From April 13 to October 13, 2025, Osaka is hosting EXPO 2025, with the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. Having seen EXPO Milan in 2015, I didn’t want to miss the chance to visit this one too.
We had a hotel night in Osaka that we’d won in our company’s end-of-year lottery and needed to use it by the end of May, so we decided to visit the EXPO in late April. Though I admit, it wasn’t the ideal time for me: some pavilions were still closed, and it was difficult to plan everything properly due to limited information available.
But since I visited in the first two weeks of the event, this article will hopefully help you plan your own visit better, avoid the mistakes I made (like missing the lottery deadlines or choosing the “wrong” pavilions), and know what to expect.
This EXPO kicked off amid some controversy — several countries opted out due to the high participation and construction costs. Plus, Japan’s typically rigid and complex organization can be frustrating for international visitors, leading to some dissatisfaction.
The entry reservation system theoretically reduces wait times, but most pavilions are still overcrowded, making it hard to enjoy the experience fully. Also, not being able to get into some of the pavilions without a reservation is disheartening. Personally, I found EXPO Milan more enjoyable, with more interesting and engaging pavilions overall.
That said, architecture is a big focus here, with many pavilions designed by famous architects. But when it comes to actual content related to the theme, only a few really offered anything meaningful. Many countries used their space mostly for promotion and merchandising — something the Japanese audience clearly loves, considering the mania for buying themed goods (including those with the hideous virus-mascot…).
Plan the visit to Osaka EXPO 2025: tickets, lottery, and reservations
Buying tickets is fairly easy, but the process (selecting the day, entrance gate, pavilion reservations) can be a bit convoluted — very much in line with Japan’s often-not-so-logical logic.
Everything is explained in English on the official website. A standard daily ticket costs 7,500 JPY, but you can save money by opting for a weekday ticket at 6,000 JPY or an evening ticket after 5 PM for 3,500 JPY.
If you plan to visit more than once, consider braving the summer heat between July 19 and August 31, when you can buy a Summer Pass for 12,000 JPY that includes multiple entries.
Your ticket is a QR code, scanned at entry and every time you enter a reserved pavilion. I recommend taking a screenshot in case of internet issues.
Entries are limited, so you must select your visit date and entrance gate in advance. East Gate is near the metro station; West Gate is where the shuttle buses arrive. There’s a free shuttle between them, and I strongly suggest using the West Gate, which is much less crowded — I only waited 10 minutes there, compared to the 40 minutes I wasted entering from the East Gate at 9 AM.
Many pavilions require advance reservations, and queuing isn’t allowed. Reservations are limited and must be made via the official website after buying your ticket and registering your visit date.
There are three reservation methods:
-
Lottery up to two months in advance
-
Lottery up to one week before
-
First-come-first-served reservations three days before the visit
For the lotteries, you select the pavilion and time slot and only get a notification if you win. For the 3-day reservations, booking opens at 9:00 AM, and I strongly recommend logging in immediately — slots sell out within minutes.
Additionally, on the day of your visit, starting 10 minutes after your ticket is scanned, you can book a pavilion that still has slots available. After scanning the QR code at that pavilion, you can book another one 10 minutes later, and so on.
Important: some pavilions are reservation-only, while others allow both reserved and walk-in access (by queueing). Some are same-day walk-in only, no reservations at all. You can check the access system for each pavilion using the EXPO2025 Personal Agent app.
To use the app, a Google account is enough, but you’ll need a stable internet connection throughout the day. I recommend getting a pocket wifi, like Ninja Wifi (10% off with code WARM10), or an Airalo eSIM (3 USD off with code MICHEL5108, or 10% off with AIRALOESIM10 if you’re a returning customer).
Tips for visiting EXPO 2025 Osaka
The EXPO site is huge. The symbolic wooden structure Grand Ring stretches 2km and pavilions are both inside and outside this circle. To navigate efficiently, use the official “Expo 2025 Travel Assistant” app — it works like a GPS for the grounds, showing you the fastest route to each pavilion, plus bathrooms, trash bins, and water refill points.
