Expo 2025 Osaka: Whether to Go, How to Go
Planning a trip to Japan between now and mid-October 2025?
There's a fun travel opportunity waiting in Osaka: Expo 2025.
Sprawling across a newly developed island called Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai opened in mid-April and runs through October 13. With 160+ participating countries and organizations, it’s one of the largest events ever held in Japan.
How have the reviews been thus far? Mixed.
For every awe-struck visitor impressed by the futuristic tech, thought-provoking exhibits and architectural showstoppers, there's someone frustrated by the long lines, confusing reservation systems and missed pavilions.
Some say it’s inspiring. Others say it’s exhausting. Should you go?
If you're curious and open-minded, yes; Expo 2025 can be an unforgettable experience. But you'll need a strategy. We’ll help you figure out how to enjoy the best of the expo (and skip the worst), whether you’re visiting as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, including it in a larger Japan itinerary or making it a main event.
What Is Expo 2025 in Osaka All About?
The theme of this year’s Expo is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."
It's a huge international showcase of innovation, culture and sustainability … think of it as a world’s fair or Epcot kinda thing, but with more tech and less cotton candy.
Each participating country has its own pavilion (or is in a pavilion with a group of regional partners), where they present visions of the future through architecture, multimedia installations, interactive exhibits… and sometimes performances or food.
Japan’s own Expo contributions include the Future Life Pavilion, a cluster of pavilions curated around cutting-edge life sciences, robotics and environmental tech.
From Gundam and Monster Hunter exhibits to sustainability labs and global cuisine, there's something for nearly everyone. But that’s also the challenge — there’s just too much to see in one go.
Why So Many Visitors Are Leaving Expo Disappointed
Many visitors are finding themselves overwhelmed. Early reports from travelers cite three main issues:
Extreme crowding, especially on weekends and holidays
Long lines and wait times for the most popular pavilions
Confusing or clunky reservation systems (especially for non-Japanese speakers)
Even those who arrived with a ticket and a plan have struggled to actually get inside the most buzzworthy pavilions. There have been plenty of social media posts showing people spending half their day in queues and missing the experiences they came for.
One argument made is that the time spent at Expo could have been better used exploring the “real Japan” — hidden gems or otherwise. We can’t exactly disagree with that.
But with a few smart moves, and a bit of luck on your side, you might just beat the odds and walk away with a very different kind of memory.
Planning to visit Expo 2025 as part of a longer trip to Japan?
We’d be happy to help.
From routing your trip smartly to helping you work around the crowd surges and confusing systems, our customized Japan travel planning service ensures you spend more time experiencing Japan — and less time stuck in line.
If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help. Use the calendar below to schedule your free Japan travel consultation.
1. Use the Official Expo 2025 App — Before You Go
Expo organizers encourage you to use the official app. It gives you real-time updates on wait times, lets you make reservations (where available) and helps you navigate the massive site.
You can also create a personalized “My Expo” plan inside the app, adding the pavilions you want to see most and getting alerts if reservation slots open up.
Make sure to download and test the app well before your visit. It’s available in English, but some parts of the reservation process still feel like they were designed with Japanese residents in mind.
Also, be sure to have patience in the registration and reservation process – it’s complicated, clunky and time consuming, even by Japanese standards.
2. Understand the Pavilion Reservation System
Some pavilions let you walk in freely. Others, especially the most popular ones, require advance reservations. These can be secured through one of three main systems:
Initial lottery reservations, released roughly two months before your visit
Weekly releases, typically opening 7 days in advance
Same-day slots, released via the app in real time
Not all of these systems are straightforward, and some are only available in Japanese.
If you're determined to see a specific pavilion, you’ll need to do your homework and be ready to act fast. We recommend following Expo 2025’s official social media accounts for updates and reminders.
3. Arrive Early & Avoid Peak Days at Expo 2025 Osaka
If your schedule allows, visit on a weekday.
Tuesday through Thursday tend to be the least crowded. Avoid Japanese national holidays and weekends, especially during school vacations in July and August.
Plan to arrive when the gates open, not mid-morning. This gives you a head start on walk-in pavilions and same-day reservation slots.
4. Pick Your Top 5 Must-Sees
You won’t be able to see everything. Accept that early.
Instead, pick 3–5 pavilions that really matter to you. Maybe it’s the UAE’s futuristic design, France’s immersive digital gardens or Japan’s own biotech showcases. Or maybe it’s fun IPs like Monster Hunter or Gundam.
Mark those top picks in the app, figure out their location in the park and prioritize those first.
Some of the current standouts based on early visitor feedback:
Cartier Women’s Pavilion: Gorgeous architecture and powerful storytelling
Monster Hunter Bridge: Interactive fun and great visuals
UAE Pavilion: A popular favorite with futuristic design and storytelling
Gundam Future Technology Pavilion: For anime and robotics fans
Also, pavilions from Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand & Turkmenistan have been causing some buzz.
Finally, and this is a big one: Count on not getting into some of the ones you want to see. This way, you’re not setting yourself up for disappointment.
5. Look Into Buying a Multi-Day Expo Pass
If you're genuinely interested in the Expo and don’t want to feel rushed, it might be worth getting a two-day or three-day pass.
This spreads out the pressure and gives you a better chance of securing reservations at specific pavilions.
Day tickets are roughly ¥7,500 (about USD $50), and multi-day options come at a slight discount per day. Check expo2025.or.jp for current pricing and availability.
There are some good eats at Japan’s Expo, too, and many require reservations; going on more than one day means you can eat more, too!
6. Book Your Osaka Area Accommodation Strategically
Yumeshima isn’t centrally located, but it’s easy enough to reach via subway (Chuo Line) or shuttle buses from Osaka Station, Shin-Osaka and Namba.
Still, staying near one of those stations makes for the smoothest access.
Also, Osaka itself is a fantastic base city with easy day trips to Kyoto, Nara, Himeji and Kobe — so even if Expo 2025 is only one day of your itinerary, you’ll be well-positioned for the rest of your trip.
7. Expect Some Tech Hiccups & Stay Flexible
Not everything at the Expo is as polished as it could be.
Some users have reported bugs in the reservation app, awkward language transitions between Japanese and English… even inconsistent signage inside the venue.
What happens when something goes wrong — like if a reservation fails, a line is too long or a pavilion is closed?
Roll with it. Grab a bite, explore a lesser-known country’s display or enjoy one of the live performances happening throughout the day.
Should You Go to Expo 2025 Osaka?
If you're expecting Disney-style logistics and perfect crowd control, Expo 2025 might frustrate you.
But if you show up with curiosity, flexibility and a game plan, it can be a fun global experience with a Japanese twist.
Just be sure to have patience, and a plan.