Expo 2025 Osaka Pavilions Review — Visit 2: 15 Countries in One Day

Visited: May 6, 2025 | East Gate Entry | Wait Time: Approximately 10 Minutes | Daily Visitors: 57,000

Looking for an honest Expo 2025 Osaka pavilions review? You’ve come to the right place.

What Is Expo 2025 Osaka?

Expo 2025 Osaka, officially known as the 2025 World Exposition, was held on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay from April 13 to October 13, 2025. With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” it welcomed pavilions from over 160 countries and organizations — making it one of the largest World Expos in history.

In this post, I review 15 pavilions visited on my second trip — with food tips and highlights for each, as part of my ongoing mission to review every single pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.

My Goal: Review Every Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Over the course of multiple visits to Expo 2025 Osaka, I set myself a challenge — to visit and review every pavilion on the grounds. With over 160 countries and organizations represented, it was no small feat. But armed with a season pass and a genuine curiosity for what each country had to offer, I made it my mission.

This post covers Visit 2 (May 6). If you haven’t read Visit 1 yet, you can find it here: [My First Night at Expo 2025 Osaka — From Skeptic to Season Pass Holder]

Follow along as I work my way through every pavilion — the spectacular, the surprising, and the hidden gems most visitors never find.

Bahrain 🇧🇭 — A Hidden Gem at Expo 2025 Osaka

One of the most distinctive pavilions of the day and one of the best pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka that many visitors overlook. The exterior immediately caught my eye — a beautifully crafted wooden structure unlike anything else on the grounds. Inside, the exhibits told the story of Bahrain’s deep connection to the sea: traditional fishing boats, ceremonial swords, and an elegant display of natural pearls. Near the exit, a café and souvenir shop rounded out what was a surprisingly rich experience.

💡 Tip: Queue times were short — a great pavilion to visit early in the day.

Australia 🇦🇺 — Nature at Its Best

Australia’s pavilion felt like stepping into the wilderness — one of the most immersive things to do at Expo 2025 Osaka. The design was deliberately nature-focused, with a winding pathway through a forest-like interior where kangaroos and koalas took center stage. The finale — a wall of dozens of screens showing the vibrant life beneath Australia’s oceans — was genuinely breathtaking.

Outside, a café and open-air stage meant there was plenty of Expo 2025 Osaka food and entertainment to enjoy even without entering the pavilion itself.

💡 Tip: The outdoor stage area is free to enjoy — worth checking the event schedule in advance.

Indonesia 🇮🇩 — Warmth from the First Step

The entrance alone was a statement — a striking traditional mask welcoming visitors in, flanked by staff whose warm, enthusiastic greetings had already made headlines in Japanese media. Inside, the pavilion moved between two worlds: the lush natural landscapes of Indonesia’s past, and ambitious architectural models representing the country’s vision for its future cities. The contrast was thought-provoking and one of the highlights of my Expo 2025 Osaka pavilions review.

Serbia 🇷🇸 — Fun for All Ages

Serbia’s pavilion was refreshingly playful and one of the most family-friendly things to do at Expo 2025 Osaka. The highlight was a character-creation experience where visitors could generate an animated version of themselves — genuinely fun for all ages. Worth noting: Serbia will host the next World Expo in 2027, and their investment in food and hospitality here felt like an early preview of what’s to come.

Czech Republic 🇨🇿 — The Most Architecturally Stunning Pavilion

If you are looking for the best pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Czech Republic pavilion belongs at the top of your list. The spiral exterior was immediately eye-catching, and the interior matched it perfectly — a continuous spiral pathway that gradually carried visitors upward through floor after floor of art and design. The glass artworks created by Czech artists were extraordinary.

At the very top, an open rooftop terrace offered one of the best panoramic views of the Grand Roof Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka. On the ground floor, traditional Czech cuisine and cold beer made for a perfect pit stop.

💡 Tip: Head to the rooftop for the best view of the Grand Roof Ring — completely free once you’re inside.

Philippines 🇵🇭 — The Most Popular Experience of the Day

The Philippines pavilion was one of the most talked-about at Expo 2025 Osaka. A VR experience that transformed visitors into Filipino versions of themselves drew massive queues — and for good reason. Outside, a relaxed café area and an on-site massage space — one of the most unique Expo 2025 Osaka tips I can give — made it easy to recharge before moving on.

💡 Tip: Arrive early for the VR experience — queues grew significantly as the day went on.

Qatar 🇶🇦 — Kengo Kuma’s Masterpiece

Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Qatar’s pavilion was one of the most visually striking of Expo 2025 Osaka. The warm wooden exterior — inspired by the sea and Qatar’s coastal heritage — was immediately recognizable. Inside, the journey from traditional maritime industry to modern prosperity was told with care and detail. The staff, dressed in traditional Qatari attire, added an authentic cultural atmosphere that made the whole experience feel like a genuine glimpse into the country.

