THE FIELD TOUR TO THE EXPO OSAKA, KANSAI

 

We have recently taken the field tour to Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai.

The tour took us around the venue for about 50 minutes in a tour bus, giving us the rare experience of getting a special look at areas that are only accessible on foot during the regular holding of the event. This experience was truly special because such a tour bus visit will not be available when the event is officially held next year in April 2025.

 

Construction of the pavilion is progressing faster than expected, and although there were concerns in the press that it would not be completed in time for the event, when having a look at the site, it becomes clear that it will somehow be completed in time. About 10,000 workers work on site every day, and the results of their efforts were felt.

 

 

When completed, the Grand Roof (Ring) will be one of the largest wooden structures in the world, with a gross floor area (horizontal projected area) of approximately 60,000m², a height of 12 m (20 m on the outside), and an inner diameter of 615 m.

From the rooftop of the Ring, the entire venue can be viewed from various vantage points, and if you look outside the Ring, you can enjoy the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea and the sunset view of the Expo site, which is surrounded the by the sea and the skies.

 

In addition, we had an opportunity to climb up the Grand Ring. This Grand Roof Ring is about 20 meters high, about the height of the fourth floor of a building, which is almost the same height as Kiyomizu Temple.

 

 

We were told that it would take about 40 minutes to walk the 2-km-long Great Roof Ring, and we were overwhelmed by its grandeur. The construction is currently about 80% completed.

 

During the tour, we were able to take pictures from the Grand Roof Ring and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Through this experience, our expectations for the success of the Expo Osaka, Kansai have grown even higher. We cannot wait for the event to be held!