10 things to do at the Expo 2025 Netherlands pavilion

From the top of the Grand Ring – the giant wooden structure encircling the Expo site – the Netherlands pavilion isn’t hard to spot. Located in the ‘Saving Lives’ zone, not far from the West Gate, the pavilion is marked by a massive ‘floating’ sphere at the centre of the building.

This orb symbolises the sunrise and represents the dawn of a new era. It shares the same 11-meter diameter as the ‘Golden Face’ of the Tower of the Sun, the symbol of the 1970 Osaka Expo.

For the best views of the sphere and the rest of the structure from the roof of the Grand Ring, head to the area near the escalators closest to the pavilion. This is also a great spot for taking photos.

You'll find food trucks and benches around the pavilion, making it a nice place to take a break while admiring the unique architecture at your leisure.

With nearly a quarter of its area below sea level, the Netherlands has an ongoing, intricate and dynamic relationship with water. Historically, the country kept water at bay by building dikes and seawalls. But over time, it shifted toward the idea of embracing coexistence with nature.

Today, the Netherlands views water as a source of clean energy, which is positioned as a key to achieving a sustainable future.

As you step inside the Netherlands pavilion, the first thing that catches your eye is the installation piece ‘Water Basin’. In this artwork, a shallow, cylindrical dish about five centimetres high is filled with water. The surface of the water ripples delicately in response to sound vibrations emitted by speakers installed beneath the platform. These shifting patterns visually express the pavilion’s core theme: the relationship between the Netherlands and water.

At the entrance, visitors are given a glowing orb, which they carry with them as they move through the pavilion. Along the way, they trace the history of the Netherlands and its long-standing relationship with water. Exhibits showcase a range of innovative ideas born from the Dutch acceptance of the element’s might, as well as the journey toward clean energy.

At the heart of the pavilion lies a dome with a 360-degree screen, reminiscent of a planetarium. Here, a two-and-a-half minute video is shown with narration in both English and Japanese. The film vividly portrays how the Netherlands redefined its relationship with water and transformed it into a source of energy for the future.

In the final exhibition area, ten groundbreaking innovations from the Netherlands – a leading country in circular economy practices – are showcased, each aimed at realising a sustainable future.

For example, CooLoo’s ‘Endless Life Technology’ presents an alternative to traditional furniture manufacturing methods that generate large amounts of waste. By combining discarded materials with bio-based binders, this approach reduces the overconsumption of natural resources and cuts carbon emissions.

Another highlight is ‘Roboat’, an autonomous, self-navigating boat jointly developed by the AMS Institute in Amsterdam and MIT in the US. This innovative technology is gaining attention for its potential to ease congestion on waterways and reduce emissions.

Other featured projects include ‘Eco Runner’, a clean-energy vehicle developed by Eco-Runner Team Delft, as well as next-generation agriculture initiatives by the Certhon company that utilise hydrothermal energy. These examples showcase how cutting-edge technologies are being applied to address environmental challenges.

Through these exhibits, visitors can gain insight into how the Netherlands is tackling global issues with forward-thinking solutions.

Wrapping up the experience, visitors enter a shared space called the ‘Pledge Station’, where an interactive installation allows them to physically and visually feel the importance of ‘resonating with others’ and working together.

A circular mirrored screen mounted on the wall displays colourful, kaleidoscope-like visuals. The more people stand within the shared space, the more the colours increase and the visuals become more vivid and dynamic.

The orbs held by participants begin to pulse slowly and eventually synchronise, creating the sensation that everyone's heartbeats are aligning and conveying the significance of collective harmony and collaborative action. With this symbolic experience, the exhibition comes to a close.

Miffy, the beloved character created by Dutch picture book author Dick Bruna, serves as the Kids Ambassador for the Netherlands pavilion. 

Look for Miffy as she appears in various places throughout the pavilion. Books featuring the beloved bunny are placed throughout the pavilion, with each one positioned at a child’s eye level. The books use a gentle, conversational tone to explain topics such as Japan–Netherlands relations and the Netherlands’ efforts to address environmental issues.

While the books are mainly aimed at children, adults are encouraged to read them as well. Their simple, heartwarming illustrations draw readers into Miffy’s world.

