Witness history in the making at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
Intro
The World Expo 2025 in Osaka has officially begun. Starting this April and running for the next six months, the Osaka World Expo 2025 is where the future meets reality. For more than a century, the World Expo has defined how we view today and tomorrow. There have been many famous Expo's throughout history, like Paris, Chicago, London and most recently Dubai Expo 2020, and this time, this momentous event is taking place in Japan on an artificial island off Osaka featuring an array of futuristic pavilions from around the world and the largest wooden structure on the planet, the Giant Ring, as a focal point.
At the launch of the Osaka Expo, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he hoped this historic event would bring ‘a sense of unity’ to the world again. We’re equally excited about the Expo here at JRPass.com too, so much so, we’ve launched a special landing page, which brings together a wide range of information, including how to buy tickets, how to get there, key attractions such as a meteorite from Mars and a beating heart grown from stem cells, and how you can combine a visit with a stay in Osaka and travel throughout the rest of Japan.
Witness History in the Making in Osaka
In the first of a series of JRPass.com blog articles about this historic event for Japan and the world, we’ll give you an overview of the Expo, its themes and attractions, and what to expect when you visit. It doesn't get more 'once in a lifetime' than this.
Introducing the Osaka World Expo 2025
The theme of the Expo has been selected to help individuals think about how they want to live and ways they can maximise their potential, today, tomorrow, and in the future. It is also intended to drive co-creation across and between the international community in designing a sustainable society that supports individuals' ideas of how they want to live and how that can work harmoniously on our shared planet. In other words, the Expo will ask a straightforward question to everyone, “What is the happy way of life?” and explore potential answers. 
While doing this, the Expo will address new social challenges, including expanding economic gaps and heightened conflicts, that are emerging while science technologies are evolving, including AI and biotechnologies. Ultimately, the expo explores how present changes will impact humankind through topics such as life extension and living our lives entwined between the digital and real world. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ask questions, explore answers, and come together as one with thinkers and innovators from around the world.
What Is A World Expo?
Global exhibitions, also known as expositions or world's fairs, have been held regularly since the mid-19th century, showcasing the latest technological, cultural and scientific developments of their time. Countries from all over the world share their vision for the future and at the same time compete for the top spot of making the most impressive display.
World exhibitions have always been products of the environments in which they were created. In the Victorian Era, colonial attitudes permeated the exhibits. During the Cold War, on the other hand, the 'space race' dominated US and Soviet contributions. Global exhibitions have hosted some huge moments in world history, from the unveiling of the Palace of Fine arts in San Francisco, to the first live TV broadcast in NYC, to the unveiling of the now iconic Eiffel tower.
Where in the future it was more about the competition of nations, the whole World Expo today is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. It is a place where new technologies and products are born, triggering greater convenience in our daily lives.
What will you see at the Osaka World Expo 2025?
Buying World Expo Tickets
The Expo is running for six months so there is still plenty of time to plan a visit. If you’re looking to purchase tickets, it’s worth being aware that there are different types available, from single tickets to season passes. Prices for a regular ticket start at 4.000yen, we recommend buying early as prices go up the longer you wait. There are also discounted tickets available for children, those with disabilities and night tickets.
How can I travel to the World Expo?
The Expo can be accessed quickly and conveniently from anywhere using the Shinkansen and the Japan Rail Pass. If you're coming from outside of the Kansai Area, then the first step from going anywhere in Japan to the Expo is using the Shinkansen bullet trains to Shin-Osaka station. There are direct connections from all major cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and more. All included in the JR Pass, with complementary seat reservations.
If you're coming from the wider Kansai Area - the region where Osaka is located - then you're already close. There are direct trains going into Osaka from all across Kansai. Whether it is Kyoto, Nara, Kobe or even Kansai Airport itself. The first step is to take a train to Osaka station .
Once you arrive at Osaka station, take the JR Loop line (inner loop) to JR Bentencho station. Here transfer to the Osaka Metro Chuo line bound for Yume Shima Station. This is the final stop for the expo. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, the route is covered until Bentencho but a normal fare is required for the last part on the Osaka Metro. From Yume Shima station, it is less than five minutes walk to the Osaka Expo entrance.
The Osaka Metro introduced its specially themed Expo train cars. With the metro, access to the expo is easy and quick. If you're interested in spotting these cars yourself, look for them on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Tanimachi Line, both running through central Osaka. The station on the Osaka Metro for the Expo is called ‘Yume Shima’ - the artificial island on which the Expo is taking place - and can be directly accessed using the Osaka Metro Chuo line. Please do note that the Osaka Expo is not included in the JR Pass or any JR-West regional pass.
The World Expo + Japan Rail Pass = a perfect match
The best way to travel around Japan and access the Expo, especially if you're coming from Tokyo or other areas and need intercity travel. Use the world famous Shinkansen bullet trains, then connect to one of the countless local trains for access anywhere in Japan. The Japan Rail Pass covers travel between all JR lines nationwide and all for an unbeatable price and comes in periods of 7, 14 and 21 consecutive days.
The pass also comes with a ton of handy perks, like complimentary seat reservations, free luggage and the flexibility to reschedule your travel as needed. We also offer a variety of regional options for those that stay local and the budget conscious traveler.
You may also want to consider buying a regional pass. If you arrive at Kansai Airport or you are already in the Kansai Area, or JR-West area more broadly, then a regional JR Pass is another good choice. The Kansai Wide Pass is especially a good deal for those that want to visit the Expo and combine their stay with one of many beautiful places found around Kansai.
Beyond the World Expo
Outside the wonders of the Expo itself, you'll find the vibrant city of Osaka to discover, known as Japan's kitchen for its famed cuisine and neon nightlife, and that's just the beginning. There’s the Kansai region, where you’ll find other wonderful places like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and the sacred mountain of Koya-san. With a Japan Rail Pass in hand, you can explore the Expo and the rest of the entire country without limit, whether it is a visit to Nagasaki, Tokyo or even Hokkaido. For those that do prefer more local, there are plenty of regional passes that help you discover the Kansai Area in a budget friendly way.
If you're travelling to Japan for the 2025 Expo, it is the perfect opportunity to explore the rest of this beautiful and unique country. From the Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines of Kyoto, to the spectacular Mount Fuji, the beautiful and mountainous Southern Alps, and the coastal wonders of the Northern regions, Japan has a deserved reputation as one of the most spectacular and unforgettable countries in the world. The Osaka Expo 2025 will be an incredible experience, but with most places just only a few hours away on a high speed bullet train cities like Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kobe are within easy reach.
Bonus Recommendations
For much more on the Osaka World Expo, check out our dedicated landing page for in-depth information about the event, ticket info, travel info, our recommendations for which rail pass to purchase, and much more. Meanwhile, for more on Osaka as a destination, be sure to read the articles below:
- Did you know that the dazzling neon cityscape of Osaka was recently voted one of the world’s top 10 most trending cities to visit? Well, you do now. You can find out more by reading our guide to The Best Japanese Cities to Visit.
- Read our quick guide to 48 Hours in Osaka for our exclusive recommendations for what to see and do in this vast and vibrant city.
- Looking to travel further afield? Check out our blog article about The Best Day Trips from Osaka for information on how to easily get to Kyoto, Nara, and many other destinations.
- As well as the Expo, Osaka is packed full of attractions from one of the world’s biggest and best aquariums, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, to landmarks like the Tsutenkaku Tower and amazing, super cool neighborhoods for shopping, food, and nightlife like Dotonbori and Shinsekai.
