Sneaking into Yumeshima, the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue! What is the current state of the pavilions?

The year 2025 has finally arrived for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan! In Japan, the news of the Expo has been in the news every day and is gradually gaining momentum.
The Kodawari Times went to Yumeshima, the site of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, to take a first-hand look! Is the Grand Roof Ring completed? What is the status of the pavilion construction? We will provide you with an update on the current state of the Expo site. (as of January 17, 2025)

 

Media from around the world gathered to inspect Yumeshima

The venue for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will be Yumeshima, located in Konohana-ku, Osaka City. It is an artificial island surrounded by Osaka Bay, and is located in the Osaka Bay area where Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Kaiyukan are located.
On January 19, 2025, Yumeshima Station (Osaka Metro Chuo Line), the nearest station to the venue, will open, providing the only direct rail access to the venue.

On January 17, 2025, shortly before the opening of Yumeshima Station, a Yumeshima inspection tour was held for foreign media, and Kodawari Times visited Yumeshima.
More than 30 members of the media from Asia, Europe, and the United States gathered on the day of the tour, greeting each other, exchanging business cards, and enjoying the lively international exchange.
It is exciting to think that after the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, many more people from many countries will gather on Yumeshima.

 

“Grand Roof Ring” with a circumference of about 2 kilometers connected into one

Now, what is going on in Yumeshima, you may be wondering?
First, we came under the symbol of the Expo site, the Grand Roof Ring. The Grand Roof Ring is one of the world’s largest wooden structures, built using traditional Japanese construction methods. 109 wooden units are connected to form a circular structure that is approximately 2 km in circumference, 20 meters high, and 30 meters wide, making it an overwhelmingly large structure.

Foreign media were also looking at the building earnestly, and some of them took commemorative photos! It is also a tasteful way to take a good look at the beautiful wooden architecture.
Underneath the Grand Roof Ring is a passageway that provides shelter from the wind, rain, and sun.

In contrast, we have come to the “Ring Skywalk” on the rooftop of the Grand Roof Ring.

When we visited last March, it was still under construction, but in August 2024, the Grand Roof Ring will be connected into one. The ring is 2 kilometers in circumference and offers a great view from any angle! The view of Osaka Bay is also available, making it a great spot for relaxation and photo opportunities.

▼Click here for a detailed article on the Grand Roof Ring.
https://kodawari-times.net/blog/expo-2025-osaka-kansai-japan-ring/

 

Official Participants’ Pavilion to Adorn the City of the Expo

Official Participants’ Pavilions are appearing one after another inside the Grand Roof Ring.
The red sphere that catches the eye. This is the Singapore Pavilion’s “Dream Sphere. It is made of aluminum, a recycled material, and is approximately 17,000 red discs high. Inside the sphere, visitors can enjoy authentic Singaporean cuisine and artwork. We are looking forward to actually entering the Dream Sphere to experience what kind of world will unfold!

This is the Spanish Pavilion under construction. Comparing with the image, the atmosphere of the staircase-like exterior, which represents “sea and sun,” has been reproduced. Spain and Japan have been connected by the “Kuroshio Current” (a warm current flowing in the North Pacific Ocean) for centuries. The Kuroshio-themed pavilion will include a model of a large sailing ship that illustrates the history of maritime transportation, as well as an exhibit of marine life that Spain is committed to protecting.

There will also be restaurants and stores where visitors can enjoy tapas, a traditional Spanish small plate dish, and many other attractive contents.

▲Exterior view of the Spanish Pavilion under construction

Provided by Acción Cultural Española
▲Image of the Spain Pavilion

In addition, construction of pavilions from many other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Thailand, is also making considerable progress, giving us a glimpse of the Expo city. We are looking forward to seeing the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai site come alive with pavilions from over 150 countries and regions from around the world on April 13, when the Expo will open!

 

Don’t miss the life-size Gundam and Astro Boy

Outside the Grand Roof Ring, a “private pavilion” was also constructed for private Japanese companies to exhibit their products. Among these, the Official Participants’ Pavilion, which attracted a great deal of attention from the media, was the Gundam Next Future Pavilion, which will be a pavilion where visitors can enjoy the world view of the globally popular Gundam, with a life-size Gundam statue of approximately 17 meters standing tall next to the pavilion.
The Gundam statue in front of you will be overwhelmingly powerful, not only for Gundam fans but also for those who are not familiar with Gundam. It is sure to become a popular photo spot!

Across from the Gundam Pavilion is PASONA NATUREVERSE, a pavilion operated by the Pasona Group, which offers temporary staffing and other services. It has a spiral appearance in the shape of an ammonite, with “Astro Boy” sitting at the tip of the spiral, acting as a navigator. It is small and very cute! But it has an amazing power of 100,000 horsepower.

Under the theme of “Body, Mind, and Bonding,” the center will exhibit an “iPS heart,” which is at the forefront of regenerative medicine, as well as a “sleep of the future” experience in which the bed and the entire space respond to each individual’s physical condition. What kind of cutting-edge technology is this? Just imagining it makes me excited.

 

See you at Yumeshima, the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!

Seeing the many pavilions under construction on Yumeshima, the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, makes me even more eager for the opening day of the Expo! As we prepare for the opening of the Expo, we will continue to provide you with the latest information on the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, including details on each pavilion, events, food, and more.
We look forward to seeing you all at Yumeshima, the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025!
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