Japan’s two largest cities, Tokyo and Osaka, are about 2 1/2 hours apart by the Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train. And in 2025, both cities will host international mega-events.
Osaka welcomes the EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN from April to October, while Tokyo is home to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in September and the 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025 in November.
In 2024, as these events draw near, the momentum is growing. For overseas visitors to Tokyo and Osaka, we present you with a diverse lineup of attractions and events of all types. We await your visit to these two major hubs of Japan and welcome you with open arms.
The EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN will be held April 13 (Sun.) to October 13 (Mon.), 2025.
The Expo is an international exhibition that brings together people and products from around the world. The theme of the Expo is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” This global gathering is a key opportunity for participants to use their wisdom to discuss global issues.
Yumeshima, a manmade island in Osaka Bay, will house the event. Surrounded by oceans on all sides, this venue is a place where people can understand their connection with our planet. The venue symbolizes diversity but also unity.
We encourage you to visit the array of Osaka and Kansai region attractions during your time at the Expo.
The Grand Roof (Ring)
Provided by: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Symbol of the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025, this massive wooden structure represents the concept of diverse yet united.
Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building Observatory
This Osaka Bay area landmark is located in the center of the island of Sakishima. From 252 meters up, you can take in a spectacular 360-degree view of Osaka's cityscape.
EXPO 2025 OFFICIAL STORE
©Expo 2025
A store for officially licensed products for Osaka Kansai Expo 2025. A huge range of items are available.
Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
Photo courtesy: Osaka Prefectural Government
This cultural park resides on the site of Expo ’70, when Osaka last hosted the event. The photogenic Tower of the Sun serves as the symbol of the park, where you can see seasonal flowers and attend events.
In 2025, Tokyo will host two major international sports festivals. The World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 will determine the fastest, strongest, and best in athletics, and the 25th Summer Deaflympics Tokyo 2025 bring together hearing-impaired athletes from around the world.
These athletes being excitement and passion, struggles and joys. Dreams and hopes are born from the heart-pounding moments these athletes create. They connect from all walks of life, each with their special abilities, and let us share in the excitement of their competitions. Their energy propels us through 2025 and beyond.
As you enjoy the events, take time to explore the stunning variety of sights, sounds, and tastes of the greater Tokyo area.
Japan National Stadium Tour
Copyright: JAPAN SPORT COUNCIL
This will be the site of World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. Here, in an place normally off-limits to the public, you can experience what it feels like to be an athlete.
Komazawa Olympic Park
This site, which was the venue for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and is planned to be the venue for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, has a wide range of sports facilities.
The TMG Observatories
Enjoy a panoramic view of Tokyo from 202 meters up. And this year, you can see projection mapping in Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1.
Tokyo Midtown Yaesu
This mixed use development is directly connected underground to JR Tokyo Station. With stores, hotels, a bus terminal, an elementary school, and other facilities, it’s like a city within the city.
GRAND GREEN OSAKA
Images provided by
GRAND GREEN OSAKA Developers
This mixed-use facility in front of the rapidly evolving area around JR Osaka Station opens in September 2024. Its sophisticated urban space centers on the expansive Umekita Park.
Tsutenkaku Tower Dive&Walk
Starting in summer 2024, here you can take in two experiential attractions: walking and diving from the sky 40 meters aboveground within Tsutenkaku Tower.
THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA
The combination of sumo, food, and entertainment will surprise and thrill you. Here, the charms of uniquely Japanese sumo will win over people from around the world.
Azabudai Hills / teamLab Borderless
teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Tokyo© teamLab
teamLab Borderless is a world of artwork without boundaries, a museum without a map created by art collective teamLab.
IMMERSIVE FORT TOKYO
Photo by: Immersive Fort Tokyo
In Tokyo’s Odaiba district, this is the world's first immersive theme park. Become a main character in an alternative universe so engaging you might think it’s reality.
SUIGIAN
Savor an elegant meal while enjoying traditional Japanese entertainment. This hidden-away restaurant and bar will excite your playful spirit.
PATINA OSAKA
Opening in spring 2025, this elevated lifestyle hotel is adjacent to the historical Osaka Castle, with a creating a narrative rich in sense of place and inspiring a deeper connection with the surroundings, environment, and community.
OMO7 Osaka by
Hoshino Resorts
An innovative travel experience for a unique, memorable stay, offering local activities and access to a vast garden and other areas. In the city center, it’s ideal for those seeking the best of Osaka.
Amami Onsen Nanten-en
Premium ryokan culture with seasonal Japanese cuisine and a natural radium hot spring, just 40 minutes from central Osaka. The Japanese garden showcases the changing seasons amid mountain scenery.
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
This hotel is in the heart of Shibuya, Tokyo's most vibrant destination. It’s a peaceful sanctuary above the frenetic activity. It features local music, art, fashion, and design, with panoramic views.
THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku
Rebranded and opened in August 2018, this sustainable hotel embraces Shinjuku’s diversity. Feel like a local and relax in a space offering an experience specifically aimed at Westerners.
Kabuto-ya Ryokan
This thatched-roof inn is located in nature-rich Okutama on the Tokyo outskirts. The meals feature seasonal delicacies from the mountains, such as wild vegetables, river fish, and wild boar.
Koryu
Koryu offers an Osaka take on Japanese cuisine, using seasonal ingredients, a fundamentally Japanese approach, and a touch of imagination.
KITTE OSAKA
A hangout for adults, this facility features popular and unique Japanese, Western, and Chinese restaurants where you can enjoy eating and drinking in a casual atmosphere.
Nihonryori RyuGin
The restaurant offers Japanese cuisine showcasing the richness of Japan's natural environment and using the finest natural ingredients selected from across the country.
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai
Opened in February 2024, this modern gourmet destination offers a wide variety of foods that you can eat as you walk around. There’s also 24-hour "onsen" hot spring bath.
Osaka Prefectural
Forest Hoshida Park
The massive 280-meter-long, 50-meter-high Hoshi-no-blanko (star swing) suspension bridge is a highlight here, along with a full-scale climbing wall. Take part in a variety of activities amid nature.
Mt.Inunaki Shipporyuji
Located in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, this temple is the head of the Inunaki school of Shingon Buddhism. The landscape ranks among the top 100 greenery spots in Osaka.
Lake Okutama
Around Lake Okutama are beautiful seasonal views and tourist attractions such as historical sites, hot springs, and waterfalls. You can enjoy the great outdoors within easy reach of central Tokyo.
Rinsenji zazen experience
This Soto Zen temple offers "zazen" meditation, sutra and Buddhist chanting, tea ceremony classes, and martial arts training.
This video has been created to promote travel between Tokyo and Osaka.
Enjoy discovering your possible future destinations!
