World Landscapes and Cultures Encountered at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai

Visiting Expo 2025 in Osaka felt like embarking on a whirlwind trip around the world—no plane ticket required. From the moment I stepped through the gates, I was surrounded by breathtaking pavilions, diverse cultures, and unforgettable flavors. In this post, I’ll take you on a mini world tour, sharing the pavilions I explored and the delicious bites I tasted along the way.

Expo 2025 runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025, so if you have the chance, I highly recommend checking it out before it’s over!

Where Is Expo 2025 Being Held?

Expo 2025 is being held on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Konohana Ward, Osaka. Floating in Osaka Bay, this island has been transformed into a futuristic cityscape where cultures and technologies from around the world come together. Getting there is easy too—Osaka Metro’s Chuo Line runs directly to Yumeshima Station, making it a smooth trip from the city center. It truly feels like a gateway to the future.

Top Things to See at Expo 2025

The “Grand Roof Ring” is the iconic architectural centerpiece of Expo 2025 Osaka, serving as the symbolic face of the entire venue. This massive wooden structure spans approximately 675 meters in diameter, 30 meters in width, and reaches up to 20 meters in height. It has even been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest wooden architectural structure in the world.

Roughly 70% of the timber used is sourced from Japan—such as cedar and cypress—while the rest includes imported woods like Scots pine. At the top of the ring is a walkway known as the “Skywalk,” where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the entire expo site, almost like taking a stroll through the sky.

In keeping with the expo’s sustainability theme, the Grand Roof Ring is planned to be dismantled after the event, with its timber materials repurposed for future use. It’s a stunning blend of tradition, innovation, and environmental consciousness.

The France Pavilion at Expo 2025

The France Pavilion is one of the most emotionally moving and artistically rich spaces at Expo 2025 Osaka. Its theme, “Hymn to Love,” explores three dimensions of love—love for oneself, love for others, and love for nature—offering a heartfelt vision of the future.

The pavilion’s exterior is draped in a veil reminiscent of a theater curtain, and its entrance evokes the atmosphere of a mystical, open-air stage. Inside, visitors are immersed in a multi-sensory journey through French art, architecture, fashion, nature, and gastronomy. It truly feels like traveling through France with all five senses.

One of the most breathtaking areas is the fashion and art space, where stunning displays include dresses by Christian Dior and exhibits from Louis Vuitton.

It felt like an incredibly luxurious space.

A Journey Through Asia: Inside the Malaysia Pavilion

The Malaysia Pavilion truly embodies the theme of “Harmony in Diversity,” offering a captivating fusion of Southeast Asia’s rich cultural heritage and forward-looking vision. Its exterior features a bamboo façade inspired by traditional songket textiles, shimmering with golden and silver threads under the night lights to create a magical atmosphere. Designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma’s firm, the structure beautifully blends natural materials with modern elegance.

Inside, visitors are immersed in a space where tradition meets technology—exhibits include batik, traditional crafts, and ethnic costumes, alongside a futuristic model of Kuala Lumpur and displays on climate action. The pavilion engages all five senses, with music, scents, and tactile experiences that bring Malaysia to life.

The souvenir shop next to the restaurant was also a highlight, offering a delightful shopping experience. It was truly one of the pavilions that made me feel like I had taken a journey abroad.

Grains of Time: Sand from Jordan’s Desert

One of the most unforgettable highlights of the Jordan Pavilion is the desert sand itself. The desert was used as a filming location for Star Wars.

Visitors are invited to take off their shoes and walk or sit directly on the soft, fine red sand—an experience that feels both grounding and surreal. The sand, about 22 tons of it, was shipped all the way from Jordan. But by the time it arrived in Japan, a significant amount had mysteriously vanished.

What’s even more moving is the story behind it: Jordanian staff members personally traveled to the desert, scooped the sand by hand into buckets, and carefully transported it by ship. Once in Osaka, they laid it out manually inside the pavilion. Learning about the effort and care that went into creating this immersive space made the experience all the more powerful.

Another fascinating feature is the display of coral reef fossils dating back around 500 million years. What makes it even more unique is that the fossil is presented as a musical instrument—you can actually tap it and hear the beautiful tones it produces. I was truly moved by the delicate, resonant sound.

