Osaka Expo 2025

Transport yourself into the future with Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025. Find transformative technology and tens of millions of visitors.

What exactly is a World Expo?

Held every five years, World Expos are global events where hundreds of countries flock to one place to display their current innovations and achievements — think the elevator (1853), telephone (1876), and moving sidewalk (1970). They have broad, universal themes connected with the experiences of humankind. Themes of the past have included transport, peace, the space age, nature, and the environment.

Osaka Expo 2025’s theme is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” and focuses on new technology that can impact our lives. This is the third time that Osaka is holding a World Expo. Remember the humanoid robot ASIMO (now retired)? It was shown off at Expo 2005 held in Japan.

What to expect at Expo 2025

The Expo site will be massive and feature 150 countries exhibiting various innovations and cutting-edge technology. There will even be flying cars — we aren’t kidding. Visitors are encouraged to not only observe exhibits, but also actively participate in shaping solutions to global challenges.

What’s there to do?

You can find a respite from products by seeing shows, festivals, and other live performances taking place in grassy plazas. Keep up to date with what’s on with our article on Osaka Expo 2025 events, including on how to reserve and book seats for certain events.

Head to the Chile Pavilion for daily wine tasting, or catch a Muay Thai show in front of the Thailand Pavillion. Over at the Gundam Next Future Pavilion, marvel at a towering 17-metre RX-78F00/E Gundam statue and go on an immersive journey through the Gundam universe, with themed zones, interactive exhibits, and exclusive merch for fans.

What are the main highlights and things to do?

• National Day celebrations: Each participating country has its own National Day during the Expo. In other words, a day dedicated to showcasing that nation’s culture, achievements, and entertainment. On a country’s National Day, visitors can enjoy special ceremonies, live performances (music, dance, or theater troupes flown in for the occasion), and taste national cuisines at events.
• Thematic pavillions: Expo 2025 introduces eight special thematic pavilions produced by renowned Japanese artists, designers, and scholars. Each thematic pavilion will offer an imaginative take on a global issue or future-life theme, whether it’s the future of cities, the interplay of humans and technology, or new cultural experiences.
• The Grand Wooden Ring: One of Osaka Expo’s most striking physical features is its “Grand Ring” — a huge circular elevated walkway that encircles the central plaza of the venue. Designed by architect Sou Fujimoto, this ring-shaped roof structure is roughly 700 meters in diameter and made primarily of timber, and aims to showcase traditional Japanese wood construction on a futuristic scale. It forms the main circulation path around the Expo, provides shade and weather protection to visitors below, and offers an attraction in itself. Visitors can climb up onto the roof pathway to enjoy panoramic views of the entire Expo and the Osaka Bay area.



• Theme Weeks: Throughout the Expo, there will be eight Theme Weeks, each focusing on a specific topic critical to future society. During a Theme Week, experts and participants from around the world gather for forums, workshops, and special events around that theme. The themes range from “Co-creating Cultures for the Future” (exploring how diverse cultures can innovate together) to “The Future of Community and Mobility” (smart cities, metaverse, and autonomous transport).
• Virtual Expo: In a first for a World Expo at this scale, Expo 2025 will offer a full virtual experience in parallel to the physical event. Those who cannot travel to Osaka will be able to log in to a digital platform featuring a 3D recreation of Yumeshima Island and its pavilions. Through avatars, online visitors can “walk” the Expo, visit virtual pavilions, watch live-streamed events, and interact with other visitors in real time.

Will there really be flying cars?

Yes. In the northwest section of the Expo, four types of “flying cars” are scheduled to operate: from companies Joby Aviation, Volocopter, Vertical Aerospace, and SkyDrive. While called flying cars, they look more like a new type of helicopter.

What are the main themes?

The overarching question guiding the Expo is: “What is the happy way of life?”, but three key sub-themes structure the event:

• “Saving Lives” focuses on health, disaster resilience, and coexisting with nature
• “Empowering Lives” highlights education, nutrition, and human potential
• “Connecting Lives” emphasizes community-building, partnerships, and digital connectivity.

Tickets to Osaka Expo 2025

Pro tip: Purchase your tickets online.

There are many kinds of tickets available. Children under 3 get in for free.

One-Day Ticket

Use this ticket to get in on any day of your choice. For adults, this costs ¥7,500, ¥4,200 for kids aged 12 to 17, and ¥1,800 for kids aged 4 to 11.

Multiple entry passes

If you’d like to go to more than one day of the event, consider the multiple entry pass Summer Pass (Jul. 19–Aug. 31, 2025). It costs ¥12,000 for adults, ¥7,000 for 12 to 17-year-olds, and ¥3,000 for 4 to 11-year-olds.

Other options include the Night Ticket, which grants you entry after 5 p.m. For adults, this costs ¥3,700, ¥2,700 for kids aged 12 to 17, and ¥1,000 for kids aged 4 to 11.

The Weekday Ticket get you in on — you guessed it — weekdays. For adults, this costs ¥6,000, ¥3,500 for kids aged 12 to 17, and ¥1,500 for kids aged 4 to 11.

How to get there

Where is the Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025?

The venue for the Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025 is Yumeshima. This manmade island in Osaka was built just for the Expo 2025 and it is massive. See the map for spots on site.

Getting around

The closest train station is Cosmosquare Station on the Chuo and New Tram lines. In addition, there are shuttle buses operating from major stations, including Sakurajima Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station (North), Osaka Station (South), Namba Station, Nakanoshima Station and more. Keep in mind that you’ll need to book these in advance. See the complete list and details here.

How to get there from Tokyo

To get to the venue from Tokyo, you’ll first need to get to Osaka — luckily we have a comprehensive guide for that.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Osaka Expo 2025?

The Expo lasts half a year, going from April 13 to October 13, 2025.

Where is Osaka Expo 2025 located?

The event takes place on Yumeshima, a purpose-built manmade island.