How to Visit Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan: Helping You to Plan

The world´s fair Expo will take place in Osaka in April 2025, which is just under 6 months away. You might be wondering how to plan the perfect visit to the Expo. Well, look no further. In this article, we'll give you all the information you need and keep it updated.

Is Expo 2025 Osaka Worth Visiting?

Yes! You could expect the usual Expo features, such as special architectural designs from different countries, cutting-edge technology, and diverse cultures.

The Osaka Expo also provides unique Japanese experiences in one spot. These include traditional Japanese weddings, sumo wrestling, and authentic Japanese performances. If you can't attend the Expo but still want to enjoy these, you might have to visit various locations.

What's more, April is the cherry blossom season in Osaka. It offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the Expo as well as the cherry blossoms.

The Best Times to Visit Expo 2025 Osaka

Expo 2025 Osaka will take place from April 13th to October 13th. The opening ceremony is on April 12th and the closing ceremony is on October 13th.

The best times to visit the Osaka Expo are April, May, June, and September.

April is the ideal time to visit if you could cope well with the crowds. You could catch the Expo opening ceremony and the cherry blossoms. Start your trip in Tokyo in early April, travel through the Mount Fuji region and Kyoto, and reach Osaka around April 13th. That way, you could enjoy both the cherry blossoms and the Expo begins.

May, June, and September are the low seasons with fewer crowds, mild temperatures, and more sunny days. Avoid visiting the Expo during Japan's Golden Week (April 29th to May 5th) due to large crowds, with 90% of visitors to the Expo being domestic.

From mid-July to August, you would face big crowds as it's Japan's summer vacation time. The weather is hot and humid, with daily temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F) and humidity around 68%. This combination would make you feel even hotter than the actual temperature.

October is the last month of the Osaka Expo. According to past Expo experiences in cities like Dubai and Shanghai, this month would attract more travelers.

How Many Days Should I Spend at Expo 2025 Osaka

The duration of the Expo depends on what you want to see. Typically, it takes 2–4 days, but that's only if you've already booked your tickets and pavilions.

One day at the Expo is too rushed. You might explore 1–2 pavilions at most due to potential issues like traffic jams, long queues for entry to both the venue and popular pavilions, and the walking distance within the expansive spaces. It would be a shame to travel all the way to Japan and only see a few pavilions.

We recommend planning a 2-day visit. This would give you enough time to explore 3–4 pavilions at your own pace. Additionally, you could enjoy some performances based on your interests.

If you want to explore some fun activities as well, you might need to plan for 3–4 days. You could visit most of the pavilions you're interested in and enjoy cool experiences, such as witnessing the 16-meter (52-foot) high Gundam or Chopin concert.

How to Buy Expo 2025 Osaka Tickets

Before buying your tickets, here's what you need to know:

• Tickets specify the entrance gate: East Gate or West Gate
• Tickets specify the entrance time: The Expo is open daily from 9am to 10pm. Some tickets require admission after 11am, while evening tickets allow entry after 5pm.
• Admission dates are specified for most tickets.
• Tickets bought online are e-tickets.
• Tickets cannot be canceled.
• A ticket transfer service is available: You could transfer your tickets to a family member or friend if you are unable to go.

Where to Buy Tickets?

You could buy tickets on the official Expo 2025 Osaka website.

What Are the Ticket Types?

1. One-Day Ticket: You could buy it before the Expo or after the Expo begins.

2. Multiple-Entry Pass: It has two options, allowing you to visit multiple times during the specified period. It has to be purchased before the Expo starts.

• Summer Pass: July 19th to August 31st
• Season Pass: April 13th to October 13th

3. Early Bird One-Day Ticket: Purchase this before April 12th, 2025. The default entrance is the East Gate at 9am and you could change the entrance gate up to 6 months in advance.

When to Buy Tickets?

Tickets can be bought before the Expo opens (April 12th) or after it begins.

Buying tickets before the Expo:

You have the option to purchase advance tickets, which include an Opening Ticket, a First-Half Period Ticket, an Early Bird One-Day Ticket, a Summer Pass, and a Season Pass.

Purchasing tickets before the Expo opens on April 12th, 2025, is cheaper than buying them after the Expo starts. However, your tickets could not be canceled; they could only be transferred to a family member or friend if you are unable to go.

Buying tickets during the Expo:

You could only buy One-Day Tickets at a higher price. If you wish to buy a Multiple-Entry Pass, it must be purchased before the Expo starts.

Can I Buy Tickets on the Spot?

There is no information yet on whether tickets will be available at the Osaka Expo.

Our Tips for Buying Tickets

1. Buy tickets before the Expo starts for the best prices. If you purchase during the Expo, you could only buy One-Day Tickets, which are more expensive than advance tickets.

