Plaza which is a large body of water used for water fountain shows during the day and evening. There are spectator seats fronting the water.

Forests and parks

Forest of Tranquility is in the center of the expo site. Planted with over 1,000 tress including Japanese blue oak, Japanese maple, Japanese snowbell, sawtooth oak, jolcham oak, and camellia. The trees were transplanted from parks in Osaka Prefecture including Expo ‘70 Commemoration Park in Suita.

Thanks to all this greenery, the forest air is noticeably cooler. So it’s a good idea to walk through the forest instead of around it. However, there’s nowhere to sit. This park also had a shallow pond where kids could play in, but it has been drained/closed due to excessive levels of Legionella bacteria in early June.

Inochi Park is another central spot at the expo site. It’s like a large intersection for visitors going north-south or east-west across the expo site. While surrounded by all eight signature pavilions, it’s a wide-open space popular for watching fireworks toward the Water Plaza. Can’t find any information about the significance of the pillars though.

Inochi Park’s fun thing is the cool mist sprayed every 15 minutes for 3 minutes. Be careful though, the mist can get so thick that you might bump into people. Kids shouldn’t run around in the thick mist.

Forest of Civilizations finally opened in July. Nicknamed, “Entire World within one Forest”
Artistic exhibition of 6,500-year-old forest of 133 subfossil oak trees. They were found in Czech Republic in 2016 buried more than 8 meters deep in the ground.

These trees witnessed the end of the last Ice Age and the formation of human civilizations. Each of these trees are dedicated to one of the participating nations at Expo 2025.

You can just walk around the trees. No reservations, no lines.

Designer toilets

Expo 2025 has a number of unique designer toilets.

Zannen-ishi Toilet has five huge boulders originally quarried to rebuild Osaka Castle 400 years ago. However, for one reason or another, they were not selected for the castle. They were abandoned and nicknamed Zannen-ishi (残念石) or Rejected Stones. The toilet is like a stone garden or perhaps we should call it a “boulder garden.”

Zannen-ishi Toilet was designed by a young architect from Shiga Prefecture named Ohno Hiroshi (大野宏). He used to build structures in poverty areas in developing countries. Now he likes to use natural materials in his structures including bamboo and thatch (reeds).

Which countries are not at Expo 2025?

Countries which had planned to participate but withdrew were Afghanistan, Argentina, Botswana, El Salvador, Estonia, Greece, Iran, Mexico, Niger, Niue, Russia, and South Africa.

New Zealand is also missing since it had never intended to join in (too bad). Taiwan is unofficially represented by the Tech World pavilion outside the ring.

Angola Pavilion remain closed until June 26 when it finally opened. The Nepal Pavilion remained closed until it finally opened on July 19 after paying construction companies to finish the construction.

What kind of events are there?

As listed below, the expo has large and small venues to hold large and small events, national day ceremonies, music and dance performances, exhibitions (art, food, etc.), water fountain show, drone show, projection mapping show, and fireworks.

Check the Event Calendar for the day of your visit to see the events planned for that day.

The biggest events use the biggest event venues which are Expo Arena Matsuri, Shining Hat, and Ray Garden. Even the entire Grand Ring (2 km diameter) was once used for a huge bon dance on July 28.

Expo Arena Matsuri – Large outdoor venue

The largest event venue is Expo Arena Matsuri near West Gate. It’s a large, grassy, outdoor venue with a large stage for performances of Japanese festivals (matsuri), etc. Capacity is 16,000 (no seats, so bring a picnic mat).

It has been used for large stage performances like Tokushima Awa Odori held in early May above, movie screenings like for Perfect Days, Osaka Week with festival floats gathered on the lawn, huge bon dance event (new Guinness world record) in late July, space for food/souvenir stalls, or viewing area for fireworks, etc.

Since Expo Arena Matsuri is so large, it’s easy to get in. Bring a picnic mat to sit on the grass.

Shining Hat – Indoor event hall

The largest indoor venue is Shining Hat, a round building with a golden brim. Used for large indoor events including Japan National Day ceremony and prefecture days. Capacity is 1,900. For popular events, you may need to stand in line to obtain timed-entry tickets for an event at Shining Hat.

In the evenings, Shining Hat becomes a giant screen for projection mapping.

