5 international pavilions you must see at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai

The concept of the Canada Pavilion is ‘Regeneration’. Inspired by the moment when the country’s long, snowy winter transitions into spring, the pavilion’s exterior represents ice breakup, the phenomenon where river ice melts and begins to flow.

Resembling a slowly drifting glacier, the pavilion itself has a cool, refreshing appearance, while its bold red signage stands out against the serene white backdrop.

Inside, the atmosphere recalls a winter Olympic arena, with a central stage hosting street dance and music performances. The pavilion spotlights especially Indigenous artists, including a performance by singer Jeremy Dutcher scheduled for August.

Once inside, friendly staff welcome visitors, who are handed a torch-like tablet with a handle. Throughout the pavilion are large iceberg-like structures. When visitors point the tablet at these elements, they can experience Canadian nature, lifestyle, and industry through dynamic AR visuals – think children skiing, beavers building dams, the roar of the Niagara Falls, and the greenery of spring bursting forth in the mountains.

One of the exhibits includes footage of Earth from space; look closely, and you’ll even see the Northern Lights. Point the tablet at the screen, and the starry sky appears.

Visitors can also enjoy sweets featuring Canadian maple syrup. Be sure to try the special ‘Maple Beaver’, a rice cracker snack resembling the tooth of a beaver and made with Canadian maple syrup – a treat that is available only here.

The UAE Pavilion, themed ‘Earth to Ether’, symbolises the spirit of the Emirati people. Its design takes inspiration from the date palm, which grows upon a strong foundation of roots and reaches straight up toward the sky. This concept is brought to life through impressive pillar-like structures that stretch upward toward a high ceiling.

Date palms are indispensable to the lives of people living in arid areas, and here palm leaves in the form of agricultural waste are incorporated into palm-tree pillars, which were erected using Japanese wood construction techniques and hold up the pavilion’s ceiling. The pavilion’s immersive exhibition highlights various initiatives undertaken by the UAE, such as space exploration, medical innovations, and a touching story of 'dreamers' who are paving the way for a sustainable future.

The pavilion features video interviews with experts in various medical fields, such as the founder of Doctor Robot Inc. and the director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, and also introduces Ken-ichiro Kamei, a professor of biology and bioengineering at New York University Abu Dhabi. But while the program zooms in on cutting-edge technology, it gently reminds us that human connection remains at the heart of progress.

The cultural elements are equally engaging. A live demonstration of Arabic coffee culture offers insight into ceremonial hospitality deeply rooted in Emirati tradition. Visitors are invited to learn the etiquette of serving coffee, appreciating not only the fragrance and flavour, but also the rituals of welcoming guests.

The interactive experiences continue with tactile displays of sand samples from the seven emirates that make up the UAE – ranging from the fine white sands of Dubai to the red, copper-rich grains of the inland deserts – alongside exhibits highlighting the UAE’s traditional textile craftsmanship. 

There is also a café serving authentic Emirati cuisine, making the pavilion feel like a peaceful oasis within the Expo.

Just past Expo 2025’s main entrance and the iconic Grand Ring stands the Philippine Pavilion, themed ‘Woven’. It’s a celebration of traditional textile craftsmanship as a symbol of unity and a better future.

Over 200 handwoven fabrics from the country’s 18 regions fill the pavilion, reflecting the diverse culture and landscapes of the 7,461 islands that comprise the Philippines. Visitors are welcomed by vibrant tapestry art and immersive visuals that simulate a journey through the islands, blending nature, history and heritage. There is also an area where visitors can observe the textile production process, which makes a fun experience for both children and adults.

Over on the pavilion’s dance floor, visitors are encouraged to learn and imitate traditional Filipino dances. This interactive art installation features characters resembling woven tropical flowers and fruits dancing to the tunes of local music. In the massage area, meanwhile, visitors can experience hilot, a traditional Filipino therapy.

Architecturally, the pavilion impresses with a woven rattan façade that doubles as seating. A stage along its textile-clad exterior hosts live performances of music and dance, viewable from all sides.

Blending art, tradition and innovation, the Philippine Pavilion offers a rich, multisensory experience rooted in community and creativity.

The Peru Pavilion, themed ‘Infinite Possibilities’, may be compact in size, but it's packed with the South American country’s rich culture, biodiversity and culinary excellence. Visitors are welcomed at the entrance by staff in vibrant traditional attire, offering an immediate splash of Peruvian colour.

Inside, a large screen immerses visitors in Peru’s breathtaking natural landscapes, from the majestic Andes mountains and the Pacific coastline teeming with marine life to the lush Amazon rainforest. Aerial footage of iconic heritage sites like Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines adds powerful visual impact.

Known globally as a gastronomic powerhouse, Peru has received repeated accolades in the culinary category of the World Travel Awards. The pavilion includes a kitchen studio where guests can sample signature Peruvian dishes and beverages. Highlights include causa limeña (a layered potato salad with tuna or avocado), ceviche, and tastings of Peruvian coffee and chocolate.

There are also exhibits on nutrient-rich superfoods like camu camu, quinoa and cacao – staples of both ancient and modern Peruvian diets. A museum-like area showcases Peru’s 5,000-year-old civilisations, with rotating exhibitions: treasures of the Lord of Sipán (Moche culture) are on view until July 12, followed by an exhibition on Nazca culture – featuring geoglyphs and pottery – from July 13 to October 13.

Blending natural beauty, food and archaeology, the Peru Pavilion offers an immersive and delicious journey through the country’s past and present.

Even among the many eye-catching international pavilions at the Expo, the Netherlands Pavilion stands out with its undulating exterior and a striking central sphere symbolising a ‘new dawn’ of renewable energy.

Upon entry, visitors receive a glowing, palm-sized orb, which is used to explore immersive exhibits focused on the Netherlands’ deep relationship with water, renewable energy and sustainable resource use. With a quarter of its land below sea level, the Netherlands showcases how it is redefining coexistence with water to shape a more sustainable future.

Throughout the pavilion, children’s eye-level displays of Miffy picture books by Dutch author Dick Bruna help introduce young visitors to Dutch culture and environmental values in a friendly, accessible way.

An adjacent event space hosts programmes under the theme ‘Common Ground’, encouraging dialogue and collaboration across different perspectives and values.

At the café, visitors can enjoy Miffy-shaped stroopwafels, a type of thin cookie sandwich that’s a beloved Dutch treat. The pavilion shop features two exclusive Miffy plush toys and a specially created fragrance for the Expo, New Dawn – a sensory tribute to a new beginning.