Inside Osaka Expo with Shymaa Ep. 2:
Better Co-Being & PASONA NATUREVERSE

As you walk toward the center of the venue at Expo, you suddenly notice a change in the air. The artificial bustle of the Expo fades behind you, and you’re embraced by the warmth of trees and greenery. At that moment, you’ve stepped into the Forest of Tranquility. The eight Signature Pavilions nestle harmoniously in this natural oasis, each one embodying the Expo’s theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

The Better Co-Being Pavilion blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Together with Sean, we wondered where the entrance might be, our excitement growing as we found our way into the pavilion I knew I couldn’t miss.

Better Co-Being: A Message for the Future

The name of the pavilion caught my attention—Better, Co-, Being. It spoke of being together, living in resonance—a better future.
The theme of the pavilion is “Resonance of Lives”, a grand and poetic concept for creating a shared future. I had been eagerly anticipating this moment, ready to immerse myself in such a meaningful experience.

Echorb—The Pulse of Life in Your Hand

After checking in, the staff guided us to our seats and provided a thorough instruction as we accessed the web app on our phones. We were then we were handed an echorb, a magical pebble that shines like a rainbow.

Just the right size to fit in my hand, the echorb looked mysterious, almost alive. I could feel what seemed like a heartbeat and soon it began to resemble a heart itself. A strange sensation overcame me, as if my arms were being pulled gently outward. It was an unfamiliar experience. It turns out, the chair I was sitting in contained sensors inside that detected my pulse and transmitted it to the echorb.

The small device uses cutting-edge technology to create resonance, sensing movements through my palm and inducing illusions in my brain. As I realized my pulse was being stored in the echorb, I felt warmth in my heart, knowing that my very life was contained in this tiny, magical object.

The echorb became my partner for the experience that was about to unfold. I looked up to the clear blue sky and took a deep breath under the vast open space, with no roof or walls in sight. Together with Sean and five others, I embarked on our journey into the three resonant experiences!

The Three Resonant Experiences: Connecting with Others, the World, and the Future

Experience① Resonance between People――Invisible Bonds through Red Threads

Guided by the echorb, we arrived in an area where red threads stretched in many layers. Each individual thread glowed in bright red, asserting its presence. Among them, we noticed letters from different languages of the world, as if pieces of cultures were woven into the threads. In Japan, red threads symbolize a connection to someone special, but here, I felt they were reconstructed, in resonance with the presence of diverse cultures and people.

The app displayed that I had resonated with someone I don’t know—I was happy to discover I had made a connection. This experience showcased the sense of co-living, where my awareness of my connection with others was heightened.

Experience② Resonance between People and the World――Surrounded by the Voices of the World

As we moved into the next zone, we heard voices —some deep, some high-pitched—speaking in different languages, counting down. It was a sound installation featuring over 40 languages.
For someone like me, who traveled from Sudan to Japan, this experience felt particularly special. As a member of the world, and as an individual living through their own flow of time, each of us walks to a different rhythm. This difference is what makes us beautiful, embodying the potential to resonate with one another.
Here, in this space, you connect with the world, through time and through voice. My heart felt quiet, yet it was full. I was deeply moved.

Experience③ Resonance between People and the Future――A Miracle Created with Light and Mist

Then we were met with a blinding light. Sun catchers hung from countless wires, reflecting natural light in every direction. Each one had its own unique shape, and their expressions shifted with the weather. Under the clear sky, the art installation dazzled with brilliance. I stood there, admiring it.

Two groups merged here. Out of nowhere, mist enveloped us, and we found ourselves standing in a dreamlike space.

Then, we saw a rainbow‼

It was a once-in-a-lifetime, futuristic experience. Screaming in joy, we shared this moment of miracle—with Sean and those I had just met. Perhaps this was the resonance between people and the future—a moment of pure bliss.

A Sphere of Resonance

At the end of the three sequences we experienced, there stood a large sphere, standing still in front of us. Our resonance—me, Sean, and the others in our group—gathered here and were projected as a color onto the sphere. Our color was a beautiful gradient blue. Thinking of the color of the sky and the rainbow we had seen, it felt like proof that we had connected and became one. I was deeply satisfied with both the depth of our experience and the quality of the art, which beautifully depicted our resonance.

It was a bittersweet moment when I had to part with the echorb. In exchange, we were handed a souvenir. The packaging was futuristic with vibrant colors! Inside, we found a neo-futuristic drink—I couldn’t help but wonder what it would taste like.

A Bridge to the Future

The Better Co-Being Pavilion offers an innovative experience that perfectly captures the essence of the Expo, one in which technology and art come together seamlessly.
What impressed me most was the echorb—a small pebble-like device that senses your pulse and creates resonance. This magical object is a bridge to the future, embodying hidden potential for a variety of fields such as tourism, medicine, and education. How exciting is that?!

With new technological revolutions and the birth of new industries anticipated after the Expo, immersive technologies like the echorb might be at the forefront of this change. The pursuit of innovative technology and human connection is truly inspiring, and I have the utmost respect for those Japanese companies that developed it.

