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With Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai now open for visitors, itâs about time we took a close look at some of the most exciting structures and exhibitions you can experience on the artificial island of Yumeshima until October 13.Â
The vast Expo site is home to more than 180 pavilions created by a wide range of actors â from countries and international organisations to private companies. In this crowded field, some of the biggest standouts are the eight âSignature Pavilionsâ located within the Grand Ring, the massive wooden structure encircling the site. These ambitious projects are spearheaded by leading Japanese figures representing diverse fields â from screenwriters to biologists.
Guided by the Expoâs overarching theme of âDesigning future society for our lives,â each of the eight producers has infused their pavilion with a unique perspective. What these thought-provoking installations have in common is that they are all designed to inspire introspection and spark new ways of thinking about the future. Here are the deets on some of the most interesting signature pavilions at Expo 2025.
RECOMMENDED: 10 unmissable things to do at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai
They say change is the only constant in Tokyo. The capital has always been a city of reinventions â some voluntary, others forced â ceaselessly building to outdo itself.
And just like in years past, 2025 will see plenty of shiny new facilities opened across the city. The decade-plus project to transform the Takanawa area will come to a culmination of sorts with the completion of Takanawa Gateway City, while Ikebukuroâs iconic Seibu department store will be reborn by way of a massive refurbishment project. Weâll also be getting a host of new hotels and a fun-looking manga museum way out east.
Here are eight of the most attractive spots set to begin business over the next 12 months.
RECOMMENDED: Discover Tokyoâs off-the-radar gems and best new bars in our new winter issue
Glitzy Ginza has a new hotspot â and this oneâs enjoyable without having to dig deep into your wallet. Opened on January 26, Ginza Sony Park is a hard-to-define structure right in the heart of Tokyoâs most storied destination for luxury shopping. Occupying the site of the original Sony Building from the 1960s, the multi-storey âparkâ was built by the company behind the Walkman and PlayStation in an attempt to present the Sony brandâs philosophy in physical form. Â
But why set up a mixed-use public space without shops or other permanent tenants in a place like Ginza, where the surroundings are all but entirely dedicated to commerce? Ginza Sony Park tackles this question head-on, aiming to encourage revaluation and redefinition of the use of urban space in its neighbourhood.
The facility is composed of three subterranean floors and five above-ground floors, and will host a regular programme of music and art events on the B2, third and fourth floors. Meanwhile, the B3 floor is occupied by a chic casual restaurant serving half-portion dishes â ideal when youâre looking for a quick bite. Aspiring to the status of urban oasis, the park boasts a spacious vertical interior where anyone can spend time as they like.
Read on for five ways to enjoy this newly opened landmark.
RECOMMENDED: Check out the best new attractions and facilities opening in Tokyo this year