Future Begins with Us: My Expo 2025 Experience

July 24, 2025

Sayaka Nakamura

When you hear the word “Expo,” what comes to your mind? Cutting-edge technology? Global cuisine? Or perhaps a moment to reflect on the future? For me, it was a powerful moment of connection between the world and myself when I visited the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 on May 25th.

When the Future Starts with a Queue

It took much longer than expected to get inside. The gates were crowded with people. Even before experiencing “the society of the future,” I was already faced with the very real inconveniences of the present. I tried to reserve pavilion visits on my phone, but the servers were overloaded. It was a frustrating start, but ironically, it made me think: “This is exactly why progress is still needed.”

Three Pavilions That Made Me See, Hear, and Feel the Future

Kurage Pavilion: Technology That Moves with Emotion

At the Kurage Pavilion, rather than just seeing or hearing, I felt as though I was immersed in the experience like I had stepped into another world. Inside the softly lit space, the gentle sounds of water and wind surrounded me. When I closed my eyes, it felt as if my body had melted into the environment itself, becoming one with the rhythms of nature.

What truly amazed me was the way children’s jellyfish drawings floated freely across giant screens, responding in real time to visitors’ movements. It felt like a gentle, wordless conversation between humans and nature, playful, intuitive, and deeply moving. At the end of the experience, traditional musicians from around the world began to play, and people—strangers from all walks of life—joined in a spontaneous group dance. We swayed side by side, smiling, without speaking the same language. In that moment, I realized something powerful: the future doesn’t just belong to technology—it belongs to joy, to connection, and to the shared experiences that transcend borders and cultures.

Baltic Pavilion: Planting the Future 

The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a cool, calming space filled with the gentle aroma of herbs. I instinctively took a deep breath, as if my body already knew this was a place to pause, to reflect. Nature and technology effortlessly lived together. Interactive touchscreen panels invited visitors to "plant" virtual trees—yet these weren’t just symbols. Each tree tapped on the screen would be actually planted in the Baltic states (Lithuania and Latvia) bridging the digital and the real. One wall let visitors draw messages with their fingers on condensation, leaving fleeting traces of thought. Another corner offered a quiet display about herbs and their traditional healing powers—reminding us that true innovation doesn’t always mean something new, but sometimes something remembered. In a world where technology often dazzles with speed and spectacle, this pavilion whispered a different message: that the future can be gentle, grounded, and deeply connected to the Earth.

South American & African Area: Celebrating Diversity 

Stepping into this area felt like stepping into a living heartbeat. The air pulsed with energy—vibrant colors draped the walls, rhythmic drums echoed through the space, and people in bold traditional attire moved with infectious joy. This wasn’t an exhibit to simply observe, it was one to join. Children danced alongside elders, laughter echoed from every direction, and for a moment, the lines between age, language, and nationality disappeared. Differences weren’t something to overcome—they were something to celebrate. In this space full of rhythm and color, I felt a deep truth: diversity isn’t about separation, but about connection. And in that realization, I understood what Expo 2025 was truly about.

I Am a Part of the Future, too

When people hear the word “Expo,” they often picture cutting-edge machines and striking designs. But for me, even after I left, one strong question stayed in my mind: “Who is responsible for creating the future?” I came to see the future, and I left with the inspiration.The future isn’t something built by politicians, scientists, or experts alone.

By feeling, engaging, and reflecting, I understood something profound: I, too, am a part of this future. Not just as a visitor, but as a creator, a participant, a connector. That connection to the world, to others, and to myself, was the most valuable thing I gained. The future doesn’t arrive on its own. It’s not something we passively wait for—it’s something we shape with our choices, dreams, and actions.

On that sunny day in May 2025, standing among strangers who felt like neighbors, I understood this with all my senses: the future begins with us. So if this story sparked even a small curiosity in you, I hope you won’t just go to see the future. Go to feel it, touch it, question it, dance with it, and you are a part of it, too.