I went to the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Though it was extremely hot, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to go, even if it was to see the pavilion my brother worked on. Also, my schedule only allowed me to go at that time.
It was a speedy one-day trip to the Expo, waking up early in the morning and returning home on the same day!
I was so excited and restless the day before, as I usually never have the time to go on a completely private trip without bringing my instrument! I felt like going on a school trip from elementary school, preparing goods to prevent summer fatigue, packing some snacks in my bag, putting frozen water in the cooler bag, and so on… I couldn’t sleep until late at night because of the excitement.
I met my friend on the Shinkansen seat to go together to the Expo, and even eating the bento together on the train was fun, because usually, I do that alone.
As we finally arrived at the Expo, following the directions my brother Akira had given me, the excitement got bigger. The whole space was much larger than I had imagined, with numerous pavilions from various countries and companies scattered everywhere.
The famous “Grand Ring”, which had been much talked about for various reasons earlier,
was a huge and magnificent architecture. I felt the vastness of the structure when I climbed to the top of the Ring; it was so large that I couldn’t see the entire Ring. The view from the top was breathtaking, so much fun looking at all the unique roofs of the pavilions. Though I wanted to walk around the Ring, I decided not to because of the blazing sun and the 2 kilometres in length. This Ring is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Seeing it in person was quite an emotional experience. Timbers are exposed, revealing their structure, which was really impressive. As no walls or fabric were covering the wood like in a typical building, you could see how each timber supported the structure, which I found fascinating.
From over 150 pavilions, choosing which ones to visit might be a difficult decision for those who are attending the Expo.
But in my case, I came to the Expo site specifically to see the pavilion my brother Akira Senju was involved in!
Entering from the West Gate, where taxis, buses, and private cars enter, the Pasona Pavilion is located immediately on the left.
It is a white building with a narrow, pointed structure designed around images of ammonites and seashells. At the tip of the structure, you can see “Atom” (from Astroboy) sitting there, which makes it easy to recognize. When you look closer, you notice that Atom is pointing in a certain direction. Atom is pointing toward Awaji Island. It was interesting to hear that after the Expo is over, the Pasona Pavilion will be relocated to Awaji Island. That is another something to look forward to!
I headed straight to the Pasona Pavilion.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a large, slender cylinder titled “The Tree of Life” stretching from the floor to the ceiling, representing the evolution of life from the past to the future. It is said to be inspired by Taro Okamoto’s “The Tower of the Sun”. The exhibition begins at the spot where the massive ammonite is located, which is, of course, a real one. It shimmered like a jewel with dazzling light and beauty that leaves you speechless. The music that flows throughout the building stirs one’s imagination, and it is truly the world of Akira Senju. The entire space is unified around the collaboration with the world of Osamu Tezuka, with “after” stories of Black Jack and Astroboy guiding us to a future full of hope.
The Pasona Pavilion invites us into a world full of hope and dreams.
Here, you can see the much-talked-about iPS cells on display! You can actually see the iPS hearts and iPS sheets pulse with life in red liquid. I never imagined being able to look at something like this. I’ve learnt that they need to replace the live iPS cells every week, as they gradually shrink by consuming energy.
What touched me the most was the “Natureverse” show.
Numerous large, block-like objects were stacked together and placed in the centre of a large space. We could walk around them, and at first, I thought they were just static images of future scenes, but when the show opened, the blocks moved from left to right, up and down, with a story featuring Black Jack and Astroboy projected onto them. Akira Senju composed the dynamic music with various lights and lasers added; it was truly an inspiring, magnificent spectral show. Delicate and dynamic at the same time, it made me want to see it all over again.
If I were to mention one more pavilion, it would be the Italian Pavilion, which has already gained a great reputation, and many people are curious about.
It was truly amazing.
The “Farnese Atlas” is a marble sculpture, a little bigger than life-size, from ancient Rome (around 150 A.D.), which is housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
And the Vatican’s Exhibition displays the masterpiece of the Baroque master, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, 1571-1610).
Surprisingly, “The Entombment of Christ” can be seen up close.
Speaking of the Vatican, it is like the “hometown” of the Stradivarius Duranty violin that I own (the first owner happened to be the Pope of the Vatican), so this pavilion is the one I cannot miss. If I missed this opportunity, I thought I would never be able to see it again, and I kind of felt a shiver down my spine.
There was also on display, the handwriting of Leonardo da Vinci! Everything is genuine, of course. It was the only chance for me to see the real thing at this Expo.
I did hesitate at first about going to the Expo in this heat, but I am so glad I did.
I highly recommend visiting for those who have not gone yet, while it’s still open.
It might be better when the heat has eased a little, but in my case, it’s my 50th Anniversary year and I have many commemorative concerts coming up in September, so the only time to go was during the peak of the heatwave.
It could be more comfortable to go closer to the end in October, but on the other hand, it seems to be a little less crowded in the hot summer.
As time slowly passes, the significance of the Expo experience seems to be sinking into me, and I find myself feeling various thoughts over again.