The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai has celebrated a significant milestone, welcoming its two millionth visitor this week. The achievement was marked with a special event inspired by Japan’s beloved Tanabata Festival, reinforcing the Pavilion’s dedication to cultural exchange and collective aspirations.
The celebration brought together thousands of visitors who participated in the Tanabata tradition by writing their wishes for the future on Tanzaku cards—colourful paper strips—and hanging them on palm fronds, symbolising the UAE’s national tree. The gesture paid homage to the traditional Japanese festival, where wishes are typically hung on bamboo branches with the hope they will be carried to the heavens.
This symbolic fusion of Emirati and Japanese cultural elements transformed the Pavilion’s outdoor forecourt into a vibrant display of global dreams and unity. The celebration not only honoured the milestone of two million guests since opening in April but also reflected the Expo’s theme of ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.
His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world’s interest, trust, and connection with the UAE’s journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025.”
The UAE Pavilion, themed ‘Earth to Ether’, invites visitors on a multi-sensory journey through five zones exploring the country’s heritage, innovation, and global ambitions. It has been widely praised for its striking architecture, immersive storytelling, and warm hospitality, making it a top destination at the Expo.
Since its opening, the Pavilion has hosted a wide range of engaging events and interactive experiences. These include expert panels, cultural performances, art exhibitions, Emirati culinary showcases, and collaborative dialogues aimed at fostering understanding and creativity.
The Pavilion’s emphasis on people-to-people connections aligns with the UAE’s broader diplomatic and cultural outreach efforts, showcasing how cross-cultural dialogue can serve as a foundation for meaningful partnerships and collective progress.
Set against the backdrop of Expo 2025 Osaka, which runs until October 13, 2025, the UAE Pavilion remains a dynamic space where visitors from around the world can experience the country’s innovative spirit and inclusive vision for the future.
As more visitors are expected in the coming months, the Pavilion continues to serve as a living platform of ideas and inspiration—one where global citizens can share dreams and shape solutions for a more sustainable and interconnected world.
