The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, boasting a record-breaking 158 official participating countries and regions, has been a major draw since its April opening. While attendance figures climb steadily, a survey of 200 visitors from the Kanto and Kinki regions reveals a more nuanced picture, with several common complaints emerging about the visitor experience.
The Top Three Disappointments
According to the survey, the third biggest letdown for visitors was the South Korea Pavilion. Many who waited in line for over an hour felt the exhibit failed to meet expectations. The content, which featured K-Pop style dance performances in a theater, may have had a generational divide in its appeal. Furthermore, with the vibrant Koreatown in Osaka's Tsuruhashi district offering an authentic and accessible cultural experience, the pavilion's offerings were perceived by some as lacking novelty.
Securing the second spot on the disappointment ranking was the high cost of food. With approximately 100 food and beverage outlets on site, visitors expressed shock at the pricing. Family groups reported spending over 20,000 yen on a single meal, and many individual items were deemed prohibitively expensive. Examples include multi-course menus at the France Pavilion starting from 11,000 yen, main dishes at the USA Pavilion from 4,500 yen, and entrees at the Kuwait Restaurant priced at 3,850 yen.
While these prices may be standard for fine dining in a global context and are aimed at an international audience, they represent a significant financial hurdle for the average Japanese family visitor. The issue of value was further highlighted by an incident involving the UK Pavilion's afternoon tea set, which was widely criticized online for its poor quality relative to its 5,000 yen price tag, leading to a public apology from the British Embassy.
The Number One Frustration: Overwhelming Crowds
Far and away, the biggest source of visitor dissatisfaction was the intense crowding and long wait times. Despite initial promises of a queue-reduced experience, popular pavilions like Italy's have regularly seen wait times exceed five hours. The entry gates themselves often feature long lines, and the overall atmosphere was described by some as stressful rather than enjoyable. The inability to casually explore and the physical toll of waiting in the heat diminished the experience for many.
The congestion issue has been fluid. In the initial days after opening, negative publicity kept crowds relatively light. However, as positive word-of-mouth spread, attendance surged, creating the current bottleneck. This sudden influx also exposed weaknesses in the Expo's digital infrastructure.
The Digital Divide and Booking System Woes
A related issue that ranked separately in the survey was the difficulty of securing reservations. The Expo's reliance on a smartphone-based booking system created a significant barrier for many. The network often struggled under peak demand, making it difficult to connect and reserve slots. Furthermore, the system itself was criticized for its complexity.
Not all pavilions required reservations, and those that did had varying rules, with some requiring bookings days in advance. This was particularly challenging for international tourists who arrived at the Expo unaware of the pre-booking requirements, leaving them unable to access major attractions. The system also disadvantaged older visitors less comfortable with smartphone technology, creating a disparity in access to the Expo's offerings.
An Expert's Verdict
Despite the criticisms, Expo enthusiasts find much to appreciate. One veteran visitor who has attended 16 different World Expos gave the Osaka-Kansai event a score of 80 out of 100. He praised the compact and walkable layout of the venue, especially compared to the vast distances at previous Expos like Shanghai. The 20-point deduction was primarily for the problematic reservation system and the digital divide it exacerbated.
The ephemeral nature of the Expo is a core part of its magic. Structures like the massive Grand Roof Ring, a Guinness World Record holder, are destined for dismantling after the event closes on October 13th. This creates a powerful sense of urgency and a unique, fleeting urban experience that will never be replicated. For all its flaws, the Osaka-Kansai Expo remains a monumental gathering of global cultures and innovations, a temporary city that challenges and delights its visitors in equal measure.