Ray Garden Expo National Day Hall

Most every day at the expo is a national day (or special day) for one of the countries at the expo. It’s the day when they celebrate their country by holding a national day ceremony (usually at Ray Garden Main Stage) attended by dignitaries like their ambassador to Japan and some cultural entertainment.

There might also be a short parade before or after the ceremony under the ring. More entertainment might also be held at pop-up stages (see below) or at their pavilion/booth.

Although the national day ceremony is usually open to the public, it’s usually first-come, first-served, so you will need to stand in line at Ray Garden or wait to obtain free tickets.

Ray Garden’s capacity is only 500. In many cases, Ray Garden seats for the national day ceremony are largely or wholly reserved for official guests and invitees. There is hardly any room for the public. USA’s National Day ceremony at Ray Garden was closed to the public. India’s National Day Ceremony on August 15 had only 50 seats available to the public.

Expo National Day Hall Ray Garden is a multi-story and multi-purpose building. The first floor has the main stage hall for National Day ceremonies and the Gallery East exhibition space. The main stage hall is not completely enclosed and can be hot in summer. One side is open-air, for standing room only.

The second floor is a high-end restaurant. There’s also a sloping walking path to the rooftop deck for views of the ocean and ring. (Rooftop closed during national day events.)

National day schedule here. For a detailed time schedule of national day events, see the Event Calendar for that day.

Pop-up stages

The expo site has five outdoor pop-up stages inside or outside the Grand Ring for live music or dance. Although there’s a roof or canopy over the stage, there’s hardly any roof or seats for the audience. In summer, this can be a deal breaker to be under the hot sun. You can use an umbrella, but you’ll still feel the heatwaves from the ground. No reservations necessary.

The most visible pop-up stage is Pop-Up Stage Inner East in front of the USA Pavilion since most people will pass by it from Yumeshima Station. There’s also Pop-Up Stage Outer East, Pop-Up Stage West, Pop-Up Stage North, and Pop-Up Stage South.

Pavilion entertainment

Some pavilions like USA, Canada, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Spain have their own mini stages to entertain people passing by or waiting to go inside the pavilion.

Air Mobility Demonstration

In the Future Life Zone next to West Gate, there’s a heliport named Mobility Experience (Expo Vertiport) where flying car demos are held according to the official schedule here, usually twice a day. No reservations necessary.

The original plan was to have four Japanese companies (ANA, JAL, Marubeni, and Skydrive) provide Japan’s first air taxi service (空飛ぶクルマ) using flying cars (large drones actually) between the expo site and Kansai Airport (KIX), Osaka Bay area, and central Osaka during the expo.

However, some red tape and safety issues prevented it from happening. Such a service is perhaps too far in the future for this future-oriented expo. Instead, they will show demonstration flights with just the pilot onboard.

However, on April 26, 2025, a demo flight malfunction (propeller parts broke off in mid-flight, no injuries) at the expo grounded demo flights until they could ascertain the cause of the malfunction. More info…

Fortunately, they restarted the demo flights in July, only twice a day, weather permitting. The flying car flies only several meters above the ground.

How about evening events?

The evenings are filled with nightly water fountain shows (twice), drone show, mini fireworks (1 min.) during summer, and special fireworks once a month. All held at the Water Plaza on the southern part of the ring. It can be worthwhile to stay until 9:00 pm or later.

“Under the Midnight Rainbow” water fountain show (7:30 pm and 8:30 pm)

Water Plaza has a nightly water fountain show called “Under the Midnight Rainbow” at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm (time subject to change). About 300 water fountains shoot water into the air to create a curtain of water spray on which colored lights and an animated story are projected.

The water show is about 200 meters across and 60 meters forward. But it’s still not wide enough for everyone to see it well. Water Plaza seating stretches for about 330 meters.

And so reserved seating front and center of the Water Plaza provides the best views of the show. While non-reserved seating and standing room on the left and right ends of the waterfront will let you only see the show’s fringe. You can hardly see the main characters.

Or you can go on the Grand Ring to watch the show from the side or rear.

