If you’re planning a trip to Japan in 2025, you’re in for a treat! Osaka will be hosting one of the biggest international events of the year—Expo 2025. For many, visiting Japan is a dream, and this Expo is the perfect excuse to finally make it happen. 🧳🎒✈️
Running from April 13 to October 13, this global event returns to Osaka for the second time, with the theme “Designing the Future Society for Our Lives”. It will bring together countries from around the world to exchange ideas and tackle global challenges, with a special focus on innovation and sustainability.
What to See and Do at Expo Osaka 2025
The Expo 2025 revolves around three key themes:
- Saving Lives – Exploring advancements in global health and medical technology.
- Empowering Lives – Promoting equality and inclusive innovation.
- Connecting Lives – Encouraging international collaboration and cultural exchange.
Over 50 years after Asia’s first World Expo in Osaka (1970) and two decades after Expo Aichi, Japan is once again set to be at the center of a global event that promises to reshape perspectives on the future.
The site is divided into eight thematic zones, with the impressive Expo Hall at its heart, serving as the main pavilion.
Official Pavilions
A total of 165 countries will have their own pavilions, including Spain and the UK, while the Nordic nations—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—will share a joint space.
The Expo will also feature pavilions from international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union.
In addition to government-sponsored exhibits, major private companies like Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and Bandai will have their own pavilions, showcasing cutting-edge technology and entertainment.
Throughout the event, there will be a packed schedule of exhibitions, performances, and concerts. One of the highlights is the “National Days”, where each country gets the spotlight to showcase its culture.
You can check out the calendar of events and national days here.
The Gundam Pavilion
Bandai Namco will bring a special treat for anime fans! The Gundam: Next Universal Century pavilion. This experience will feature an animated short film set in 2150, where a small robot embarks on an adventure from Yumeshima to the Star Jaburo space station.
Right outside the pavilion, a life-size kneeling Gundam will be on display—the RX-78F00/E GUNDAM—reusing materials from the moving Gundam that was previously showcased in Yokohama. While this one won’t move, it does feature a fresh new design.
One of the exciting releases tied to the Expo is an exclusive Gundam model, set to launch in April: EXPO2025 1/144 RX-78F00/E Gundam (EX001 with glass feathers) Chemical Recycle Ver. This special edition, partially made from recycled plastic, celebrates the 45th anniversary of Gundam models and highlights a commitment to sustainability—perfectly in line with Expo 2025’s theme.
Exclusive merchandise, including limited-edition models and plush toys, will be available, and to top it off, the Gundam Base Pop-up World Tour will take place at Osaka’s Umeda Daimaru department store, offering even more collectibles.
A Meteorite from Mars
The Japanese government will be displaying one of the largest Martian meteorites ever discovered. This 13 kg rock, found in Antarctica, contains minerals that hint at past water activity on Mars. Visitors can even touch a fragment of it!
The meteorite will be showcased in the Japan Pavilion’s Plants Area, where exhibits will also highlight the role of microorganisms in breaking down waste into energy. Guided tours will demonstrate how food waste is converted into biogas.
Another fascinating exhibit will showcase sand from the Ryūgū asteroid, collected by Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe in 2020. This display, part of a pavilion dedicated to the origins of the universe and life, echoes the excitement of the moon rock from Apollo 12, which captivated visitors at the Osaka Expo in 1970.
Flying Cars
Japan is planning to introduce flying cars to transport visitors during Expo 2025 in Osaka. These futuristic vehicles will connect the artificial island of Yumeshima, where the event is held, with key locations like Kansai International Airport and Kōbe Airport.
The idea is to give passengers breathtaking views of the Kansai region while promoting this cutting-edge technology. These electric vehicles, which combine elements of drones and helicopters, can carry between two and five passengers and take off and land vertically.
UPDATE: Due to delays in obtaining safety certifications, the four companies in charge of the flying car demonstrations may have to cancel their flights at Expo 2025. This is a setback for a project meant to embody the Expo’s theme, Designing the Future Society for Our Lives.
Myaku-Myaku
If you haven’t seen it yet, let me introduce you to Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of Expo Osaka 2025.
It’s a quirky, shape-shifting humanoid inspired by water and cells, with a name that mimics the sound of a heartbeat. It absorbs sunlight and rain as its energy source, symbolizing life itself. Love it or hate it, it’s definitely a unique design!
Ticket Types for Expo 2025
There are different ticket options for Expo 2025, with prices based on age:
- Adults (18+ years)
- Teens (12-17 years)
- Children (4-11 years)
- Kids under 4 get in for free.
You can choose from single-day or multi-day passes, as well as group and exclusive passes. Whether you’re planning a short visit or multiple days at the Expo, choosing the right ticket can help you save money and make the most of your experience.
