What is Expo 2025?
When I was mapping out Osaka, Japan plans I wasn’t aware of Expo 2025, but my brother mentioned it to us right before leaving for our trip. Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan was a must-visit! We had never been to anything like this so we had no idea what to expect when we bought our last minute evening pass. Visiting the Expo kind of felt like if Epcot at Disney World suddenly had a growth spurt, learned 20 new languages, built itself a giant wooden halo, and decided to show off the coolest tech from 150 countries — all at once.
Expo 2025 is part of the series of World Expositions that have been bringing the world together for over 170 years. World Expos are major international events designed to showcase achievements of nations, celebrate global collaboration, and spark ideas for the future. They are typically held every five years and last about six months. Past Expos introduced innovations like the Eiffel Tower (Paris 1889) and the first live TV broadcast (New York 1939).
Expo 2025 Osaka is massive. Over 150 countries and regions are participating, along with numerous international organizations. Attendance is expected to reach around 28 million visitors over the course of the event, which runs from April 13, 2025, to October 13, 2025.
Why is Osaka’s Expo Special?
The theme this year is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” focusing on health, well-being, and sustainability. What really sets Osaka apart is the incredible wooden structure that surrounds the entire exhibition grounds. Known as the “Grand Roof”, a huge circular sustainable walkway connecting all the country pavilions. It’s not just visually striking — it also represents harmony with nature, one of the key ideas of Expo 2025. Constructed using around 27,000 cubic meters of Japanese cypress and cedar, the Grand Roof showcases sustainable building practices. Its design incorporates traditional Nuki joints, a technique commonly used in Japanese shrines allowing the massive structure to be assembled without nails or screws.
Our Expo included visits to Germany, Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Malta, Netherlands and Switzerland. Some of the more popular pavilions, like the United States, had lines over an hour long just to enter! Also, a few countries required special passes or advance reservations…and we didn’t plan ahead!
“Under the Midnight Rainbow” – A Spectacle of Water and Light
As night fell, we were told by fellow travelers to make sure we saw “Under the Midnight Rainbow”, the Expo’s signature water and light show. Spanning an expansive stage approximately 200 meters wide and 60 meters deep, the show featured around 300 fountains, synchronized with lasers, fire, and music.The show was great blend of technology and storytelling, with water screens and cascading fountains creating a dynamic canvas for projections. Like the Bellagio on steroids!
