We finally visited the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025! This article reports how much we could enjoy with same-day tickets only, without any advance reservations. We traveled from Tokyo by Shinkansen and spent a full day from morning until the night drone show. Here are 35 key points from our actual experience, presented chronologically✨

From Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen

1. Boarded Nozomi 295 departing at 7:09 AM

To enjoy the Expo from the morning, we took the early 7:09 AM Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi 295. This timing allows arrival well before the 10 AM opening.

2. Arrived at Shin-Osaka Station at 9:36 AM

After about 2.5 hours on the Shinkansen, we arrived at Shin-Osaka Station. This is where the journey to the Expo begins.

3. Used luggage storage service at Shin-Osaka Station

Walking around the Expo with heavy luggage is exhausting. Shin-Osaka Station has a convenient luggage storage service where you can leave suitcases and travel light to the Expo. Fees vary by luggage size, but this service is essential for enjoying the Expo all day.

From Yumeshima Station to Expo Venue

4. Took Osaka Metro Chuo Line to Yumeshima Station

From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Hommachi Station, then transfer to the Chuo Line to the terminal Yumeshima Station. Yumeshima Station is a newly built station for the Expo with a futuristic design.

5. Yumeshima Station gates use facial recognition system

A unique feature of Yumeshima Station is its advanced facial recognition system. If you register for facial recognition in advance, you can pass through the gates without touching your IC card. This is a moment to experience Expo-worthy cutting-edge technology.

6. Giant Myaku-Myaku statue at venue entrance

Walking from Yumeshima Station to the Expo venue, you're greeted at the entrance by a giant statue of the official Expo character "Myaku-Myaku." This cute character with a red body and large eyes is a popular photo spot.

The Grand Roof Ring and Expo Venue Structure

7. 2km-long Grand Roof Ring encircling the venue

The symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo is the "Grand Roof Ring," a massive circular roof structure approximately 2km in circumference that surrounds the venue. With its warm wooden design, natural light creates beautiful shadows on sunny days.

8. Guinness World Record-certified as world's largest wooden structure

This Grand Roof Ring is certified by Guinness World Records as the world's largest wooden ring structure. It's truly an Expo-worthy structure that combines traditional Japanese wooden construction techniques with modern architectural engineering.

9. Designed to move between pavilions without getting wet in rain

Walking under the Grand Roof Ring, you can access many pavilions without getting wet even on rainy days. It also provides shade from summer sun, making for a comfortable Expo experience.

Touring International Pavilions

10. Portugal Pavilion's architectural beauty

The Portugal Pavilion features beautiful tile decorations. Its exterior is a modern interpretation of traditional Portuguese azulejo (decorative tiles).

11. Austria Pavilion's advanced exhibitions

The Austria Pavilion features impressive exhibitions on sustainable urban development. Interactive displays allow visitors to experience future urban life.

12. Nordic Pavilion (Sweden, Finland, Norway)

A collaborative pavilion by three Nordic countries. It showcases the beauty of Scandinavian design and sustainability initiatives befitting environmentally advanced nations.

13. Many pavilions surprisingly accessible without reservations

While advance reservations are often thought necessary for pavilions, we pleasantly discovered that many pavilions actually accept same-day tickets or no reservations. Especially on weekdays and afternoon hours, they're relatively empty.

14. Wait times are 30 minutes to 1 hour for reserved pavilions

Even for popular pavilions, wait times are typically 30 minutes to at most an hour. Compared to popular theme park attractions, the wait times are relatively short.

Lunch Time: Authentic Ramen at GF RAMEN LAB

15. Well-equipped dining areas within the venue

The Expo venue offers diverse dining options including ramen, sushi, curry, hamburgers, and more. You can enjoy regional Japanese specialties and international cuisines.

16. Ordered two types of ramen at GF RAMEN LAB

For today's lunch, we chose "GF RAMEN LAB" where you can taste authentic ramen. We ordered two different types to compare.

17. First bowl: ¥1,600 ramen

Our first choice was the ¥1,600 ramen. Rich tonkotsu soup with thin noodles in Hakata style. We were surprised by the high quality, unexpected for venue food.

18. Second bowl: ¥2,600 premium ramen

The other bowl was the ¥2,600 premium ramen. Loaded with luxurious toppings including seared chashu, seasoned egg, and bamboo shoots. The double soup combines seafood and animal broths for deep flavor.

19. Expo pricing but authentic taste

Honestly, prices are higher than regular ramen shops, but the taste is authentic. Including the special experience of eating at the Expo, satisfaction is high.

Experiencing Future Technology Exhibitions

20. AI experience at "Letter from the Future"

"Letter from the Future" in the Japan Pavilion offers an AI-powered future prediction experience. Take a photo of your face, and AI predicts your appearance decades in the future, delivering a letter from your future self - a unique experience.