Opening ticket
(April 13–26, 2025)
- Adults: ¥4,000 (≈€25)
- Teenagers: ¥2,200 (≈€13)
- Children: ¥1,000 (≈€6)
First-half period ticket
(April 13–July 18, 2025)
- Adults: ¥5,000 (≈€31)
- Teenagers: ¥3,000 (≈€18)
- Children: ¥1,200 (≈€7.5)
One-day ticket (Early bird)
If you buy your ticket before October 7, 2024, or before April 13, 2025, you’ll get a small discount:
- Adults: ¥6,000–6,700 (≈€37–41)
- Teenagers: ¥3,500–3,700 (≈€21–23)
- Children: ¥1,500–1,700 (≈€9–11)
One-day ticket
Standard ticket.
- Adults: ¥7,500 (≈€46)
- Teenagers: ¥4,200 (≈€26)
- Children: ¥1,800 (≈€11)
Night ticket
(Entry from 5:00 PM)
- Adults: ¥3,700 (≈€23)
- Teenagers: ¥2,000 (≈€12)
- Children: ¥1,000 (≈€6)
Weekday ticket
(Entry from 11:00 AM, Monday–Friday)
- Adults: ¥6,000 (≈€37)
- Teenagers: ¥3,500 (≈€21)
- Children: ¥1,500 (≈€9)
Season Pass
(Up to 5 Entries)
- Adults: ¥30,000 (≈€187)
- Teenagers: ¥17,000 (≈€106)
- Children: ¥7,000 (≈€43)
Summer Pass
(Up to 5 Entries, Valid from July 19–August 31, 2025)
- Adults: ¥12,000 (≈€75)
- Teenagers: ¥7,000 (≈€43)
- Children: ¥3,000 (≈€18)
Special ticket
(For visitors with a disability certificate and their companions)
- Adults: ¥3,700 (≈€23)
- Teenagers: ¥2,000 (≈€12)
- Children: ¥1,000 (≈€6)
Group ticket
(For groups of 15 or more)
- Adults: ¥6,300 (≈€40)
- Teenagers: ¥3,500 (≈€21)
- Children: ¥1,500 (≈€9)
Where to Buy Tickets
If you’re planning to visit Expo 2025, I highly recommend buying your tickets in advance. Not only will you lock in your preferred date, but you might even save a bit of money.
You can purchase tickets through the official Expo website or, for convenience, through platforms like Klook, which often offer discounts or credits for future bookings.
If you’re planning other activities in Japan, Klook can be a great way to bundle and save.
How to Book Pavilion Access
Some pavilions and events have limited capacity, so you’ll need to book in advance. There are three ways to secure your spot:
- Lottery Draw (2 months in advance): Apply 3-2 months before your visit; results are announced 2 months prior.
- Second Lottery (7 days in advance): Apply 1 month to 8 days before; results are announced 7 days prior.
- Last-Minute Reservations (3 days in advance): If spots are still available, you can book up to 3 days before your visit.
If you’re lucky, you can secure up to three different pavilion slots through these methods!
How to Sign Up for Pavilion Reservations:
- Create an ExpoID – You can register here.
- Log in to the Expo digital ticket site and go to ‘Reservation & Lottery.’
- Select your visit date and time under ‘Apply for Reservations/Lotteries.’
- Choose the pavilions you want to book and submit your request.
- Confirm your entry time and access point based on how you’re getting to the Expo.
Expo 2025 Dates & Opening Hours
Expo 2025 Osaka will run from April 13 to October 13, 2025, welcoming visitors every day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How to Get to Expo 2025
Expo 2025 will be held on Yumeshima Island, in Osaka Bay, near Universal Studios Japan. Here’s how to get there:
- From Osaka Station: Take the Osaka Loop Line to Bentencho, then switch to the Chuo Line toward Yumeshima.
- If you prefer the metro: Take the Yotsubashi Line to Hommachi, then transfer to the Chuo Line to Yumeshima.
Using the Kansai Railway Pass?
It will cover most of your journey, but you’ll need to pay separately for the Cosmosquare–Yumeshima section, as it’s not included.
Where to Stay in Osaka
If you’re looking for accommodation near Expo 2025, I’d recommend booking early, as demand will be high. The best areas to stay in Osaka for easy access to Yumeshima include:
🏠 Shinsaibashi:
If you’d rather stay near Osaka/Umeda Station, this hotel is just a 5-minute walk away. It features spacious rooms and even includes an onsen for a relaxing stay:
🏩 Umeda:
Osaka has so much more to offer beyond Expo 2025! If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our Osaka travel guide for the best things to see and do in this incredible city.
Just minutes from the Expo, you can relive your childhood at Universal Studios Japan or, if you’re up for an adventure, take a day trip to places like the Daruma Temple or Naruto Theme Park.
Since many of you will want to explore more of Japan during your trip, we invite you to browse our blog, where you’ll find must-see recommendations for Kyoto and a detailed 7-day itinerary for Tokyo to help you make the most of your visit!😉
