In a bid to encourage Expo 2025 visitors to avoid the summer heat and visit the mega-event at night, Osaka’s governor Hirofumi Yoshimura announced on July 8 that the opening hours of the food and drink retailers at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion will extend their evening hours by 30 minutes from late July, staying open until 9.30pm.
The popular outdoor terrace area between the pavilion and the Grand Ring is lit up with lanterns and shaded with large parasols, effectively making it a beer garden and a go-to spot for enjoying a cool pint at the Expo. Once the new opening hours take effect, the alfresco area will be accessible until 9.45pm.
This announcement follows previous calls by the governor in May, urging the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to extend restaurant hours until just before 10pm. However, that proposal faced resistance due to concerns about securing transportation for Expo staff after closing time.
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