Expo 2025 Osaka had all kinds of issues, but somehow it ended up exploding in popularity… So I went to check it out. The thing is, it’s so popular that if you don’t prepare, there isn’t much you can actually see… and I only found that out once I got there…
Zojirushi
There was a huge sign right in front of the station exit… Turns out Zojirushi was taking part in the Expo too.
Entrance
The admission system is unusual: there are reservations by time slot. Going earlier is better, but there was nowhere to check a travel suitcase. Not only that, you can’t bring a suitcase inside. It seems to be some kind of anti-terrorism measure, but if that’s the case, shouldn’t they have set up enough coin lockers? I have no idea why they didn’t build any at all. So I put mine in a coin locker at Shin-Osaka Station and headed over. Because of that I got in one time slot later, and that made a pretty big difference… That huge entrance was packed with people.
The way in
Off in the distance you can see the Grand Ring, a huge ring-shaped roof. In a way, I think that’s the essence of this Expo.
Myaku-Myaku
Surprisingly, this blue-and-red thing was really popular… No idea why, though…
Kansai Pavilion
No idea what it was. But anyway, the lesson was that if the line is short, you should just go in.
Grand Ring
It’s a wooden bridge, and building something on this scale is just incredible. This alone makes the trip to the Expo worth it.
On top of the ring
The top of the ring feels just like a park. And you can see all the pavilions down below.
Korea Pavilion
The line was long, so I only looked at it from above…
Germany Pavilion
Going in during the second time slot, the lines were already way too long everywhere…
Azerbaijan
Monaco
The buildings were all full of character.
Turkey
In Japan they call it “Toruko.”
Thailand Pavilion
This one had performances too, so it was pretty good…
Under construction
The surrounding area didn’t look fully developed yet. If they want to use it as a park, I think it needs a bit more work…
Ramen
At 1,200 yen, that’s a very reasonable price.
Turkish ice cream
It comes with that signature Turkish ice cream performance. It was pretty fun, actually.
Thai performance
These folks were pretty good…
España, Spain
The line here wasn’t long, so it was easy to get in. Not that there was all that much to see, though…
Gift shop
Tapas menu
The line was long, so I couldn’t get in, but…
Gundam
You need a reservation to get in here… I didn’t know that. And depending on your ticket, if you bought one without logging in, you don’t even have the right to make a reservation… Didn’t know that either… I really should have prepared in advance…
Astro Boy
Belgium Pavilion
It has a festival-like atmosphere.
Italy Pavilion
This one was also crazy crowded… I stood in line for a bit and then gave up…
Beyond 5G…
The line was short so I went in to have a look, but it was just so-so.
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