The water show story is about an island where various creatures celebrate whenever a rainbow appears on a moonlit night. A boy named Ao sees this rare rainbow and interacts with the celebrating creatures which include extinct species. The show climaxes with dramatic flames spewing out of the fountains. Official info here…

The water show was once suspended from June 4 due to excessive levels of Legionella bacteria in the water. (Expo management actually knew about this problem at least 10 days before and never told the public.) They cleaned the water and resumed the popular water show on July 11.

During the day, you can also see a five-minute water fountain show at the Water Plaza every hour on the hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

“One World, One Planet” drone show (8:57 pm)

After the second water show, the “One World, One Planet” 10-minute drone show is held nightly at 8:57 pm, weather permitting. See 1,000 drones take flight 280 meters above the Water Plaza.

Each drone is very compact and lightweight coming at 35 cm x 32 cm, 13 cm high, and 500 g with four propellers and an LED light on the belly. The LED can display 16 million colors. All the drones are controlled by a personal computer and programmed to fly together and light up on cue.

A few hours before the drone show, a staff of 15 people set up the drones and check each one for proper operation (propellers and LED light). Any faulty drone is replaced. The drone show is the same every night. At the end, the drones point the way out to the East and West Gates.

The drone show can be cancelled if it’s too windy (over 5 meters/sec.) or raining.

Fireworks

The expo currently has two types of fireworks, mini and special fireworks (hanabi in Japanese). Both types are held over the southern part of the ring. You can view it from the Water Plaza, Inochi Park, or Grand Ring. Be aware that it will be very crowded wherever you go.

Mini Fireworks are held nightly at 7:57 pm from July 19 to August 31 (except on July 23 and Aug. 23). This is during Japan’s school summer vacation.

During September to October, the new EXPO Thanks Fireworks will be held on September 6, 13, 20, 27 (usually at 6:59 pm) and October 4 and 12. These fireworks will last for about 5 minutes only.

Special Fireworks are held only once or twice a month, usually on a Saturday or national holiday. The time is not announced, but it’s usually around 8:00 pm after the first water show ends. It’s being dubbed Japan Fireworks Expo. It’s only 5 minutes long.

Special fireworks dates are April 26, May 31, June 28, July 21 and 23, August 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 8, and Oct. 13, 2025. (The special fireworks on July 23 supposed to be 20–30 minutes long, but this was shortened to only 5 minutes.) Note that the expo is most crowded on special fireworks days.

Special fireworks are created by renown fireworks artists from all over Japan. On June 28, fireworks artists from Omagari, Akita Prefecture showed their stuff for only 5 minutes.

Shining Hat projection mapping

After the water show or drone show or fireworks, many people will pass by Shining Hat on the way to the East Gate to exit. They may see the projection mapping on the building’s round exterior. It’s the expo’s largest indoor event hall seating 1,900.

Projection mapping on Shining Hat is held at 7:30 pm–7:50 pm and 8:10 pm–8:30 pm. Rather than being just an evening decoration, the projection mapping is a work of art done by visual artists from Japan and overseas. So the projection mapping show changes every so often. You might not see the same show each time. Details here…

Is the expo beautiful at night too?

Yes, the pavilions are beautifully illuminated at night. The expo looks totally different at night.

What kinds of exhibitions are there?

Osaka Expo 2025 has several exhibition halls and galleries for diverse exhibitions. EXPO Exhibition Center WASSE is the largest exhibition hall right outside the Grand Ring toward the West Gate. The building is usually partitioned into the North and South halls.

The great thing about WASSE is that there’s no line to enter and it’s air conditioned. Great place to cool down in summer.

Here’s a small sample of exhibitions held at WASSE.

WASSE North – Birdman Rally Exhibition (July 23rd–25th, 2025)

The Birdman Rally Exhibition (鳥人間コンテスト展) was held at EXPO Exhibition Center WASSE North on July 23 to 25, 2025 (10 am–8:00 pm). It promoted the annual Birdman Rally held on July 26–27, 2025 in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.

Held since 1977, the Japan International Birdman Rally (鳥人間コンテスト) is an aviation contest of human-piloted gliders and human-powered, propeller planes flying over Lake Biwa from Matsubara beach in Hikone. 

There are two contest divisions: Gliders which just glide (滑空機部門), and human-powered propeller planes (人力プロペラ機部門). The latter travels much farther with the propeller powered by the pilot pedaling like on a bicycle.

