Expo 2025 Osaka: A Wanderer’s Guide to Asia, Oceania & Central Asia
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, wanderers are invited on a global journey of culture, creativity, and connection — no passport needed. Our first stop: Asia.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
One of the most delightful experiences at Expo 2025 Osaka is the stamp rally — a journey through six layers of collectible stamps inspired by the ukiyo-e tradition. Myaku-Myaku, the Expo’s mascot, joyfully rides Hokusai’s Great Wave, turning the act of collecting into a playful tribute to Japan’s iconic woodblock print.
OSAKA, Japan — Perhaps it’s the wanderer in me that draws me to Expo 2025 in Osaka. Though I’ve passed through Kansai International Airport a few times, I’ve never stayed a night in Osaka itself — Kyoto and Nara always came first.
This time, though, I stay — because of the Expo. What begins as a two-day visit stretches into four. Partly because of the crowds, as most pavilions require at least a 30-minute wait (an hour, more often than not) — and partly because I can’t help but linger, letting one discovery lead to the next.
I’m the kind of traveller who likes to make the most of every stop: arriving early, snacks in hand, and mentally prepared to queue. I stand in lines through sun, rain, even a storm, just to glimpse the worlds tucked inside the pavilions I’m most curious about. Are they always worth the wait? Sometimes yes. Sometimes not quite. But each one adds something to the journey.
Honestly, I do little planning beforehand. My choices are mostly spontaneous, shaped by the flow of the crowd and the length of the queue — especially in those first two days. That’s probably why a few pavilions I hope to visit — Kansai, Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands — end up missed. Some, as I learn the hard way, are reservation-only — which is another hurdle altogether.
For me, visiting a pavilion isn’t just sightseeing — it’s a way of listening. I’m drawn to the narratives each country chooses to share: how they see themselves, how they wish to be seen, and how that aligns (or doesn’t) with what I’ve experienced or imagined about them. I’m equally intrigued by the technology shaping the storytelling — especially the immersive projections many pavilions embrace — providing windows into what the future of museum experiences might hold.
If you’re as curious as I am — whether you’re still undecided about visiting, or already planning your trip — I’ve created this Wanderer’s Guide just for you.
There are 188 pavilions at Expo 2025, including 161 countries and regions, all responding in some way to the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” I’ve visited more than 120 of them (I was encouraged — or trapped — by the irresistible stamp rally. Once you start, it’s hard to stop).
At first, I thought I would select just a dozen pavilions to feature in a single article. But the more I reflect, the more I realise: twelve simply won’t do justice to the range and richness of what I’ve encountered. And so, with some ambition, I’ve decided to publish this guide in three parts: we begin in Japan, then journey westward through Asia and Oceania, crossing into Central Asia. In Part Two, we’ll explore the Middle East and North Africa. And finally, we’ll arrive in Europe.
So join me on this adventure. No passport needed. Just an open mind and a bit of that wanderer’s spirit. Here we go.
Asia
🇯🇵 Japan
🇨🇳 China
🇲🇳 Mongolia
🇮🇳 Bharat
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Oceania
🇦🇺 Australia
Central Asia & Beyond
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
Special Stops
🇯🇵 Japan Pavilion
The Japan Pavilion is one of those that require a reservation to enter — and I’m (very) lucky to secure a spot on the day of my visit. For a moment, I think I might miss it entirely, as the pavilion is always fully booked. But it would feel ironic to attend Expo 2025 in Osaka without stepping into the host country’s own pavilion.
Despite its scale, the pavilion is easy to navigate. There’s a single, gently flowing route through the space. Its circular architecture, symbolic of cycles and regeneration, is divided into three zones: Plant, Farm, and Factory.
The Plant section explores the journey from waste to water, spotlighting the essential — and often invisible — role of microorganisms. Here, the pavilion immerses visitors in a dreamlike installation: a shimmering ocean of lights, synchronised like constellations in motion, hovers above towering fermentation tanks that silently work to break down food waste.
You then step into a tranquil open-air courtyard, also circular in form. At its centre lies a pool of water, so still and pure it mirrors the sky — a quiet testament to the microorganisms’ cleansing work.
From there, you arrive at the Farm, where matter and energy — water and CO₂ reclaimed from waste — transform into new life. The spotlight falls on algae, Earth’s earliest form of plant life, dating back over 3.5 billion years. These ancient beings (the ancestors of mosses and ferns) are charmingly celebrated through a display of 32 Hello Kitty figures, each inspired by a different species of algae. Naturally, this becomes a personal highlight.