The app is essential but drains your phone battery quickly, so bring one (or more) power banks. Also, wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella — not just for rain, but to protect yourself from the sun while queueing. In Japan it’s perfectly normal, and I’ve become a big fan of parasols!
Beneath the Grand Ring you’ll find shade, shelter from rain, and benches to rest or eat a snack. I suggest avoiding pavilion restaurants (usually crowded and overpriced) and eating at one of the outdoor restaurants or food trucks — or even while queueing for a popular pavilion to save time.
In true Japanese style, you can also collect stamps from the pavilions by buying an official “passport” from EXPO 2025 merch stores. You can usually stamp it even without entering the pavilion, as the stamp stations are often outside the main exhibit area… go figure.
Must-visit pavilions and not so good ones (personal opinion)
Unfortunately, since I visited within the first 15 days, reviews were scarce and I had to rely on pre-opening hype. Some pavilions didn’t live up to the expectations, while others turned out to be surprisingly good. Most private sector pavilions require reservations, and since there was almost no preview info available, it was hard to know whether they were worth it.
Anyway, here’s my personal ranking — the highlights and disappointments:
Pasona Natureverse
A fantastic private pavilion I visited with a guided explanation. Guided by Astro Boy and Black Jack, you enter the Natureverse — a future world where humans and nature coexist, and medical technology lets us live healthier lives. There’s a beating heart made from iPS cells, a smart bed that adapts to your sleep, and machines to monitor and enhance physical function, like a cyborg-assist system that regenerates movements using bio-electric impulses.
Panasonic Land of Nono
I didn’t visit this one, but the photos and posts I saw later looked amazing. Visitors carry a “crystal” that tracks their movements and reveals their “true nature”. Super unique and interesting. Slots are already hard to find some days — reservation-only!
Italy Pavilion
In Milan, Japan had the long queues — here in Osaka, it’s Italy. The pavilion is small but beautiful, based on the concept “Art Regenerates Life”. It showcases Italian excellence like the Milan-Cortina Olympic torch, a space research panel, the Atlante Farnese statue, Ferrarin’s aircraft from the 1920 Rome-Tokyo flight, and even Caravaggio’s “Deposition” on loan from the Vatican Museums! Upstairs, there’s a garden terrace with Eataly food and drinks, plus lots of events promoting Italian art.
Singapore Pavilion
A globe-shaped structure celebrating how Singapore blends nature and tech (think Gardens by the Bay). Visitors can write or draw their dreams and launch them into a digital “Inside Out” style sphere that floats into the digital sky of the pavilion.
Australia Pavilion
This was on my list, but I didn’t get to see it. The pavilion is a digital journey through Australia’s spectacular nature and wildlife sounds.
Philippines Pavilion
My love for the Philippines is no secret. This was the first pavilion we entered, while still figuring out our schedule. Simple design — panels highlighting different regions, fabrics made from recycled materials, and short cultural dance shows. The best part? Free hilot massage appointments (limited slots!) — visit early to book!
The pavilions that disappointed me are instead the United Arab Emirates Pavilion, striking from the outside with huge straw-like columns, but lacked substance inside, the Nordic Pavilion that is mostly focused on Moomin and Moomin merch — clearly targeted at Japanese Moomin fans and Czech Republic Pavilion: basically just a spiral staircase around a wall with supposed Mucha-inspired art, but it looked like a wall of mini TVs showing people making weird faces… meh.
Is EXPO 2025 worth visiting?
Honestly? If you’re not particularly into these kinds of events or aren’t in Japan specifically for the EXPO, I wouldn’t say it’s an unmissable stop.
Especially if it’s your first trip to Japan, and time is tight, I’d suggest spending a day sightseeing in Osaka or doing a day trip nearby instead. In my opinion, EXPO Milan was better.
I might go back in the fall, towards the end of the EXPO, maybe with an evening ticket. In the meantime, if you want to see what my April visit looked like, check the highlight stories on my Instagram.
And if you’re going (or have already gone), let me know in the comments which pavilions you loved the most!
