The long-awaited Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai officially began in mid-April this year. Have you checked out all the latest travel tips for visiting Osaka and the Kansai region? This article focuses on how to enjoy the Expo with Umeda as your base, with access information and all the best places to shop, dine, and explore around the area. Use these travel tips to make the most of both the Expo and sightseeing in Umeda!

The Latest on Expo 2025 Osaka

What is the Expo?

The Expo 2025 is being held on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, from April 13 to October 13. It’s the first World Expo held in Japan since 2005 and the first one in Osaka since 1970, so it’s sparked major excitement across the country.
The Expo theme this year is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and the venue has been transformed into a kind of testing ground for the society of the future. There are unique pavilions on site from over 150 countries and regions, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and creative ideas to explore better ways of living. Whether you're interested in tech, design, or global cultures, the Expo offers something inspiring for everyone.

5 Can’t Miss Highlights of the Expo

・A Venue that Unites Sea and Sky

The Osaka Expo venue is on Yumeshima Island, surrounded by blue seas, with scenery that blurs the line between sea and sky, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a futuristic world. With an open layout and panoramic vistas, visitors can enjoy incredible scenery both day and night in this immersive environment.

・The World’s Largest Wooden Structure, “The Grand Ring”

The Expo’s iconic wooden structure known as the “Grand Ring,” has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “largest wooden architectural structure.” Designed with sustainability in mind, it blends traditional Japanese carpentry with modern innovation. It’s an architectural marvel worth seeing up close.

・8 Signature Pavilions

From smart tech to sustainable living, the Expo’s eight Signature Pavilions explore various visions of the future. Visitors can engage with next-generation technology and experience what life might look like in the future across different cultures and perspectives.

・Multisensory Entertainment

Enjoy spectacular light and sound productions with music and projection mapping at locations like the water stage and the outside walls of the “Shine Hat” Expo Hall. There are interactive setups, too, that’ll make the experience completely immersive.

・A Giant Gundam

Gundam fans won’t want to miss this: the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION features a massive Gundam on display! The figure isn’t just a statue, though, but one with movements that bring the robot to life, for a dream-come-true for Gundam fans.

Tips for Visiting the Osaka Expo

1. Large bags aren’t allowed. Store them in advance for a hassle-free visit.
2. Cash isn’t accepted inside the venue. Don’t forget to bring a credit card, or use a digital payment app.
3. There are multiple types of tickets, and entry time will vary by ticket. Weekday Tickets, Summer Passes, and Season Passes allow entry from 11:00 a.m., while Night Tickets allow one-time entry after 5:00 p.m.

Easy Access from Umeda to the Osaka Expo!

Source: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

By Train

The nearest station to the Expo venue, Yumeshima Station, officially opened on January 19, 2025.
From Umeda, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (the red line) to Hommachi Station, then transfer to the Chuo Line and ride to Yumeshima Station.

Source: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

By Direct Shuttle Bus

1. Umeda Station North Side (Umekita Green Place Bus Stop)

After exiting JR Osaka Station’s Umekita Underground ticket gate, go up the stairs to find the bus stop. Alternatively, go straight west along the connecting passage on the second floor of JR Osaka Station, head towards the Umekita Green Place bus stop, and go down to the first floor, where you’ll see the shuttle bus stop for the Expo.

2. Osaka Station South Side (Osaka Marui Building)

The Expo shuttle bus stop on the south side of Osaka Station is located halfway between Umeda Station, JR Osaka Station, and JR Kitashinchi Station. Exit JR Osaka Station’s Central South ticket gate, cross the crosswalk, continue straight, pass the Osaka Hilton Plaza and Hanshin Department Store, and you’ll find the shuttle bus stop on the right hand side of the intersection (the red dot in the image above).
Alternatively, if you are accessing from JR Kitashinchi Station, exit the West ticket gate on the first basement floor and go to the right. Turn left at the first intersection to enter Diamor Osaka. Continue straight for about 200m. At the five-way intersection, take the stairs or elevator on the left to go up to ground level, and the shuttle bus stop will be nearby.

