This is the third post on the pavilions we visited at Expo 2025 (関西万博). In early April—just a week after the exhibition opened—we headed to Osaka to see the exhibition. Although we couldn’t explore everything (and missed many pavilions entirely), the exterior architecture alone provided plenty of satisfaction.
Enjoy a tune while browsing. For more photos, see Part 1 and Part 2.
While the exhibits inside remain the same throughout the day, we noticed that many of the pavilions take on a dramatically different appearance at night—enhanced by clever lighting and large video displays that add atmosphere and visual impact.
Here are photos of several pavilions out of a total of 188, that stood out for their architecture and presentation. The country descriptions accompanying each image are taken mostly from the official Expo website.
The Portugal pavilion designed by Kengo Kuma has a wave-like appearance using suspended ropes and recycled fishing nets that sway in the wind, reflecting the ocean theme. It celebrates the deep historical and cultural bond between Portugal and the sea, including ties with Japan from the Age of Discovery.
“VIMANA THAI”, the Thai pavilion features a mirrored wall that reflects one side of a traditional-style roof, visually completing the other half of the building through its reflection. It showcases the essence of Thai identity, blending local wisdom and innovations, inspired by the concept of “SMILE”. The pavilion
Inspired by the medieval epic “The Seven Beauties” by Nizami Ganjavi, the design uses seven perforated lattice arches and rotating wooden sculptures of dancing women, each representing a different facet of Azerbaijani identity—melding folklore with modern storytelling.
Named “Evolving with Nature to Save Lives”, the Bulgaria pavilion explores how humans can harmonize with natural systems to address global health challenge.
Kuwait pavilion looks like bunny ears to us but officially it is a set of elegant “open wings.” It symbolizes openness and acceptance, reflecting Kuwait’s role as a beacon of progress and empowerment in the region. It also looks like a giant boomerang stuck in the ground.
“Regeneration“ is the core theme of Canada’s pavilion. Inspired by the thawing of frozen waterways in spring, the exterior mimics the jagged, tactile form of ice jams—symbolizing nature’s renewal.
While Switzerland’s pavilion is not that eye-catching by day, the clusters of plant-wrapped spheres made of lightweight, recyclable materials look spectacular. Titled “From Heidi to High‑Tech”, the pavilion traces Switzerland’s journey from its Alpine heritage to a global innovation hub. See more here.
France’s pavilion is a staged homage to “A Hymn to Love”, weaving together love for ourselves, others, and the planet. The “theatre curtains” frame the pavilion like a stage set, creating dynamic light and shadow play.
The pavilion showcases LVMH-branded luxury products from Louis Vuiton to Dior, celebrating French savoir-faire and cultural identity.
We visited the pavilion in the evening without a reservation, and it turned out to be the most entertaining experience we’ve had at Expo 2025.
Embodying the theme “Weaving a Future in Harmony,” Malaysia’s pavilion has an impressive bamboo facade featuring a pattern of interwoven ‘ribbons’, evoking a fluid elegance of ‘songket’, Malaysia’s iconic fabric. We liked it best in the evening for its tropical and urban atmosphere.
Lastly, this is the mascot of Expo 2025 Myaku‑Myaku, is a blue, shape‑shifting creature crowned with a red ring of cell‑like eyeballs.
Named by public vote (“myaku” means pulse), the friendly but slightly awkward character was crafted to evoke curiosity rather than cuteness.
Despite its unconventional design, Myaku‑Myaku has been prominently featured—on JR‑West trains, JAL planes, licensing goods, and here on the side of an elevator leading up to the Grand Ring.
Reception has been a mixed bag. Many praised its originality and growing popularity. Others found its multiple eyeballs and amorphous form “creepy,”
After our visit, high levels of Legionella bacteria were discovered at the main water features and as a result, both the popular water light shows and a shallow foot-soak pool were suspended.
At the same time, the venue has been plagued by swarms of non-biting midges, especially near the Grand Ring and waterfront areas. Though harmless, these insects are an annoyance—landing on food and irritating visitors.
We’ve genuinely enjoyed our visit—drawn in by the Expo’s bold vision, architectural ingenuity, and the rich diversity of exhibits. Click to see our earlier posts – The Grand Ring, Eateries Part 1 and Part 2 and Pavilions Part 1 and Part 2.
While we’re quite happy with the overall experience, we also recognize that public sentiment as of June 2025 remains mixed, and in some respects, we understand why. The reservation system has been erratic and often frustrating to use, making it difficult to plan our day efficiently.
Still, we’re hopeful that operational kinks and safety concerns will be resolved promptly, allowing the event to fully realize its potential in the months ahead.
Expo 2025 runs for six months and will conclude on October 13, 2025. Go visit !