Things to do in Osaka during Expo 2025 just expanded in both excitement and meaning, as the city officially opened its doors to one of the world’s most ambitious global events. With the six-month expo now underway on Yumeshima Island, Osaka is once again on the world stage—bringing together innovation, diplomacy, and travel experiences unlike anything else in 2025.
More than 1,300 attendees, including Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, gathered for the spectacular opening ceremony. Dancers, singers, and lights illuminated the Grand Ring—the world’s largest wooden structure with a two-kilometer circumference—designed by architect Sou Fujimoto to symbolize unity through diversity.
This is the second time Osaka has hosted the World Expo, the first being the iconic 1970 event, which drew over 64 million visitors. This year, Expo 2025 is expected to welcome approximately 28.2 million guests from around the globe and contribute $20 billion to Japan’s economy.
What to See at Expo 2025
Held under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” Expo 2025 invites over 158 countries, regions, and organizations—including geopolitical rivals like the United States and China—to imagine a sustainable future. Each nation has built a unique pavilion aligned with the expo’s sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives.
The Japanese Pavilion features futuristic technologies such as a Mars rock found in Antarctica and sheets of heart muscle grown from iPS stem cells. Visitors can also view a pulsating artificial heart on display—shown publicly for the first time—and even try out an art installation known as the “human washing machine,” which creates visualizations based on a user’s heart rate.
Other highlights include:
- The US Pavilion, themed “America the Beautiful,” with dry-ice-powered rocket launch simulations, AI exhibits, and natural landscape visuals.
- The Chinese Pavilion, shaped like a calligraphy scroll, focusing on lunar samples and green tech innovations.
- The Ukraine Pavilion, boldly marked “Not for Sale,” highlighting resilience amid war and global turmoil.
- Israel’s Pavilion, showcasing a Western Wall stone and a message of peace.
Earlier, we have created special articles for pavilions: Europe pavilions, Asia Pacific pavilions, North America and Middle East pavilions. Among the whimsical exhibits are 32 algae-themed Hello Kitty statues, symbolizing sustainability, and the world’s longest sushi conveyor belt. Don’t forget to meet Myaku-Myaku, the many-eyed Expo mascot that’s quickly become a favorite photo-op.
While organizers stress environmental responsibility, reports indicate that only 12.5% of the Grand Ring will be reused post-event, as Yumeshima Island prepares for redevelopment—including a controversial casino resort.
Things to Do in Osaka Beyond the Expo
Osaka is far more than just the host city of Expo 2025. It’s a vibrant metropolis full of contrasts and hidden gems. While Yumeshima showcases futuristic visions, downtown Osaka offers centuries-old culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and unforgettable attractions.
In the north, the Kita (Umeda) district provides an elegant, high-rise experience with department stores and chic dining near Osaka Station. The south’s Minami area is where travelers find the electric buzz of Dotonbori—lined with neon signs, street food stalls, and the famed running man billboard.
For a unique shopping experience, visit Namba Parks—a canyon-like, green rooftop retail space near Namba Station, which also offers direct rail access to Kansai International Airport. Nearby is Kuromon Ichiba Market, beloved for its fresh seafood and traditional Japanese cooking tools. Nipponbashi, Osaka’s electronics and otaku district, rivals Tokyo’s Akihabara in its tech and anime offerings.
Continue south to Shinsekai and the 103-meter-tall Tsutenkaku Tower, a nostalgic symbol of Osaka’s Showa era. Around the corner lies Tennoji Park, complete with a zoo, museums, and a Japanese garden. Art lovers can head to Abeno Harukas, Japan’s tallest building, where 60 floors offer fashion, food, and panoramic views.
Osaka’s Cultural Axis
One of the best ways to understand Osaka is to travel east to west. Begin at the majestic Osaka Castle, one of Japan’s most-visited historical landmarks. Then move westward to Nakanoshima Island, the city’s cultural and governmental hub.
On this narrow strip between rivers, you’ll find heritage buildings like Osaka City Hall and the Osaka Prefectural Library. Nearby are several prominent museums, including the National Museum of Art, Osaka Science Museum, and the Nakanoshima Art Museum. Don’t miss Tadao Ando’s striking Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest, a modern library dedicated to sparking imagination in children.
Connecting to Japan Through Expo Tourism
To deepen the impact of Expo 2025, the Japan National Tourism Organization is promoting regional travel experiences that embody the Expo’s themes.
- Saving Lives: Trek the lush trails of Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture and visit the spiritual Ogamiyama Shrine—both icons of Japan’s deep-rooted connection to nature.
- Empowering Lives: Meet the legendary Ama divers in Mie Prefecture, women who have harvested seafood without oxygen tanks for over 2,000 years, preserving their matriarchal traditions.
- Connecting Lives: Discover the Kurashiki Bikan district in Okayama Prefecture, a fusion of Edo-era storehouses and serene canals offering a timeless taste of Japan’s past.
Despite slow ticket pre-sales—only 8.7 million of the projected 14 million sold—early visitors expressed enthusiasm. With accommodation near Osaka and Kyoto filling quickly amid Japan’s record tourism boom, securing lodging in advance is more essential than ever.
Whether you’re exploring futuristic biotech, savoring street food in Dotonbori, or soaking in Japanese culture across regions, Expo 2025 is more than just a fair—it’s an invitation to experience Japan’s past, present, and future all at once.
