Expo 2025 Osaka: What Travellers Need to Know

Photo by takato marui, Wikimedia Commons

What is a World Expo and What Are They For?

A World Expo is a global event organised by the Bureau International des Expositions. Officially, it’s called an International Registered Exhibitions, but “World Expo” is certainly catchier, isn’t it?

The General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions plays a crucial role in making important decisions regarding the Expo, such as selecting the event's host city and approving the registration dossier. It also discusses the significance of holding the Expo, addresses global challenges, and facilitates international collaboration to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The idea of a World Expo is to bring nations together to find “solutions to pressing challenges of our time” which is all created under a universal theme. The first-ever World Expo was held in London in 1851, but the most recent was held in 2021 in Dubai.

The World Expo was actually held in Osaka once before, in 1970. Now, many people are excited for its return in 2025! “The Osaka Expo 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark event, even exceeding the buzz surrounding the 1970 Expo“ says Karolina Simon, Head of Japanspecialist. “We’re anticipating record-breaking visitor numbers. This Expo’s focus on innovation and a sustainable future, coupled with Japan’s renowned culture and hospitality, is an irresistible combination.”

Expo 2025 Osaka: Designing Future Society

The theme of the Osaka World Expo in 2025 is set to be “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” It will be held on Yumeshima, an artificial island just outside of central Osaka. The Expo will explore sub-themes such as 'Saving Lives', 'Empowering Lives', and 'Connecting Lives'. Let’s take a look at what to expect.

When is the Expo 2025 Osaka happening?

As is normal for a World Expo, events will be held over a long period of time – 184 days, to be exact, from April 13 to October 13, 2025.

During the course of the 184 days, there will be an array of events and performances across the island.

The Osaka Expo Grounds on the Artificial Island

So where is the expo, exactly?

It will be held on Yumeshima, an artificial island. Due to its connections to central Osaka, the island has easy access to the popular sightseeing destinations of Nara, Kyoto, and Kobe. The island itself is 1.55 square kilometres, and once everything is complete, there will be a few different ways to reach the island, including via its new Metro station and shuttle buses. We’ll go into more details on how to get there below.

Across these 1.55 kilometres, there will be a total of eight zones for different thematic exhibitions. The layout will include a large central pavilion that holds three of the eight zones. Neighbouring it on either side will be a water area in the southern part and a greenery area in the western part, all surrounded by the Osaka Bay.

The idea of this island setting is to be “connected to the world through the surrounding sea and sky”.

Key Attractions of the Expo 2025 Osaka

Given the length and scale of the Expo, it’s not surprising that there is a whole array of different events to go with it.

The different events come under the four broad categories of theatre events, plaza events, illumination and projection events, and hands-on events. Some will be organised by the Expo organisers and supporters, while others will be held by external organisations such as cultural organisations and local governments.

A key highlight will be the 'People's Living Lab', which will showcase the practical implementation of the Expo's theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives' through various events and exhibitions. This concept represents the Expo's endeavor to give a realistic picture of a future society by inviting diverse participants to tackle challenges with solutions that will help achieve the SDGs.

Within these four different categories, you can expect to see music performances, dramas, parades, festivals, and even spectacular light shows held on the water.

Making Your Way to Expo 2025 Osaka

Plan Your Trip in Advance

The Expo 2025 Osaka is going to be BIG. That means crowded trains and fully booked hotels. So, to make your trip as easy as possible, make sure you plan everything in advance.

Szabina Ruszinko, Operations Manager at Japanspecialist adds, "The new transport links to Yumeshima Island, the Expo site, are a game-changer. Visitors can expect a seamless and stress-free journey, allowing them to spend more time exploring the incredible exhibits and pavilions, but booking in advance will help the whole experience”.

Some things to think about when planning are:

• Booking convenient accommodation

• Travel routes and times

• Buying Expo tickets

There are several different types of Expo tickets, including day passes and season passes. Some day passes will still be sold during the Expo, but it is best to purchase them in advance to avoid disappointment.

