Expo 2025 at Osaka, Japan (Part2: Expo Day1)

The first part describes about the introduction of expo and transporation, you can follow this link. I visited Expo 2025 for 2 days and reserved some pavillions in advance. I traveled to the Expo by metro and got off at Yumeshima Station. I reserved the visit time 9 a.m. (the earliest time) at East gate.

The exit gate of Yumeshima Station.

After get off Yumeshima Station and turn left, you will see the big area before the entrance gate of expo. My first day at expo was rainy day. I arrived the entrance gate at 8.20 and queued up (long queue). Security checking is before entering the expo, then show your QR Code (mobile / paper) to the staff. The gate was opened on time (9 a.m.). It took about 15 minutes including security check and showing the ticket. It was quick. You can buy stamp book at official store 1,100 yen near the gate. You can also use your own stampbook.

The mascot MYAKU-MYAKU.

Expo 2025 Map

Green pavillions can be visited without reservation but still needs to queue up. You can check the waiting time in front of pavillions. In case of long queue, some pavillions may limited the number of visitors. No free printing map inside the expo. You can buy the printing map (200 yen) at the expo or print or download from website.

Expo 2025 Map: Expo 2025 website

The Grand Ring is the symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka.

E: East Gate Zone

W: West Gate Zone

C: Connecting Lives Zone

S: Saving Lives Zone

P: Empowering Lives Zone

X: Signature Zone

Kansai Pavilion (E01)

I reserved Kansai Pavilion at 9:30. The pavilion is not far from East gate.

Kansai Pavilion where nine prefectures Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Tokushima, Fukui, and Mie are exhibited here. You can collect many stamps here. Each prefecture (separate small booths) displays the highlights of tourist attraction or special products. For example, Fukui has dinosaur display. The staff gave the flashlight to find the dinosaurs on the wall or the ceiling. The staff spoke Japanese but some displays have English subtitle.

The tottori prefecture display must queue up so I did not enter this prefecture but you can take photo of Conan.

Mostly, Kansai Pavilion has less English guide. If you don't care and try to enjoy the display, that's fine.

Luxembourg Pavilion (C02) (Reservation is not required)

I visited the pavilion in the morning and waiting time was 20 minutes.

You can learn about Luxembourg where is a trilingual country. People speak Luxembourgish, French, and German. The last part (immersive video) was the most interesting. I could sit (as below photo) after stood for long time since Kansai pavilion and watched the video about this country. Luxembourg food was available near the exit gate. The price was high.

For more information about Luxembourg Pavilion, click here.

Some pavilions are located inside the Commons buildings which have A to F. The reservations are not required for these pavilions and have less queue.

Commons-F Pavilion (C05)

Commons-F Building pavilions consist of Armenia, Brunei, Kazakhstan.

The queue of Kazakhstan pavilion (the right side) is longer than Brunei pavilion so if you want to enter only Brunei pavilion, you can go to the left side queue. However, if you just want to collect stamps, it is near the entrance gate. I spent time a little bit (really a little bit) to go through this pavilion. The pavilion is not big.

Earth at Night (C09) No reservations are required.

Earth at night is located between Monaco and Azerbaijan. The highlight is Wajima-nuri Large Globe “Earth at Night" (the second photo).

The “Earth at Night,” is an impressive globe with a diameter of 1m, and is stunning example of Wajima-nuri lacquerware which is characterized by the delicate beauty of its jet black and gold colouring. The globe is a “symbol of reconstruction,” having miraculously remained undamaged even in the Noto earthquake on 1 January, 2024, and is imbued with the hope of “conveying to the world the importance of thinking about others beyond conflict and division.” Ref: the article from Expo 2025 website.

Thailand Pavilion (C12)

There is fast track land for Thai people if show passport or ID card to the staff.

I like the design of the pavilion. Due to the limited space, the architecture used the mirror cladding reflects the structure. Two MCs introduces the background of Thailand and Thai culture. The song in the show teaches some Thai words so everyone can enjoy and learn them. Thai pavilion exhibits the public health and Thai food but does not show innovation. You can try Somtom at the back of pavilion.

