\uff3b\u76ee\u6b21\uff3d<\/h2>\n\n- Giant Myaku-Myaku at Osaka City Hall!<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4 Expo poster designs<\/a><\/li>\n
- Expo themed wrapped trains<\/a><\/li>\n
- Even buses and planes are wearing Expo colors!<\/a><\/li>\n
- Official stores for Myaku-Myaku merchandise!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Giant Myaku-Myaku at Osaka City Hall!<\/h2>\n
First, let\u2019s take a look at Osaka City Hall.
\nWhen you get off the Osaka Metro or Keihan Railway at Yodoyabashi Station, you can see Osaka City Hall just across the Tosabori river.<\/p>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The building is just what you would expect from an Osaka City Government Building, a classic style. As you approach the front entrance, you\u2019ll notice Myaku-Myaku waiting to greet you in a very relaxed pose!<\/p>\n
![\"Giant](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
What do you think? Isn\u2019t it unusual to see this kind of statue in front of a building like this.
\nWhat on earth is this pose? It almost looks like a Reclining Buddha statue that you would see in a temple in Thailand? Or is Myaku-Myaku just relaxing?<\/p>\n
Setting aside the statue\u2019s posture for the moment, let\u2019s look at the scale. The monument itself is 3.3 meters wide, 2 meters tall, and 1.5 meters in depth!
\nThis is right on brand for the official mascot character of the Expo\u2014bold and impressive. And the more I see this character around, the more it seems to grow on me.<\/p>\n
4 Expo poster designs<\/h2>\n
The next thing I want to show you is something I found inside a train station.<\/p>\n
![\"4](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
I found these big posters for the Expo featuring Myaku-Myaku.
\n(There\u2019s a lot of digital signage for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai too, but those are so hard to photograph because the image keeps switching\ud83d\udca6)<\/p>\n
The sign I found was the one that said, \u201cIt\u2019s coming, the Expo!\u201d And actually, there are four different designs for the posters and signage used to promote the Osaka\/Kansai Expo.<\/p>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Which design do you like the best?
\nI thought this one catchphrase was especially interesting. It reads, \u201cIt’s time to put the World Expo in your calendar.\u2019’ I know it’s still a little early to schedule in an event that far in the future. But it is a good idea to start planning your visit early. You\u2019ll definitely want to start looking things up, especially if you are visiting Osaka from far away.
\nThe posters really show off Myaku-Myaku\u2019s signature colors. The blue and red really stand out.<\/p>\n
Speaking of standing out, the \u201cOsaka Station Building EXPO2025 Wrapping\u201d advertisement on the outside of Osaka Station City\u2019s South Gate Building at JR Osaka Station really grabs your attention.<\/p>\n
![\"Expo](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
You can see the advertisement clearly from the above-ground walkway that connects Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Daimaru Umeda Store, and Hanshin
\nDepartment Store in Umeda!<\/p>\n
Expo themed wrapped trains<\/h2>\n
Expo decorated trains are on the tracks in Osaka!
\nIf you’re waiting for a train in the city, you might be surprised to see which train shows up.<\/p>\n
![\"red,](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img06.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of Osaka Metro Company)<\/p><\/div>\n
This photo shows one of Osaka Metro’s Midosuji Line trains. It’s designed specially to advertise the Expo!
\nAnd in case you were wondering, here is one of the designs you would normally see on the Midosuji Line.<\/p>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img07.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
When they are wrapped, the trains look completely different. The first time I saw an Expo train, I was worried, for a moment, that perhaps I was on the wrong platform. But now I\u2019ve gotten used to seeing these trains more and more.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not only the Osaka Metro trains. Other railways are also running wrapped cars!<\/p>\n
![\"Red,](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img08.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of JR West)<\/p><\/div>\n
This is a wrapped JR train. I saw the subway trains a while ago, but it’s also nice to see a wrapped train out in the open, under the blue sky!<\/p>\n
![\"Red,](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img09.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of Keihan Electric Railway)<\/p><\/div>\n
This is the Keihan train that connects Osaka and Kyoto. I was impressed when I noticed this train, all decorated in the Expo colors. But then I started to think that all the wrapped trains look the same, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n
But when I asked a real railway enthusiast, she said, \u201cBob, what are you talking about? They\u2019re completely different.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/04\/osaka-dialect-bob01.png\")
<\/p>\n
Osaka Bob<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNo, they look the same.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2021\/04\/osaka-dialect-manabu01.png\")
<\/p>\n
Enthusiast<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNo!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
Osaka Bob<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBut, I can\u2019t tell the difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
Enthusiast<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOk, Bob, let me explain. Even though JR’s cars are wrapped, they still have that stylish look on the front. On the other hand, this Keihan car has a more handsome face.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
Osaka Bob<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWell, they look the same to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve gone a little bit off topic. But I want to say that I do agree with railway enthusiasts that the Expo colors leave a strong impression.<\/p>\n
![\"Hankyu](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img10.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
On the other hand, I also found this more modestly wrapped vehicle.
