The Osaka Expo 2025 was a thrilling return, marking my second World Expo experience after the unforgettable Shanghai Expo in 2010. This time, Osaka Expo returned with three powerful themes: Saving lives, empowering lives, and connecting lives—all centered on the main concept of ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives.’
The main feature that dominates the skyline is the Grand Ring, a massive, raised superstructure made entirely from wood. Strolling beneath it, you feel dwarfed. This structure is so massive it honestly looks like a space ship straight out of the Netflix series Another World.
Even more impressive is the construction: each massive piece of wood was put together using the traditional Nuki technique, the very same joinery used to build many ancient Japanese temples and shrines. It’s amazing how this ancient technique can create a structure capable of holding thousands of people, making it a powerful connection between past craft and future vision—perfectly embodying the Expo’s mission.
But the Grand Ring’s purpose isn’t just about awe—it’s designed for action with critical dual function, fitting for an expo dedicated to our future lives. During the day, it provides crucial shade from the scorching Osaka sun, literally saving visitors’ lives from the heat. Once the sun sets, the Ring transforms into a prime viewing platform where visitors can watch the pavilions light up and enjoy the spectacular fireworks display, perfectly connecting us all under the night sky.
We had been warned that, during the final month of the Osaka Expo, the venue would be jam-packed. Thankfully, this is Japan, where organization is an art form. It took us less than an hour to queue and get through the main gate.
Inside, however, was a different story. Almost all of the major pavilions had queues of at least two hours. Those not in line were walking shoulder-to-shoulder just trying to navigate the crowds. Even the water stations had long queues of people seeking relief from the blazing sun. Determined to avoid wasting time, we skipped those major pavilions—which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Wandering toward an open field, we came across a Common Hall. The queue was reasonable and moved quite fast. Inside, we found a collection of smaller countries that couldn’t afford or didn’t feel the need to build individual pavilions. These were countries I had rarely, or perhaps never, heard of. Take, for example, Benin, a country in West Africa, showcasing its cultural richness. Or Nauru, a tiny island-country in the Pacific that is in long recovery from environmental destruction caused by mining. They were selling a plush pillow with eyes that resembled the island itself.
Once the sun began to dip low and the evening air turned crisp, we made our way to the Grand Ring’s viewing platform. It was a fascinating climb; we kept strolling and exploring the perimeter until the sky was almost completely dark. From this height, the Expo ground transformed before our eyes. It was like watching a switch flip: the sprawling venue turned into a stunning show of light, revealing a totally different, electric atmosphere compared to the crowded heat of the day. Up here, it was easy to feel how the architecture was truly ‘Designing Future Society’—a perfect, elevated vantage point to take in the sprawling vision below.
We certainly weren’t the only ones who had this idea. As the last rays of sunlight faded, more and more people joined us, walking the massive wooden circle shoulder-to-shoulder. For a moment, seeing the sheer number of visitors, I admit I felt a quick flash of worry: could this enormous wooden structure really hold us all? But even with hundreds gathered, I didn’t feel the slightest shudder or movement. Looking out over the shimmering pavilions with so many others, packed together but peacefully connected, the Grand Ring perfectly fulfilled its promise of ‘connecting lives’ in the most spectacular way.
Content with the stunning light show and the buzzing atmosphere on the Grand Ring, we made our way to our final, personal stop: the Japan Ham Radio’s Special Event Station 8K3EXPO. This wasn’t just another pavilion; it was a perfect example of the ‘Connecting lives’ and ‘Saving lives’ themes in action. I felt truly honored by the warm welcome from my fellow Amateur Radio operators from Japan. We shared more than just a hobby—we connected over our common mission to use radio technology to save lives in times of need and disaster. It was a tangible, personal moment of global fellowship, showing how simple technology can build essential future resilience.
Just before we formally concluded our visit, the night sky erupted as the Expo’s closing fireworks painted the darkness with spectacular color. We paused, took a deep breath, and just smiled. The vibrant energy of the crowd and the sheer ambition of the Expo’s vision filled our hearts. Walking out, we carried that warmth of live, collective energy—a vivid reminder that we are all part of a global society empowered to design our own future. The Osaka Expo 2025 isn’t just a glimpse of tomorrow; it’s a call to action to connect, protect, and empower the world, one brilliant idea at a time. It was the perfect ending to a truly unforgettable experience!