Opening Soon! Osaka Expo Guide Part 1: Best Time to Visit & Pavilion Highlights

Some 200,000 visitors are expected on peak days at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. So, what’s the best time to visit to avoid the crowds and enjoy pleasant weather? We’ve done the research for you!

🌸April to June: Ideal weather, fewer crowds
Weekdays from April to June (excluding Golden Week, April 27 to May 6) are the best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. Crowds should decrease, especially in mid-May, after the holidays.
April to May, and into June, is the cherry blossom season in Japan—a time of pleasant days with moderate temperatures. In late June, Japan enters the rainy season, so be sure to keep your eye on the weather.
For fewer crowds and pleasant weather, we recommend visiting from April to mid-June, before the rainy season begins, and excluding the Golden Week holidays.

☀️July to September: Osaka’s summer is HOT! Heatstroke precautions are a must.
Osaka is one of the hottest cities in Japan. Temperatures begin to rise at the end of the rainy season in mid-July, with scorching days continuing through September. Daily summer highs often exceed 35℃, and in some years, they can reach 38℃ to 40℃.
If you’re visiting the Expo from July to September, make sure to prepare for the heat. Wear hats and use parasols for shade, purchase ice packs or cooling sprays (available at convenience stores), stay hydrated, and take regular breaks to keep cool.

📅Plan your schedule around the events that interest you.
Osaka Expo features numerous events almost every day, including the opening special live performance by the renowned Japanese singer, Ado. What’s even better is that these music events don’t require a separate fee! In addition to daily live performances and spectacular shows, be sure to check out National Days and Special Days, where official participants showcase their countries, organizations, cultures, and traditions.

👇If you’re unsure when to visit the Expo, check the event calendar to find the events that interest you!
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/events/

Visitors can glimpse the future through the scientific and technological advancements showcased at the Expo pavilions. In this section, we spotlight pavilions that celebrate Japan’s unique culture of anime characters and gaming.

“Thank You, Life” is the design concept behind Pasona Group’s pavilion, “PASONA NATUREVERSE” (Nature x Universe).

Explore exhibits on the “Future of Sleep” and “Future of Medical Care” under the themes of “Body, Mind, and Bonds”, and discover the history of life and the future of healthcare.

Navigators of the Pasona Group Pavilion are two iconic heroes created by Osamu Tezuka, one of the most famous Japanese manga artists, often called the “father of manga”. His award-winning series Astro Boy and Black Jack laid the foundation for Japanese manga and anime, which are now cherished worldwide.

Astro Boy, an android boy with a heart, guides you around the entire pavilion. Learn the history of life and explore human wisdom and futuristic societal designs with Astro, while reflecting on your gratitude for life.

As the navigator of the Body Zone, the genius surgeon Black Jack guides you through the iPS-cell-derived iPS Heart and the cutting edge technologies shaping the future of healthcare. “What is life? “What is happiness? What makes a truly rich society?” Explore these philosophical questions about humankind with Black Jack.

PASONA NATUREVERSE is a must-see pavilion where you can reflect on the history and significance of life while experiencing the future of medical care. Don’t miss the chance to meet Astro Boy and Black Jack♪

👇PASONA NATUREVERSE Official Homepage
https://www.pasonagroup.co.jp/english/expo/

GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION is presented by Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

Here, you can visually experience life in space, as depicted in the popular Japanese anime series, Mobile Suite Gundam. Take a space elevator to easily reach the Space Station, live alongside mobile suits, and immerse yourself in the Gundam universe.

It’s an exciting opportunity to share the futuristic world with Gundam and people from around the globe!

The pavilion’s exterior is designed to resemble a futuristic space airport. Standing next to it is a 17-meter-tall, life-size Gundam. With its arm reaching high toward the sky, it symbolizes the boundless possibilities of the universe and the future. Be sure to snap a photo with Gundam after exploring the pavilion.

👇GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION Official Homepage
https://www.bandainamco.co.jp/en/gundam-next-future-pavilion/index.php

Developed exclusively for the Osaka Expo by Osaka’s own gaming company, CAPCOM, MONSTER HUNTER BRIDGE at Osaka Healthcare Pavilion’s XD HALL is the only place in the world where you can fully immerse yourself in the world of the popular Monster Hunter video game.

The XD HALL is a cylinder-shaped theater measuring 12 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height. State-of-the-art technology is used to create a space where you can experience the Monster Hunter world with all five senses. With dedicated AR devices, a 360-degree theater, immersive sound, and floor vibrations, encounters with intense monsters and interactions with Felyne incredibly realistic✨

It’s a unique experience where “dreams and reality become one” and it’s quickly gaining attention worldwide as an innovative, immersive adventure♪

👇MONSTER HUNTER BRIDGE Official Homepage
https://www.capcom-games.com/mh-bridge/en/

The Japan Gas Association’s Gas Pavilion Obake Wonderland offers a thrilling journey into the world of obake (ghost).

Put on your OBAKE googles and enjoy a 40-minute adventure in a world where you can have anything you desire, be it food, stylish items, or entertainment. This playful world reflects the consumer-driven society we live in.

Beyond the excitement, the pavilion carries a deeper message: for humanity to coexist with the Earth and shape a better future, we need to change our awareness and actions. Explore future technologies, learn about the importance of “transformation” (bakeru), and don’t miss the chance to meet the unique and charming ghosts (obake)♪

👇Gas Pavilion Obake Wonderland Official Homepage
https://www.gaspavilion.gas.or.jp/en/

The Osaka, Kansai Expo aims to be an “Expo without lines”. Be sure to check how to make reservations, as advanced booking is required for pavilions.

The three types of advance lotteries and reservations—2-Month Advance Lottery, 7-Day Advance Lottery, and Available Slot Reservations (first-come, first-served)—allow you to enter a lottery or make a reservation after booking your visit. Additionally, Same-Day Registration lets you make reservations once you’ve entered the venue.

👇See details on pavilion lotteries and reservations here.
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/reservation/

Start by purchasing an Admission Ticket then reserve a visit to a pavilion or event!

Now that you know when to visit the Osaka Expo and which pavilions to check out, don’t miss the unique experiences exclusive to the event! Be sure to book early for admission and pavilion access♪

In Osaka Expo Guide Part 2, we’ll cover daily entertainment shows, on-site coverage of the flying car, and introduce Yumeshima Station, the closest subway station to the Expo site. Stay tuned✨

※Please note the information provided in the article is current as of March 21, 2025 and subject to change without notice.