Gadira Pratama
Sept 16, 2025

When my mom told me we were going to the Osaka 2025 World Expo, I could hardly contain my excitement. I’d dreamed of attending for years: one place where cultures converge, where countries showcase their visions of the future, and where innovation meets imagination. It sounded magical. So, we packed our bags, boarded our flight, and made our way to the Expo. And then, disappointment hit. To be clear, it wasn’t the exhibits themselves. The pavilions I did manage to enter were architectural marvels—beautifully designed, immersive, and full of wonder. The real problem was access. Out of the 40 major pavilions, I was only able to see three: Indonesia, Germany, and France. Why so few? Because entry was controlled by a lottery-based reservation system. Slots could only be booked four times: two months, seven days, and three days in advance, plus one same-day option. This meant you had to gamble on which pavilions might be worth visiting— especially difficult for early visitors—and even then, there was no guarantee you’d win a spot. Worse still, the official booking app was painfully slow, glitchy, and often froze, making an already frustrating system even worse. In my view, this undermines the whole spirit of a World Expo. The event is meant to give people a chance to explore the world in one place. While it’s impossible to visit everything, visitors should be able to experience more than just a handful of pavilions. But let’s shift gears for a moment, because there were plenty of positives too. True to the Expo’s spirit, countries went all out with their pavilion designs. Thailand’s shimmering mirrored façade, Spain’s Ocean Sunset staircase, Nepal’s village-inspired pavilion, and Ireland’s modern timber structure—all were imaginative, futuristic, and uniquely tied to national identity. At the heart of it all stood the breathtaking Grand Ring: a massive circular wooden structure that now holds the record as the largest wooden architectural creation in the world. Beautifully designed, it doubled as both shade and a cooling escape from Osaka’s scorching summer heat.

Indonesia

As an Indonesian, my expectations were sky-high—and I wasn’t disappointed. The pavilion struck a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Visitors were greeted by hundreds of unpainted wooden masks from across the archipelago, creating a sleek yet cultural aesthetic. Inside, stylized animal sculptures—a Komodo dragon, a Sumatran elephant, tigers, and birds— were placed in a lush, rainforest-like setting to highlight biodiversity. A holographic circular room showcased Indonesia’s vast beauty, followed by a model of the nation’s upcoming capital, IKN. The journey ended with a Wayang (shadow puppet) documentary and, fittingly, a canteen offering satay, meatball soup and nasi jeruk.

Germany

Germany leaned heavily into sustainability and innovation. The circular pavilion presented the country’s ecological initiatives and future plans in a way that felt both inspiring and human-centered. The highlight for me was the interactivity: every visitor was assigned a small adorable “companion” that guided them through the pavilion, explaining concepts and interacting with exhibits. It was engaging, educational, and surprisingly fun—especially for young visitors.

France

France’s pavilion was effortlessly chic, staying true to its fashion legacy. The sleek, minimalist architecture set the tone, while the exhibits felt like stepping into a high-end art museum. First came a dazzling showcase of Louis Vuitton bags, enhanced with lights and music, followed by an elegant Dior display featuring all-white gowns that emphasized the brand’s enduring influence on global fashion. Stylish, polished, and very French.

Final Thoughts

Despite these highlights, I left the Expo feeling unsatisfied. The long lines, underwhelming mascot design, and noticeably smaller scale (just one-third the size of the previous Expo in Dubai) left me questioning the value. At roughly $50 per ticket—twice Dubai’s price—the limited access made the experience feel incomplete. The World Expo is supposed to be about connection, exploration, and discovery. But in Osaka, much of that was locked away behind a buggy app and a lottery system. I had a taste of the magic—but only a taste, when I had hoped for a feast.

Photo by Gandira Pratama