The Osaka-Kansai Expo kicked off on April 13, and I visited on the fourth day, April 16! Although some pavilions were still under construction, I enjoyed the event from morning until night.
In this article, I’ll share some essential tips on preparing for your visit to the expo. This year’s expo is highly digitized and many have commented that it can be rather complex, so I hope these tips will prove helpful for those planning a visit!
What is the Osaka-Kansai Expo?
This global event, which traces its origins back to the 1851 London Exposition, brings together nations from around the world to share their culture, science, technology, and visions for the future. After EXPO 2020 Dubai was held in 2021, this marks the first expo in four years – hosted on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
| Expo Name | Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Website |
| Dates | 2025/4/13 ~ 2025/10/13 (184 days) |
| Venue | Yumeshima, Osaka Bay |
| Nearest Station | Yumeshima (夢洲) Station (Osaka Metro Chuo Line) |
| Main Theme | Designing Future Society for Our Lives |
| Participating Countries, Regions, & Organizations | 158 countries and regions, 7 international organizations |
| Official Website | https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/ |
Access Information
You can reach the venue, Yumeshima, by shuttle bus, train (Osaka Metro Chuo Line), or bicycle. Please note that you cannot drive directly to Yumeshima with your private vehicle – you must park at a designated lot and then use a shuttle bus or other transit. While no reservation is needed for the train, shuttle bus reservations are usually mandatory. Also, if you plan to ride a bicycle, you will need to reserve a parking spot.
• Reserve your shuttle bus here
• Reserve parking or bicycle parking here
• Click here for the official access guide
Pre-Visit Preparation: Ticket Purchase and Entry Reservation
Although tickets may be available on-site, they might sell out on busy days. It’s highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance.
The main ticket types available during the expo are as follows:
| Type | Adult (18+ years) | Teen (12–17 years) | Child (4–11 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Day Ticket (1 entry at any time during the expo) | 7,500 yen | 4,200 yen | 1,800 yen |
| Weekday Ticket (1 entry after 11:00 AM on weekdays, excluding weekends and holidays) | 6,000 yen | 3,500 yen | 1,500 yen |
| Evening Ticket (1 entry after 5:00 PM at any time during the expo) | 3,700 yen | 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen |
| Special Discount Ticket (Available to holders of a disability certificate and one accompanying person; 1 entry per person during the expo) | 3,700 yen | 2,000 yen | 1,000 yen |
Since pavilion reservations and related bookings are made online, it’s best to purchase your tickets via the internet. You will also be required to reserve a specific entry time – either during the ticket purchase process or afterward.
On busy days, without an entry time reservation you might not be admitted, so once you’ve fixed your visit date, be sure to reserve your entry slot. You can either book your entry time when purchasing your ticket or do so later. Also, when making your reservation, you must select whether you’ll enter through the East Gate or the West Gate – choose the East Gate if you’re coming by train, or the West Gate for all other modes of transport.
Daily updates on congestion levels are available, so if you’re planning a visit, check them ahead of time! You can find the details under "Crowd Forecast & Reservation Availability" on the official site.
Can the visiting date/time reservation be changed? (Official Website)
Reservations can be changed up to three times if within the valid timeframe of your ticket type.
• Click here for the official ticket pricing information (EXPO 2025 Official Website)
• Click here to purchase tickets (EXPO 2025 Official Website)
The West Gate (for shuttle bus users) tends to be less crowded, resulting in shorter wait times for entry and exit – a smart choice if you have the option!
Pre-Visit Preparation: Pavilion Reservations
Since some pavilions and events require reservations, it’s recommended to book ahead of time. Once your visit date and time are confirmed, you can proceed to reserve pavilions and events using one of four main methods. Generally, reservations are made via the official website; however, same-day registration is also available using the kiosks located within the venue.
| Two-Month Lottery | Accepts applications from three months before your reserved visit date up to the day before two months prior. |
| 7-Day Lottery | Accepts applications from one month prior to your reserved visit date until eight days before. |
| First-Come, First-Served for Available Slots | Accepts reservations from three days before your reserved visit date until 9:00 PM on the day before. |
| Same-Day Registration | Available beginning 10 minutes after entering the venue. |
• Click here for the reservation guide
• Click here for the "Map of Pavilion without Reservation"
Some pavilions can also be reserved outside of the official website!
• Italy Pavilion: Download the app and book a reservation via the ITALIA PAVILION Official Website
• Uzbekistan Pavilion: Reservations can be made via the UZBEKISTAN PAVILION Official Website
Pre-Visit Preparation: Installing Official Apps
There are several official expo apps available, so it's a good idea to download them in advance. In particular, "EXPO2025 Personal Agent" is very useful—be sure to take advantage of it!
Pre-Visit Preparation: What to Bring
Here are some recommended items to bring to the expo!
- A printed copy of your ticket's QR code: Since you'll be using your smartphone frequently, it's useful as a backup in case your battery dies or you lose connectivity.
- A mobile battery: You'll be using your smartphone often for showing tickets and taking photos, so ensuring your phone stays charged is essential.
- A paper venue map: Although you can check the map on your smartphone, it's recommended to download and print one. You can also buy one on-site for 200 yen, but expect long queues every day.
- A credit card: Cash is not accepted. The WISE debit card, which offers competitive rates and low fees, is recommended.
- A hat or umbrella: Japanese summers are hot and the shade is limited, so carrying one is a smart precaution against heatstroke.
- Drinks: You can bring bottled beverages or a thermos. There are free water refill stations available on-site for thermos use; however, glass bottles and cans are not allowed.
- Light snacks: On busy days, food outlets may have long lines, making it difficult to buy lunch.
There are many items that are prohibited—including large bags, tripods, selfie sticks, glass bottles, and cans—so be sure to check before you go.
Click here for a list of prohibited items (EXPO 2025 Official Website)
In Conclusion
In this article, I shared tips for pre-visit preparation and entry to the Osaka-Kansai Expo. I hope you find them useful if you're planning a visit!
(Admittedly, some processes have become more complex with increased digitization...)
I visited the expo on its fourth day after the opening and was very satisfied. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Osaka, I highly recommend you do so—even if you're not particularly interested, simply admiring the architecture is sure to spark your excitement.