In Factory, you witness how energy and materials from previous sections are repurposed into everyday objects. A delightful surprise: the stools scattered throughout the pavilion are made from algae-infused bioplastic and 3D-printed onsite by robotic arms.
My favourite part, though, is the final section: A Gallery of Soft Things. It presents a thoughtful philosophy — that some things are meant to be soft, by design. Here, softness means more than just texture; it speaks of resilience, flexibility, and renewal. Examples include wakugi, the soft iron nails used in traditional Japanese carpentry; the kimono, made from a single piece of fabric that can be undone and reborn; and the furoshiki, a humble square of cloth with infinite folding possibilities.
Tips for wanderer — For Hello Kitty fans, don’t miss the limited-edition Algae × Hello Kitty products available in the gift shop just outside the pavilion. Some items had already sold out by the time of my visit so go early if you’re hoping to bring one home.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
🇨🇳 China Pavilion
I still remember the China Pavilion at Expo 2010 in Shanghai — its bold red silhouette, inspired by dougong bracket architecture, and the sweeping digital handscroll animating scenes from Along the River During the Qingming Festival. That experience stayed with me.
At Expo 2025, China once again draws from its rich cultural heritage — this time with a pavilion inspired by bamboo slip scrolls (zhujian), one of the earliest mediums for knowledge transmission in China. Across the facade, verses from 119 classical poems are inscribed in an array of Chinese calligraphy styles: Seal, Clerical, Regular, Cursive, and Running script. It’s a quiet celebration of continuity, memory, and meaning.
Inside, I find myself drawn to the interactive display cases, which exhibit objects ranging from ritual jade artefacts of the Liangzhu civilisation (3300–2300 BC) to a monumental Sanxingdui bronze mask. The glass isn’t just for protection — it doubles as a screen, letting you rotate digital replicas and even flip through ancient books, page by page.
But what stands out most is a rarity: lunar soil samples brought back from both the near and far sides of the moon. It’s my first time seeing them up close, and that brief encounter leaves me in awe.
For curious wanderers, the China Pavilion also offers a rich cultural program, with each week dedicated to showcasing traditional crafts from a different region. During my visit, I meet Sui Jing-Cai, an artisan who brings delicate sculptures of fish to life from painstakingly hammered sheets of metal — a technique recognised as part of Jilin Province’s intangible cultural heritage.
Tips for wanderer — Expect to wait around an hour when it’s crowded. Bring an umbrella — it’s good for both sun and rain.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
🇲🇳 Mongolia Pavilion
Tucked inside the Commons-D — home to dozens of smaller country pavilions — the Mongolia Pavilion catches my attention.
Curated by the Chinggis Khan National Museum, the pavilion presents 28 objects that trace Mongolia’s rich cultural history, with special focus on the evolution of Mongolian scripts — including traditional Mongol, Soyombo, Vagindra, and Cyrillic systems.
What fascinates me most, however, is how the Mongol Empire embraces multilingual communication. The khans sent letters in Chinese to Japan, Persian and Arabic to the Roman pope, and Mongolian to European monarchs. One of the most compelling items on display is a reproduction of the imperial seal of Güyük Khan (reigned 1246–1248), Chinggis Khan’s grandson. This very seal is said to stamp a letter to Pope Innocent IV in 1246 — a copy of which still survives in the Vatican archives.
Displayed alongside these written documents are garments and accessories once worn by Mongolian nobles — pieces that speak of elegance, hierarchy, and heritage.
Tips for wanderer — Pavilions in Commons district usually don’t require queuing. If you see a line, come back later.
Sense of Wander: ★★★☆☆
🇮🇳 Bharat Pavilion
Unlike most other pavilions at the Expo, the Bharat Pavilion — India’s official name in Sanskrit — welcomes you without a queue, a kind of openness that is reminiscent of the India I know.
Inspired by a lotus in bloom, a symbol of purity and resilience, the pavilion unfolds with poetic symbolism. One of the first things you encounter is a terracotta wall titled Bonds of Soil — an installation composed of earthen pieces sourced from every Indian state. Together, they form a tactile ode to the country’s unity in diversity, speaking a shared language of clay.
Inside, the atmosphere hums with gentle chaos — alive with sound, motion, and colour. Your attention may be drawn to the LUNOoOM Kinetic Sand Art Table, where a tiny steel ball traces slow, meditative paths through kinetic sand. The shifting patterns are mesmerising — constantly in motion, yet grounding in their stillness.
