With around 150 pavilions, stations and exhibition spaces spread across eight zones and connected by the 2km-circumference Grand Ring, there’s a staggering amount to explore at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. But that’s not all. In addition to these permanent features, the Expo also hosts a wide variety of exclusive, one-off events each month. If you’re visiting in August, here are three you’ll want to add to your list.
Moon Gravity Experience at JAXA Exhibition Booth
Until August 31, 10am-9pm
With lunar gravity being one-sixth of Earth’s, every movement will feel very different on the Moon. And you can experience that physically with this unique attraction at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) permanent exhibit booth.
In a specially created immersive space, where the moonscape is projected onto a massive curved LED screen, you’ll perform movements such as throwing, jumping and lifting, and have them mirrored on the screen by an astronaut avatar.
You’ll find out how these actions would be like under moon gravity, as your jump height and throw distance will be adjusted to reflect the reality on the moon. You’ll also get to compare them with real-life measurements and sports world records to gain a better understanding of the gravity difference between Earth and the Moon.
This hands-on exhibit makes learning complex physics fun, intuitive and engaging. It’s also inclusive, designed for participants of all ages and physical abilities, including wheelchair users. Previously available only on weekends and holidays, the Moon Gravity Experience is now open daily throughout summer until August 31. Check the exhibit’s X account for the schedule.
Harekaze Action: Fireworks of Hope for the Future
August 23
Japan Fireworks Expo has been hosting regular showcases at the Osaka Expo to highlight some of the country’s most iconic fireworks festivals. Its August event will be its most special yet, as it will give some of this year’s cancelled displays a new lease of life while educating the public on the importance of preserving this traditional summer culture.
Organised in collaboration with Harekaze Action, an initiative by Kirin to support and preserve Japan’s fireworks culture, the event will collect unused shells from cancelled festivals and launch them at a one-night-only show on Saturday, August 23. The scrapped events include Hyogo’s Inagawa Fireworks Festival, Fukushima’s Futaba Fireworks Festival and Osaka’s Takaishi Seaside Festival, among others.
With this exclusive showcase, the organisers also aim to raise awareness of the modern challenges faced by Japan’s fireworks festival organisers, and what needs to be done to preserve this intangible cultural heritage. While no time has been announced for the event, it’s expected to start shortly after sundown.
'I Am. We Are. Liberty.' exhibition at the UK Pavilion
August 30–September 12, 10am–7pm
One of the UK's most iconic brands, Liberty is best known for its rich and vibrant designs, whose prints have been worn by some of the world’s biggest names including David Bowie and the Beatles. For its 150th anniversary, the design house is hosting a milestone exhibition at the UK pavilion, curated by renowned art historian Ester Coen.
‘I Am. We Are. Liberty’ will showcase over 300 rare artworks, textile designs, pattern books and design references from the brand’s diverse archive. More importantly, you’ll also learn how Japan has influenced the brand’s creative philosophy and admire up close a selection of designs featuring Japanese aesthetics.
Fans of the brand will be glad to know that the exhibition will also be selling exclusive Liberty print scarves as well as a limited-edition furoshiki (traditional Japanese wrapping cloth) produced in collaboration with Marusen, a long-established Kyoto manufacturer specialising in tango chirimen (traditional silk crêpe).
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