The Netherlands pavilion was designed by architect Thomas Rau, known as a pioneer of circular architecture. Also a philosopher, Rau designed the entire pavilion based on the concept of circularity, ensuring that every element of the structure can be reused.

Rau believes that the reason people so carelessly discard building materials is that those materials lack identity. He proposed the idea of giving materials identification codes to foster a sense of responsibility in how they’re used.

This idea led to the development of Madaster, a digital platform where information about materials, such as type, quality, and origin, can be registered. All materials used in the construction of the pavilion are logged in Madaster. After the Expo, the pavilion will be carefully dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere for a different purpose.

Recycled and recyclable materials are used throughout the interior as well. For instance, the dome, event space, café and shop all feature benches and counters made from recycled cork and leather. The chairs in the event space are upholstered with fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. Sound-absorbing panels installed in the event space, café and shop are also made from the same recycled plastic.

Adjacent to the exhibition hall is a spacious, high-ceilinged event space where a variety of events are held under the theme of ‘Common Ground’ – a shared foundation for collaboration that transcends differences in position and values. Cultural programs open to the general public are also scheduled, making it worth keeping an eye on.

Mini exhibitions open to the public include the following:

- 'Re-thinking Innovation': April 18 (Fri) – May 5 (Mon)

- 'Universal Equity': May 16 (Fri) – June 9 (Mon)

- 'Bridging Past and Future': June 13 (Fri) – July 28 (Mon)

- 'Talent Education': August 1 (Fri) – September 1 (Mon)

- 'Repair, Reuse, Survival': September 5 (Fri) – October 13 (Mon)

Note that exhibits may be closed at certain times.

Meanwhile, at the Expo National Day Hall, the prestigious Dutch dance company Introdans, founded in 1971, collaborates with Tokyo-based dance project Land Fes to present the performance piece ‘Unum’, showcasing artistic expression that transcends age and disability.

Also scheduled at Pop-up Stage West is a concert by Benjamin Herman, one of Europe’s leading saxophonists. Deeply interested in the influence of Japanese culture on jazz improvisation, Herman draws inspiration from Japanese live-action tokusatsu films and anime music for his latest compositions.

It’s worth planning your visit to the pavilion to coincide with one of these engaging events. For a detailed schedule, be sure to check the official website.

If you're visiting the Expo, you won’t want to miss out on the exclusive merchandise. The shop inside the Netherlands pavilion offers a range of items that are only available here.

Two types of limited-edition Miffy plush toys are available: one holding the orb given to visitors as they explore the pavilion, and another wearing a dress with a tulip pattern – a nod to the national flower of the Netherlands. Both designs come in two sizes: large (¥4,900) and small (¥2,500).

Another must-see item is the specially crafted perfume ‘New Dawn’ (¥32,500), created exclusively for the Expo. It was developed by top perfumer Wessel-Jan Kos of DSM-Firmenich, a company with Dutch and Swiss roots. Evoking the pavilion's theme of a new dawn in the transition towards renewable energy sources, this unique fragrance blends floral notes of jasmine and magnolia with a smooth base of musk and amber, all layered over a refined green tea scent. The fragrance also reflects over 425 years of cultural exchange between Japan and the Netherlands.

The perfume comes in an original blue Delftware ceramic bottle of which only 150 are available, so it’s best to grab one while you can.

Other exclusive items include original T-shirts and notebooks. Be sure to pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit to the Expo.

After learning about Dutch history and the country's energy transition through the exhibits, take a break at the pavilion café. Here you can sample a wide variety of drinks, including coffee, tea, soft drinks and even non-alcoholic beer.

On the food menu, you’ll find salted herring with onions, a Dutch soul food. Following local tradition, grab it by the tail and take a bold bite.

Be sure to try the exclusive menu items celebrating the friendship between the Netherlands and Japan. Highlights include the Hutspot Onigiri, a rice ball filled with a mash of boiled carrots, onions and potatoes – based on a classic Dutch home-style dish – and the Bitterbal Onigiri, a twist on the Dutch snack bitterballen, made with meatless beef. 

Sweets are also well represented at the café. The Dutch classic stroopwafel – a thin waffle cookie filled with caramel – is served to pair nicely with a cup of joe. Snap a photo of this treat with the pavilion in the background to capture the essence of the Dutch Expo experience in Insta-ready form.