The EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, has concluded with great success.
This is a continuation of Part 1. I wrote about the highlights of the EXPO 2025 in my previous article. In this section, I’ll focus on the appeal of EXPO from a different point of view.
Now, let’s look back on the fascinating situation surrounding the EXPO over the last six months.
Here is Part 1. If you have time, please visit the link below.
① Enjoyment
I would say that the pavilions were the leading part of the EXPO site. However, there were more attractive elements that you could easily find.
EXPO 2025 offered National Day almost every day throughout the six-month period. Each country provided some events or performances to share its culture.
The parades with people dressing up in traditional costumes were well worth seeing.
Additionally, some countries organized workshops to preserve and promote traditional handicrafts. It must’ve been a valuable experience for the guests.
I felt this occasion was a convenient way to learn about each country’s uniqueness and a chance to speak with the international staff.
In addition, almost all pavilions incorporated a café, restaurant, and shops. One of the enjoyments of exploring EXPO was sampling the local dishes. Wouldn’t it be nice to try some food from other countries?
It is also helpful for finding souvenirs that suit your interests and price range.
Have you ever seen a drone light show before?
It’s a new form of entertainment that perfectly harmonizes with drones in motion. Unlike fireworks, drone shows are eco-friendly, with no smoke, noise, or debris, making them suitable for a wide range of venues.
EXPO 2025 offered the drone show as a theme, “One World. One Planet,” at the closing time. Many drones synchronize and make intricate patterns in the night sky.
② New Challenges
EXPO 2025 offered visitors a new experience, including cashless payment and an online reservation system.
In terms of cashless payments, it was a perfect way to save time, prevent crime, and improve public hygiene.
Visitors are required to have a digital ticket and pre-booking for pavilions or events.
Initially, everyone—especially the elderly—had a difficult time making a reservation. However, people gradually grew accustomed to it and found it quite convenient.
Regarding transportation, EXPO 2025 established two gates: the East Gate and the West Gate, to prevent congestion.
The East gate was situated at Yumeshima station for subway users. On the contrary, the West Gate had a bus terminal and a port.
All visitors were required to register, specifying which gate they had entered. In this way, EXPO controlled the number of visitors for safety. I believe EXPO took on enough risk management with flexibility.
Those challenges will be utilized in the future.
③ EXPO 2025 VS. EXPO ’70
As you might know, EXPO ’70 was held in Osaka 55 years ago. It was the first world’s fair held in Asia and created a sensation at that time.
What is different between EXPO 2025 and EXPO ’70? We should consider what life was like in the 70s vs. now.
Japan experienced rapid economic growth in the 1960s to the 1970s. The power led to the success of EXPO ’70. Japan was ever-evolving while paying careful attention to the cooperation between nature and humanity.
It was exactly in line with the theme of EXPO ’70 “Progress and Harmony for Mankind.”
On the other hand, we currently have a lot of social issues, especially, SDGS including global warming, the declining birthrate, and so on.
We need to deal with these problems on the basis of the theme of EXPO 2025 “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
In short, I would say that EXPO ’70 symbolized progress and EXPO 2025 symbolized continuity.
Here’s the thing: let me tell you an interesting story. The internet has made our lives more convenient over the past years. Modern society is overflowing with a lot of useful stuff.
However, many things originated from EXPO ’70. For example, moving walkways, Maglev trains, air domes, EVs, and mobile phones were all introduced to Japanese people at the EXPO site.
They have become common things and many of us take them for granted, but at that time, they were the latest technologies.
In fact, some products have been developed since EXPO ’70. Those are human washing machines and flying cars. They are still in the experimental stage. Hopefully, they will be put to use soon.
Moreover, Genrokuzushi opened the first conveyor belt sushi shop at the EXPO site. Kentucky Fried Chicken also made it one of its first shops in Japan. In this way, EXPO ’70 had a profound impact on our daily lives.
I wonder what the world will look like 55 years from now? I hope that children who attended EXPO 2025 were inspired by this world fair.
④ Unique Architecture for Pavilions
Many distinctive buildings caught visitors’ eyes in the EXPO site. Just looking at the beautiful architecture, visitors feel like they are traveling.
At the end of this article, I’ll show you my favorite pavilions here. I hope you like them.
Oman Pavillion / null×2 Pavillion
Conclusion
Thank you for reading my article to the end.
I’m so honored to write about EXPO 2025. I think world peace should be the common goal for all people. The ideal peace was visible at the EXPO site. I really hope people all over the world accept cultural differences and embrace diverse perspectives and values.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the EXPO fair because I attended EXPO ’70 when I was a kid. EXPO ’70 had a profound influence on me, and I became interested in the cultures of foreign countries. Thus, I started learning English and try writing my blog now.
I visited EXPO 2025 twenty times and met many people. What great experiences I had!
I appreciate all the people involved in EXPO 2025.
Believe it or not, I started preparing for a trip to Serbia, which is the next EXPO venue in 2027.
See you in Belgrade!
Brand Ambassador of kyoto Denim company, Kimono dresser, Japanese flower arrangement instructor I was born and raised in Osaka, I know this area like my backyard. I’d like to introduce Japanese culture and good points to someone from overseas. That’why I study English every day. Please feel free to ask me if you need anything.
HTJ has a YouTube page! Check it out