Joint Pavilion lida Group x Osaka Metropolitan University (W04)

I saw the short queue (no waiting time at that moment) so I entered this pavilion. The staff spoke only Japanese. After entered, the staff introduced some background of this pavilion. After that entered to the next room and I surprised. The designs were good and interesting. It made me feel jumping to the future time.

Australia Pavilion (C15)

I could reserve this pavilion. No need to reserve if you visit this pavilion early in the morning. The theme of the Australia Pavilion is “Chasing the Sun.” When I entered the pavilion, the forest was in front of me. They used the mirror to reflect the forest to make it big forest. Next is the immersive video room, shows the space and sea.

Gundam Next Future Pavilion (W07)

I just took photo of large Gundam in front of the pavilion. This pavilion requires reservation.

Expo Exhibition Center "Wasse" (W11)

An exhibition hall where the events are held. You can check the events calendar on website.

No reservation is required and no need to queue up. Just walking inside the hall. I visited Cool Japan Showcase Anime Manga Tourism Festival. The event started from 11:00.

My lunch break. I took the escalator to the top of Grand Ring.

You can bring food from outside because there were many people at the convenience stores and the retaurants especially during noon. Plenty seats were available at Grand Rind but might be occupied during noon so I recommend you may have lunch a little bit early or late. However, there are seats available at other seats as well.

Commons-D Pavilion (S14) (Reservation is not required)

I was tired from queue up and stood in the morning so after the lunch break, I walked to Commons-D Pavilion. You can learn the culture of various nations. It made me feel travelling to many countries within one day. If you are stamps collector, do not miss.

Oman Pavilion (S15)

My waiting time for this pavilion was 15 minutes. This pavilion takes inspiration from the diverse natural and topographical features of Oman. Overall, the display and exhibition were interesting.

null² Signature Pavilion (X04)

The architecture is attractive and beautiful. The queue is long. If you have time, you should try.

Nordic Circle Pavilion (P36) (Reservation is not required)

Nordic includes the sovereign states of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I had high expectation to visit this pavilion so I queued up for 15-20 minutes. The souvenir shop is in front of the pavilion. If you like Moomin, you can buy the products. When I entered to pavilion, the exhibition was not interesting (for me) as you can see from below photo. You can see the display and read by yourself.

Turkmenistan Pavilion (P35)

The design of outside the pavilion was beautiful and unique. The presentation was attractive but the soundtrack was the local language and the subtitle was Japanese so it was hard to understand for foreigners.

UAE Pavilion (P18)

This pavilion is no need for reservation although on the website shows the reservation slot (No queue in front of pavilion). Do not waste your lottery.

Expo Hall "Shining Hat" (E11)

The projection mapping will be held on the exterior walls of EXPO Hall “Shining Hat” every night. There are 2 rounds which are 19:30-19:50 and 20:10-20:30 (about 20 minutes for each session)

That's all for Day 1. Before going back to hotel, I went to souvenir shops near the entrance gate. It was very crowded inside the shop. It would be better if you visit the shop in the morning. The products price were expensive.

Conclusion for Day 1

1. The best time for entry is 9:00 or 10:00 (9:00 is the best). In the afternoon, each pavilion has long queue. If it is possible, enter to your favourite pavilion in the morning session.

2. Please bring your hat / umbrella / sunglasses / jacket / raincoat. Some pavilions do not have shelter for waiting lane.

3. No need to enter only the big pavilion because the waiting time is too long. Other pavilions are also interesting.

4. Some special events are also interesting. Do not forget to check the schedule.

5. The souvenirs can be purchased at many spots, not only near the entrance gate but official shops have various products.

6. You can try international food or buy the souvenirs at each nation's pavilion.

7. Download the expo map on your mobile phone or print it.

8. You can refill the water at bottle filling stations. Mostly, it is near the drinks vending machine.

9. Price of drinks at vending machines are higher than outside but little bit different.

10. Ticket QR Code is also use for entering your reserved pavilion.

11. Self-driving buses are available around the expo. Fare is 400 yen/ride or 1,000 yen for one day. I did not take the bus. If you walk from west gate to east gate, it takes about 30 minutes.

12. The evening ticket is cheaper.

13. One day in expo is not enough because time spends for queue waiting.

14. Pavilions reservation save your time a lot.

15. Should avoid the weekends because the queue is long even in the morning.