The exhibition was well received with hands-on activities for kids such as making paper planes and flying them.

WASSE North – Japan Annual International Art Festival (July 2nd to 6th, 2025)

In conjunction with Japan National Day on July 3, a large Japanese art exhibition called Japan Annual International Art Festival (日本国際芸術祭) was held at WSSE North on July 2nd to 6th, 2025.

Some 54 diverse Japanese organizations and groups displayed their artwork and crafts. They included universities, artist groups, famous Buddhist temples, galleries, local governments, and companies.

WASSE North – Osaka Week – What to See in the 43 cities and towns of Osaka (July 28–30, 2025)

Lots of food stalls, hands-on activities, and display booths promoting Osaka Prefecture in WASSE North in late July 2025. Great place to cool off and eat.

Gallery EAST (Ray Garden) – Life in 2075 Spinoff Exhibition by Future of Life Pavilion

Popular Signature pavilion Future of Life (いのちの未来) is produced by world renown roboticist Ishiguro Hiroshi (石黒 浩) who is an ATR Fellow and professor at University of Osaka. He has been researching and developing humanoid robots since college. The pavilion features androids and robots and how they could be integrated into human society in the future.

The pavilion held a spinoff exhibition named Life in 2075 on July 19th–23rd, 2025 at Gallery EAST (Ray Garden). The main attraction was Ishiguro’s life-size android called Geminoid HI-6, a splitting image of Ishiguro. It moves (facial expressions and upper body movements) and talks. It’s operated remotely.

The head is made of plastic, skeleton is metal, and skin is silicon. It’s the latest version of his android under development since 2006. Geminoids are androids which closely resemble an existing human person. Visitors with timed-entry tickets could talk to his Geminoid for 5 minutes.

The “Life in 2075” exhibition showed what life 50 years from now might look like, with plausible future products and robots/androids of course.

Gallery WEST

If there’s a Gallery EAST, then there must be a Gallery WEST. Here it is, kind of out of the way though. Not only that, there’s no door and no windows. Unlike Gallery EAST with walls of glass windows which reveal a gallery, Gallery WEST only has these solid walls made of vegetable concrete made from food waste. Never knew that there was something inside. But outdoors, there’s an exhibition space.

Any public art at the expo?

Yes, art is everywhere at Osaka Expo 2025. Thanks to Expo ’70’s Tower of the Sun sculpture, public art has long been recognized as a very important element at world expos in Japan.

There are sculptures, wall art, floor art, monuments, benches, and installations. One major element are works for the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival (Study : 大阪関西国際芸術祭 2025) held at the expo for the entire expo period. Thirteen works in this festival also join many other public art pieces at the expo site. Also see Expo Worlds website explaining the expo’s visual design and art.

Here are some of the public art at Osaka Expo 2025:

HIWADROME is in a high-traffic area near the Belgium Pavilion, so most expo visitors would likely see it. There are 75 wheelchairs painted white. They were all custom-made for the user. Inspired by American painter Jackson Pollock’s all-over painting technique. The artist himself uses a wheelchair. You can also see yourself in the attached mirrors.

What’s the best public art at the pavilions?

The Jellyfish Pavilion has a ceramic waterscape installation called “Soil and Water Curtain” (土と水のカーテン) created with ceramic tiles presented and supplied by the Six Ancient Kilns (Rokkoyo 六古窯).

They are Echizen ware (Echizen, Fukui), Seto ware (Seto, Aichi), Tokoname ware (Tokoname, Aichi), Shigaraki ware (Koka, Shiga), Tamba ware (Tanba-Sasayama, Hyogo), and Bizen ware (Bizen, Okayama). They are considered to be Japan’s most prominent pottery producing areas since medieval times.

For this installation, the Jellyfish Pavilion has 3,205 tiles made by kids at Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns in five different prefectures. They used a wooden mold to shape the tiles using the clay of their respective area/kiln.

The ceramic tiles are color-coded so we know which ones came from which kiln. The white tiles are from Seto, reddish-brown from Tokoname, gray from Tamba, dark brown from Bizen, light gray is Echizen, and yellow-brown from Shigaraki. Screenshot from official YouTube video.

