OSAKA EXPO

As Osaka hosts the world exposition for the second time since 1970, many participating nations are proudly showing off the very best of the technologies, products, art and ideas they have developed in the more than five decades since Expo ’70.

Hosted at the water’s edge on Yumeno-shima, at end of the Chuo Line, the expo site showcases future-themed, sponsored and Japanese pavilions surrounding a Grand Ring containing the international pavilions.

Since the amount on display is so vast, here are two highlights to give you an idea about what to expect before the show draws to a close on Oct. 13.

On the west side of the Grand Ring, certified by Guinness as the largest wooden architectural structure in the world, the India Pavilion designed by Rajeev Sethi sits in the Connecting Lives Zone near the West Gate. The whole building is designed to look like a lotus flower with petal arches surrounding it. A big sign in front proudly displays the word ”Bharat.” This is not only the building’s name, but perhaps a nod to a potential future name change for the country. As you walk inside, you enter the Oneness Lounge, which features a nearby bodhi tree installation.

Continuing through the pavilion, you can see various technical achievements India is keen to display. This includes items ranging from recent medical advances to a model of India’s Chandrayaan-3 moon rover. Keen to show off technical innovations while keeping its history in mind, the pavilion is also equipped with a multipurpose hall suitable for cultural performances, seminars and other events promoting India.

The whole pavilion promotes the concept of “the world as one family,” borrowing “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” from an ancient Sanskrit phrase meaning exactly that. This is especially fitting as India has recently overtaken China to become the most populous country on the planet.

To round out the cultural offerings there is a curry shop serving up India’s most famous culinary export. On the menu is delicious environmentally conscious curry with freshly made naan. The whole pavilion makes for one of the better places to visit during Expo 2025 as it really showcases India’s rich cultural history and future.

On the east side of the ring, in the Empowering Lives Zone, sits the France Pavilion put together by Creative Director Jose Levy. As you’d expect from a cultural showing from France, the whole building has a beautiful design with a series of rods evoking a sort of metallic rain. Snaking through is a copper pipe to provide a centerpiece for the building, reminding us the country designed the Eiffel Tower for its own expo back in 1889.

Unlike India, France is focusing less on technical innovation and leaning more into art and fashion. It’s a case of less business, more beauty. France’s motto is “A Hymn to Love.” They want to promote all love, from loving yourself and loving others to loving nature. Inside the pavilion are several art and fashion installations, most notably from Louis Vuitton. The art installations include a light display, a wall of suitcases and a room full of white dresses.

However, just because art is on high focus doesn’t mean that France just brought an art gallery to Osaka. France is also keen to emphasize they are designing a future society for our lives. This is mostly done through the environmental design of the building itself. As a temporary building, all the materials are designed to be recycled. There is also a green roof to regulate the temperature of the building while collecting rain water. Of course, no showing of French culture would dare skip food. To this end, the pavilion has a bakery offering bread and pastries as well as a bistro offering the best of France on a plate.

Expo 2025 is shaping up to be the once-in-a-generation event it was advertised to be. Consider taking yourself this summer to witness these pavilions, as well as many others, showcasing its various themes.

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