Inside Osaka Expo with Shymaa Ep. 1:
Iconic GUNDAM, Sudan Pavilion & SUNTORY PARK CAFE

I met up with my friend Sean at Yumeshima Station at 8:30 in the morning.
From the well-marked signage to the carefully planned pathways, it was clear how much effort has gone into designing the station—all to ensure guests have the safe and best possible experience at the Osaka Expo. The attention to safety and the responsive staff were also outstanding. I was buzzing with excitement and couldn’t wait to dive this event—it was a great place to kick off our adventure!

We visited my home country’s pavilion, Sudan Pavilion, located in one of the Commons Pavilions, which host the pavilions of various nations. The Commons-D Pavilion showcases countries from Africa, Asia, and South America.

It was refreshing to speak Arabic with fellow Sudanese at the pavilion! I wanted my friend Sean to learn about my country, and I asked him what he knew about Sudan. Located in the northeastern region of Africa, Sudan is the third largest country on the continent. Its vast land area is five times the size of Japan and is home to more pyramids than Egypt. The water cascading over the large “SUDAN” sculptural signage at the pavilion symbolizes the Nile—the world’s longest river—that gracefully flows through my country.

Give this traditional drum a try! Drums are at the heart of Sudan’s rich musical tradition. Isn’t the sound beautiful? These vibrant instruments are used to express emotions through rhythm. At Sudanese weddings and celebrations, songs, dances, and drumbeats fill the air, uniting everyone in harmony.

This is Balafon. It’s made of wood, similar to the Japanese wooden mokkin zylophone. I love the warm sound of Balafon.

This chair is a piece of traditional Sudanese wood carving craft, featuring intricate carvings of an elephant. Animals are often used in our art because our lives have been deeply intertwined with nature, and we have lived closely with animals. Elephants symbolize wisdom and longevity in our culture.

I want more people to learn about my country! Sudan may be far away from Japan, but it’s my beloved home, where everything—from food and language to traditions and clothing—is deeply rooted in a rich diversity. The exhibit at the pavilion highlights a small glimpse of Sudan, but there’s so much more to explore!

The original plan for the pavilion included the exhibits of traditional attires and textiles. While it’s a little disappointing that these exhibits haven’t come to life yet, I look forward to seeing them on my next visit! I think adding these exhibits will help showcase my culture in a more colorful and profound way. I hope everyone returns to see it!

The souvenir shop at the Sudan Pavilion is full of fun!
Make sure to check out the lovely cat-themed ornaments and our proud leather products!

As a Muslim, I eat halal, in accordance with the teachings of Islam. Sean did some research and found SUNTORY PARK CAFE, located near the West Gate Zone. We went early and managed to get a table right away.

The café is a spacious, open green area designed to resemble a park. From the terrace seating, guests can enjoy a panoramic view of the Grand Ring and the sea. The way nature is incorporated into the design of this café perfectly aligns with Suntory’s slogan, “Sustained by Nature and Water”.

I had to order a Myaku-Myaku Lemonade. This exclusive Osaka Expo drink features an illustration of Myaku-Myaku within the lemonade, created using the cutting-edge 3D printer Lidris, developed by Suntory. If you look closely, you can see an orange-flavored Myaku-Myaku design drawn with the special machine. I love the line art representation of Myaku-Myaku. The refreshing citrus flavor is perfect for summer with just the right amount of sweetness.

For lunch, Sean had a hard time choosing between the big hot dog and the Kobe Beef Croquette Dog, but in the end, he went for the croquette. Crispy panko coated the juicy, umami-packed Kobe beef—it looked amazing, and he said it tasted superb!

I had a Soy Meatball Curry Dog. I’m glad their inclusive menu offers vegan options. The combination of spicy curry and soy meat was exquisite—I really enjoyed it!

We had a wonderful lunch and relaxed in the cozy comfort of the cafe. Be sure to go early to avoid the crowds and enjoy this hidden gem!

I let out a cry without thinking the moment I saw it near the West Gate! I was beyond excited—it was Gundum!!! It was so tall, so beautiful. Kneeling on one knee yet towering at 17 meters high, the life-sized Gundum had one arm raised high towards the sky, looking incredibly cool. I never realized how massive the mobile suit was!

Upon taking a closer look, I noticed steam coming out of the chest ducts, adding a realistic touch to the experience. It’s definitely one of the Expo’s standout attractions. Of course, I had to snap a photo with Sean—I’m sure everyone at the Expo does the same thing, haha!

We entered the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION, the highlight of my day! Leaflets were handed out at the entrance, and the monitors gave us a glimpse into the world we were about to experience. I knew I was stepping into the world of one of my favorite anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam, and I could hardly contain my excitement!

Robot characters Exce and Poe welcome you from a big monitor in the next room. Get it? When said together, these two little guides’ names form the word “Expo”! I love the playful touch.

The exhibit is set during the Universal Century, and visitors travel from the space port Yumeshima Terminal to the space station Star Jaburo via one of the five orbital elevators.
I mentally prepared myself and blurted out the famous line: “I’m going!” Sean nodded gracefully in acknowledgment.

Inside the round orbital elevators, monitors above and around you show the rapidly changing scenery—from the bustling Osaka City to the vastness of space. With fast-moving displays and vibrating floors, it really felt like we were blasting 36,000 kilometers into space! I loved it!

We safely arrived at the Space Station Star Jaburo. I was enjoying the view of the space through the windows… and I saw Gundam’s enemy, Zeong, rapidly approaching!! We were thrown into an intense battle! It got so dangerous, we had no choice but to move on to the next phase.

I did manage to find a moment to marvel at the interior of the room. The intricate details that brought the world of Gundam to life were absolutely stunning! Huge kudos to Bandai Namco—impressive work!

We arrived at the Emergency Escape Pod. Surrounded by windows on all sides, we could see what was happening outside in space. Then, our Gundam appeared! The battle with Zeong began, and the visuals were amazing, with the sound amplifying the intensity. The floor vibrated in synch with each move in the fight, and I couldn’t help but shout out in excitement.

The final scene left me speechless… Gundam’s words truly touched me. I can’t recommend this experience enough!

As we exited, we caught a glimpse of the back of the life-sized Gundam. It looked just as cool from behind!
We turned around to take one last look at the Gundam statue after leaving the pavilion. Now that we understood why it was there, I admired it even more. “Thank you for protecting us, Gundam!” I was completely satisfied after 50 minutes of excitement at the pavilion. Be sure to take a picture underneath Gundam and don’t miss the shot of its back too!

The GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION is a rare, immersive attraction at the Osaka Expo— a true dream come true for Gundam fans. And yes, all the rumors are true! Even if you are not familiar with Gundam, this pavilion offers a glimpse into the actual plans for space exploration!

＜Recommended For You!＞
■Click here for Inside Osaka Expo with Sean Ep. 1: Monster Hunter, Sweets & More
■Click here for Inside Osaka Expo with Sean Ep. 2: Ireland Pavilion, the Grand Ring, and More!