Where are the Expo 2025 official stores?

• The expo site’s largest official stores are near the East and West Gates (East Gate Marketplace and West Gate Marketplace). They usually have a line outside the entrance. The official stores sell some of the same official merchandise like pins, Stamp Passport, and stuffed Myaku-Myaku toys.
• There are over 6,800 different Osaka Expo 2025 official products sold by about 370 vendors. They include edibles, collectables, apparel, plush toys, and pins.
• They also sell different merchandise since they are run by different vendors such as Kintetsu Dept. Store and JR West near West Gate, Daimaru-Matsuzakaya Dept. Store and Maruzen-Junkudo near East Gate, and Maruzen-Junkudo (Myaku-Myaku plush lottery) at Wind Plaza (near West Gate). Official stores near the expo’s East and West Gates are open 9:00 am to 9:45 pm (enter by 9:20 pm). The closing time was extended from July 1. Official info and store list here…

• There are also smaller official satellite stores operating out of small trucks under the Grand Ring.
• Remember that cash is not accepted by any stores in the expo site. Use a credit card or IC card.

• There are also official stores outside the expo site, especially in central Osaka. If you’ll visit Osaka by train, see the official store at JR Shin-Osaka Station (Eki Marche), JR Osaka Station (Central Entrance), or JR Tennoji Station (Abeno Harukas). It would be a good idea to buy the Stamp Passport or a stamp collection booklet beforehand so you can collect rubber-stamp impressions when you visit pavilions.
• Myaku-Myaku official mascot merchandise has been selling out at official stores and the online store. The stuffed Myaku-Myaku toys are especially selling well. A far cry from before the expo opened.
• Other major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Kobe may have an official store in Maruzen Bookstores, Daimaru Dept. Stores, and Junkudo Bookstores. Note that different official stores might not stock or sell the same things. Complete list here…
• Tax-free shopping info here…

Does the official online store ship orders worldwide?

No, the official online store is only in Japanese and only for customers in Japan. They don’t ship overseas. Online store: https://expo2025shop.jp/

Will they continue to sell official Osaka Expo 2025 merchandise after the expo ends?

The answer is likely yes. In early September 2025, the organizer revealed that due to popular demand, they plan to allow the sale of official merchandise until the end of March 2026. This applies to both physical and online stores. The stores which will continue selling official merch is yet to be announced.

Where’s the Myaku-Myaku plush toy lottery?

Myaku-Myaku plush toy lottery (Myaku-Myaku nui-gurumi kuji) is now near the West Gate (moved from near Shining Hat in July). It’s inside the Maruzen Junkudo official store next to Wind Plaza Marketplace. You’ll see it when you see the long line of people. It’s mega-popular. The wait is usually 60 to 90 minutes. Free umbrellas are provided for shade.

You pay only ¥2,200 and you will win a Myaku-Myaku plush toy in one of three sizes: Small, regular, and giant. Since even the smallest plush toy costs more than ¥2,200, it’s a good deal.

When it’s your turn, you’ll see three large transparent spheres containing lottery tickets swirling around inside. Stick your hand inside the sphere to grab a lottery ticket. Then the attendant will open your lottery ticket to see which plush toy you’ve won. If you win the giant plush toy, the attendant will ring a bell like you won a jackpot. So start taking a video when you grab the lottery ticket.

Although most people will win the small or regular size plush, I’ve often seen people carrying around the giant plush toy (see photo). You have to lug it around though.

Not to be confused with Myaku-Myaku House which only displays plush toys.

It’s summer, how do I keep cool at the expo?

There are a good number of ways to keep cool at the expo. See my blog post answering this question here…

What do the official volunteers at the expo site and train stations do?

There are about 20,000 official Expo 2025 volunteers (unpaid). They were selected from among many more applicants and underwent various online training. They work in teams of four or more and wear uniforms with VOLUNTEER on the back. Some of them can speak English or use a translation app.

At major train stations such as Shin-Osaka and Osaka Stations, they give directions to visitors or hold photo frames for selfies. You can ask them how to get to the expo site or anywhere near the station.

At the expo site, volunteers wear gray and dark blue uniforms with “VOLUNTEER” on the back. They work in small teams standing at busy locations or in front of map signs to give directions and any assistance to visitors. Feel free to ask them something.