2. For multiple visits, here are some suggestions:

• If you're planning to visit the Expo twice between July 19th and August 31st, the Summer Pass is your best money-saving option.
• If you intend to explore four times or more during the Expo period, opt for the Season Pass as it´s the most cost-effective.
• If you're looking to visit two or three times but not between July 19th and August 31st, the One-Day Ticket is perfect for you.

Where to Stay for Expo 2025 Osaka

When choosing a hotel, consider the location first. Due to the large crowds during the Expo, traffic jams are likely. It's strongly recommended to opt for hotels with easy access to the Expo and other popular attractions.

We recommend that you stay in the Umeda area, around Hommachi Station and the Osaka Bay area that´s close to the Expo site.

The Umeda area is a top recommendation in Osaka. Situated downtown, it offers easy access to major attractions like Dotonbori and Namba. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the Expo site with one transfer. Moreover, the area boasts a variety of hotels and dining options to choose from.

• Recommended hotel: Hotel Granvia Osaka

If you prefer to go directly to the Expo, stay around Hommachi Station along the Chuo Line. The Chuo Line goes to the Osaka Expo site. There, you could also easily reach famous spots like Osaka Castle and Namba. The area mainly offers 3- and 4-star hotels, with only a few 5-star options available.

• Recommended hotel: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu in Honmachi

If you're looking to stay near the Expo, the Osaka Bay area is your best option. However, this area has fewer hotels, there´s not much to explore around the area, and it takes about 30-40 minutes to reach other downtown sites. Therefore, if you're planning to stay at just one hotel in Osaka, we don't recommend staying there.

Avoid staying in the Nishinari Ward area as it is not convenient for visiting the Expo and other attractions. Additionally, it is a less secure neighborhood, which may not be suitable for travelers.

How to Get to Expo 2025 Osaka

There are three ways to reach the Osaka Expo: subway, shuttle bus/airport bus, and private transfer. The subway is recommended as it avoids traffic jams. Buses and private transfers may get stuck in traffic, resulting in longer times on the road.

Subway

The Osaka Metro Chuo Line connects the downtown area with the Expo. The Yumeshima Station for Expo 2025 Osaka will begin operating from about mid-January 2025. This line passes by Osaka Castle and through Honmachi. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach the Expo from Hommachi Station. The subway station is close to the East Gate.

Shuttle Bus

The shuttle bus takes about 50–60 minutes to reach the Expo site, depending on traffic. There are nine major shuttle bus stations. Two of the most convenient ones for travelers are Shin-Osaka Station and Namba Station. The bus station at the Expo is located near the West Gate.

Universal Studios Japan is also close to the Expo. You could take the shuttle bus from Sakurajima Station to the venue.

Airport Bus

You could easily transfer from Kansai International Airport to the venue. There are plans for 13 buses to run daily. More details will be provided once official information is released.

Private Transfer

Avoid taking a private car to the venue. The parking lot is located far away and requires a reservation. After parking, you would need to take a shuttle bus to reach the venue.

FAQs for Visiting the Expo Site

Which Pavilions/Experiences Are Recommended?

Based on the official information released, we think the pavilions of Japan and Future of Life as well as the Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion are great. They allow you to have interactions with cutting-edge technology, such as robots, and take memorable photos.

Additionally, the VR experience at Obake Wonderland and the ANIMA! floor vibration at Live Earth Journey seems interesting.

Can I Reserve the Pavilion in Advance?

Yes, you could book each pavilion in advance after purchasing your tickets. We recommend making a reservation ahead of time to avoid waiting in long lines. Some pavilions may only accept reservations, such as the Japan Pavilion during the 2020 Expo.

Which Pavilions Are Likely to Be Crowded?

It's hard to predict which pavilions would be crowded this time. However, based on past expos, here are some popular ones:

• Most crowded pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai: Japan, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy.
• Crowded pavilions at Expo 2016 Antalya: Italy, Germany, China, and France.

From Which Gates Should I Enter the Expo Site?

At the Osaka Expo, you could enter through two gates: the East Gate and the West Gate.

• East Gate: Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, which goes by Osaka Castle and Honmachi.
• West Gate: Use shuttle buses from Shin-Osaka, Namba, and Universal Studios Japan, or take the airport bus from Kansai International Airport.

Insider Tips to Make Your Japan Trip Better

1. Book your hotels and tours at least 3 months in advance. That way, you could reserve a hotel in a great location as near to the original price as possible. If you're looking to reserve a high-class restaurant, make your reservation 3 months in advance too — some may even require booking up to 6 months in advance.

2. Avoid visiting the Osaka Expo during Golden Week (April 29th to May 5th), the summer vacation (mid-July to August), and weekends. These are peak times when Osaka and the Expo are crowded with domestic visitors as 90% of visitors are from Japan.

3. Besides the Expo, here are some recommended day trip or 2-day trip destinations around Osaka:

• Kobe
• Nara
• Hiroshima
• Kumano Kodo