Experience Japan’s fascinating traditional culture and cuisine at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!
Category: experience Sightseeing
Four months have passed since the opening of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, with less than two months remaining. Events are being held at the venue that allow you to experience the charms of not only Osaka, but all over Japan.
Not only in the city center, but also in the countryside, there is a wealth of content unique to each region, such as history, culture, crafts, and food.
In this article, Kodawari Times will report on fascinating events from all over Japan that we covered. We will also introduce events scheduled to be held in the future, so if you’re interested in regional tourism in Japan, be sure to read to the end!
Nara Prefecture, the Hometown of Japan
First, let’s start with Nara Prefecture, adjacent to the west of Osaka Prefecture. Nara was the capital of Japan about 1,300 years ago and is known as the birthplace of Japan. It is a city full of history, with many temples, shrines, ancient tombs, and ruins remaining.
“Nara Weaving the Future” was held by Nara Prefecture. The event was held three times during the expo, and Kodawari Times attended the “ALL NARA FESTIVAL,” which took place from May 27th (Tue) to 29th (Thu).
On the final day, May 29th (Thu), the venue’s EXPO Arena “Matsuri” hosted around 50 stalls selling Nara food and crafts, creating a bustling atmosphere that was just like a festival!
There are many attractive food booths, including Nara Prefecture’s local cuisine, Kakinoha sushi (pressed sushi made with fish such as mackerel or salmon wrapped in persimmon leaves along with vinegared rice), local puddings, and craft cola.
At the craft booth, we were able to see how Nara Uchiwa are made. They feature delicate and beautiful designs, including openwork depictions of Nara deer and five-story pagodas.
Not only does it have a gorgeous and cool appearance, but it is also light and flexible, and durable enough to be used for 30 to 40 years. The process of carving 20 sheets of stacked washi paper at once requires skilled techniques. Because it is all done by hand, the finished product has a highly artistic design, like a paper cutting.
And then there was the attention-grabbing sake. Nara is known as the birthplace of sake, with many sake breweries and is promoted as the Nara sake brand. A large crowd gathered to compare different sakes in the Nara sake zone.
You can purchase a set of five tickets and choose five types of sake you like. As a bonus, you will also receive a Ochoko (sake cup) with a Nara sake design!
There are a total of 26 different types of alcohol to try. Tell the staff what you like, they’ll recommend some, and then you can start tasting. The amount in one cup is larger than I expected, so it feels like a good deal!
The most popular sake is Imanishi Brewery’s “Mimurosugi,” which has a fruity aroma and a refreshing aftertaste. It’s neither too sweet nor too dry, making it very easy to drink and a sake that everyone will enjoy.
I prefer dry sake, so I tried Imanishi Seibei Shoten’s “Harushika,” a pioneer of dry sake that is popular overseas, as well as Nakamoto Sake Brewery’s “Yamatsuru Danchigai Karakuchi,” a dry sake. Both have a clean, crisp taste, yet are refined.
I’ve been a fan of Katsuragi Sake Brewery’s “Hyakurakumon” and Okura Honke’s “Kinko,” both of which are consistently delicious. Nara sake has many unique varieties, and the wide variety of flavors is what makes it so appealing. I recommend visiting Nara and going on a sake tour!
▼Check out the detailed article on Nara sake
Discover the full of Japan in EXPO
Next, we will introduce the event “Discover the full of Japan in EXPO,” which was held at the EXPO Messe “WASSE.” Kodawari Times visited on May 1st. On this day, the event was made up of three prefectures: Wakayama, Tokushima, and Kagawa, and booths were set up to share the fascinating content of each region.
Wakayama Prefecture Booth
Wakayama Prefecture, located south of Osaka Prefecture, is known for its historical sites such as the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site, and Mount Koya, as well as resort areas such as Shirahama. It is also a producer of plums and mandarin oranges, with popular brands such as Kishu Nankou plums and Arida mandarin oranges.
At the Wakayama Prefecture booth, there was tasting and sales of Umeshu (plum wine), mandarin orange juice, and mikapon (a condiment made from mandarin orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, etc.). Wakayama mandarins have a good balance of sweetness and sourness, and are very rich, which I love!
Yamaga Shikkiten, a shop selling Kishu lacquerware, a craft from Wakayama, will also be exhibiting. Mage-Wappa, Japanese-made bento boxes are popular with overseas customers, along with bento culture. The colorful and lovely designs, finished with Kishu lacquer, are attractive. They are sure to make a great souvenir!
Tokushima Prefecture Booth
Next, Tokushima Prefecture, located on the eastern side of Shikoku, is a city with many attractive tourist events Awa Odori, such as the traditional Bon Odori festival held in the summer, and the Naruto Whirlpools, one of the largest in the world.