21. Facial recognition system for personalized experiences

Facial recognition systems are utilized throughout the venue. Register at entry, and you can enjoy shortened wait times at pavilions and personalized exhibition experiences.

22. Immersive exhibitions using VR and AR technology

Multiple pavilions feature exhibitions using VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality), allowing visitors to simulate future life. VR exhibitions with headsets offer an immersive experience as if in another world.

Shopping: Getting Expo Merchandise

23. Four official merchandise shops within the venue

The Expo venue has four locations selling official merchandise. Each shop carries slightly different items, so visiting all of them is recommended.

24. Myaku-Myaku goods are hugely popular

Merchandise featuring official character "Myaku-Myaku" is extremely popular. Plush toys, T-shirts, keychains, stationery - the variety is extensive. Limited edition items sell out quickly, so buy immediately when you find them.

25. Limited design T-shirts and tote bags

Expo 2025 limited design T-shirts and tote bags make great souvenirs and are practical. The designs are sophisticated enough for everyday use.

26. Original merchandise also sold at each country's pavilion

Not just the official shops, each country's pavilion sells their own original merchandise. You can purchase country-specific crafts and food products, perfect for souvenir hunting.

From Evening to Night: The Expo is Beautiful at Night Too

27. Magical illumination after sunset

The Expo venue transforms after sunset. The Grand Roof Ring and pavilions are illuminated, creating a completely different magical atmosphere from daytime. The nighttime Expo is not to be missed.

28. Contrast of sunset and Expo venue

During evening hours, the contrast between the orange-tinted sky and the Expo venue is spectacular. The Grand Roof Ring's silhouette beautifully emerges.

29. Excellent as a night view spot too

From the Expo venue, you can overlook Osaka Bay and enjoy the night view of Osaka city across the water. Perfect for dates as well.

Night Highlight: 1000-Drone Show

30. Spectacular show starting at 9 PM

The highlight of the Expo night is the light show using over 1000 drones starting at 9 PM. This alone is worth staying until nighttime.

31. Over 1000 drones illuminating the night sky

Over 1000 drones take to the night sky, forming various shapes synchronized to music. The continuously changing light displays include the Expo logo, Myaku-Myaku, Japanese landscapes - truly spectacular.

32. Moving performance combining music and light

Not just drone lights, but the integration with venue music is wonderful. The approximately 15-minute show reaches a moving finale.

33. Possible special performances on final day

On the Expo's final day or special occasions, more elaborate performances than usual may occur. If your schedule allows, targeting such special days is recommended.

Tips for Enjoying a Full Day at the Expo

34. Arrive early and start with popular pavilions

Arriving before the 10 AM opening and efficiently touring popular pavilions first is key. Mornings are relatively empty, so tackle popular pavilions in the morning.

35. Same-day tickets are sufficient - be flexible without fixating on reservations

Even without advance reservations, you can fully enjoy the Expo with same-day tickets alone. Rather than fixating on reservations, flexibly touring available pavilions can actually be more stress-free. It's also a strategy to postpone pavilions with long waits and prioritize those that are empty.

Summary: Fully Satisfying Expo Experience Without Reservations

From Tokyo by Shinkansen, boarding Nozomi at 7:09 AM and arriving at Shin-Osaka at 9:36 AM. After storing luggage and taking Osaka Metro to Yumeshima Station, passing through facial recognition gates to enter the Expo venue where a giant Myaku-Myaku statue welcomes us. Under the 2km Guinness Record Grand Roof Ring, touring international pavilions, savoring authentic ramen at GF RAMEN LAB.

Experiencing AI at "Letter from the Future," purchasing Myaku-Myaku goods at merchandise shops. After sunset, the venue transforms with illumination into a magical atmosphere different from daytime. And at 9 PM, a spectacular show of over 1000 drones illuminating the night sky provides the finale.

Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 can be fully enjoyed even without advance reservations, using only same-day tickets. From morning to night, a full day experiencing the future in a special way. We realized that not fixating on reservations and flexibly touring available pavilions can actually be more stress-free. Weekdays and afternoon hours are relatively empty, so you can tour various pavilions without worrying about wait times.

While Expo-priced ramen is admittedly expensive, the taste is authentic with high satisfaction. At international pavilions, you can learn about each country's culture and technology, truly feeling like traveling the world. There are four merchandise shops, and Myaku-Myaku goods are so popular that immediate purchase is recommended when found.

The nighttime drone show is a must-see. Over 1000 drones creating various shapes in the night sky synchronized to music is both moving and beautiful. This alone makes staying until nighttime worthwhile. Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 - even with same-day tickets and no reservations, it was a special day fully experiencing the future✨