A large portion of the pavilion spotlights India’s digital progress, including space exploration, information technology, and digital infrastructure. But what fascinates me is the One District One Product section. Here, the richness of Indian craftsmanship comes alive through handwoven carpets, carved wood, painted figurines, metalwork, instruments, and more.
No visit to India feels complete without stepping into the bazaar — a treasure trove of incense sticks, shawls, singing bowls, jewellery, and small keepsakes waiting to travel with you.
Tips for wanderer — Craving a taste of India? The pavilion’s cafe serves warm curry and spiced chai — a comforting drink for you after long hours of wandering.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
🇮🇩 Indonesia Pavilion
I hadn’t planned to visit the Indonesia Pavilion — it’s a spontaneous stop, one of the few still open as the day winds down. But the experience turns out to be unforgettable.
You enter through a lush miniature forest, where artworks are hidden among the foliage — an ode to Indonesia’s rich natural beauty and its 17,000 islands. The space feels alive, rooted, and breathing.
As you move forward, you walk a path of memory, where black-and-white portraits of Indonesian faces — young and old — peer back with joy, passion, and dignity. It’s intimate, grounding, and humbling.
Upstairs, the focus shifts to craft and heritage. A standout: an exhibition of traditional weaponry from ethnic tribes across the archipelago. A staff member gently reminds us, “These aren’t replicas — they’re real museum artefacts.” Their elegant, curved forms remind me of the jambiya from the Arab world, yet speak entirely of this land.
My favourite part is a room dedicated to textiles — each loom displaying a fabric tied to a distinct culture. It’s hard to fathom how textiles that look this simple could embody traditions spanning centuries. One pavilion, I realise, isn’t nearly enough to hold the breadth of a country with over 1,300 ethnic groups.
And then there’s the staff — bursting with warmth and energy. They sing, explain, and greet each guest with an enthusiasm that’s contagious. “Why are you all so full of life?” I ask one of them, unable to hide my curiosity. She simply smiles. Maybe joy is part of the national character — something not easily explained, only felt.
Tips for wanderer — Visit early in the morning or within the last hour before closing — the queue tends to disappear, and you’ll often be able to walk right in.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
🇦🇺 Australia Pavilion
If you’re looking for a pavilion that awakens every sense, the Australia Pavilion is a journey in itself. At night, it glows hot pink — and stepping inside, you enter a world inspired by the eucalyptus blossom, a sacred tree for Indigenous Australian people.
The experience is a guided adventure through land, sky, and sea. You begin in a eucalyptus forest, its fauna calling from unseen corners. Look closely, and you’ll find tree carvings — an ancient form of storytelling and ceremonial mark-making by Indigenous Australians.
Then, you’re invited to look up — into the night sky. The stars shift, and gradually you see it: the faint outline of an emu and her three chicks. Wait a little longer, and it unfolds into another celestial scene: an emu drinking water, a sign that the rainy season is coming. It’s one of many sky-bound stories passed down across more than 200 Indigenous cultures, each carrying an unspoken connection to the cosmos.
But it’s the Sea that holds me most. Surrounded by digital screens, I find myself immersed in a dreamlike marine world, glowing with spirit animals — jellyfish, sea turtles, stingrays. Then comes the whale: vast, majestic, and gliding overhead with an almost sacred grace. I’m so enchanted that, despite the staff’s gentle urging, I stay to watch it three times.
The pavilion poses a question: “How can ancient knowledge help us build a future society?” It seems to suggest that when we’re unsure of the way forward, we could look back — not only to human ancestors, but to the land, the sea, and the more-than-human world that sustains us. Because here, everything is connected.
Tips for wanderer — No reservation? No problem. Arrive after 20:00 and the line often disappears — letting you walk in, just like that.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan Pavilion
Even from a distance, the Uzbekistan Pavilion commands attention. Rising from its roof is an 8-metre-tall forest of timber pillars — an open-air structure that gently recalls the Juma Mosque of Khiva. The inspiration is unmistakable: this contemporary space echoes the religious architecture in Khiva, while the azure-hued tiles, reminiscent of Bukhara, are set between earthen bricks, transporting visitors to the heart of the ancient Silk Road.
Inside, the exhibition Garden of Knowledge invites visitors to explore Uzbekistan’s transformation through the lenses of sustainability, innovation, and education. One surprise catches me off guard: the new State Museum of Arts in Tashkent is designed by none other than Tadao Ando. I don’t expect to encounter it here — especially since the museum was closed during my last visit.
