theater Archives | Japan Cheapo

The Osaka Expo 2025 has been making headlines in Japan, as hundreds of thousands flock to the city to see what new technologies the world has been cooking up. But what is there to really see and do? The website touts almost a thousand events, with activities, workshops, shows, live music, parades, and more available daily. Luckily, we've scoured the listings and picked up the stand-outs. 1. Fountain Show: Under the Midnight Rainbow Every day until October 13 Signature Zone Water Plaza Reservations or lottery entry required This magnificent air and water show utilizes 300 fountains, projections, lasers, music, and even fire to create an immersive narrative experience for onlookers. It lasts for around 20 minutes, and if you're standing close, you may get wet. Bring a raincoat just in case, as umbrellas are prohibited in the area. The first performance starts at 7:10 p.m., while the second performance begins at 8:30 p.m. 2. Drones and Projection Mapping: One World, One Planet Every day after sunset until October 13 Throughout the Expo site No reservations required This is a show that combines technology and light. Watch as 1,000 drones fly over the sea and fantastical images are projected onto the wall of Expo Hall "Shine Hut". There will also be illuminations around the venue, and a virtual tree that collects visitors' wishes. Note that the performance may be canceled in the case of bad weather. 3. Osaka Kansai Expo Fireworks September 27 and October 8 (after sunset) Yumeshima South Side Seawall No reservations required One thing Japan can and should boast about is fireworks. The Expo will show off the country's best pyrotechnicians and their displays every month during the event. The exact times of the fireworks are not released, but we do know they will last around 5 to 10 minutes. More details can be found on our event listing. 4. National Day celebrations Almost every day until October 13 East Gate Zone Expo National Day Hall “Ray Garden” (some exceptions) Usually no reservations or lottery entry required (some exceptions) Along with their pavilions, countries will also get a chance to express their nations' culture and delights on selected days. You can expect to see national dances, food offerings, and music. Note that some countries will also have events outside of their National Day. Here are some highlights: Fiji (September 25): Hear the sounds of indigenous musical instruments, watch traditional Fijian dancing, and be immersed in Fijian stories. Ethiopia (October 3): Tune into a concert blending and sharing Ethiopian and Japanese folk songs, and watch traditional dances. Poland (October 1 to 7): Join a week-long celebration of the country’s culture, achievements, and international ties with events ranging from joint anthem performances and rescue unit parades to regional stage shows, a game festival, and a film press conference. See the official Osaka Expo calendar for more. 5. Expo Sunset Beer Terrace Until October 13 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) West Group Rest Area No reservations required Accompanying the August summer fireworks and the daily sunsets is a newly opened beer terrace. This is one of the only areas where you can consume alcohol at the Expo. Along with beer, there will be food stalls and other drinks, with the chance to bring in dishes from other areas. It can fit 1,800 people. 6. Expo Sauna: Taiyo no Tsubomi Every day until October 13 Future Life Zone Expo Sauna "Taiyo no Tsubomi" Reservations or lottery entry required You may want to pack your swimsuit to the Osaka Expo for a chance to sweat it out in a unique setting. These sauna pods are made of a unique material (fluoropolymer), letting in sunlight and the ambiance from neighboring Osaka Bay. Taiyo no tsubomi means "the sun's bud" -- and the special design of the saunas represents that. 7. Rakugo in English September 25 (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) Pop-Up Stage Inner East and Pop-Up Stage South No reservations required This is a rare chance to see Rakugo, traditional Japanese comedy told through storytelling, in English. You'll go through many emotions while listening to the stories, but the main one you should feel is amusement. 8. Kyoto Food Expo October 1-6 Kansai Pavillion No reservations required The Kyoto Food Expo pops up at the Kansai Pavilion from October 1–6, spotlighting various regional flavors. The spotlight on October 1 is green tea (yes, including matcha) -- a cornerstone of the former capital's extensive culinary culure. There will be hands-on experiences and plenty of tea-themed goods to sample and shop -- no reservations required. 9. Wood Culture Music Festival October 7-9 Pop-Up Stage North, Connecting Lives Zone No reservations required Be serenaded by the sweet sounds of shakuhachi and more. The Wood Culture Music Festival, part of World Wood Day 2025, runs October 7–9 in the Connecting Lives Zone, featuring a variety of bamboo and other wood instruments from around the world. Day one (October 7) starts at 11 a.m. with Stages of Gagaku Three Wood Wind Instruments by Team Hyakumangoku, followed at 1 p.m. by A Riot of Colours, featuring 11 traditional ensembles. 10. Expo Thanks Fireworks October 4, 8, 12, and 13 No reservations required Yes, more fireworks. The Expo Thanks Fireworks Festival will light up the sky on October 4, 8, 12, and 13 as part of the closing celebrations. Displays will be launched from the south side outside the Grand Ring. Osaka Expo event FAQs Where are the events held? While there will be events held in respective nations' pavilions and online, the majority of the festivals will be held in event halls and spaces around the Expo. These include: Expo Hall “Shining Hat” (seats 1,900 people) Expo National Day Hall “Ray Garden” (seats 500) -- mainly used for National Days and Special Days Expo Arena “Matsuri” (capacity 16,000, mainly standing) See more details on where each event is held and what's on when you plan on going by searching on the official website. Are the events free? All events are included in the price you pay for Osaka Expo entry, which ranges from to . How can I make reservations/enter the lottery? Some events and performances require you to pre-book. To do this, you need to log in to the official site after you've made an Expo ID and purchased an admissions ticket. If the event requires you to enter the lottery, you can do so months before the day. Reservations are slightly simpler and can be applied for three days before admission or on the day if there are spaces left. Will I be able to board one of the flying cars? The flying-car demonstrations will be held throughout the Expo, but details of exact showings and dates are difficult to find. Note that you will not be able to enter the flying cars -- you can only admire them from afar. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. This article was last updated in September 2025.