Confusion at Osaka Expo: Unlisted Updates and Ever-Changing Rules Frustrate the Public

A new problem has emerged

Over two months have passed since the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, with about four months remaining in the event period. Following the positive reception at the start, the number of visitors has been increasing daily. At the same time, new problems have continued to arise since the Expo’s opening, repeatedly drawing attention.

Recently, new issues have come to light, such as the high-priced resale of pavilion reservation slots and mass insect outbreaks—problems quite different from those at the beginning. Moreover, updates related to reservations are often not reflected in real-time on the official website, turning the situation into a kind of information war on certain social media platforms.

A travel journalist, who lives locally and has visited the Expo around 10 times, explains the current state of these ongoing issues and offers tips for avoiding crowds—especially as visitor numbers are expected to increase further.

Where Did the “No-Wait Expo” Go? — Fierce Battle for Pavilion Reservations Intensifies

Reservation rules for pavilions have frequently changed since the Expo’s opening — with some suddenly switching from reservation required to no reservation needed, or vice versa. However, these updates are often not reflected in real-time on the Expo’s official website. As a result, visitors must gather information themselves through social media, such as updates from each pavilion or individual accounts.

Before the Expo opened, it heavily promoted the idea of a no-wait experience. But as the number of visitors has increased, competition for pavilion reservations has intensified. Without a reservation, visitors now often face wait times of several hours. Even online, people are experiencing frustrating delays just trying to access the reservation pages — making the promise of no waiting almost ironic.

Recently, a new change has emerged in the reservation process. While pavilion reservations are generally made in advance via the official site EXPO2025 Digital Ticket Site, some pavilions have begun releasing same-day reservation slots.

One such example is the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION (Gundam Pavilion), where a life-sized Gundam statue stands at the entrance and visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Gundam inside. This pavilion used to require a strict advance reservation and did not allow walk-ins, but now offers “same-day reservations.” These can be made starting 10 minutes after entering the Expo venue, either via smartphone or designated registration terminals onsite, for time slots at 12:00, 15:00, 17:00, and 19:00 (as of the end of May 2025).

This system has come to be known in some circles as the “Gundam Method,” and other signature and corporate pavilions are beginning to adopt it. Same-day reservations generally become available 10 minutes after entry, making it advantageous to enter at the earliest possible time — 9:00 a.m. — but pavilions are increasingly releasing additional slots throughout the day for those entering at 10:00, 11:00, or later.

The issue of reselling reservation slots at high prices has emerged, and measures to address it are starting to take shape

The issue of high-priced resale of reservation slots also became a major topic for a time. Especially for the Italy Pavilion and Kura Sushi, many reservation slots that could be obtained for free were listed on resale sites for several thousand yen per ticket, making headlines.

Normally, to reserve a pavilion, visitors must purchase an Expo ticket and link it with their “Expo ID” on the official website. However, for some pavilions, there were situations where unlimited reservation slots could be obtained through their own websites without linking to the Expo ID on the official site. These reservation tickets triggered the high-priced resale problem.

In response, the Italy Pavilion had all reservation listings removed from major resale sites and also suspended reservations through their problematic independent website for June onward as part of countermeasures.

Kura Sushi issued a notice on May 20 on their official site stating, “Purchasing these reservations constitutes a violation of our terms of use. Reservations may be canceled and accounts deleted, so please refrain from unauthorized transactions.” It seems they also implemented forced cancellations.

Additionally, there have been resales of discount codes for full-term passes distributed free to visitors in April and May, as well as limited edition goods sold inside the Expo venue. There have been no notable official responses to these issues.

What is the current situation and countermeasures for the large insect outbreaks at the Expo venue?

Another hot topic recently at the Expo venue is the massive outbreak of insects. They are chironomid midges (Yusurika), small flying insects similar to mosquitoes. Although they are said not to directly affect humans, having large swarms appear right in front of you is certainly unpleasant for anyone.

In response, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura has requested cooperation from an insecticide manufacturer, with which the prefecture has a comprehensive partnership agreement, to help tackle the problem. However, some experts suggest that changes in the ecosystem caused by the development around the venue may be the root cause, making it uncertain whether the insects can be completely eradicated.

Rainy days are less crowded but that’s not always true; however, there are situations you don’t usually see

Regarding rain, the opening day saw severe weather, and online posts about the hardship of having few sheltered places from rain and wind became a big topic. In reality, rainy days at the Expo can be quite tough.

More than the rain and wind themselves, due to the location, many puddles form on the ground and drainage is poor. It’s even said, “You absolutely should bring a spare pair of socks.”

However, the number of visitors on rainy days is not small. Since admission times and pavilion reservations are made in advance, people have no choice but to go. On the other hand, when it rains all day, more people than usual tend to think, “Let’s leave early,” so the area tends to be less crowded from the evening onward. Targeting this timing might be a good strategy.

Expo Crowd Avoidance Tips: ① When Are the Pavilions Less Crowded?

“Everyone wants to enjoy the Expo while avoiding crowds as much as possible.” Here are some tips based on the latest situation.

First, pavilions tend to be relatively less crowded between 9:00–10:30 AM and in the late afternoon or evening. If you enter just after 9:00 AM, many pavilions have little to no waiting time, so it’s especially recommended to visit popular pavilions early. In the evening, many groups such as school trips and tour buses head back home, so pavilions that had waits of an hour or two during the day can sometimes be entered within minutes.

During the busy daytime hours, it’s best to either reserve your pavilion visits in advance or on the same day if possible. Alternatively, consider visiting the “Commons” — a joint pavilion where many countries and regions are represented. The Commons is divided into multiple buildings, all indoors with restrooms inside. Many Japanese visitors find some of the lesser-known countries surprisingly enjoyable.

Expo Crowd Avoidance Tips: ② How to Book Entry and Stay Energized

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, advance reservation is mandatory for entry. In addition to choosing the entry time, you must select either the “East Gate” or the “West Gate” for entrance. If you plan to go in the morning, a 9:00 a.m. reservation is ideal, but even on weekdays, reservations often fill up weeks in advance. However, if you check multiple times, you might find available slots. You can change your visit date up to three times, so don’t give up and keep trying.

If aiming for 9:00 a.m. entry, note that at the East Gate, waiting lines form as early as 6 or 7 a.m., and actual entry past 9 a.m. is often unlikely—sometimes it can be close to 10 a.m. If you want to enter earlier, it’s recommended to choose the West Gate, which only allows entry for users of shuttle buses or taxis with prior reservations. Arriving by taxi before around 8 a.m., before the main shuttle buses arrive, is best.

Also, selecting the gate based on the pavilion you want to visit first is an option. For example, the Italy Pavilion is closer to the West Gate, while the USA Pavilion is nearer to the East Gate. While the West Gate requires advance reservation or payment for shuttle buses, taxis, or ride shares using the parking lot, the East Gate is more accessible via the nearby Yumesu Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. Note that you cannot move between gates from outside the venue.

Lastly, a note about the maps inside the Expo grounds. The Expo organizers sell paper maps for 200 yen and encourage the use of the official app. However, demand for paper maps has been high—right after the opening, there were lines of up to an hour just to buy a map. Although I managed to get one, it wasn’t very user-friendly. Meanwhile, hand-drawn maps made by individuals have spread widely on social media, and even now, many visitors can be seen carrying those maps around the venue.

The site is unexpectedly vast. Many people have reportedly walked 20,000 steps or more in a single day. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, along with frequent breaks and staying hydrated. If visiting in summer, prepare for the heat; if during the rainy season, bring rain gear. Also, some restrooms may have lines, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with their locations beforehand and use them early when you see one.