The PASONA NATUREVERSE Pavilion was my top destination at the Expo. As a student and researcher, I had the opportunity to work on a project involving lung-derived iPS cells during my graduate studies, an achievement I’m deeply proud of, especially as it contributed to the field here in Japan. Needless to say, visiting this pavilion held a special significance for me.

In contrast to the massive Gundam statue at the West Gate, the building lay quietly, shaped like an ammonite. At the very edge of the spiral sat Astro Boy! I couldn’t help but wonder why the ammonite shape—until I eventually learned the meaning behind it. Astro Boy glowed in the light of the setting sun, prompting me to snap a picture.
The theme was “Thank you, Life”. Simple, deep, and warm. I was already touched.

A Grand Story of Life

We first entered a mysterious tunnel bathed in dark red light called the History of Life zone. Then, the Tree of Life Evolution appeared, radiating an overwhelming sense of presence. The large red tree is a homage to the Tower of the Sun, designed by Taro Okamoto for Expo 1970 Osaka, and is a striking recreation that blends modern aesthetics with advanced technology.

As we walked around to the front of the tree, I could no longer contain my curiosity. The tree trunk, resembling a blood vessel, showcased the history of life’s evolution, depicting the flow of life from the past, through the present, and into the future—in three dimensions. Fossils, ammonites, and bees lined the bottom, while iPhones, computer motherboards, insects and even the red giant sun adorned the top.

Beneath the surface, it felt as though the roots reached billions of years into the depths of time. An unsettling eeriness froze my feet in place, yet at the same time, I marveled at the weight and the wonders of life.

Ammolite—the Emblem of Life

Right next to the Tree of Life Evolution was the exhibit showcasing an iridescent ammolite—fossilized ammonite that had undergone millions of years of mineralization. It was the first time Sean and I had seen a real ammolite, and we were both impressed by its majestic form.

Born around 400 million years ago and having survived three mass extinctions, ammonites are true veterans of life! That’s right—that’s the very reason this pavilion is shaped like an ammonite. With Astro Boy sitting atop it, the architectural design symbolizes the journey of life—from the ammonites, an emblem of life, to Astro Boy, a symbol of the future.

Medicine of the Future, with Neo Astro Boy and Black Jack

We entered the Body Zone next. Unfolding on the large screen in front of us was the story of Black Jack using neo-futuristic medical technology to save Neo Astro Boy, who had fought to protect world peace. Astro Boy symbolizes the future and technology, while Black Jack embodies the integrity of medicine and humanity. The story required no prior knowledge of science, yet it masterfully conveyed the essence of cutting-edge medicine, both visually and emotionally.

My heart tightened when the little Astro Boy was hurt, but I felt a sense of relief and admiration when I saw his smile after Black Jack transplanted an iPS heart.

iPS Heart――The Pulse of the Future

The exhibit I was most eager to see in the area showcasing the future of medicine and the potential of the human body was the mini heart and the myocardial sheets, both cultivated with iPS cells. I gasped in awe as I watched the mini iPS heart pulse. The heart of the future was right before me, pulsing with life—I was overwhelmed.

No words can fully capture the profound impact it had on me. The first of its kind in Japan, this exhibit is the masterful showcase of the highest achievements in iPS cell technology, symbolizing the harmonious fusion between scientific innovation and human hope. This groundbreaking achievement is a source of pride for Japan, embodying the potential to save countless lives around the world. It is not just an advancement in medicine; it is the bridge of life that leads us to the future.

Visitors can also explore innovations like the Catheter of the Future and the Future of Sleep (smart bed). Seeing the wearable cyborg, designed to assist those with weakened physical functions due to illness, accidents, or aging, I was struck by the rapid progress of medical technology. It made me wonder how far this technology will continue to evolve.

The Mind/Bonds Zone

The future of medicine undoubtedly holds exciting promise to enrich our lives. Yet, there’s an undeniable coldness in its advancement that stirs anxiety within us. The NATUREVERSE show in the Mind/Bonds Zone helped bridge that gap.

As the cube-shaped monitor spun and transformed into various shapes, it projected vivid images in synch with sound, light, and even scent, creating a multi-sensory experience that engaged all five senses. But beyond the spectacle, the NATUREVERSE show left me with an important realization: that technology alone does not make our world rich. It’s the compassion and connection between people—the warmth of our hearts—that make technology meaningful.

“Thank You,” Science and Anime

At the PASONA NATUREVERSE pavilion, my passion for science and my love for anime came together in a powerful way, leaving me with an unforgettable memory. It was an experience where intellect and emotion connected deeply and hope for the future took shape.
I am truly grateful—”Thank you” from the bottom of my heart.

I sincerely hope that awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will grow after such a world-class event, and that the idea of a happier, healthier society will take root across the globe.
Sean! I’m definitely coming back to the Expo! Every pavilion reflects at least one of the SDGs, making it an incredible place for meaningful learning. I want to take full advantage of that opportunity and keep exploring the world more deeply and broadly.
With each new experience, my future feels a little richer—and I’ve got to enjoy every moment of it!

＜Recommended For You!＞
■Click here for Inside Osaka Expo with Shymaa Ep. 1: Iconic GUNDAM, Sudan Pavilion & SUNTORY PARK CAFE

■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!