What other visitor’s facilities and services are there?

• Information centers near East Gate and West Gate. They sell official paper maps (¥200) and give expo info. There’s also a smaller Information Center at Korokoro Hiroba next to WASSE South Exhibition Hall and one near the eMover Grand Ring West Terminal bus stop.
• Accessibility Centers right outside East Gate (right side) and West Gate (left side). (It’s not inside the expo site.) Rent wheelchairs and walkers. Sign language interpreters also available. Location info…

• Personal Mobility Stations (near East and West Gates) lend out mobility scooters for free for maximum 4 hours. The time limit is to allow more people to try and use it. No reservations accepted. More info…
• e Mover is an electric or self-driving bus taking people around the fringe of the expo site for ¥400 per ride or ¥1,000 day pass. Official map shows the route and bus stops.
• Water refill stations and water bottle washing stations. Map here…
• First-aid stations and clinics are located in key locations within the expo site. Location info…
• Lost child and baby center.
• Lost and found center.
• All-gender toilets.
• Baby care room. More info…
• Quiet room.

• Free Wi-Fi called “Osaka Free Wi-Fi” in certain areas of the expo site (mainly near the East and West Gates, Marketplace food courts, Signature Pavilions, and Future Life Zone). Register here…
• Portable Wi-Fi rental (paid) near the East Gate and West Gate.
• Free cell phone charging stations powered by by solar panel (USB-A port only). You sit on a bench and connect your cable. (Cable not provided.)
• Lockers (small size only) outside the gates.
• Smoker’s area (next to Wasse South and Grand Ring pillar 40 outside the ring).

Which hotels do you recommend?

Due to the expo, hotels in central Osaka are quite expensive and full especially on weekends. If you’re looking for cheaper hotels, I recommend staying in Kyoto or Nara instead. You may have better luck looking for a hotel near Kyoto Station or a subway station such as Gojo.

Kyoto is only about 30 minutes by train to Osaka. You can easily stay at the expo until 10 pm and still make it back to Kyoto.

What should I do if there’s a tsunami warning?

If there’s a big earthquake causing a tsunami, there will be a tsunami warning along the affected Japanese coast. Locals may see their cell phones sound an alarm. Keep checking the news for the tsunami’s expected time of arrival and the wave height.

If it’s serious, there will be a red alert for Osaka Bay where Yumeshima is located. If it’s less serious (lower wave height), it can be a yellow alert. In either case, the Expo management should issue an announcement regarding the situation and whether an evacuation to higher ground is necessary.

The Grand Ring is supposedly high enough for any tsunami, but there are only five escalators and a few elevators and stairs. It’s not advisable to rush to Yumeshima Station because it’s underground.

On July 30, 2025 when there was a big quake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia, a tsunami red alert was issued for most of Japan’s Pacific Coast from morning. It was a yellow alert for Osaka Bay, and the tsunami supposed to reach Osaka Bay at noon.

However, the expo management issued an announcement a few minutes after 12 noon. All they said was that the expo site was high enough and normal operations would continue. It took them 2 or 3 hours to make this announcement.

Official disaster preparedness info here…

What happens if the Osaka Metro Chuo subway line stops operating?

Osaka Metro Chuo Line subway has had problems in the past when it stopped running just when expo visitors were heading home in the evening.

However, the worst case (so far) occurred on the evening of August 13, 2025 just when the highest number of visitors were heading to Yumeshima Station outside East Gate. About 30,000 people were at the expo at the time.

Due to an electrical short circuit and power outage, the Osaka Metro Chuo Line subway stopped running from about 9:30 pm. Many people were walking to Yumeshima Station when the long line of people suddenly stopped moving. People were left standing and waiting for about an hour without knowing what the problem was. It was finally announced that the subway had a problem and operation was suspended. No info on when the subway would restart. Although there were some angry remarks, no rioting occurred.

A great mass of people then sat on the asphalt in front of the station entrance. From around 10 pm, the East Gate reopened and people were urged to wait inside the expo site. However, many people kept sitting near the subway entrance hoping the subway would restart soon. Due to the heat or exhaustion, 36 people needed an ambulance.

