Expecting tens of millions of visitors, the Expo Osaka 2025 will open its doors on April 13, 2025, at the man-made island Yumeshima in Osaka, Japan. Held every five years, the world expo brings together a global audience and innovations from different countries that address global issues.
With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Expo Osaka gathers different nations to address current issues and collaborate in creating a sustainable society. The mega event also presents the concept of the People’s Living Lab, a laboratory for a future society, to contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the event aims to create a human-centered society that promotes economic growth while tackling social challenges, under Society 5.0.
While expo visitors are encouraged to co-create a future society, viewing the exhibitions is also a rewarding learning experience. With weeks away before the expo opens, here is our list of pavilions that capture our attention and interest:
Bahrain: Connecting Seas - A Journey Through the Senses
The Kingdom of Bahrain pavilion focuses on the elements of its maritime heritage, featuring the historical resilience and adaptability of its sea culture. It showcases the two seas of Bahrain that are monumental in Bahrain’s development into a financial and tourism destination.
China: Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature — Future Society of Green Development
The China pavilion features the Chinese philosophy of mankind’s respect for nature, its way, and living in harmony with nature. Its exterior design is inspired by bamboo slips, shaped like an unfolded Chinese traditional calligraphy scroll.
Czechia: Talent and Creativity for Life
The interactive exhibition features Czechia as a creative nation with a global impact. The pavilion will be made of modern CLT panels and the facade will be covered with Bohemian Crystal.
Netherlands: Creating A New Dawn Together on Common Ground
The Netherlands pavilion is fitted with an anthropogenic (man-made) sun, symbolizing a new dawn, a future empowered by collaboration, and clean and renewable energy. The exhibition also invites visitors to an open space where they can meet, learn, and inspire one another.
United Arab Emirates: Earth to Ether
Bedecked with date palms, living symbols of their people, the UAE exhibition space presents a cultural experience in thematic programs and events. It offers immersive and multi-sensory experiences with the Dreamers Who Do, the pioneers of innovation of a flourishing future.
Switzerland: Life, Planet, Augmented Human
Aimed to have the smallest ecological footprint at Expo 2025 Osaka, the spherical Swiss pavilion will surround the guests in a bright and airy atmosphere where they can share their dreams and visions for the future.
Spain: Kuroshio current. Dipping into a single ocean that connects our countries
The architecture of the Spain pavilion features the sun and ocean, symbols that serve as the basis of the national identity of Japan and Spain, respectively. The source of inspiration for the exhibition, the Kuroshio current connects both countries.
Japan: Between Lives
To inspire visitors to adopt a sustainable lifestyle, the Japan pavilion will feature renewal energy from biogas powered by food waste from the expo site and other Japanese carbon recycling technologies. Its pavilion will also hold presentations featuring the expo’s central theme and showcase Japan’s initiatives toward a sustainable society.
Philippines: Nature, Culture, and Community — Woven Together for a Better Future
Filipino craftsmanship takes center stage at the Philippine Pavilion with its unique woven facade and more than 200 handwoven textiles representing the country’s 18 regions. The exhibition space also features circular design, indigenous materials, and plans, highlighting sustainability. Visitors will also have an immersive experience through woven artworks and an interactive AI-powered fiesta.
The expo will run until October 13, 2025.