[Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan] From Giant MYAKU-MYAKU to Wrapped Trains, Found in the City of Osaka!
Category: blog
The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is less than a year away!
The city of Osaka is gradually taking on the colors of the Expo. In this issue, we introduce some of the monuments, billboards, wrapped trains, and other items found in Osaka, the host city of the Expo.
A Huge MYAKU-MYAKU Lies in Front of Osaka City Hall
The first one is Osaka City Hall.
Get off at Yodoyabashi Station on the Osaka Metro or Keihan Electric Railway lines, and you will see Osaka City Hall on the other side of the Tosabori River.
Osaka City Hall is a building with a classical atmosphere. When you go to the main entrance, you will be greeted by MYAKU-MYAKU lying down and in a relaxed mode!
What does this pose look like? Does this look like a nirvana statue (a statue of Buddha entering nirvana) in a Buddhist temple in Thailand? Or is she just relaxing?
While the pose is interesting, note also the size.
This monument is a whopping 3.3 meters wide, 2 meters high, and 1.5 meters deep!
Anyway, there is no doubt that it has an overwhelming presence befitting an official character of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan! And the more you look at it, the cuter it seems.
“It’s coming, the Expo!” Poster Was Found!
The next thing I want to show you is something I found inside a train station.
I found these big posters for the Expo featuring MYAKU-MYAKU.
There are four variations of visuals promoting the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, each with a catchphrase to match the visual.
The visual we found this time reads “It’s coming, the Expo.”
The catchphrases, from left to right, are “It’s coming, the Expo!” “Let’s show cute kids a look at the future” “It’s time to put the World Expo in your calendar.” “Of course! The Expo”. Which visual is your favorite?
The “Osaka Station Building EXPO2025 Wrapping” advertisement on the outside of Osaka Station City’s South Gate Building at JR Osaka Station really grabs your attention.
You can see it clearly when you go to the connecting deck that connects the Hankyu Umeda main store, the Daimaru Umeda store, and the Hanshin Umeda main store!
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai themed wrapped trains are also in operation!
Expo decorated trains are on the tracks in Osaka!
As I was waiting on the platform to board the train, I was surprised to see a different car than usual.
(Photo courtesy of Osaka Metro Company)
This photo shows the Midosuji Line of Osaka Metro. It is wrapped with the key design of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai using red, white, and blue, and is completely designed for the Expo.
Incidentally, this is how the Midosuji Line is usually designed.
When wrapped, it looks like a totally different train.
And it is not only Osaka Metro, but other trains are also running wrapped trains!
(Photo courtesy of JR West)
This is a wrapped JR train. I saw the subway trains a while ago, but it’s also nice to see a wrapped train out in the open, under the blue sky!
(Photo courtesy of Keihan Electric Railway)
This is a Keihan train connecting Osaka and Kyoto. I am impressed by the red, white, and blue color scheme, which is completely in the colors of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The trains may all look the same when wrapped, but there are slight differences, so please check the details carefully.
On the other hand, I also found this more modestly wrapped vehicle.
Since Hankyu Railway opened in 1910, its trains have always been maroon in color. However, the Hankyu wrapped trains are decorated with MYAKU-MYAKU eyes scattered along the cars, which are so incredibly cute!
Even Buses and Airplanes Will Be Dyed in the Colors of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai themed vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. There are Expo themed buses and airplanes too!
(Photo courtesy of Nihon Kotsu)
(Photo courtesy of JAL)
Osaka really is painted in Expo colors!
And, if you thought that was all…
Even the manholes on the ground were designed to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai specifications!
You may be sure to see MYAKU-MYAKU while traveling in Osaka.
As a side note, I heard that people from overseas are interested in Japanese manholes.
Japanese manholes have different designs depending on the city, and Osaka City has designs of Osaka Castle and cherry blossoms. Incidentally, the reason for the design is to prevent slipping. By making the manholes made of steel uneven, they are made less slippery even on rainy days.
Cherry blossoms and Osaka Castle. It is a beautiful, uniquely Japanese design.
When looking for manholes, please be careful not to look down and bump into people.
Visit the official store for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai merchandise!
Now there are official stores, where you can find all your favorite Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai items.
Currently there are seven of these stores in Osaka that are open, beginning with the Abeno Harukas store, which opened in September of 2023.
●Abeno Harukas store
●Daimaru Umeda store
●JR Shin-Osaka Station Eki Marché store
●MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda
●Shinsaibashi PARCO
●Osaka Nanko ATC
●Takashimaya Osaka
The stores sell a variety of items, including MYAKU-MYAKU stuffed animals and key chains, as well as apparel with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai designs, tote bags, and umbrellas.
Osaka will continue to thrive with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and we hope that everyone in Japan and around the world will join us in enjoying Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to the fullest!
▼Learn more about Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!