The subway restarted after 10 pm, but only to Cosmosquare Station. Too many people forced to the station to close again.

The subway operated well past midnight, but only to limited stations where other lines already had stopped operating. People who couldn’t get home could stay in a few pavilions, under the Grand Ring, and rest areas in the expo site.

The Netherlands and Portugal Pavilions entertained some stranded visitors. Others enjoyed wandering around the expo after midnight. So for some people, it was a rare experience. For most, it was sleeping on a hard floor, ground, bench, or lawn.

People received free water, but no bedding or blankets. Obviously, they could hardly sleep.

Meanwhile, expo officials patted themselves on the back for taking appropriate measures to give water and shelter to the stranded people according to their manual. For them, it went well.

Moral of the story: Always carry water and light food, power bank for your mobile phone, picnic mat, etc. Things like this can happen at anytime.

Pray that it doesn’t happen when you need to go on the subway. It’s the only subway line to and from the expo. About 70 percent of visitors use it.

For smokers, where are the smoking areas?

Within the expo site, there are two smoking booths for smokers. One is next to WASSE South exhibition toward the West Gate, and other is near Grand Ring pillar No. 40, outside the ring between the West and East Ringside Marketplaces.

What else should I know?

• Wi-Fi at the expo can be slow or almost useless. If you need to show a QR code for anything, take a screenshot in advance instead of logging in when you need it.
• If you need to recharge your phone, there are a few free charging stations, but they only have USB-A ports, no power outlets. Best to bring a power bank.
• Trash bins might be hard to find, but most are under the Grand Ring and around the Forest of Tranquility. Be prepared to carry your trash in the meantime.
• The expo site only has small lockers for small rucksacks and handbags. Don’t bring large luggage.
• Expo-related information (including the info in this blog post) can change after a while, and what you’ve read before may be outdated. Links, time schedules, locations, etc.

Are the official apps helpful?

Yes and no. They have so many official apps and even the Japanese can’t understand the difference or figure them out. What’s the difference between the official website and the official Expo 2025 Visitors app?

The most useful official app is Expo 2025 Personal Agent created by NTT. It has a realtime map of the expo site while showing your current location. It also has a toilet map. More info…

Osaka Expo 2025 Fact Sheet

• Period: April 13th to Oct. 13th, 2025, open 8:50 am to 10:00 pm (pavilion entry may close by 8:00 pm).
• Location: Yumeshima island on the waterfront in the city of Osaka. Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zGqQgtyEbLigBZH28
• Getting there by subway: Take the Chuo Line (green) Osaka Metro subway to Yumeshima Station (夢洲駅) outside the East Gate of the expo site. Details here… Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6ycS1o5FcSD6FZhJ9
• Getting there by bus: Shuttle buses run from major train stations in Osaka and Sakurajima Station. Airport Limousine buses from Kansai Airport (KIX) and Osaka/Itami Airport (ITM) also go to the West Gate. Make reservations here…
• Area: 155 hectares (383 acres) (Three times larger than Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, bigger than Tokyo Disney Resort.)
• Pavilions: 150+ international pavilions (including about 60 standalone pavilions and 94 booths in shared halls) and 27 Japanese pavilions.
• Theme: Designing Future Society for Our Lives
• Official mascot: Myaku-Myaku
• Official website: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/
• Official expo maps (English): https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/expo-map-index/map/
• Expo tickets: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/
• Official apps: https://www.expovisitors.expo2025.or.jp/service-support/about-related-app
• Official social media (only in Japanese, no visitor support): https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/officialsns/

When exiting the East Gate to walk to Yumeshima Station, you will likely have to walk on a roundabout route due to crowd control. It will take an extra time for walking.

Smooth flow inside Yumeshima Station. Overhead sign says, “Come again!”

