Osaka Expo Visit #12: June 10, 2025 - Part 2

On this visit, I was delighted to finally get into the JAPAN PAVILION. I loved it. (Quick tip: After 7 pm, no reservation required. The line was long, but it moved super fast!)

Decked out in wood, this nature-inspired pavilion showcased the Japanese minimalistic aesthetic and dedication to being in harmony with the environment. It was also a powerful statement on their commitment to sustainability.

Our journey through the pavilion revealed some of Japan’s most innovative efforts in circular living - such as  learning how biogas is being created directly from food waste generated at the Expo site.

In Japan, where natural disasters are part of the landscape, the gallery of ‘soft materials” highlighted that softness isn't a weakness, it’s a strategy for resilience. The use of soft, flexible materials in construction isn’t just about design—it’s about survival and recovery. From architecture to furniture to the staff uniforms, nearly everything in the pavilion was made from recycled or recyclable materials to be repurposed for new uses when expo ends.

We learned about koji mold, the essential microorganism behind the fermentation of some of my favorite Japanese food items like miso, soy sauce, and sake! And discovering the immense potential of algae to drive sustainable solutions in food, fuel, and more.

The Japan Pavilion was both beautiful and educational. It reminds us that sustainable living - from the food we eat to the buildings we design -  is a cycle we can all take part in. Each choice we make has the power to create a better future.

Stay tuned...More visits come.

NOTE: I am writing about my Expo visits to share the wonders, innovations, inspiration, and cultural richness of EXPO Osaka 2025 with those who are interested, but unable to attend.

*All pictures and videos by Yvonne Burton.