The Osaka–Kansai Expo in Japan, held over six months since April 13, closed on October 13.
According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, over the 184 days from April 13 to October 13, cumulative attendance reached 25,578,986 (excluding affiliates and staff). Total tickets sold (provisional) were 22,069,546, including 404,393 season passes.
In this article, we look back in photos at the final day, which drew 244,094 visitors.
At 8:40 a.m., under cloudy skies, the East and West Gates opened—the earliest opening time during the Expo.
Visitors briskly made their way into the venue from the West Gate.
Commons Building A, its window glass covered with thank-you messages from staff.
Other Commons buildings likewise were filled with many messages.
In front of the East Gate, crowds gathered to photograph the Myakumyaku statue (the Expo mascot).
The Indonesia Pavilion, which drew popularity with the “Yoyakunashi” (“No Reservation”) dance.
At the Canada Pavilion, saxophonist Kenji Ose and students from Gofuku Elementary School and Ikeda Junior High School in Ikeda City performed. Gofuku Elementary also appeared at the 1970 Osaka Expo.
In Inochi no Park (“Park of Life”), the “Festival of Life: World Life Band” featuring the taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo from Sado Island and staff from countries including Liberia and Senegal whipped up excitement.
At the Australia Pavilion, seven members of the country’s leading contemporary circus troupe Gravity & Other Myths performed apparatus-free acrobatics.
Throughout the Expo period, the Portugal Pavilion kept energizing the venue with dances from its second-floor terrace. On the final day, tears welled in staff members’ eyes.
Around 2:30 p.m., visitors waved toward a fixed camera used for the TV broadcast.
At 3:00 p.m., media artist Yoichi Ochiai held a DJ event at the Canada Pavilion, drawing a large crowd.
Canada Pavilion representative Laurie Peters also jumped onto the stage.
From 4:00 p.m., the Flag Parade took place. Led by Myakumyaku, Expo Special Supporters including Hello Kitty and Kumamon, and members of the idol group NMB48—about 350 people in total—paraded under the Grand Roof Ring.
To watch the parade, large crowds also gathered atop the Grand Roof Ring.
After sunset, the Grand Roof Ring welcomed its final night.
People with smartphones gathered around the digital signage to capture the final-day messages.
After the fireworks, drone show, and the Ao and the Night Rainbow Parade, waves of people left the venue.
Even after the pavilions reached closing time, many visitors lingered in the venue, reluctant to say goodbye.
After 11:00 p.m., the crowds finally thinned inside the venue. Even then, many pavilions were still bustling with staff parties.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
