The 2025 World Expo, Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo) is scheduled to open on April 13, 2025. Prior to the opening, it was open to the media.
In front of the East Gate/©FASHION HEADLINE
This year's Osaka-Kansai Expo will see the participation of 158 countries and regions, and nine international organizations. The site is located in Yumeshima, about a 40-minute subway ride from Shin-Osaka. Various pavilions are lined up both inside and outside the "Large Roof Ring," a roughly 2-kilometer-long structure that is one of the main attractions. We'd like to introduce some of the pavilions that our editorial team visited.
Miyakumiyaku Objects©FASHION HEADLINE
France Pavilion
The France Pavilion, sponsored by LVMH, features installations and exhibits from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine, and more. The Louis Vuitton section features this immersive installation designed by Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu (OMA), a space where 84 wardrobe trunks are displayed, surrounding Rodin's Cathedral.
Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk©FASHION HEADLINE
In the second space, the Trunk Sphere invites visitors on a fantastical journey of the senses through soundscapes and walls brought to life by a video work created by Daito Manabe.
Sphere on a Trunk/©FASHION HEADLINE
The Dior section is a magnificent odyssey, reflecting the excellence of Parisian haute couture and paying homage to artisanal craftsmanship and handiwork. Here, a Rodin sculpture; the timeless "Bar" suit, a symbol of Dior elegance, available in three variations – blue, white and red – and the legendary tricolor amphora bottle, designed by Christian Dior in 1949 and reissued for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, each pay tribute to the beauty of movement.
©FASHION HEADLINE
Also featured at the heart of the installation will be the Lady Dior collection, designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima in 2024, and around 400 iconic white toile pieces, which are three-dimensional renderings of silhouette sketches, alongside iconic Dior fragrance bottles reinterpreted using 3D printing.
Lady Dior by Kazuyo Sejima /©FASHION HEADLINE
In the Celine section, Celine's iconic symbol, the Triomphe, is reinterpreted to incorporate Japan's illustrious history and vibrant modernity, representing the cultural exchange between Japanese artists and the Celine emblem. Through a dialogue between the traditional Japanese craft of lacquer and the Maison's Triomphe emblem, this symbolic journey, expressed visually and conceptually, bridges rich tradition with contemporary art, shedding light on the unparalleled savoir-faire that lies at the heart of everything Celine does, and on its 55-year relationship with Japan.
Lacquer "Triomphe" /©FASHION HEADLINE
Women's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier
The Women's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier will focus on women's visionary vision and their essential role in driving global development, advancing equality and leading new generations. In line with the Expo's theme, the concept is "Together, for a brighter future," highlighting women's transformative power and their perspectives and potential in shaping a better future.
Exterior /©FASHION HEADLINE
The Women's Pavilion was designed by architect Yuko Nagayama and serves as a symbolic bridge between tradition and modernity. The façade, inspired by the traditional Japanese woodworking technique of kumiko, featured in the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, has been reused for the Women's Pavilion, embodying Cartier's unwavering commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Exterior/©FASHION HEADLINE
Inside the pavilion, guests are invited to voice-register their names, and their identities become part of the story. Visitors are invited to listen to the stories of three women of different nationalities and ages, encouraging reflection and ultimately linking their experience to broader, universal global issues. This immersive experience bridges individual engagement with a call to collective action, amplifying the message of the Women's Pavilion far beyond physical and temporal boundaries.
©FASHION HEADLINE
Nordic Pavilion
The Nordic Pavilion is a pavilion jointly operated by five countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Visitors are greeted by a giant 360-degree screen in the exhibition hall, made from rice paper made from uneaten rice. Photographs of everyday life in the Nordic countries and videos of the four seasons are projected onto the screen. Furthermore, the room temperature and scents are designed to recreate a Nordic summer, creating an immersive experience that allows visitors to experience Scandinavia with all five senses.
Exterior / ©FASHION HEADLINE
The rooftop restaurant on the third floor, "The Nordic Food Bar," offers a special culinary experience that combines everyday Nordic flavors with Japanese elements. Furthermore, with a vision of "zero food waste," the restaurant has created a dining space that pursues sustainability. The food menu includes skagen, a traditional Nordic open sandwich. The cafe menu includes semla, a Swedish spring treat, and waffles with Norwegian brown cheese. A kids' menu with hot dogs and meatballs is also available.
Dessert Menu/©FASHION HEADLINE
Furthermore, the official uniforms will be designed by Finnish brands Marimekko and VIBAe, as well as Swedish brand H&M, giving the uniforms of the staff, who are the face of the pavilion, a strong presence and welcoming guests in a friendly, Nordic style.
