Catch the Latest Updates! 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo
Get the latest updates on the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo! A new service now allows travelers to pass through ticket gates by simply tapping their credit cards, making travel more seamless than ever. Enjoy a 10-night, 11-day journey centered around the Expo, where cutting-edge technology and Japanese culture meet. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the future of travel!
3-1. 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo
Discover the future at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, where visitors from all over the world can explore cutting-edge technology and Japanese culture. Held in Osaka, this event will feature interactive exhibits, eco-friendly innovations, and inspiring ideas for a sustainable future. With a focus on global cooperation, the Expo promises an unforgettable experience by blending Japan’s hospitality with futuristic attractions. Don’t miss this chance to witness a world reimagining tomorrow.
Event Details
- Dates: April 13 to October 13, 2025
- Location: Yumeshima Island, Osaka Bay
- Expected Visitors: 28.2 million (including 3.5 million international visitors)
- Participants: 161 countries and 9 international organizations
Main Theme and Subthemes
The Expo’s main theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” is divided into three sub-themes:
- Saving Lives
- Empowering Lives
- Connecting Lives
These themes focus on building a sustainable future and showcasing innovations that improve everyday life.
Highlights and Features
- People’s Living Lab: A “testing ground” for future societies, where visitors can join interactive exhibits, workshops, and discussions on global issues.
- Advanced Technology: Showcases in robotics, AI, virtual reality, and sustainable design, with contributions from countries, tech companies, and universities.
- Cultural Exchange: In addition to tech displays, enjoy global culture through music, dance, food, and art from around the world.
Venue and Access
The Expo site is on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. You can get there by Osaka Metro Chuo Line or shuttle buses from major transport hubs like Kansai Airport. Once there, eco-friendly EV buses will help visitors move around easily.
Key Attractions
- Grand Ring: The centerpiece of the Expo is a 20-meter-high, 2-kilometer-wide circular structure with panoramic views.
- Futuristic Entertainment: Water shows, parades, and digital attractions provide unique experiences.
Mascot and Ticket Information
The Expo mascot, Myaku-Myaku, is a water-like creature symbolizing the flow of life and sustainability. Tickets start at ¥4,000 for adults, with different packages available. Reservations are required.
This Expo will be both an entertainment event and a platform for global collaboration, creating a vision for a better future.
3-2. Tap and go! Enjoy cashless travel
With more contactless payments in Japan, using trains and buses is easier. Just tap your card at the gate—no ticket or recharge needed!
For example, you can tap your card at any Osaka Metro station to board without buying a ticket or adding money to a transit card.
Prompt:
”Please provide the latest information on transportation options in the Kansai area that allow credit card contactless payment. I’m looking for details on which trains and buses accept credit card tap payments.”
Output Example：
In the Kansai area, various transportation options now support contactless credit card payments, primarily through the integration of international card networks.
- Osaka Metro: As of October 2024, Osaka Metro now allows credit card tap payments at all stations. This service accepts major cards like Visa, JCB, American Express, and Diners, providing a convenient option for commuters and tourists alike, especially with the upcoming 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo in mind.
- Nankai Railway: Nankai Railway, which operates routes from Kansai Airport to Osaka and Mount Koya, has also adopted tap-to-pay credit card options. This includes routes extending to ferry services between Wakayama and Tokushima, where both contactless credit card and QR payments are available.
- Hankyu and Hanshin Railways: By the end of 2024, Hankyu and Hanshin lines will also fully implement credit card tap payment systems across their stations, expanding options for travelers who prefer cashless transit.
These contactless payment solutions are part of a broader effort to support the influx of international visitors expected for the 2025 Expo and to make local transit more convenient for daily commuters in the region.
3-3. Exploring the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo
Here’s a suggested 10-night, 11-day travel itinerary for your visit to Japan, focusing on both the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and other top destinations in the Kansai region.
Prompt
“Please create a suggested 10-night, 11-day travel itinerary for a visit to Japan. Focus on both the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and other top destinations in the Kansai region, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Include details such as must-see attractions, recommended activities, and suggested accommodations for each location.”
10-Night, 11-Day Travel Itinerary for Japan
This 10-night, 11-day itinerary is designed for visits after the Kansai Expo opens. It offers a full experience of Japan’s culture, nature, and history. Starting in Osaka, the trip includes famous sites like Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara’s Todai-ji Temple and Nara Park, and Himeji Castle. In Kobe, enjoy the scenic views and try authentic Kobe beef. The highlight is exploring the new exhibits and events at the Kansai Expo, blending modern city life with traditional Japanese culture. End your trip with shopping at the airport for a perfect finish.
Day 1: Arrival in Osaka
- Accommodation: Hotel Nikko Osaka
- Activities:
- Arrive at Kansai International Airport.
- Check into the hotel.
- Explore Dotonbori for street food and neon lights.
Day 2: Osaka
- Must-See Attractions:
- Osaka Castle
- Shitennoji Temple
- Recommended Activities:
- Visit Universal Studios Japan for a day of fun.
- Evening shopping at Shinsaibashi.
Day 3: Nara
- Travel to Nara: 45 minutes by train from Osaka
- Must-See Attractions:
- Todai-ji Temple
- Nara Park (feed the deer)
- Accommodation: Nara Hotel
- Activities:
- Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Kyoto
- Travel to Kyoto: 45 minutes by train from Nara
- Must-See Attractions:
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Accommodation: Hotel Granvia Kyoto
- Activities:
- Evening stroll through Gion, the geisha district.
Day 5: Kyoto
- Must-See Attractions:
- Fushimi Inari Taisha (thousands of torii gates)
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Recommended Activities:
- Participate in a traditional tea ceremony.
Day 6: Kobe
- Travel to Kobe: 30 minutes by train from Kyoto
- Must-See Attractions:
- Kobe Harborland
- Mount Rokko
- Accommodation: Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
- Activities:
- Try Kobe beef at a local restaurant.
Day 7: Osaka
- Return to Osaka
- Must-See Attractions:
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
- Tempozan Ferris Wheel
- Recommended Activities:
- Explore the Osaka Science Museum.
Day 8: Expo 2025 Preview
- Travel to the Expo Site: Check the location and events of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
- Activities:
- Attend preview events if available.
- Explore the Expo’s surrounding attractions.
Day 9: Free Day in Osaka
- Suggested Activities:
- Visit Osaka’s museums or shopping districts.
- Relax in a local onsen (hot spring).
Day 10: Day Trip to Himeji
- Travel to Himeji: 1 hour by train from Osaka
- Must-See Attractions:
- Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Accommodation: Return to Osaka for the night.
- Activities:
- Explore Kokoen Garden next to the castle.
Day 11: Departure
- Activities:
- Last-minute shopping at Kansai International Airport.
- Departure from Japan.