Itinerary Ideas for a Day of Expo Fun and Umeda Sightseeing

Thanks to its excellent access to the venue, Umeda makes the perfect base for a day trip that includes shopping, dining, and the Expo experience. The Expo is open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, offering a different kind of experience during the day and at night. We recommend a half-day in Umeda, half-day Expo-style trip for flexibility and fun!

Plan 1: Expo by Day, Dinner in Umeda

Start your day exploring the Signature Pavilions, the Grand Roof, and the exhibits from each country. Return to Umeda in the evening for some delicious Kansai cuisine at Time Out Market in GRAND GREEN OSAKA SHOPS & RESTAURANTS, followed by some shopping or a taste of the nightlife.

Plan 2: Umeda Sightseeing by Day, Expo at Night

Enjoy a relaxed morning with breakfast at a café in GRAND GREEN OSAKA, then shop at nearby malls or ride the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel for sweeping city views. Head to the Expo in the evening to catch National Day performances, private pavilion showcases, the moving Gundam, or illuminated art shows on the water stage.

Must-Visit Shopping and Dining in Osaka’s Umeda Area

In the Spotlight: The Newly-Opened GRAND GREEN OSAKA SHOPS & RESTAURANTS

©Akira Ito.aifoto

GRAND GREEN OSAKA is a large, “greenified” development that merges city living and greenery into a single space, offering a refreshing natural escape right in the heart of Osaka. In Umekita Park, located inside the space, you’ll find a vast lawn, walking paths, and rest areas, perfect for relaxing amidst the greenery before or after your Expo visit.

GRAND GREEN OSAKA also houses the popular dining area, Time Out Market Osaka. Curated by the globally renowned city guide Time Out, this food hall brings together a selection of top restaurants under one roof, marking the brand’s first venture into Asia. The market showcases popular Kansai cuisine and cultural experiences, with 17 carefully selected restaurants and 2 bars, all aiming to promote cultural exchange through food.
If you're visiting the Umeda area, don’t miss its new landmark, bringing together greenery, relaxation, and gourmet dining at GRAND GREEN OSAKA!

Related Article:Umeda’s New 2025 Oasis & Photo Spot: GRAND GREEN OSAKA

HEP FIVE: A Youth Hotspot & Source of Fashion Trends

Easily recognizable by its iconic red Ferris wheel, HEP FIVE is one of Umeda’s landmark destinations. Ride the Ferris wheel at the top of this shopping mall and you can catch panoramic views of Osaka City. Inside the mall, you’ll find a lineup of trendy Japanese fashion brands beloved by young shoppers, like PARK by one way and INGNI. In recent years, the mall has also become popular with overseas visitors, thanks to Japanese brands like niko and… and BEAMS STREET, as well as a number of anime merchandise shops.

HEP FIVE is also home to the Bandai Namco Cross Store Osaka Umeda, an entertainment space for all ages that includes capsule toy machines, arcade games, purikura photo booths, character goods, hands-on events, and pop-up shops. Whether you're into fashion, anime, or simply want to enjoy a romantic view of the Osaka skyline, HEP FIVE is a must-visit destination!

Diamor Osaka: Directly Connected to the Expo Shuttle Bus by Osaka Station (South)

Diamor Osaka is a bright, elegant underground shopping space designed to evoke the atmosphere of an Italian town, enhanced with natural lighting and an airy courtyard-like feel. The mall offers a pleasant shopping experience with a variety of fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and home goods, as well as numerous restaurants and cafés.
Thanks to its convenient location near the station and direct underground links to nearby shopping malls, Diamor Osaka is frequently used by locals for everyday shopping and dining. It's also perfect for tourists: ideal for a relaxing break or browsing, regardless of the weather on the ground floor above.
On Diamor’s “Fashionable Street,” you’ll find a display of Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, set against a sparkling aurora-themed backdrop: the perfect spot to snap a photo to commemorate your trip to Osaka. There are also benches and tables available in the area, making it a great rest stop while waiting for the Expo shuttle bus.

For more details on how to get to Umeda, see here.

For more information on Umeda, check out some of our Trip Ideas.

*Information in this article is accurate as of the date of posting. There is a possibility that details regarding these products and services have changed, or that some shops have since closed.