There was a booth for Awa Ningyo Joruri, a traditional performing art that represents Tokushima. Awa Ningyo Joruri is a puppet theater that combines a Tayu(storyteller), a shamisen player, and a puppet played by three people.
The puppets used in Awa Ningyo Joruri are called Awa Deko, and we were able to see how the puppeteers carved the heads of the puppets. Each one is made by hand.
The clever mechanism that changes the expression on the head when you pull the string is very fascinating! This puppet’s calm expression instantly transforms into that of a terrifying demon. It will be interesting to see how it is performed on stage.
Tokushima City has a theater where you can see Awa Ningyo Joruri, an outdoor stage, and the Awa Deko Ningyo Kaikan puppet theatre museum, so if you’re interested, be sure to visit Tokushima!
Kagawa Prefecture Booth
Lastly, Kagawa Prefecture, which is also located in Shikoku like Tokushima Prefecture, is the birthplace of Sanuki udon and is known as the “Udon Prefecture” with the highest udon consumption and the most udon restaurants in Japan.
We’ve discovered udon, a local food! These noodles look like the real thing, but they’re actually made from glove material.
Higashikagawa City, located on the eastern edge of Kagawa Prefecture, is Japan’s largest glove production area, boasting a domestic market share of approximately 90%. The “Udon Gloves” were created to promote Higashikagawa City’s signature glove technology at the Expo. What an interesting idea!
These practical gloves, crafted with this skill, have a history of over 130 years and are of high quality, with a focus on design and materials. They are perfect for keeping warm, as a fashion item, for sports, or as a gift for yourself.
Furthermore, Shido, Sanuki City’s traditional craft, “Shido Kiri Geta” (wooden clogs), boasts the top share in the country. Domestically produced geta, handcrafted by artisans, are durable, lightweight, and of high quality with excellent water absorption and water retention. They are also designated as a traditional craft of Kagawa Prefecture.
Other unique local products on display included edible sunflower oil from Mannou Town, famous for its vibrant sunflower fields, and island somen noodles and Shodoshima soy sauce from Tonosho Town on Shodoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea.
▼Click here for the Shodoshima day trip article
Kagawa Prefecture has a wealth of fascinating crafts and processed food products! In addition to eating udon, be sure to also try the carefully crafted local products from each region.
Upcoming Event Information
Going forward, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai site will host a series of events that allow visitors to discover the charms of various parts of Japan. Here is a schedule of the main events. This is a rare opportunity to experience the feeling of sightseeing in the countryside while still in Osaka, so be sure to check it out!
Discover the full of Japan in EXPO
The event reported in this article will be held twice in August, in different regions.
1. Yamanashi Prefecture, Aichi Prefecture/Nagoya City, Okayama Prefecture
Date and Time: Friday, August 22, 2025 – Sunday, August 24, 2025
Location: EXPO Messe “WASSE”
2. Chiba Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Ehime Prefecture, Western Golden Route
Date and Time: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 – Saturday, August 30, 2025
Location: EXPO Messe “WASSE”
Kochi Festival WORLD YOSAKOI DAY
This event will allow you to experience the charms of Kochi’s culture and cuisine, centered around the “Yosakoi Naruko Dance,” which originated in Kochi, and the “Street Market,” which boasts a history of over 300 years.
Date and Time: Friday, August 22, 2025 12:00-20:00 *Doors open 11:30
Saturday, August 23, 2025 9:00-18:30 *Doors open 9:00
Location: EXPO Arena “Matsuri”
Ishikawa’s Day
Twenty organizations from Ishikawa Prefecture will participate, and there will be a traveling Wajima morning market and sales of local specialties from around the prefecture.
■ “Festival” Event
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Location: EXPO Arena “Matsuri”
Time: Doors open 10:00 AM – Close 6:00 PM
■ “Food Culture” Event
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 – Sunday, August 31, 2025
Location: EXPO Messe “WASSE”
Time: Doors open 10:00 AM – Close 9:00 PM
*On Sunday, August 31, the event will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Official Website: https://expo2025-ishikawa.jp/
Treasure Island・KYUSHU
This event brings together Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima prefectures. Experience the rich nature, history, culture, and delicious ingredients of the seven Kyushu prefectures all at once.
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 3rd – Friday, September 5th, 2025 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Location: EXPO Messe “WASSE”
Official Website: https://treasure-island-kyushu.com/
A huge gathering of Mie festivals! ~ MIE Festival in EXPO
The event will feature exhibits and demonstrations from Mie Prefecture festivals, including the Ishitori Festival in Kuwana City and the Tsu Festival in Tsu City, as well as sales of local products and tastings.
Date and Time: Monday, September 22, 2025 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Location: EXPO Arena “Matsuri”
Official Website: https://expomie.jp/#cont03
▼Click here for Expo2025-related articles
