Expo 2025 Osaka has officially opened its doors on the artificial island of Yumeshima, in Japan, bringing together bold architectural visions from 158 countries under the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’. With a strong focus on sustainability, many of this year's pavilions explore maritime heritage and embrace recyclable materials – while also being engineered for earthquake resilience, a key consideration in Japan. Highlights include striking designs by renowned Japanese architects Kengo Kuma, Shigeru Ban, and SANAA.
From floating gardens to fishing boat-inspired forms and others that tip their hat to the host nation with a glowing orb depicting the sun, here are 11 of the most architecturally captivating pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka you won’t want to miss.
The Most Beautiful Expo 2025 Osaka Pavilions
Uzbekistan
Bahrain
Chile
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Saudi Arabia
Azerbaijan
The Netherlands
Portugal
Qatar
Oman
Czech Republic
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Uzbekistan
“In Osaka, a city renowned for cultural heritage and commitment to innovation, we bring you the legacy of another crossroads, Uzbekistan, where for centuries ideas, goods and philosophies traveled freely along the Silk Road,” says Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation, which commissioned the Uzbekistan Pavilion. Atelier Brückner designed the pavilion, the ACDF, drawing inspiration from ancient Silk Road caravanserais as places of shelter and exchange. A brick-clad base symbolises the earth, while a wooden upper level features a lush garden – accessed via a slowly rising platform within the pavilion’s interior, which ascends as visitors enjoy an immersive display of projections.
Bahrain
Designed by AD100 architect Lina Ghotmeh (who was recently appointed to redesign British Museum’s Western Range galleries in London), the Bahrain Pavilion takes inspiration from the traditional Bahraini dhow, reflecting the country’s rich sea-faring legacy. “As a symbol of travel and interconnection, the dhow embodies the spirit of exchange between Bahrain and the wider world,” Ghotmeh adds. Built from around 3,000 pieces of unengineered wood (wood is a popular choice among this year’s pavilions), joined without adhesives or concrete foundations, the structure highlights what Ghotmeh calls “the values of simplicity and natural materials embraced by both Bahrain and Japan”. Water runs along its perimeter, nodding to Bahrain’s own proximity to the sea, which allows the country to take advantage of natural cooling and ventilation in its architecture. “The composition evokes a sense of movement – echoing sea waves and the rhythmic alignment of boat rafters,” Ghotmeh tells AD Middle East.
Chile
The Chile Pavilion might be nestled in a row of pavilions rather than standing solo, but it still brings serious architectural flair. Created by architecture collective Constructo, it features a modular, lightweight wooden structure that embraces adaptability and nomadism. Inspired by Chile’s diverse geography and cultures, notably featuring the traditional woven fabrics of the Mapuche people, it's built to be dismantled and reused – in line with circular economy ideals.
UAE
Evoking the majestic date palm, the UAE Pavilion blends tradition with innovation in a striking “forest” of 90 wooden columns standing up to 16 metres tall. The pavilion is built in part using agricultural waste such as palm tree stems and Datecrete (a sustainable alternative to concrete made using crushed date seeds), all the while fusing Emirati heritage with Japanese wooden construction techniques. The UAE pavilion is one of Expo 2025 Osaka’s largest pavilions and was designed to champion sustainability, conservation, and collaboration – showcasing how ancestral wisdom and cutting-edge technology can come together to shape a more resourceful future.
Saudi Arabia
Inspired by traditional Saudi villages, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion by UK firm Foster + Partners is a striking cluster of angular forms around a central courtyard. Visitors enter through a forecourt filled with native plants, then explore immersive AV installations by 59 Productions and Squint/Opera. Built with low-carbon materials and clad in lightweight Saudi stone, it's designed for easy reassembly. The pavilion also incorporates solar tech, rainwater recycling, and aims for top marks in Japan’s green building ratings. The Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is just one of the many projects Foster + Partners is associated with in the Arab kingdom.
Azerbaijan
Taking cues from 12th-century poet Nizami Ganjavi’s seminal work, Seven Beauties, the Azerbaijan Pavilion invites visitors on a journey through seven arches – each symbolising a facet of the country’s rich cultural identity, from architecture and natural resources to sports. Designed by Bellprat Partner and Eleven, the striking three-story structure combines immersive tech, sensory design, and traditional artistry. A highlight is the symbolic tree installation, featuring Azerbaijani, Japanese, and “Friendship” trees, representing cross-cultural unity.
The Netherlands
With its main structure made of steel, the Netherlands Pavilion, designed by RAU Architects, is a striking structure built entirely according to circular economy principles – every material is registered for future reuse on the Madaster circular real estate forum. At its centre shines a glowing “man-made sun,” symbolising a new dawn powered by clean, unlimited energy and global cooperation. Under the theme Common Ground: Creating a New Dawn Together, the Netherlands pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka aims to serve as an open, inspiring space for connection, learning, and collaboration to build healthier, more resilient societies.
Portugal
The Portugal Pavilion, designed by Kengo Kuma, captures the spirit of the ocean through flowing forms made of suspended ropes and recycled fishing nets. “The rope as a material is connected to the seas and boats, and in Japan, it also carries a spiritual meaning and a sense of binding and belonging,” Rita Topa, Partner at Kengo Kuma, tells AD Middle East. Reflecting Portugal’s deep connection to the sea, the structure interacts with wind and sunlight, symbolising sustainability, circular design, and the nation’s cultural and environmental legacy. “It’s about creating a structure that’s both environmentally conscious and adaptable beyond its original context,” Topa explains.
Qatar
Also designed by Kengo Kuma, the Qatar Pavilion is a standout for its graceful curves and poignant homage to Qatar’s relationship to the sea. Its wooden frame is enveloped by a crisp, white fabric, evoking the sails of a sambuk boat, traditionally used for pearling and fishing. The design seamlessly blends Qatari heritage with Japanese wood craftsmanship, nodding to both cultures over its expansive 1,846 square meters.
Oman
Entitled A Tale of Land, Water and People, the Oman Pavilion is inspired by the country’s diverse landscapes, where dramatic, sun-baked canyons meet lush oases and kiss the azure sea. The largely al fresco pavilion sees visitors wander through a red, canyon-like space (with clean curves almost reminiscent of skate ramps), home to waterfalls, rock gardens, and even bubbles floating in the air. Rooted in the Saving Lives sub-theme of the Expo 2025 Osaka, it’s a calming, thoughtful space that highlights well-being, connection, and a future built on harmony with nature.
Czech Republic
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The Czech Republic Pavilion at Expo 2025 is a glowing tribute to movement, creativity, and tradition. Perched along the coastal promenade, its striking glass facade – made from Bohemian Crystal – pays homage to Czech glassmaking. The structure uses modern CLT panels and wraps an exhibition ramp around a central auditorium, guiding visitors from ground to roof. With a focus on vitality, spirituality, and physical movement, the transparent pavilion feels alive – changing with weather conditions and the light.
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