Wearing uniform/©FASHION HEADLINE
Top: Marimekko
Trousers: H&M
Footwear: VIBAe
Bag: Marimekko
UN Pavilion
The UN Pavilion brings together 35 UN agencies and 15 UN Secretariat departments to present a variety of exhibits and programs under the theme "Mankind is strongest when united (United for a Better Future)." UNIQLO will provide the uniforms for the venue attendants. Based on a traditional preppy style that blends in with the UN Pavilion, this piece has been updated with a modern basic style, with attention to silhouette, details, and texture.
©FASHION HEADLINE
The chest of the jacket is adorned with a UN Pavilion logo patch created by "MADE51," a handicraft brand run by refugees. The logo features a white dove carrying an olive branch, and the leaves on the olive branch are designed to resemble the goal colors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Eye-catching pavilions and venue scenes
Each pavilion was elaborately designed, with LED panels used for video displays on the exterior walls and many wooden decorations.
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The 2025 World Expo, Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo) will be held for 184 days, from Sunday, April 13th to Monday, October 13th.
In front of the East Gate/©FASHION HEADLINEThis year's Osaka-Kansai Expo will see the participation of 158 countries and regions, and nine international organizations. The site is located in Yumeshima, about a 40-minute subway ride from Shin-Osaka. Various pavilions are lined up both inside and outside the "Large Roof Ring," a roughly 2-kilometer-long structure that is one of the main attractions. We'd like to introduce some of the pavilions that our editorial team visited.
Miyakumiyaku Objects©FASHION HEADLINEFrance Pavilion
The France Pavilion, sponsored by LVMH, features installations and exhibits from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine, and more. The Louis Vuitton section features this immersive installation designed by Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu (OMA), a space where 84 wardrobe trunks are displayed, surrounding Rodin's Cathedral.
Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk©FASHION HEADLINEIn the second space, the Trunk Sphere invites visitors on a fantastical journey of the senses through soundscapes and walls brought to life by a video work created by Daito Manabe.
Sphere on a Trunk/©FASHION HEADLINEThe Dior section is a magnificent odyssey, reflecting the excellence of Parisian haute couture and paying homage to artisanal craftsmanship and handiwork. Here, a Rodin sculpture; the timeless "Bar" suit, a symbol of Dior elegance, available in three variations – blue, white and red – and the legendary tricolor amphora bottle, designed by Christian Dior in 1949 and reissued for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, each pay tribute to the beauty of movement.
©FASHION HEADLINEAlso featured at the heart of the installation will be the Lady Dior collection, designed by architect Kazuyo Sejima in 2024, and around 400 iconic white toile pieces, which are three-dimensional renderings of silhouette sketches, alongside iconic Dior fragrance bottles reinterpreted using 3D printing.
Lady Dior by Kazuyo Sejima /©FASHION HEADLINEIn the Celine section, Celine's iconic symbol, the Triomphe, is reinterpreted to incorporate Japan's illustrious history and vibrant modernity, representing the cultural exchange between Japanese artists and the Celine emblem. Through a dialogue between the traditional Japanese craft of lacquer and the Maison's Triomphe emblem, this symbolic journey, expressed visually and conceptually, bridges rich tradition with contemporary art, shedding light on the unparalleled savoir-faire that lies at the heart of everything Celine does, and on its 55-year relationship with Japan.
Lacquer "Triomphe" /©FASHION HEADLINEWomen's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier
The Women's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier will focus on women's visionary vision and their essential role in driving global development, advancing equality and leading new generations. In line with the Expo's theme, the concept is "Together, for a brighter future," highlighting women's transformative power and their perspectives and potential in shaping a better future.
Exterior /©FASHION HEADLINEThe Women's Pavilion was designed by architect Yuko Nagayama and serves as a symbolic bridge between tradition and modernity. The façade, inspired by the traditional Japanese woodworking technique of kumiko, featured in the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, has been reused for the Women's Pavilion, embodying Cartier's unwavering commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Exterior/©FASHION HEADLINEInside the pavilion, guests are invited to voice-register their names, and their identities become part of the story. Visitors are invited to listen to the stories of three women of different nationalities and ages, encouraging reflection and ultimately linking their experience to broader, universal global issues. This immersive experience bridges individual engagement with a call to collective action, amplifying the message of the Women's Pavilion far beyond physical and temporal boundaries.
