Hello. I’m ”Arafifi Mitsu”（Around 50 Mitsu）.
This time, I went to the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, which is currently being held in Osaka, with my daughter!
We visited on a weekend, but even without a reservation we had more fun than we expected.
- Osaka Expo: Entering through the West Gate is the right choice! Tips for avoiding crowds
- Explore the pavilions at the Osaka Expo efficiently! The morning is the key!
- Here’s the correct way to pack your drinks, luggage, and parasols at the Osaka Expo!
- What to eat at the Osaka Expo? What about the pavilion restaurants?
Osaka Expo: Entering through the West Gate is the right choice! Tips for avoiding crowds
We entered through the West Gate on both days of the Osaka Expo. Since it was on the weekend, we were worried that it would be crowded, but since we were arriving by bus on both days, we looked into it beforehand and chose the West Gate – it was the right choice!
Many buses arriving at the West Gate require advance reservations, so be sure to check the bus schedule beforehand!
I took the bus from Kobe Sannomiya on Saturday, but I couldn’t make a reservation for the Shinki Bus. I arrived at the bus stop 30 minutes early and was able to catch the bus on time. (The line was long. Get there early to avoid being passed over for the next bus!)
The East Gate is directly connected to the station, so it’s very crowded. A frequent visitor from Osaka told me, “The West Gate is the best place to be.”
- On Day 1 (Saturday), we arrived at the West Gate on a shuttle bus at 9:00 AM. People with tickets for 10:00 AM began entering, and we were able to enter smoothly at 10:15 AM.
- On Day 2 (Sunday), the bus arrived at exactly 10:00 AM, and we were able to enter the venue at 10:30 AM.
There was a bit of a line before entering, but it was easy to walk through and not stressful. By the way, from July a shuttle bus will be running from the East Gate to the West Gate, so traffic may become even smoother, or the West Gate may become more crowded.
There is no shade at all until the baggage inspection at the gate, so be sure to bring a hat or parasol!
Explore the pavilions at the Osaka Expo efficiently! The morning is the key!
At the Osaka Expo, “what to do in the morning” is very important!
Popular pavilions in particular become extremely crowded after lunchtime.
When we visited the China Pavilion, the wait was 20 minutes at 11:00, but by 2:00 PM it was 2 hours!
The video of the China Pavilion was great.
Tips for efficiently touring the Osaka Expo:
- We recommend getting your admission ticket first thing in the morning!
- Picnic sheets are convenient instead of folding chairs (heavy!) (you can rest in the shade).
- The benches under the main roof ring are always full. Bringing a picnic sheet allows for more flexible seating.
The Expo stamp rally was also very popular; we collected 40 stamps in two days!
Stamps are available at each pavilion and the Commons Building.
The Commons Building (there are five of them) is home to small booths from various countries, making it fun to discover countries you’ve never seen before. Most queues are under 15 minutes, the indoor area is cool, and the restrooms are clean. It’s also a great place to take a restroom break.
Here’s the correct way to pack your drinks, luggage, and parasols at the Osaka Expo!
It’s going to be hot this coming season at the Osaka Expo. But be careful not to carry too much drink! It’s heavy!
The vending machines at the Osaka Expo are empty and have a wide variety of drinks. Although they are a bit pricey, it’s more convenient than carrying around heavy drinks.
There are free water dispensers, but there are long lines. If you want to prevent heatstroke, it’s best to buy a cold drink from a vending machine, even if it’s more expensive, rather than getting exhausted by carrying heavy luggage.
It’s best to leave your luggage at the Expo site!
I was able to store one backpack at Yamato Transport, located near the souvenir area just after entering, for 700 yen.
All you have to do is fill in your name, phone number, and email address. It was very helpful!
A parasol is an essential item at the Expo!
Many people bring their own parasols because queues are often outdoors and shade is limited. I also brought one, and it was a great decision.
What to eat at the Osaka Expo? What about the pavilion restaurants?
My honest opinion about eating at the Osaka Expo is that it’s expensive and crowded.
- The nasi goreng at the Malaysia Pavilion was delicious and filling for 1,600 yen. This was a reasonable price, considering that takeout bento boxes costing over 2,000 yen are not uncommon at other food and drink booths.
- There are long lines at convenience stores, so it’s wise to buy your food in the morning or the day before and bring it with you. If you buy food on site, be prepared to wait in line for a bit.
- There are also lines at restaurants attached to the pavilions, but if there’s something you want to eat, it’s worth waiting in line.
Trying out different things just like eating out is a unique experience at the Expo, but if you’re looking for value for money, you’ll need to be a little creative.
Overall, the Osaka Expo had plenty of ideas to make it enjoyable even without a reservation. With a little preparation, such as taking precautions against the heat, concentrating in the morning, and wearing light clothing that makes it easy to move around, we were able to have a comfortable time.
It was another summer memory I’ve created with my daughter. I hope this is helpful for anyone planning to go!
