Visiting EXPO 2025 in Osaka

I recently went to EXPO 2025, which is currently being held in Osaka, Japan. Since I live in Japan, it wasn’t exactly some big “once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Far East.” Honestly, I didn’t go with huge expectations—it was more like, “Well, since it’s happening nearby, I might as well check it out.”

On Reddit, I’d seen quite a few negative posts and comments about the event, and I can’t say they’re entirely wrong. At the very least, I wouldn’t recommend flying all the way out here just for EXPO 2025. Even though I went on a weekday, it was still extremely crowded, and for many pavilions you couldn’t even get in—you simply weren’t given entry slots.

That said, it wasn’t all bad. I arrived right around the 9 a.m. opening, and it only took about 30 minutes to get through the gates (maybe thanks to it being a weekday). Crowds definitely swelled after lunchtime, though. I left around 3 p.m., partly because I knew it would get insanely packed after the evening fireworks—sometimes to the point where trains are too crowded to board.

I was also there with my infant in a stroller, and surprisingly, some pavilions let us skip the lines entirely. There were several nursing rooms and even dedicated play areas for kids, which made me think the event isn’t just about heavy themes like SDGs—it’s actually a fun space for children too.

As for downsides, the main issue was simply the sheer number of people (though if you’ve ever been to Tokyo, that comes with the territory). Other than that, I actually had a great time and left feeling satisfied.

EXPO 2025 is ending soon, so I doubt anyone reading this blog will make plans based on my post—but if you do happen to go, my advice is:

• Arrive early in the morning and leave before the evening rush
• If possible, go on a weekday

(And honestly, the same advice applies to sightseeing in Tokyo as well.)