Experiencing the Future at Osaka Expo 2025: Hachimine's View of the Frontiers of Technology and Culture

Early in the morning of April 13, 2025. Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, was quietly raising its curtain under an unsettled sky with a mixture of rain and wind.

'Come on, let's go. If the future's out there, I want to make sure."

Hachimine got into the cab with an umbrella in his hand.
The goal is "Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025," the first Expo to be held in Osaka in 55 years--the theme isDesigning a Future Society that Shines with Life.He was headed for a "testing ground for the future society" where technology and culture intersected.

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▼ What this article reveals

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[The ordeal leading up to the venue] The road to the future was already one experience.

Cabs on the Lost Road: "Analog Confusion" for Wayfinding

Yumeshima... to the Expo site, please.

That was all I had to say, and I got into the cab. However, the veteran driver saidWhat? I've never been there..."It was an anxious word.

He followed the directions of his navigation system, but the road was closed. Hachimine's car, staring at Google Maps, was filled with a quiet mixture of impatience and excitement.

In a way, I felt that this access confusion was also symbolic of "Japan today.

This is by no means just a complaint. Rather,Awareness of the structural problem of "while we set up our ideals, our feet are not on the ground in reality.It was. In contrast to the state-of-the-art technology of the venue, the traffic and information systems at the entrance to the venue were in disarray. How to prepare for the "now" before talking about the "future"-this gap was the real challenge that Hachimine felt.

*Google map will open. Please use it if you need help with cabs, etc.

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[Gateway to the Expo] The colorful flags of different countries stir the heart.

The moment Hachimine stood in front of the west gate of the venue, he was struck by the spectacular sight of flags from all over the world flying simultaneously.

'Wow...the whole world really is here.'

It was a sensation that filled me with passion from deep within my chest. It was a "local heartbeat" that could never be experienced on TV or the Internet.

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Expo site｜Giant but gentle
- "Human-centered future" felt in the large roof ring.

The "O-Yane Ring," a huge wooden structure, rises in the center of Yumeshima. Hachimine couldn't help but look up at the 675-meter diameter.

Even though it's so huge, there's still a sense of tenderness about it. This is what I call a "human-centered society.

Normally, a structure of this size would feel oppressive and cold, but the warmth of the wood and the harmony with nature in this ring gave it a sense of "envelopment and security.

The architecture itself embodies the "people-friendly future" that "Society 5.0" advocates.
Hachimine felt that the scale and design were a perfect match,Hints for a people-centered society rather than technologyIt was.

The world gathers, the epitome of the future
-The diversity of "uniqueness" I felt at the Pavilion.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Expo is the number of pavilions in which countries from around the world compete to exhibit their wares.
As Hachimine walked through the exhibition hall, this "Architecture of the Future" caught his attention the most.

Each pavilion is like the "face" of a country, reflecting its culture, technology, and ideology.
The architectural design, as well as the content of the exhibits, is imbued with a strong message, making it a space where visitors can not only look at the exhibits, but also come into contact with "a country's view of the future.

"Ah, this is a place where 'national values' are translated in architecture.

As Hachimine felt, the themes are as diverse as art, environment, science, education, space, medicine, gender....

The domestic and international pavilions include NTT, Mitsubishi, Pasona, and the "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION" where a life-size Gundam will be on display, where Japanese private companies demonstrate their technological prowess. are also condensed.

On the first and second days of Hachimine's visit, some of the pavilions were still under construction, but even in their unfinished state, he said, he could feel the "energy of the moment architecture is launched.

I felt that "the future that the world is aiming for" was being realistically built here.

A vision of the future drawn by diverse countries and companies from around the world, each with their own approach.
The way they gathered and coexisted on one island was "human collaboration itself.

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7-Eleven's "store of the future
-Real surprises felt at the Yakitori

Inside the venue, Hachimine stopped at a 7-Eleven, which is attracting attention as a futuristic convenience store.
The West Gate and Water Plaza stores are two experimental stores designed for the year 2030.

