The Universal Exposition of 2025 has opened in Osaka, to run through 13 October. This is Osaka’s second hosting of the event, after Expo ’70, and the theme this time is ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives.’

A work of Sou Fujimoto, a huge wooden structure in the shape of a ring – with a diameter of 700 meters – surrounds the main zone of the Expo grounds, on the artificial island of Yumeshima.

Close to 170 countries and regions are participating, with pavilions that stand out for their designs and their innovations, including those of: Spain, by ENORME Studio, Néstor Montenegro, and Smart and Green Design; Portugal, by Kengo Kuma; Switzerland, by Manuel Herz; France, by Coldefy and Carlo Ratti; Italy, by Mario Cucinella, the Netherlands, by RAU; Saudi Arabia, by Foster+Partners; Bahrein, by Lina Ghotmeh; Japan, by Nikken Sekkei; and China, by China Architecture Design Group. Other standouts are Ocean Dome, by Shigeru Ban, and Forest of Tranquility, by SANAA.

Photo: @sou_fujimoto

Spain Pavilion

Saudi Arabia Pavilion

Bahrain Pavilion

France Pavilion 

The Qatar Pavilion

Ocean Dome