Visiting Japan Before Mid-October? Don’t Miss Osaka! Expo 2025 Starts Today — Top 10 Must-See Exhibits
From Martian Rocks to Beating Mini Hearts — and Yes, Even My Exhibit’s in There!
Expo 2025 Osaka opened today!
I tried looking up highlights in English and barely found anything. Even in Japan, coverage has been limited—probably because of the huge cost and public concern over the use of tax money, which has made it a bit of a sensitive topic.
But since Osaka is where I was born and raised, I decided to dig in—and ended up finding some truly fascinating exhibits!
So here are my Top 10 Picks—yes, a bit subjective and health-focused, but hopefully something for everyone. One of them even features a little bit of me, so don’t miss it!
Top 10 Exhibits You Shouldn’t Miss at Osaka Expo
1. The 2km Long Grand Roof Ring
This impressive wooden structure was inspired by the stage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and showcases traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
Constructed without nails by interlocking wooden columns, it boasts remarkable resistance. Also, at night, the Ring is beautifully illuminated…!
2. A Stone Meant for a Castle… Now a Toilet?!
The “Disappointment Stone(残念石)” was originally intended for Osaka Castle's stone walls, but left unused. This massive stone has been repurposed into a unique public restroom, blending historical significance with modern utility.
3. Japan Pavilion: The Mars Rock
For the first time, a meteorite originating from Mars, discovered in Antarctica by a Japanese team in 2000, will be on public display. Measuring 17.5 cm in height, 29 cm in width, and weighing 12.7 kg, it's one of the largest of its kind. You can have the rare opportunity to touch a sample of this extraterrestrial rock!
4. PASONA NATUREVERSE Pavilion
Located outside the Grand Roof Ring, PASONA pavilion features an exhibition of a 3 cm “mini heart” cultivated from iPS cells. This pulsating heart, though not fully functional, represents a significant advancement in regenerative medicine. The pavilion also showcases heart muscle cell sheets, highlighting potential future treatments for heart disease.
And guess what? I will be having an exhibition here about my business, so I would be delighted if you could visit!
Now, let me introduce the pavilion that intrigued me the most: the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion.
5. Meet Your Future Self (2050 You)
The theme is to travel to your future and change it. By wearing a Reborn Band, a wristband that tracks your health metrics, a body measurement bot, and assessments of your hair, brain, and skin age.
By analyzing your current health data, this exhibit projects what you might look like in 25 years!
6. Your Gut, Decoded
There are a section where they even offer an analysis of your gut bacteria, providing a glimpse into the future of personalized health assessments and emphasizing the importance of gut health in overall well-being.
7. The Human Washing Machine
You can actually step into a futuristic pod that washes your entire body—head to toe—without lifting a finger! Originally designed for hospitals and elderly care, it feels like a glimpse into how caregiving might look a few years from now.
8. Robot-Made Mixed Juice in the Food Court
Osaka’s famous mixed fruit juice—prepared entirely by robots. I haven’t tried the Expo version yet, but as someone who grew up in Osaka, I love mixed fruit juice!
9. International Pavilions & Unique Architecture
So far, I've focused on Japan-centered pavilions, but there are numerous intriguing international pavilions to explore!
Czech Republic: Features glass-covered structures, blending modern design with traditional elements.
China: Showcases bamboo-inspired architecture, reflecting sustainable building practices and cultural heritage.
Australia: Offers an indoor forest environment, complete with representations of native wildlife like koalas, providing an immersive natural experience.
Australia Pavilion
There are more and more interesting international pavilions popping up, so it might be worth checking out what your country is doing. I haven’t had the chance to explore all of them yet—so if your country has something cool going on, let me know!
10. Fountain Show
Last but not least, an immersive water display at the venue, combining lights and music to create a mesmerizing experience for visitors of all ages.
Ready to Explore? See You at Expo 2025!
Now that I’ve shared the top 10 exhibitions, how are you feeling? Did any of them catch your eye? Do you feel inspired to visit Expo 2025? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
If you or someone you know is planning a trip to Japan soon, feel free to share this post with them! Here’s the link to the Expo ticket.
Lastly, while the Expo offers a glimpse into the future of healthcare, don’t forget that Japan already has a world-class system for preventive health—Ningen Dock, a comprehensive medical check-up. If you’re curious to learn more, check out my previous newsletter where I go into detail about it!
If you want compare Osaka 1970 with the current Expo, here's an interview with a guy who visited the old one 18 times and has been part of the organizing committee for the new one:
https://giannisimone.substack.com/p/osaka-expo-memories-and-hopes
We're heading to Osaka next week, excited to go through your recommendations 🤩