Articles – Expo 2025

A rich natural environment that nurtures unique ecosystems, a healthy food culture that exalts the ingredients' original flavors, and a traditional heritage that has been passed down through the ages to the present day. Wherever you go, Japan offers a wealth of discoveries and experiences just waiting to be unraveled.

Encounters with Natural Wonders and Age-Old Traditions in Japan’s Lush Southern Islands

The Japanese archipelago brims with natural wonders, from the vibrant coral of the Okinawa Islands to the dynamic volcanic landscapes of Kyushu. For centuries, Japanese communities have lived in harmony with nature, nurturing traditions intertwined with their surroundings. On this trip, we visited the south part of Japan to discover some places steeped in this rich heritage and find hints for a sustainable future.

Experiencing the Thriving Heritage and Traditions that Empower the Lives of Today

Welcome to a journey where the past meets the future, and tradition empowers the present. We invite you to explore the Tokai and Kansai regions, places where cultural heritage and modern aspirations intertwine to create a life of balance and fulfillment. Each destination offers a unique perspective on how cultural practices and historical insights can shape and empower our lives today.

Discovering Hokkaido’s Rich Natural and Indigenous Heritage

Hokkaido has long been home to the Ainu people, an indigenous group with their own distinct language, customs, and a cultural identity shaped by deep spiritual bonds with the land. The region also encompasses swaths of unspoiled wilderness, from pristine lakes to vast wetlands. These magnificent landscapes sustain a plethora of flora and fauna, many of them found nowhere else in the world. We paid a visit to Hokkaido to explore one of the Expo 2025’s major themes—Connecting Lives—which delves into how we can join hands and enrich society through culture and community connections.

Remarkable Landscapes and the Spirit of Resilience in Japan’s Deep North

For centuries, the wild landscapes of Tohoku have fostered vibrant traditions, from lively festivals and exquisite crafts to delicate cuisines born from nature's bounty. This region is also a symbol of resilience, having endured the devastation of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. On this journey, we explored destinations in Tohoku that resonate with one of the core themes of Expo 2025: Saving Lives.

Immersing in Japan's Spirit of Culture, Nature, and Tradition

The Kanto region, home to one-third of Japan's population, is the country's center for politics, economics, and modern urban life. Tokyo, the heart of Kanto, is a global hub for diverse culinary experiences where traditional and contemporary flavors thrive. Just a short train ride away brings you to the Hokuriku Shinetsu region, where you can enjoy both sea and mountains, along with historical landmarks, and artful structures. Both regions showcase the harmonious blend of Japan's vibrant cityscapes and serene, culture-rich countryside.

From Fox Shrines to Farm Stays—the Many Faces of Southwest Japan

The Expo 2025 theme Connecting Lives explores how we can enrich society through the power of culture and community. On this journey to the Chugoku and Shikoku regions in Southwest Japan, we traveled from the untamed Sea of Japan to the lush mountains of Tokushima, exploring fishing villages, hillside farms, and even an art island to discover the threads that connect people to their landscape—and each other.