Gundam Pavilion at Osaka Expo: A Theme Park-Like Experience You Can't Miss in Its Final Month

I'm not a Gundam fan, but after visiting the Gundam Pavilion, I was completely won over. This IP, which dates back to 1979 and is as old as I am, still has a massive fan base—clearly, they're doing something right. This pavilion is one of the most meticulously designed at the Expo, with five immersive scenes that tell a complete story.

Before even entering the pavilion, you’re greeted by a kneeling Gundam with one hand reaching upward, symbolizing its journey to space.

The first section sets the stage, introducing a world where Osaka's Yumeshima has a spaceport, and an elevator that takes you directly to a space station.

In the second section, you see two adorable mascots explaining how far the space station is and why it’s worth going there, further reinforcing the narrative.

Once you board, the circular screens and overhead displays, combined with vibrations and lighting effects, make you feel like you’re actually in space. But, of course, no space journey is complete without some drama. Villains appear, and an epic battle ensues. The circular windows of the space station showcase the action and intricate details.

The fourth section is an escape pod where Gundam is summoned to defeat the villains. With floor vibrations and immersive visuals from the circular and overhead windows, you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Ultimately, good triumphs over evil, and you return to Earth.

As you exit, you see Gundam’s silhouette against the backdrop of the pavilion’s grand roof. Smoke and beams of light shoot into the sky, as if Gundam is heading back to space.

The entire show is in Japanese, but even if you don’t understand the language, the audiovisual effects make it an unforgettable experience, like a perfectly executed performance.

Bandai Namco even encourages photography and video recording, as long as you don’t use flash, which could disrupt the experience. Their confidence likely stems from knowing that the full story can only be truly appreciated in person, while shared snippets serve as promotional teasers on social media.

This 17-meter-tall RX-78F00/E Gundam incorporates parts from the moving Gundam previously displayed in Yokohama. Having seen both, I felt a unique emotional connection between the two.

With less than a month left of the Expo, I highly recommend making time to see this.

📍Address: 1 Chome-5 Yumeshimanaka, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0000, Japan
🚗 From Yumeshima Station East Entrance, walk along the grand roof to Zone W. It takes about 15 minutes.