What is that savory aroma...?"

Hachimine was drawn to the restaurant's emphasis on "freshly prepared" yakitori and pizza, which are baked in the restaurant.
I took a bite of yakitori while looking at the menu displayed on the giant signage.

Wouldn't this be a regular thriving restaurant if they did this all over town?"

An experiential food space and a package design exclusive to the Expo. It was a place where visitors could experience the future of food and branding.

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The robot says, "Welcome.
-A moment that touches the future of customer service

As Hachimine walks around the restaurant in the lingering afterglow of the yakitori, a "talking robot" suddenly appears in front of him.

Welcome, can I help you?"

This robot, which responds through a panel displaying a human face, is a remote customer service type that works through a remote connection. Hachimine could not hide his surprise at the natural conversation.

This... could change the very nature of the hospitality industry."

It's not just a convenience--it's a way of life.
Through the robot, I felt both a sense of security in the presence of people and flexibility in reaching people even when they are not there.

This will expand work options and help alleviate labor shortages.
The quality of service can also be maintained by connecting urban and rural areas, on-site and remotely.

I guess this is what they mean when they say "technology helps people.

A future where technology and people can coexist and support each other without difficulty.
Hachimine had unexpectedly experienced this possibility in a convenience store.

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It's not just about technology.
-All-gender toilets that showed a change in culture.

After experiencing the evolution of technology at the futuristic convenience store, Hachimine suddenly stopped at the venue's restrooms.
What there was was an "all-gender toilet" that could be used by anyone without distinction of gender.

The future is not only about technology, but also about how people feel.

Muttering quietly, Hachimine observes the structure of the space.

The fact that a total of 112 all-gender toilets are available in 18 of the 46 restrooms (about 40%) at the venue.
The structure consists of a row of private toilets on either side of the entrance, with a shared washroom space in the center. In the center is a shared washroom space, and further in the back is a men's urinal.
And for women who are not comfortable sharing a room, three private rooms for women with a washbasin were provided.

These designs were introduced as a consideration for LGBTQ+ and other sexual minorities against the backdrop of SDG principles.
In addition, there is the practical benefit of reducing crowding in the women's restrooms.

Nevertheless, the reaction of users has not been uniform.
A certain number of respondents said, "I want to avoid gender-sharing unless it is crowded," or "I'm not used to it, so I'm not comfortable with it." Cautious opinions, especially from Japanese women, were also noticeable.
On the other hand, men and some foreign visitors to Japan use the service without hesitation, highlighting differences in culture and sensibilities.

It will take time to be fully accepted by everyone. But first of all, it is important to be able to choose.

With this in mind, Hachimine quietly pondered what the society of the future should be like.

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Facing not only technology but also the diversification of values - and
-It was a moment when I realized once again that this is also an essential element of "designing the society of the future.

Expo goods cause "instant premium phenomenon
-Hachimine sees a new relationship between culture and economy

The booths at the venue had long lines of visitors from the morning. The booths were filled with a long line of visitors from early in the morning, and the booths were filled to the brim with a variety of goods such as ICOCA, Tamagotchi, and Sanrio collaboration goods.

One of the visitors who caught Hachimine's eye was a visitor who was taking pictures of items he had just bought with his smartphone and displaying them.

When I looked at the screen, to my surprise, the product was already2 to 5 times the list priceThe items were listed on a flea market app at a price of $3,000, and we could see them selling one after another.

The "experience" I just had has already turned into "value.

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Purchase = Experience, Experience = Asset

What was being developed at the Expo was not simply the sale of goods, but the creation of "cultural empathy and scarcity".experiential consumptionThe cutting edge of
Buying was an event in itself, and the memory of the purchase became capital and started to move - it was truly a moment when "cultural capital was immediately transformed into economic capital.

As Hachimine quietly observes these phenomena, he comes up with a possibility.

Ginza could have this kind of 'instant value' mechanism. If well designed, it could create a new experience economy.

But... sometimes the "value that should reach someone" doesn't.