💡 Tip: Look out for the Kengo Kuma design details on the exterior — easy to miss if you walk past quickly.

Vietnam 🇻🇳 — Quiet and Meaningful

Vietnam’s pavilion carried a quietly powerful message: that people, not technology, are at the heart of an inclusive society. Traditional crafts and cultural artifacts lined the interior. If you are looking for a calmer, more reflective experience among the Expo 2025 Osaka pavilions, Vietnam is a welcome contrast to the busier exhibits. Near the exit, a small food stall offered a taste of Vietnamese culture to take home.

Mitsubishi Future Museum 🤖 — A Journey Through Life

Under the theme “Journey to Life”, the Mitsubishi pavilion delivered a polished, immersive experience and is one of the most uniquely Japanese things to do at Expo 2025 Osaka. Photography was not permitted inside, but the projection-based storytelling — taking visitors on a visual journey across the world — was memorable. Skewed slightly toward younger audiences, but genuinely impressive in its execution.

Belgium 🇧🇪 — Biscoff, Waffles and Science

Belgium set the tone before you even entered — staff handed out Biscoff cookies to everyone waiting in line. A small gesture, but one that immediately put a smile on my face. Inside, the focus was on Belgium’s vision of harmonizing scientific and medical progress with the natural world.

For Expo 2025 Osaka food lovers, the outdoor café served what turned out to be one of the best combinations of the entire visit: a freshly made Belgian waffle with coffee. Highly recommended.

💡 Tip: The Belgian waffle at the outdoor café is one of the best food experiences at Expo 2025 Osaka — don’t skip it.

Singapore 🇸🇬 — Dream Big

Singapore’s pavilion was architecturally one of the most beautiful Expo 2025 Osaka pavilions — a spherical structure covered in scale-like panels that shimmered in the light. Inside, visitors were invited to project their dreams onto a large screen, creating a surprisingly moving collective experience. A bar serving alcohol near the exit was a welcome touch for adults.

💡 Tip: The bar near the exit is one of the few spots inside the pavilions where you can enjoy a relaxed drink — worth knowing for evening visits.

Austria 🇦🇹 — A Love Letter to Music

If there was a single pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka that perfectly embodied its country’s identity, it was Austria’s. The exterior — designed to resemble musical notation — was stunning from a distance and even more impressive up close. A remote piano performance experience, sheet-music-inspired corridors, and exhibits celebrating Austria’s contribution to classical music made for an unforgettable visit.

Among all the best pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka, Austria stands out as a must-visit for anyone who appreciates art, architecture, and music.

Brazil 🇧🇷 — No Rules, Pure Energy

Brazil brought its spirit to Expo 2025 Osaka in full force. True to the country’s character, there was no fixed route — visitors were free to wander, linger, and explore at their own pace. Interactive experiences included face paint stations and the distribution of cooling goods — a practical and fun Expo 2025 Osaka tip for surviving the summer heat. Outside, Brazilian coffee was available, and it did not disappoint.

China 🇨🇳 — 3,000 Years of History

China’s pavilion was impossible to miss — a sweeping bamboo-inspired exterior that announced its presence from across the venue. Inside, 3,000 years of Chinese history unfolded through artifacts and exhibits, brought to life with cutting-edge display technology. Entry cards featuring panda designs were a subtle but effective reminder of the layered cultural relationship between Japan and China.

💡 Tip: The technology used to display historical artifacts here is unlike anything else at Expo 2025 Osaka — give yourself extra time inside.

France 🇫🇷 — The Grand Finale

France saved the best for last. The pavilion’s bold, unmistakably French exterior commanded attention from the moment it came into view. Inside, the world’s most iconic luxury brands were showcased in displays that were as photogenic as they were informative. Exhibits exploring the cultural ties between France and Japan added unexpected depth.

For Expo 2025 Osaka food enthusiasts, a restaurant, bakery, and souvenir shop ensured that visitors left with both memories and something delicious. As I stepped outside into the evening air, the night view of the Expo 2025 Osaka grounds — lights reflecting off the Grand Roof Ring — was the perfect ending to a very full day.

💡 Tip: Visit France in the evening — the night view from outside the pavilion is one of the most beautiful at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Is Expo 2025 Osaka Worth Visiting? — Final Thoughts

Fifteen pavilions in a single day — and I still felt like I had barely scratched the surface of Expo 2025 Osaka.

Each country brought something genuinely unique: architecture, food, technology, culture, and above all, a sincere desire to connect with visitors. If you are wondering whether Expo 2025 Osaka is worth visiting — based on my experience, the answer is an emphatic yes.

Whether you have a single day or a season pass, there is something here for everyone. Start with the best pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka listed above, stay for the food, and let the unexpected moments surprise you.

This is Visit 2 in my ongoing series to review every pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. Next up: Visit 3 — coming soon.