【Osaka Expo】Tips for a Smooth Visit, Even on the Day of!

If you're heading to the Osaka Expo, you'll want to make the most of your visit. Here are three essential tips to ensure a smooth experience, even if you're planning last minute! ✨ 📍 Osaka, Yumeshima 🚊 5-minute walk from Yumeshima Station on the Chuo Line [Tip #1: Arrive 30 Minutes Before Opening] The Osaka Expo is known for its crowds, and your satisfaction largely depends on how many popular pavilions you can visit during the less crowded morning hours. Famous pavilions like the USA Pavilion and the France Pavilion are best visited first thing in the morning. Although the venue opens at 9 AM, many people are already lined up at the gates before then, so arriving early is highly recommended. [Tip #2: Download the App] Pavilion reservations can be made on the day of your visit, so make sure to install the app at least before you arrive. While paper maps are often said to be easier to read, I found the map on the "Expo2025 Personal Agent" app to be very user-friendly and sufficient. If you want to travel light, this is a great option. Recommended downloads: - Expo2025 Visitors - Expo2025 Personal Agent - Expo2025 Digital Wallet [Tip #3: Leave Early for a Smoother Departure] While the nighttime fountain shows, fireworks, and drone displays are worth seeing ✨, be prepared for heavy crowds when leaving afterward. If your main focus is visiting pavilions, skipping these shows and heading home early is advisable. During Golden Week, I stayed until the end and it took me about an hour and a half to get from the gate to boarding the train. Make sure to stay hydrated and enjoy the Osaka Expo to the fullest!