On the other hand, there were a few things that stuck in Hachimine's mind.
The reality is that goods are bought up for resale before they reach the hands of those who really want them.

Culture is only meaningful if it reaches someone's heart.

There is a gap between the spirit of "co-creation" and "empathy" that the Expo aims for and the excessive enthusiasm for resale.
We felt that a delicate balance in designing future experiences was needed.

Shopping at Hachimine Ikko

While walking around the booth, Hachimine had a number of paper bags in his hands before he knew it. When he noticed them...More than 200,000 yenfor shopping.

It's a souvenir for my future self.

The desire to preserve the excitement and emotion felt at the event in a "tangible" form naturally led to purchasing behavior.

It's not about the merchandise, it's about the feeling of that moment that I'm taking home with me.

That is for me to think back to this day someday,Quiet memory stockBut it is also there.

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Ado Live] Singing over the rain, a night that made my heart tremble

The night of the Osaka Expo.
As the clock struck 7:45 p.m., the air in the venue suddenly quieted down and a light illuminated the stage. At that moment, Ado's live performance began.

Overwhelming vocals, performances that move the audience's hearts, and breathtaking staging.
The sense of unity in the live venue was beyond imagination, so much so that even the rain felt like part of the music.
Hachimine, who was there, was simply overwhelmed and felt the power of future entertainment with his whole body.

It didn't matter that it was raining. It was the future of entertainment."

"Live music is something to remember.
-Lingering Thoughts Beyond the Ban

The Expo's live concert venue is not only during Ado's performance, but also before the show starts and after it ends.All photography and recording is prohibited.The following is a list of the most common problems with the

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Hachimine also put his phone away in his pocket and concentrated on "burning everything on stage with my eyes and heart. When the concert was over, fireworks shot up into the sky.

The images are for reference only, as photography is prohibited in the venue.

Set List for Osaka-Kansai Expo Ado Opening Special Live

1. new age

2. backlighting

3. Shut up.

4. ready-made

5. crumbly

6. glittering

7. motherland

8. Tot Musica

9. Where does the wind go?

10. advocacy

11. Dancing (Encore)

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• date(s) (e.g. for exhibition): Sunday, April 13, 2025

• venue: EXPO Arena "Matsuri" (Osaka, Japan)

• Doors open / Concert beginsDoors open at 18:00 / Concert begins at 19:45

• Maximum capacity16,000

Fireworks were shot into the night sky at the same time as the live concert ended, adding color to the climax of the first day of the Expo.
Ado wrote on his social networking site.

It was a great time for me to create the best opening ever with you all." Myakmyak!"

The video of the moment of the fireworks was posted on social networking services and remains in the hearts of many people as a "lingering memory" of the live performance that was not recorded.

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Epilogue: A view of the future, also in Ginza

The day after Hachimine returned to Ginza, he said in a meeting with his team.

I believe that what we saw at the Expo can be realized in Ginza. I want to think about the next stage of district development without fearing change.

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Osaka Expo 2025 was the "fitting room of the future

Finally, Hachimine has included a video of the fountain show at the Expo that left a lasting impression on him.

The Expo was not an exhibition, but a "dialogue with the future. The path taken by Hachimine was a place where technology, culture, and people's thoughts intersected.

Summary of this article: The future has already begun.

What Hachimine experienced at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo was not just technology and exhibits, but the very question of how people will face the future.

Gentleness wrapped in a huge wooden ring.
Surprises that convenience stores evolve.
Natural interaction with the robot.
Restrooms that accommodate sexual diversity.
A product sales experience that turns culture into an economy.
And Ado's live performance that can only be remembered.

None of this is about "the future is somewhere far away,What is beginning at this moment in time.It made us feel that we were in the right place.

Hachimine's words back in Ginza, "I want to think about urban development without fearing change," directly expresses what he realized at this Expo.

Osaka Expo 2025 is a place where you can "try on" the society of the future.
And it is a place where everyone can participate and find their own way of "relating to the future.

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Article Supervisor