Expo 2025 Osaka

Today we're heading to the Expo - just thinking about it already makes my feet hurt. But after 25 years, that's a quarter of a century, we have to go, especially since we'll be nearby.

The sun is shining at a refreshing 33 degrees. Unfortunately, we couldn't fully enjoy the delicious breakfast, which had more European elements than previous ones. The shuttle starts at 8:20 AM and it only has 9 spots - if you're late, all seats are taken, and you won't make it, then you'll have to walk or wait. We weren't up for either.

We have our time slot set for 10:00 AM. It's better to arrive a little earlier. That was really a good idea because it felt like at least 30,000 other people had the same slot.

Facts:

The Expo 2025 takes place from April 13 to October 13 in Osaka, Japan. The theme is “Shaping the future society for our lives.” It is expected that over 150,000 visitors will come daily, totaling 28 million over the event. 153 countries will present their visions for the future on a specially constructed island that was originally established as a landfill in 1991.

The country pavilions and other buildings are surrounded by the Grand Ring, a 20-meter-high wooden ring structure with a diameter of 675 meters and just under two kilometers in circumference, which is the largest wooden structure in the world and symbolizes the concept of “Diversity in Unity.” Visitors can walk around the area on a skywalk atop the greened roof.

Post-usage:

Some buildings like the Grand Ring are intended to be reintroduced into the material cycle after the exhibition ends. The area itself is planned to be converted into a tourism area with hotels and shopping centers.

And so we stand, after our morning stair workout,

at 9:10 AM packed tight, like lemmings in the sweltering heat, waiting for entry.

Our umbrellas and small fans are the most essential items today. Without them, you wouldn't survive here. But first comes

the duty - bags getting scanned. Just like at the airport - everything in the boxes - through the x-ray machine, and we go through the detector.

And then we're in.

First action: seeking shade and checking if we can still get reservations for one or another pavilion. 🧐 I can’t even remember if it was the same in Hannover 2000, that you could only enter many pavilions by reservation. Like here, for example, in the pavilions of the Netherlands, Korea, Australia, and Jordan, just to name a few. I don’t think so. Here, reservations were drawn in a lottery type event months prior. And if you, as we did, spontaneously decide to travel to Osaka, you can check if there are still tickets available on the day from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Of course, there weren’t any left, so quite a few pavilions were already off the list.

What stands out from afar is the Grand Ring; it really makes an impression.

It's still cool 😂, so let’s first do the skywalk in the sun and look at the expo from above.

After halfway around the ring, we need to find shade. This is also well thought out. The ring provides great sun protection, with benches for resting everywhere. Here are also the waiting lines for many pavilions, so you don’t have to stand in the blazing sun all the time. At each pavilion, waiting lines of at least 20 minutes, and for many, like the USA, France, or Japan, even 90 minutes or more.

We were spoiled in Hannover 25 years ago; back then we were traveling with a stroller and could get into every pavilion immediately. That's different here. Only persons with disabilities get preferential access; those with strollers had to line up just like everyone else.

So we start with Singapore.

One of the most beautiful pavilions we've seen. Singapore, a city-state with just over 6 million inhabitants, aims to be CO2 neutral by 2050.

In the lower area, you can write your wishes on tablets,

which then rise in colorful bubbles and appear up in the dome

and create a version of the future.

Really well done and moving.

In the pavilions of India and Malaysia, a lot was exhibited about their food culture and their new scientific capabilities.

Thailand was all about health. Food,

exercise, relaxation, and medical developments.

Saudi Arabia

has a vision of new cities in the desert and the sea.

You can see who has the money. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to be one of the largest hydrogen suppliers. They know how to make others dependent on them.

We were really impressed by the German Pavilion. It took two attempts to get in (it was always so full), but I must say - we don't need to hide. The theme was the material cycle. At the entrance, there was an audio guide for everyone called “Circular.”

You had to touch certain points with the head of Circular

and then received the audio explanation of what has already been done for the material cycle in Germany or what inventions we are making around energy storage, hydrogen, and renewable energy. Circular was not only a headset but also something like a Tamagotchi that wanted to be petted or tickled on the feet. That was quite funny.

In the next room, there was a huge rotating relaxation island where everyone could take a moment to ask themselves what they could do, inspired by pictures.

In the end, there was an active room with some gimmicks like a spinning wheel or a collecting game.

A very successful presentation.

When it’s as hot as here, staying hydrated is very important. At the Weihenstephan Oktoberfest,

we want to make up for our fluid loss with two half-liters of wheat beer. And what can’t be missed at an Oktoberfest - ... right, the half rooster, with fries for Schahaatz and for me fries with curry sausage. It would have been nice if it had been a bit warmer, but for a price of 61€, you can’t expect much. Noted that the true Oktoberfest can only be found in Munich.

Here are some impressions

At 7:30 PM, another water show

and at 8:00 PM fireworks organized by Spain, and then the day was over. Skin reddened, feet aching, and now another hour to the hotel. But the entire departure was very well organized, and we managed to catch the last shuttle to the hotel.

An exhausting but great day.