10 unmissable things to do at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai

Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest wooden structure, the Grand Ring is inarguably the centrepiece of the Expo site. The eye-catching round structure encircles the pavilions of the participating countries, symbolising the Expo’s core theme of unity in diversity. 

The ring has a circumference of approximately 2 kilometres and stands some 20 metres tall and 30 metres wide. Make yourself to the roof to witness incredible panoramic views of the Osaka Bay area.

Among the standout attractions at Expo 2025 are the Signature Pavilions, which showcase groundbreaking ideas from Japan for a more sustainable and interconnected future. Among the most anticipated of these is the Better Co-Being pavilion, a forested outdoor venue dedicated to reimagining well-being on a global scale. Conceived by Hiroaki Miyata, a data scientist and professor at Keio University, the pavilion’s exhibition aims to envision and evoke a future society where human-to-human and human-to-nature relations can be more interconnected and interdependent with one another.

Another must-visit is the Earth Mart Pavilion, a hut-style venue with a striking thatched roof, which envisions the future of how we consume food and use resources sustainably. Designed as a futuristic marketplace, Earth Mart invites visitors to rethink taken-for-granted norms of how food is brought to the table and presents forward-looking ideas on how we can address challenges such as starvation and environmental decay.

In addition to encompassing all those futuristic pavilions, Expo 2025 also celebrates culture, music and performing arts. Each participating country will have its own National Day, an opportunity to showcase traditions and culture through live performances, parades and exhibitions. These festivities will bring the Expo grounds to life, offering visitors a chance to experience a bit of the world’s diversity in one place. With more than 160 countries and regions partaking, every day at the Expo promises something new and exciting.

Kicking off the Expo in spectacular fashion is the opening day concert, headlined by J-pop superstar Ado. Known for her powerful and catchy hits including ‘Usseewa’ and ‘Chocolat Cadabra’, Ado is expected to deliver an electrifying performance. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering her music for the first time, this show is sure to be a highlight of Expo 2025.

Foodies are in for a treat at Expo 2025 too, with a wide variety of both Japanese and international dining options to explore. One safe bet will be provided by Kura Sushi, one of Japan’s most popular conveyor belt sushi chains, who’ll be opening their biggest restaurant ever at the Expo site. This massive sushi shop will have a whopping 338 seats and feature the longest sushi conveyor belt in the company’s history. And it won’t be all tuna and shrimp either: alongside familiar favourites, the chain will serve regional dishes from 70 countries and regions participating in the Expo. Kura Sushi’s stunt marks a return to the roots for the dynamic dining form, as conveyor belt sushi made its world debut at the 1970 Osaka Expo.

For a deeper dive into Osaka’s vibrant food scene, you’ll want to seek out Osaka Noren Meguri, a sustainable food court, and the ORA Gaishoku Pavilion, run by the Osaka Restaurant Management Association. The restaurants at these venues will bring Osaka’s gastronomic delights together in a glitzy Kansai-esque setting. The lantern-adorned interior, complete with a handcrafted nebuta float and robots waiting the tables, is sure to leave a lasting impression.

If you’re looking for something sweet to top off a meal, head to Theo’s Cafe by Juchheim for an all-you-can-eat spread of futuristic Baumkuchen cakes. Utilising image sensors and machine learning to achieve craftsman-level quality, the special ovens used at this café enable freshly baked ‘tree cakes’ to be served anywhere, reducing food loss and environmental footprint.

The host country can always be counted on to bring its A-game to an Expo, and the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 is unlikely to disappoint. Themed ‘Between Lives’, the pavilion focuses on the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. Expect to see a collection of giant Hello Kitty characters transformed into 32 unique types of algae (yes!), offering a fun and educational experience, as well as a Martian meteorite – the largest ever found – recovered by a Japanese Antarctic research expedition.

The pavilion will also house a cutting-edge biogas plant, with a full-blown industrial fermentation room that will refine and utilise biogas from food waste collected at the Expo to generate electricity. Designed by Nikken Sekkei with Oki Sato of design firm Nendo as general designer and producer, the building wows with circular forms crafted from vertical cross-laminated (CLT) planks. Its materials are designed to be easy to disassemble, making them available for reuse in other buildings after the Expo and symbolising the cycle of life and innovation.

Reservations (available through a lottery system) are required to enter.  

With more than four centuries of shared history, the Netherlands and Japan are closely connected. Themed ‘Common Ground’, the Dutch pavilion was designed to be a space for scientists, visionaries and decision-makers from both countries to come together and collaborate. The stunning architecture of the pavilion, anchored by a central sun-like structure that communicates the idea of a new dawn on common ground, is in itself arguably a good enough reason to visit.

The Philippine pavilion – themed ‘Nature, Culture & Community, Woven Together for a Better Future’ – is a reflection of the nation’s artistic excellence, craftsmanship and many interwoven cultures and traditions. Featuring a ‘live performance facade’ – a first for the Philippines at a World Expo – the building serves as a stage for five cultural shows per day, highlighting the warmth, movement and artistry of Filipino culture. When visiting, be sure to take a close look at the intricate details on the 200 woven panels that make up the exterior. The most extensive collection of handwoven Filipino textiles ever assembled on a wall, the display shines the spotlight on weaving traditions from the 18 regions that make up the Philippines.

Living up to its moniker, the Future City pavilion showcases innovations by some of Japan’s leading technology companies. The pavilion is one of the largest of its kind at the Expo, measuring approximately 150 meters in length and covering an area of 4,800 square meters. You can get a glimpse of the future through fifteen attractions and experiences, including an interactive theatre that lets visitors engage in solving various societal issues, and a mock-up of a state-of-the-art cargo ship that harnesses wind power to produce and transport hydrogen.

Reservations (available through a lottery system) are required to enter.  

What better way to showcase Japan’s pedigree in futuristic innovation than exhibiting the world’s largest robot at the Expo? This kneeling 18-metre-tall humanoid from the popular science fiction franchise Mobile Suit Gundam was repurposed from a moving Gundam statue previously exhibited in Yokohama. It symbolises humanity's aspirations for a new space age where ‘life in space is common’. The adjacent pavilion will feature the new animated film ‘Gundam: New Universal Century’, offering a 360-degree, fully immersive experience that encourages visitors to contemplate possible futures.

Expo Sauna ‘Taiyo's Tsubomi’ is an innovative installation that reflects the rising popularity of Nordic-style saunas in Japan. Located in the Green World area looking out towards Osaka Bay, these unique saunas feature a vibrant structure in which petal-like air membrane cushions converge to form a bud (tsubomi) reaching toward the sun (taiyo). Constructed using ETFE film – a lightweight, durable and energy-efficient resin material that allows natural light to permeate – the saunas harmoniously blend natural elements with advanced technology. Don’t forget to bring your own towel and swimsuit!

Reservations (available through a lottery system) are required to enter.