Also see:

Keeping cool at Osaka Expo 2025 in summer

Japan Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025

Basic Japanese for expo visitors

English – eigo 英語
Is there English? (inside pavilion) – Eigo wa arimasuka?
Do you speak English? – Eigo wakari masuka?
I don’t speak English. – Eigo dame desu.
I can speak Japanese. – Nihongo daijobu desu.
Yes – hai (Most Japanese will understand both “yes” and “no” in English.)
No – iie
Sorry – sumimasen (also used to get someone’s attention in store, etc.)
information – pronounced almost the same as in Japanese.
Can I take your picture? – Shashin daijobu desuka? 写真は大丈夫ですか？

Osaka – name of the city hosting the expo. Also the name of the prefecture where Osaka city is located. 大阪
world exposition – banpaku 万博 (full word is banpaku hakurankai 万博博覧会)
Osaka expo – Osaka banpaku 大阪万博
Kansai – name of the region of Japan where Osaka is located. Kansai also includes Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, and Shiga Prefectures. 関西
Welcome to Osaka! – Yokoso Osaka e!
Yumeshima – name of the artificial island where the expo site is located. Also the name of the nearest subway station. 夢洲

[Expo site]
East Gate – Higashi geto 東ゲート
West Gate – Nishi geto 西ゲート
Grand Ring – Oyane-ringu 大屋根リング
toilet/restrooms – toire (pronounced almost the same as in Japanese) トイレ
rest area (benches) – kyukeisho 休憩所
first aid station/medical clinic – kyugo shisetsu 救護施設
trash bin – gomi-bako ゴミ箱
Where? – Doko?

[Pavilions]
pavilion – pronounced almost the same as in Japanese. パビリオン
reservations – yoyaku or jizen yoyaku (advance reservations) 予約
no reservations – yoyaku-nashi 予約なし
lottery – chusen 抽選
line (for waiting) – retsu 列
end of the line – saikobi 最後尾
numbered ticket/reservation ticket – seiriken 整理券
waiting time (to enter a pavilion) – machi jikan 待ち時間
30 minutes – sanju-pun 30分
1 hour – ichiji-kan　1時間
2 hours – niji-kan　2時間
3 hours – best to give up and find another pavilion.
closed (pavilion) – heikan 閉館

rubber stamp – sutanpu or stamp rally スタンプ
Myaku-Myaku plush toy lottery – Myaku-Myaku nuigurumi kuji ミャクミャクぬいぐるみくじ

[Shopping]
official store – shoppu ショップ
souvenirs/merchandise – gutzu (goods) or ki’nenhin グッズ or 記念品
plush toys/stuffed animals – nui-gurumi ぬいぐるみ
sold out – uri-kire 売り切れ or 売切
How much? (price) – ikura? いくら？
Cash not accepted – kyashu wa dame – キャッシュはだめ
This one (pointing) – kore これ

[Food]
vegetarian – pronounced almost the same as in Japanese ベジタリアン
I don’t eat fish. – sakana wa dame – 魚はだめ
I’m allergic. – arerugi arimasu アレルギーあります
octopus balls/dumplings – tako-yaki たこ焼き
ice cream cone (soft serve) – soft cream ソフトクリーム
vending machine – jido hanbaiki 自動販売機
water station – kyusui – 給水機
drinks – nomi-mono 飲み物
water drinking fountain – mizu-nomiba 水飲み場

[Transport]
train/subway station – eki 駅
train – densha 電車
subway – chikatetsu 地下鉄
bus – basu バス
boat/ferry – fune or feri 船 or フェリー
airport – kuko 空港
heat illness, heat exhaustion, heatstroke – netchusho 熱中症、熱射病
I’m exhausted. – tsukareta 疲れた
Cannot walk – arukenai 歩けない
I’m going to faint/collapse – taoreso 倒れそう
water – mizu 水
first aid station – kyugo shisetsu 救護施設
Get the AED – AED onegaishimasu – AED持ってきてください
ambulance – kyu-kyu-sha (dial 119) 救急車
police – keisatsu (dial 110) 警察

[Weather and Disasters]
weather – tenki 天気
good weather – ii tenki いい天気
rain – ame 雨
thunderstorm – kami-nari 雷
typhoon – taifu 台風
strong winds – kyofu 強風
cancelled – chushi 中止
umbrella – kasa 傘
raincoat – pronounced almost the same as in Japanese レインコート
poncho – kappa カッパ
humid/muggy – mushi-atsui 蒸し暑い
earthquake – jishin 地震
tsunami – tsunami 津波
tsunami alert – tsunami keiho 津波警報
evacuate – hinan 避難
emergency – kinkyu 緊急

ENJOY OSAKA EXPO 2025!!