A Look at the Wooden Ring for Expo 2025, Osaka—Traditional Construction Methods & an Impressive Scale

Maido! Osaka Bob here!
I’m a huge fan of the Osaka, Kansai Expo!

Recently, both the event PR and construction at the Expo site are moving at a quick pace in preparation for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
I’ve been curious about what the event will be like. And I finally got the chance to go behind the scenes at the construction site for the first time!

Osaka, Kansai Expo is drawing lots of media attention from overseas!

Osaka, Kansai Expo is drawing lots of media attention from overseas!
When I took this tour of the Grand Roof (Ring) members of the international media from Thailand, Korea, and Italy were there as well. Of course, this was the first time for all of us to visit the Yumeshima venue, which will be the site of the Osaka, Kansai Expo!

“Life” is the main theme for the Osaka, Kansai Expo, and the venue’s design concept celebrates both diversity and unity, while addressing global issues and striving for sustainable development. It is being created so that visitors to the Expo can experience the feeling that while we all have different backgrounds and ideas, we still share one world.
During the six months that the event will be held, people from all over the world will come together at this venue. I’m really looking forward to it!

©Expo 2025

The international media who gathered together at the meeting place for the tour all had questions about the Grand Roof Ring, which is the symbol structure for the Expo. There is a lot of interest from all over the world. People want to know “How is it being constructed?” and “Are all the companies building it Japanese firms?”
Everyone’s eyes lit up especially when they heard that it was “one of the largest wooden buildings in the world!”

The symbol of the Expo is huge—one lap is roughly 2 kilometers!

Before our visit to the Expo site at Yumeshima, we first headed to Cosmo Tower in Nanko to see it from above.

What you see across the ocean there is Yumeshima!
Can you tell that construction is currently underway?
If you look closely at the left side of the island, you will notice a large round roof. When I saw it, I got that feeling, that the Expo really is coming up soon!

Then, we took a car from Cosmo Tower and headed through the undersea tunnel to the island Expo site—Yumeshima.
Once we got past all the busy construction vehicles, we reached…

The Great Roof Ring is huge!
Neatly arranged pillars create a sense of architectural beauty. If you are familiar with Japan, try to imagine the wooden stage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto.
The height of the roof ring is 12 meters at its lowest point, which is also happens to be approximately the same height as the Shimizu stage.

This large roof ring, which represents the Osaka, Kansai Expo philosophy of “Unity in diversity” is supposed to be a structure with a diameter of approximately 615 meters and approximately 2 km in circumference. After a look at this scale I can understand why it will be the largest wooden building in the world!
This sight of pillar architecture seems to go on forever. I wonder what it will look like when construction is complete.

The wooden ring—reminiscent of the Kiyomizu’s wooden stage—is a work of art!

We also walked underneath the Great Roof Ring!

The beautifully assembled pillars are truly works of art!
Members of the international press organizations who took the tour with us were impressed and commented on how amazing it was. The media professionals from Italy noted how, “Many buildings in Italy are made of stone, so it was exciting to see such a wonderful structure made from wood.”

This large roof ring uses the Nuki method, which connects the pillars with horizontal beams that pass through them. The Nuki method is a construction technique that has been passed down since ancient times in Japan, and can be seen in the traditional architecture in temples and shrines here.

The great thing about the Nuki construction method is that it traditionally would not use nails (which is the same as the Kiyomizu Temple stage).
By skillfully combining wood as shown in the photo, they were able to create a structure that is resistant to pressure from above as well as shaking from earthquakes!
It seems that some bolts and nuts have been used to ensure safety, but isn’t it amazing that such a huge structure was created out of wood?

If I was working here, I would probably make a mistake in where to drill the hole or which direction the pillar goes.
It is made with great care and repeated extremely detailed work. This is an example of true craftsmanship!

You can walk on top of the roof, which will be a great sunset spot

I was so happy that I got to see something so amazing, and this time I was able to climb on top of the roof ring!
Did you know that? You can go on top!

We climbed up the construction site stairs.
The height we climbed to reach the top of the Great Roof Ring was equivalent to the fourth floor level of an apartment building.

The roof of the large roof ring is destined to become a walkway/observation deck called the “Ring Sky Walk.” You’ll be able to walk around the Expo venue on this raised platform. It will look like this when it’s completed. I can’t wait to come up here when it’s done!

©Expo 2025

Additionally, Osaka Bay, where Yumeshima—the Expo venue— is located, is one of the few bays in Japan that faces the West. That means you’ll be able to see the beautiful sunset over the Seto Inland Sea right before you. The top of the Grand Roof Ring, as it overlooks Osaka Bay, is going to be an amazing sunset spot. You’ll be able to take in the sea, sky, and land at this Expo!
I have a feeling this will become a popular place for anyone taking their date to the Expo. After enjoying the various pavilions, watching a romantic sunset would be the perfect end to your evening. I hope I get to come here again with someone special too~♡

My visit reminded me of how hard so many people are working to make the 2025 Expo in Osaka, Kansai a reality.
This time we visited the Grand Roof Ring, but construction of overseas pavilions has also started at the Expo venue! Plus construction on other domestic pavilions like the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion is progressing smoothly as well.

Once the physical structures start taking shape, it’s easy to get excited.
Also, I want to express my gratitude to everyone working hard on site! Let’s make this Expo an amazing one!

▶Did you get your Expo tickets yet?
Click here for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai ticket information
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/

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