Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

What we know so far about Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Expo 2025 is less than a year away. Here’s what you can expect at the momentous event, plus how to get tickets

Thursday 12 September 2024

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Written by Kaila Imada

Associate Editor, Time Out Tokyo

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Osaka will make history in 2025 as the first Japanese city to host the World Expo twice. It last staged the event in 1970, which holds the record as the best-attended Expo of the 20th century. With big plans in place, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is sure to be just as memorable.

World Expos have been taking place since 1851 and now occur every five years for up to six months at a time. These large-scale events bring together innovations from around the world and are often the first places to see new technology. Over the years, the likes of elevators, electric cars and the first mobile phone have been unveiled at Expos. You can discover the innovations and culture of each participating country at its own pavilion during the event.

Expo 2025 is Osaka’s second and Japan’s third World Expo, following the Aichi Expo in 2005. It takes place from April 13 to October 13 2025 on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay.

World-renowned architect Sou Fujimoto is responsible for bringing the Expo 2025 site to life with a stunning master design. Fujimoto plans to include plenty of nature by incorporating green spaces throughout the site as well as ample seating and shaded rest areas. The venue’s showpiece will be the 20-metre high, two-kilometre round Grand Ring. Visitors can walk inside as well as on top of this giant wooden structure, which affords breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Expo site and Osaka Bay.

Expo 2025 theme

Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

Expo 2025 will revolve around the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’. This statement is intended to have us think about how we want to live our lives and at the same time, maximise our potential. The theme also aims to inspire collaborations among the international community in designing a more sustainable society that supports diverse needs and wants.

This main theme is further divided into three sub-themes: 'Saving Lives', 'Empowering Lives' and 'Connecting Lives'. These three concepts will be showcased through various Expo projects including exhibitions, events and field experiments.

Meet Myaku-Myaku

Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

A key component of Expo 2025 is its eye-catching official character. Myaku-Myaku is a shapeshifting water-like creature designed by graphic designer and illustrator Kohei Yamashita. Since Osaka is known as Japan’s city of water, Myaku-Myaku is a shapeshifter that can take on many forms, just like water. The name ‘Myaku-Myaku’ is also meaningful, as it conveys something being passed down through generations, like how the 1970 Expo has influenced the 2025 event.

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Participating countries and companies

Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

Expo 2025 is set to feature a total of 161 countries and regions as well as nine international organisations.

Some of the countries and regions that have confirmed their participation include Australia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, Nepal, the Republic of Peru, Solomon Islands, the Swiss Confederation, the Kingdom of Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the Republic of Zimbabwe. See this link for the full list of participating nations and regions.

International organisations that will be present at next year’s Expo include the African Union Commission, Asean Secretariat, European Union, The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, International Solar Alliance, International Science and Technology Center, ITER, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, and the United Nations.

Ticketing information

Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

Tickets for Expo 2025 are now available online. Here’s a breakdown of the ticket categories:

Advance one-day ticket for the opening of the Expo (entry from April 13-26)
¥4,000, junior (12-17 years old) ¥2,200, child (4-11 years old) ¥1,000

Advance one-day ticket for the first half of the Expo period (from April 13-July 18)
¥5,000, junior ¥3,000, child ¥1,200

One-day super early bird ticket (can be used any time during the Expo period)
¥6,000, junior ¥3,500, child ¥1,500

One-day early bird ticket (can be used any time during the Expo period)
¥6,700, junior ¥3,700, child ¥1,700

Multiple-entry season pass (can be used from April 26 to October 3, entry after 11am)
¥30,000, junior ¥17,000, child ¥7,000

Multiple-entry summer pass (can be used from July 19 to August 31, entry after 11am)
¥12,000, junior ¥7,000, child ¥3,000

Special ticket (for those with a disability certificate
¥3,700, junior ¥2,000, child ¥1,000

Tickets available during the Expo period
One-day ticket ¥7,500, junior ¥4,200, child ¥1,800

Weekday ticket (entry from 11am) ¥6,000, junior ¥3,500, child ¥1,500

Night ticket (entry from 5pm) ¥3,700, junior ¥2,000, child ¥1,000

For group ticket prices and more information, see the website.