©FASHION HEADLINENordic Pavilion
The Nordic Pavilion is a pavilion jointly operated by five countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Visitors are greeted by a giant 360-degree screen in the exhibition hall, made from rice paper made from uneaten rice. Photographs of everyday life in the Nordic countries and videos of the four seasons are projected onto the screen. Furthermore, the room temperature and scents are designed to recreate a Nordic summer, creating an immersive experience that allows visitors to experience Scandinavia with all five senses.
Exterior / ©FASHION HEADLINEThe rooftop restaurant on the third floor, "The Nordic Food Bar," offers a special culinary experience that combines everyday Nordic flavors with Japanese elements. Furthermore, with a vision of "zero food waste," the restaurant has created a dining space that pursues sustainability. The food menu includes skagen, a traditional Nordic open sandwich. The cafe menu includes semla, a Swedish spring treat, and waffles with Norwegian brown cheese. A kids' menu with hot dogs and meatballs is also available.
Dessert Menu/©FASHION HEADLINEFurthermore, the official uniforms will be designed by Finnish brands Marimekko and VIBAe, as well as Swedish brand H&M, giving the uniforms of the staff, who are the face of the pavilion, a strong presence and welcoming guests in a friendly, Nordic style.
Wearing uniform/©FASHION HEADLINETop: Marimekko
Trousers: H&M
Footwear: VIBAe
Bag: Marimekko
UN Pavilion
The UN Pavilion brings together 35 UN agencies and 15 UN Secretariat departments to present a variety of exhibits and programs under the theme "Mankind is strongest when united (United for a Better Future)." UNIQLO will provide the uniforms for the venue attendants. Based on a traditional preppy style that blends in with the UN Pavilion, this piece has been updated with a modern basic style, with attention to silhouette, details, and texture.
©FASHION HEADLINEThe chest of the jacket is adorned with a UN Pavilion logo patch created by "MADE51," a handicraft brand run by refugees. The logo features a white dove carrying an olive branch, and the leaves on the olive branch are designed to resemble the goal colors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
©FASHION HEADLINEEye-catching pavilions and venue scenes
Each pavilion was elaborately designed, with LED panels used for video displays on the exterior walls and many wooden decorations.
©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINE©FASHION HEADLINEThe 2025 World Expo, Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo) will be held for 184 days, from Sunday, April 13th to Monday, October 13th.
2025 World Expo, Japan (Osaka-Kansai Expo)
Dates: Sunday, April 13th - Monday, October 13th
Venue: Yumeshima, Osaka
Access (Train):
*The Osaka Metro Chuo Line is a train line that runs directly to Yumeshima Station (C09), in front of the venue (East Gate).
■For those using the Shinkansen
・From JR Shin-Osaka Station (A46), take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (A47), change at Osaka Station to the Osaka Loop Line (inner loop) to JR Bentencho Station (O15), change at Bentencho Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
・From Osaka Metro Shin-Osaka Station (M13), take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi Station (M18), change at Hommachi Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
■For those using an airplane
・From JR Kansai Airport Station (S47), take the JR Kansai Airport Line or Hanwa Line to Tennoji Station (R20), change at Tennoji Station to the Osaka Loop Line (outer loop) to JR Bentencho Station (O15), change at Bentencho Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
・From Nankai Kansai Airport Station (NK32), take the Nankai Airport Line or Nankai Main Line to Namba Station (NK01), transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line at Namba Station, and transfer to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line at Hommachi Station (M18).
Dates: Sunday, April 13th - Monday, October 13th
Venue: Yumeshima, Osaka
Access (Train):
*The Osaka Metro Chuo Line is a train line that runs directly to Yumeshima Station (C09), in front of the venue (East Gate).
■For those using the Shinkansen
・From JR Shin-Osaka Station (A46), take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (A47), change at Osaka Station to the Osaka Loop Line (inner loop) to JR Bentencho Station (O15), change at Bentencho Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
・From Osaka Metro Shin-Osaka Station (M13), take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi Station (M18), change at Hommachi Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
■For those using an airplane
・From JR Kansai Airport Station (S47), take the JR Kansai Airport Line or Hanwa Line to Tennoji Station (R20), change at Tennoji Station to the Osaka Loop Line (outer loop) to JR Bentencho Station (O15), change at Bentencho Station to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.
・From Nankai Kansai Airport Station (NK32), take the Nankai Airport Line or Nankai Main Line to Namba Station (NK01), transfer to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line at Namba Station, and transfer to the Osaka Metro Chuo Line at Hommachi Station (M18).