\nSince Hankyu Railway opened in 1910, its trains have always been maroon in color. Their colors are like part of their identity, which has remained true all these years. However, the Hankyu wrapped trains are decorated with Myaku-Myaku eyes scattered along the cars, which are so incredibly cute!<\/p>\n
Even buses and planes are wearing Expo colors!<\/h2>\n
Osaka\/Kansai Expo themed vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. There are Expo themed buses and airplanes too!<\/p>\n
![\"Myaku-Myaku,](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img11.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of Nihon Kotsu)<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img12.jpg\")
(Photo courtesy of JAL)<\/p><\/div>\n
Osaka really is painted in Expo colors!
\nAnd, if you thought that was all\u2026<\/p>\n
![\"Expo](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img13.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
There are even manhole covers!
\nWhile you are in Osaka, you might come across Myaku-Myaku on the street.<\/p>\n
Come to think of it, people from overseas seem to be impressed by Japanese manhole covers.
\nManhole covers in Japan have different designs in each municipality, and Osaka City’s most famous design features Osaka Castle and cherry blossoms. On a side note, the reason for the designs is to make the manhole covers less slippery. Iron manholes can get slippery on rainy days, but the textures are designed to reduce this effect. How nice!<\/p>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img14.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Cherry blossoms and Osaka Castle. Don’t you think this design is beautiful?
\nBe careful not to look down at the manholes too intently and bump into people while you\u2019re walking.<\/p>\n
Official stores for Myaku-Myaku merchandise!<\/h2>\n
Now there are official stores, where you can find all your favorite 2025 Osaka\/Kansai Expo items.<\/p>\n
![\"Osaka](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/05\/expo2025-myaku-myaku-img15.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Currently there are four of these stores in Osaka that are open, beginning with the Abeno Harukas store, which opened in September of 2023.<\/p>\n
\n- Abeno Harukas store<\/li>\n
- Daimaru Umeda store<\/li>\n
- JR Shin-Osaka Station Eki March\u00e9 store<\/li>\n
- MARUZEN & JUNKUDO Umeda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The stores sell a variety of items, including Myaku-Myaku stuffed animals and key chains, as well as apparel with EXPO2025 designs, tote bags, and umbrellas.<\/p>\n
Giant Myaku-Myaku at Osaka City Hall!<\/h2>\n
First, let\u2019s take a look at Osaka City Hall.
\nWhen you get off the Osaka Metro or Keihan Railway at Yodoyabashi Station, you can see Osaka City Hall just across the Tosabori river.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The building is just what you would expect from an Osaka City Government Building, a classic style. As you approach the front entrance, you\u2019ll notice Myaku-Myaku waiting to greet you in a very relaxed pose!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
What do you think? Isn\u2019t it unusual to see this kind of statue in front of a building like this.
\nWhat on earth is this pose? It almost looks like a Reclining Buddha statue that you would see in a temple in Thailand? Or is Myaku-Myaku just relaxing?<\/p>\n
Setting aside the statue\u2019s posture for the moment, let\u2019s look at the scale. The monument itself is 3.3 meters wide, 2 meters tall, and 1.5 meters in depth!
\nThis is right on brand for the official mascot character of the Expo\u2014bold and impressive. And the more I see this character around, the more it seems to grow on me.<\/p>\n
4 Expo poster designs<\/h2>\n
The next thing I want to show you is something I found inside a train station.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I found these big posters for the Expo featuring Myaku-Myaku.
\n(There\u2019s a lot of digital signage for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai too, but those are so hard to photograph because the image keeps switching\ud83d\udca6)<\/p>\n
The sign I found was the one that said, \u201cIt\u2019s coming, the Expo!\u201d And actually, there are four different designs for the posters and signage used to promote the Osaka\/Kansai Expo.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Which design do you like the best?