The souvenir selection was impressive. One of the highlights was watching a sand art craftsman create intricate designs right before your eyes. It was fascinating just to observe, but even better—you could purchase one as a keepsake. If you wanted, they would even personalize it with your name.

A Taste of Another World: The Saudi Arabia Pavilion

The Saudi Arabia Pavilion offers an immersive experience that feels like stepping into a foreign city, where tradition and the future blend seamlessly. Its theme, “A Journey of Discovery,” takes visitors through four galleries that explore Saudi Arabia’s past, present, and future—highlighting its culture, nature, urban life, and visionary projects like the futuristic city of NEOM.

The architecture is inspired by the traditional marketplace, or souq, and features authentic materials and stone brought directly from Saudi Arabia, creating a truly atmospheric setting. The pavilion is also cleverly designed to block sunlight, making it feel 2 to 3 degrees cooler inside than the outside temperature.

Lining the walls of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion are rows of traditional artworks, each one more intricate and colorful than the last. Their delicate patterns and vibrant hues completely captivated me—it was impossible to look away.

The Soul of Spain: Where Passion Meets Art

The Spain Pavilion is a sensory celebration of the country’s passion and artistry—an experience packed with unforgettable highlights. Its theme, “Sea and Sun,” is reflected in the building’s wave-like curves and light-filled design. By day, it glistens in the sunlight; by night, it transforms into a cinematic scene with magical illumination. The tiles used in the architecture were even crafted in the workshop of Gaudí’s Sagrada Família.

Inside, immersive exhibits inspired by the Kuroshio Current tell stories of the sea that connects Spain and Japan, explore deep-sea ecosystems, and introduce the concept of the blue economy. There’s even a section themed around sunken treasure and pirates, making you feel like you’ve stepped into an adventure film.

But the true showstopper is the authentic flamenco performance held in the evening. With fiery dance and music, it transports you straight to Spain. The show runs three times a day on a first-come, first-served basis—so it’s worth checking the schedule in advance.

Oman: A Kingdom of Roses and Fragrance

The Oman Pavilion offers a serene, fragrant oasis where visitors can experience the country’s nature and culture through all five senses. Its theme, “Earth, Water, and Humanity,” is reflected in the striking red L-shaped building, inspired by Oman’s diverse natural landscapes.

As you step inside, the air is filled with the scent of Omani frankincense and spices, evoking the atmosphere of a Middle Eastern souk. The exhibits use light, shadow, and sound in immersive projection mapping to tell stories of Oman’s history, culture, and harmonious relationship with nature. One particularly moving section focuses on the sub-theme “Saving Lives,” highlighting water resources and human resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Wander, Explore, Enjoy—Expo Without the Wait

Over 100,000 people visit Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai each day. At the most popular pavilions, it’s not uncommon to face wait times of one to three hours. You might think, “If I can’t get inside, what’s the point?” But here’s the secret: even without stepping into a single pavilion, the Expo is full of wonder.

Just walking through the venue feels like a journey around the globe. Each country’s pavilion expresses its unique culture and aesthetic through stunning architecture—vibrant murals, traditional motifs, futuristic shapes. It’s like an open-air museum of world design, where every turn reveals a new “foreign landscape.”

Many pavilions also feature shops and cafés outside, so you can browse local crafts or enjoy a refreshing drink or sweet treat without waiting in line. (I’ve dedicated a separate post to all the delicious food I tried—be sure to check that out too!)

And then there’s the crown jewel of the Expo: the Grand Roof Ring, a massive 2-kilometer-long wooden structure that’s earned a Guinness World Record. It’s impressive from below—but once you climb it, the experience becomes something else entirely.

A skywalk leads you along the ring, and even higher up, there’s an observation area where seasonal flowers bloom in a garden that feels like it’s floating in the sky. During the day, the contrast of blue skies and greenery is refreshing. At sunset, the western sky glows orange, casting warm light along the ring’s curves. And at night, the illuminated structure and cityscape create a magical, dreamlike atmosphere.

Once a month, there’s a seven-minute fireworks display—and watching Japanese fireworks up close is truly breathtaking. The power and beauty of each burst leave you in awe.

If you’ve ever thought, “You have to enter the pavilions to enjoy the Expo,” this walk might just change your mind. Taking your time, strolling at your own pace, and soaking in the global atmosphere—that’s one of the Expo’s greatest pleasures.