They will offer several types of admission tickets at the following prices:

Advance Tickets (One-Day Ticket)

• Opening Ticket: ¥4,000 (adult), ¥2,200 (child 12-17), ¥1,800 (child 4-11), free (child 3 and under)

• Super Early Bird / Early Bird discount One-Day Ticket: ¥4,000 - ¥6,700 depending on entry date

During the Expo

• One-Day Ticket: ¥7,500 (adult), ¥4,200 (child 12-17), ¥1,800 (child 4-11), free (child 3 and under)

• Weekday Ticket: ¥7,500, valid on weekdays from 11:00 am

• Night Ticket: ¥7,500, valid after 5:00 pm

Multiple-Entry Passes

• Season Pass: ¥30,000 (adult), ¥17,000 (child), multiple entries allowed from opening to closing

• Summer Pass: ¥15,000 (adult), ¥8,500 (child), multiple entries from July 19 to August 31, 2025

Advance ticket sales began on November 30, 2023, 500 days before the expo opens on April 13, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online from the official website or through travel agents.

Other than that, it is a good idea to understand what kind of weather is waiting for you. The Expo covers a long period of time, including the hot summer season, the rainy season, and the typhoon season.

Japanspecialist can help if you need assistance with the organization. We are official resellers, but at this moment we are only selling the tickets to those customers wanting to organize a full trip with us.

Make Use of the New Transport for the Expo 2025 Osaka

In anticipation of the Expo, a new railway line be laid as part of the existing Osaka Metro Chuo Line. The new portion will start at Cosmosquare Station, and go to the Expo site's new station, Yumeshima Station. To help with congestion, there will be an increased number of trains running on the line, too.

Altogether, the main routes by public transportation are:

• The Osaka Metro Chuo Line

• The JR Sakurajima Line, which includes a shuttle bus from the station

• Shuttle buses by reservation

• Direct buses from the airport

• Medium and long-distance buses

Although it is possible to visit by car, reservations are needed for on-site parking, so public transportation is encouraged.

Accommodation

Staying anywhere in central Osaka will give you good access to the Expo site. But if you want to be as close as possible, you can stay near Cosmosquare Station.

Hotels near Cosmosquare Station:

• Hoshino Resort Risonare Osaka

• Sakishima Cosmo Tower Hotel

• Hyatt Regency Osaka

Hotels elsewhere in central Osaka:

• The Park Front Hotel (by Universal Studios Japan)

• City Plaza Osaka (Central Osaka)

• Hilton Osaka (Kita)

• Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel (Tennoji)

Osaka Beyond the Expo – What to See

A Flavour Paradise

In Japan, Osaka is known as being one of the best places to get great food. So, while you're here, make sure you taste some of it for yourself!

Here are some of the most famous Osaka dishes to look out for:

• Okonomiyaki – A savoury pancake with different fillings and toppings that you can cook for yourself on a hotplate

• Kushi katsu – Breaded, deep-fried meat and vegetables served on skewers with a sweet and savoury dipping sauce

• Takoyaki – Dough balls with a piece of octopus inside, with various toppings. Typically served as street food (careful, they're hot!)

• Other street food – Explore the Dotonbori and Shinsekai areas to see what other sweet or savoury hot snacks you can find!

Architectural Wonders

Alongside the delicious food, there is a lot to see just from walking around Osaka!

Here are some of the famous architectural sights of the city:

• Osaka Castle

• Umeda Sky Building

• Tsutenkaku

• Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library

• Osaka City Central Public Hall

• Former Konishi Family Residence

• Osaka Prefectural Sayamaike Museum

Best Experiences to Do in Osaka

And if you have a bit more time, there are more active ways to experience Osaka, too!

Here are some fun options:

• Do a food tour

• Visit Universal Studios

• Go on a Tombori river cruise

• Ride a Ferris wheel

• Visit temples

• Do a cooking class

• Do a bike tour

• Go bar hopping

• See the city from up high at Abeno Harukas

Include the Expo 2025 Osaka in Your Next Japan Travel Plans

Now that you know what to expect from the Expo 2025 Osaka, it’s time to start planning your trip!

The Expo is set to be a very popular event, so it’s best to start booking hotels and activities as early as possible. The theme of the Expo aims to inspire people to think about how to improve the future for ourselves and for future generations. This makes it an event not just for personal enjoyment but also for contributing to a better world.

Given that the Expo will span over 184 days, that gives you some good options to tailor the trip to fit your schedule and needs. If you’re not good with the heat and humidity, it’s best to go towards the beginning or end of the Expo dates. But if you don’t mind the heat, according to the website, they expect the final days of the Expo to be the busiest, so try visiting during the middle.

The Expo and Beyond

Going to the Expo is also a good excuse to visit other parts of Japan. If you want to do that, you can make your travel easier by getting yourself a Japan Rail Pass or one of the other regional passes through us!

Additionally, the participation of international organizations in the Expo enhances the global experience for visitors, featuring pavilions and exhibits from various countries, regions, companies, and civil society.