You’re then guided into a circular chamber, where a 360-degree projection begins in complete darkness. Slowly, a single seed appears, then blossoms into a garden. Stories, symbols, and motifs from Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage unfold like petals — delicate, layered, and luminous. The experience lasts just a few minutes, and before you realise it, this projection chamber becomes a lift, quietly carrying you to the pavilion’s upper level.
Here, curious wanderers are free to roam among 213 timber pillars, all made of Japanese cypress (sugi), sourced from the nearby forests of Nara. On some of them, QR codes let you trace the provenance of the wood — a poetic gesture of transparency and connection. When the Expo comes to a close, this structure will be dismantled and brought back to Uzbekistan — a temporary garden destined to be replanted.
Tips for wanderer — If you’d like the guided tour to be in English, speak to the staff at the entrance and they would be happy to assist. Don’t miss the gift shop on your way out — it’s a lovely chance to bring a piece of Uzbekistan home.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
🇹🇲 Turkmenistan Pavilion
With its eye-catching architecture, the Turkmenistan Pavilion is hard to ignore. Even passersby who hadn’t planned a visit find themselves slowing down for a closer look.
At the entrance, you’re greeted by a formal portrait of President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. Step inside, and you’ll find a sweeping panoramic projection tracing the country’s Turkic roots — a visual overture that sets the stage for what lies ahead.
Upstairs, you enter a souq-like space — not quite a market, but a curated showcase of goods from across the country. From commercial products to traditional crafts, each display is thoughtfully arranged. One woven table runner stands out: the flag of Turkmenistan on one end, Japan’s on the other — a quiet symbol of friendship. Nearby, a selection of silver jewellery draws the eye, with carnelian-studded designs that speak of nomadic heritage — pieces that feel both distant and oddly familiar.
On the second floor, a cafe attracts a steady queue — guests wait patiently to sample traditional pastries like pişme and Şek Şeki. Though I don’t stop for food, I do take time to wander through a display of traditional garments hung along the wall — a corner many miss in their rush toward the cafe.
In the gift shop, I pick up an alaja — a hand-braided cord believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune. A small thing, but meaningful.
Tips for wanderer — The gift shop offers one of the most extensive souvenir selections from the region, from pens and notebooks to carpets and sculpture. Take your time — you might find something that stays with you.
Sense of Wander: ★★★☆☆
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Pavilion
Bound by the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan stands at a cultural crossroads, where West Asia meets Eastern Europe.
Its pavilion draws you in with a facade of meshwork and arches — seven, to be exact — inspired by The Seven Beauties, a ballet by Azerbaijani composer Gara Garayev. Before you even step inside, you’re greeted by graceful wooden carvings of dancers caught mid-motion. Each arch and figure seems to embody a distinct aspect of the nation’s spirit.
Inside, the exhibition flows through themes of cultural diversity, natural heritage, architecture, and traditional craft. A personal highlight is the jewellery: delicate silver pieces from the 20th century, intricately made and full of local character.
If you’re as curious about Azerbaijan as I am, take the time to explore. There’s a quiet strength in the way its story unfolds.
Tips for wanderer — Wait times are usually 40 minutes or more, but it’s worth every minute.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
🍣 SUSHIRO To The Future: Expo Edition
Though not a pavilion, the Sushiro Expo Store is a must-visit for anyone curious about the future of sushi. As a regular Sushiro diner, I’ve been eager to see how this beloved chain imagines not just sushi itself, but the entire sushi experience in the years to come.
At the entrance, I’m greeted by a digital aquarium. Inside, the space glows with lush greenery and soft lantern light. The interior, made from Yoshino cedar sourced from Nara, pays tribute to Kansai region’s natural beauty and craftsmanship.
As I browse its huge digital menu, I find Sushiro’s answer to the question: what does the future of sushi look like? Their vision centres on sustainability — especially farmed fish raised from artificial seeds, a solution that avoids the environmental strain of overfishing. With climate change, warming seas, and plastic waste threatening marine life, these “Fish of Tomorrow” offer a hopeful way forward.
I want to try the land-raised sea urchin and eel, but both are sold out by evening. So I order the “Land Farmed Fuji Atlantic Salmon” — tender, fresh, and far better than I expect. I also try the “Plant Seafood Gunkan Set,” featuring shrimp, negitoro, and salmon roe — all made from plants. Surprisingly satisfying. But my favourite is the “Salted Seared Otoro Sushi” — rich, buttery, perfect. I end up ordering it three times.
Tips for wanderer — This spot is extremely popular. Grab a ticket number as soon as you arrive at the Expo. If they’re out, check again after 19:30 — late-night walk-ins are sometimes available. Last orders are taken at 20:30.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆
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