◆ From a Quiet Holiday at Home… to an Impulsive Trip to Osaka!
Our family has a student preparing for exams, so we originally planned to spend a quiet Golden Week at home.
But as I kept seeing exciting posts about the Osaka Expo on social media, the urge to go exploded!
Before I knew it, we had booked tickets just three days before the trip—along with bullet train seats and a hotel. Of course, all pavilion reservations were already taken. Despite knowing the crowds would be intense, we decided to take the plunge and head to the Expo on a whirlwind family tour!
◆ This Is the Symbol of the Expo! The Thrill of the Grand Roof Ring
The first thing that caught my eye at the venue was the massive wooden Grand Roof Ring.
(Looking up at the Grand Roof Ring)
To my surprise, you can actually walk on top of the ring—like a floating passageway in the sky! The open view from above gave a great sense of freedom.
(View from atop the ring)
Inside the ring lies a collection of pavilions from all over the world, creating a beautiful sense of unity and scale. The building designs are incredibly diverse and eye-catching, making just walking around a joy.
It truly felt like a glimpse into “the future of the world” right before our eyes.
◆ A Bit of a Letdown: Reservation Chaos & Pricey Food
● Pavilion Reservations? A Brutal Battle!
As expected during Golden Week, it was way too crowded to enter the popular pavilions without advance reservations.
Especially for experiences meant for the whole family, the competition was fierce.
If it had just been one or two people, we might have had a better shot.
● Gourmet Shock: Wallets Beware!
Meals felt like they were twice the usual price—no kidding!
Yes, it’s exciting to try foods from around the world, but the lines are long, and the prices are steep.
Thankfully, bringing your own light meals is allowed!
We grabbed some onigiri from a convenience store beforehand and enjoyed them leisurely on benches.
There are plenty of places to sit, so we had no trouble finding spots to eat or rest.
◆ A Note to My Future Self: Next Time, Plan Ahead!
“Next time, aim for summer vacation—and book early!”
That’s the key lesson we learned this time.
Especially for the most popular pavilions, you’ll want to check the official site frequently and be well-prepared.
◆ Totally Random Idea: Can We Get a “Attack on Titan” Collab!?
While walking on the Grand Roof Ring, I couldn’t help but imagine the scene from Attack on Titan, where the characters stroll along the walls.
The view from below is already impressive, but what if Titans appeared in AR?
It would be an epic experience!
(Original view)
(Image generated by ChatGPT)
I uploaded an actual photo of the ring into ChatGPT and asked it to draw “a Titan from Attack on Titan climbing the structure.”
If we could pull something like this off in real-time AR, it would be the perfect way to show off Cool Japan—and I bet overseas fans would go crazy for it!
Expo organizers, please consider this idea (half-joking, half-serious)!
◆ Final Thoughts: It Was Still Worth It!
Yes, the crowds, lack of reservations, and high prices were a challenge—but I’m so glad we went to the Osaka Expo.
Even on a spontaneous trip, the excitement and energy of being there in person were real.
Next time, I’d love to take it slower and savor everything the Expo has to offer.
With the sheer number of pavilions and the size of the site, you could go ten times and still discover something new!
I live in the Kanto area, but if I were in Kansai, I’d definitely buy a summer pass or even an annual one.
Honestly, I envy Kansai locals!
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