\nI thought this one catchphrase was especially interesting. It reads, \u201cIt’s time to put the World Expo in your calendar.\u2019’ I know it’s still a little early to schedule in an event that far in the future. But it is a good idea to start planning your visit early. You\u2019ll definitely want to start looking things up, especially if you are visiting Osaka from far away.
\nThe posters really show off Myaku-Myaku\u2019s signature colors. The blue and red really stand out.<\/p>\n
Speaking of standing out, the \u201cOsaka Station Building EXPO2025 Wrapping\u201d advertisement on the outside of Osaka Station City\u2019s South Gate Building at JR Osaka Station really grabs your attention.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
You can see the advertisement clearly from the above-ground walkway that connects Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Daimaru Umeda Store, and Hanshin
\nDepartment Store in Umeda!<\/p>\n
Expo themed wrapped trains<\/h2>\n
Expo decorated trains are on the tracks in Osaka!
\nIf you’re waiting for a train in the city, you might be surprised to see which train shows up.<\/p>\n
(Photo courtesy of Osaka Metro Company)<\/p><\/div>\n
This photo shows one of Osaka Metro’s Midosuji Line trains. It’s designed specially to advertise the Expo!
\nAnd in case you were wondering, here is one of the designs you would normally see on the Midosuji Line.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When they are wrapped, the trains look completely different. The first time I saw an Expo train, I was worried, for a moment, that perhaps I was on the wrong platform. But now I\u2019ve gotten used to seeing these trains more and more.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not only the Osaka Metro trains. Other railways are also running wrapped cars!<\/p>\n
(Photo courtesy of JR West)<\/p><\/div>\n
This is a wrapped JR train. I saw the subway trains a while ago, but it’s also nice to see a wrapped train out in the open, under the blue sky!<\/p>\n
(Photo courtesy of Keihan Electric Railway)<\/p><\/div>\n
This is the Keihan train that connects Osaka and Kyoto. I was impressed when I noticed this train, all decorated in the Expo colors. But then I started to think that all the wrapped trains look the same, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n
But when I asked a real railway enthusiast, she said, \u201cBob, what are you talking about? They\u2019re completely different.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
No, they look the same.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n No!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n But, I can\u2019t tell the difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Ok, Bob, let me explain. Even though JR’s cars are wrapped, they still have that stylish look on the front. On the other hand, this Keihan car has a more handsome face.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Well, they look the same to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ve gone a little bit off topic. But I want to say that I do agree with railway enthusiasts that the Expo colors leave a strong impression.<\/p>\n On the other hand, I also found this more modestly wrapped vehicle. Osaka\/Kansai Expo themed vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. There are Expo themed buses and airplanes too!<\/p>\n (Photo courtesy of Nihon Kotsu)<\/p><\/div>\n (Photo courtesy of JAL)<\/p><\/div>\n Osaka really is painted in Expo colors! There are even manhole covers! Come to think of it, people from overseas seem to be impressed by Japanese manhole covers. Cherry blossoms and Osaka Castle. Don’t you think this design is beautiful? Now there are official stores, where you can find all your favorite 2025 Osaka\/Kansai Expo items.<\/p>\n Currently there are four of these stores in Osaka that are open, beginning with the Abeno Harukas store, which opened in September of 2023.<\/p>\n The stores sell a variety of items, including Myaku-Myaku stuffed animals and key chains, as well as apparel with EXPO2025 designs, tote bags, and umbrellas.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nSince Hankyu Railway opened in 1910, its trains have always been maroon in color. Their colors are like part of their identity, which has remained true all these years. However, the Hankyu wrapped trains are decorated with Myaku-Myaku eyes scattered along the cars, which are so incredibly cute!<\/p>\nEven buses and planes are wearing Expo colors!<\/h2>\n
\nAnd, if you thought that was all\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nWhile you are in Osaka, you might come across Myaku-Myaku on the street.<\/p>\n
\nManhole covers in Japan have different designs in each municipality, and Osaka City’s most famous design features Osaka Castle and cherry blossoms. On a side note, the reason for the designs is to make the manhole covers less slippery. Iron manholes can get slippery on rainy days, but the textures are designed to reduce this effect. How nice!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nBe careful not to look down at the manholes too intently and bump into people while you\u2019re walking.<\/p>\nOfficial stores for Myaku-Myaku merchandise!<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2024\/02\/about-expo2025-main.jpg\")