Osaka Limited-Time Attractions | First Look at the 2025 Osaka Kansai World Expo

The World Expo, held every five years, was held this year (2025) at Yumeshima in Osaka, Kansai. Tickets were not sold at the venue; you had to purchase them in advance on the official website or other travel websites, then download the official app to register your e-tickets. Once registered, you could enter on your designated date. What's unique about this is that many venues require reservations. You had to pre-select your desired venues on the official app, and only after the official lottery could you secure tickets for the popular venues. However, in my case, I had already registered and selected tickets for the popular venues, but I changed my entry date before the lottery, which reset all my registered venues. I also missed the registration window, so I ended up not getting any reservations for the popular venues at all and had to try my luck at the venue after entering.

My purpose for this trip to Osaka was to visit the World Expo, so I booked accommodations on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, which would take me to Yumeshima Station without having to transfer. Yumeshima is an artificial island. After exiting Yumeshima Station, it's about a five-minute walk to the East Exit. To manage traffic flow, the plaza in front of the East Exit has been divided into several areas, separating the flow of people at different times to prevent mixing. For example, my scheduled entry time was 12:00 PM, and the staff would direct those entering at 12:00 PM to the waiting area. As it neared 12:00 PM, everyone would proceed to the East Exit checkpoint. So far, the queues have been endless, but the order has been very good. What if you're late for your scheduled time? Of course, that's okay; you'll enter directly through the nearest bus line.

After passing through the security checkpoint, you'll officially enter the venue. Everyone will first take a photo with the Expo mascot "Maimai," then line up for entry according to their chosen venue. If you didn't bring water, I strongly recommend buying some water and some light snacks at a convenience store first; the venue is so large, try not to backtrack. Just after entering the East Exit, there's a convenience store and souvenir shop. Since I didn't have any popular venues drawn, I bought what I needed at the convenience store and souvenir shop first, then walked around and browsed. I visited on a Monday, thinking it would be easy to queue for the popular Japanese and corporate pavilions. I was wrong. Everywhere I looked, there were crowds. Queuing wasn't possible at all for the Japanese pavilions near the east exit. The lines for the other popular pavilions, including the American, French, and Australian pavilions, were all over two hours long. I entered at noon and left after 8:00 PM, spending most of my time waiting in line. Here are a few tips for future visitors:

1. Dress casually and wear comfortable sneakers.

2. Luggage as little as possible and as light as possible.

3. Sun protection is essential; most of the queuing areas lack shade.

4. Bring water and snacks if possible. Aside from the food court, convenience stores are concentrated at the east and west exits.

5. Bring a water bottle; there are plenty of water dispensers.

6. Visit the restrooms if you see one; the venue is large and the lines can be long.

7. Arrive as early as possible; with over 180 pavilions, you won't be able to see everything. I made a reservation for 12 noon entry. After entering, you can use the official app to grab tickets, but it's almost impossible to get one.
8. Popular venues still have a chance to get in without a reservation. There will be queues for entry after opening and before closing in the morning.
9. Avoid peak dining times to get a better chance of getting a spot at your desired restaurant.
10. Experience-based venues primarily teach in Japanese, with English being the only option. A basic understanding of both English and Japanese is helpful.
11. Performances vary daily. After confirming your reservation date, check the official website to check the day's events and the National Day performances at each venue to avoid feeling like a lost cause.
12. The venues have a completely different atmosphere at night when they're lit up, so be sure to stay until then.
13. You can get a tax refund on purchases made within the venue, which is located across from the China Pavilion. However, if your purchase is small, I recommend avoiding the queues.
14. In addition to the restaurants in the food court within the venue, some national pavilions will sell their own national specialties, so you don't have to crowd into the food court. 15. On the way back, Yumezu Station was crowded with people buying tickets. Bring your IC card so you can swipe directly into the station, saving a lot of time.

#EXPO #Osaka #Kansai #JapanWorldExpo2025 #WorldExpo #WorldExpo #OsakaAttractions #Japan