I've waited 20 years for this! The world has come to Osaka.

I have been waiting for this day.
Last April, when no one was talking about it yet, I bought a full-term pass early. And after the long-awaited opening this April, I have been visiting continuously as if the floodgates had opened.
I have visited about 10 times so far, but I am still far from conquering all the pavilions. Feeling the steepness of the mountain that is the Expo, I am fighting with the reservation site again today.

Let me write about myself and the Expo.
First, let's go back to the 1985 "Tsukuba Expo." As an elementary school student at the time, I couldn't be taken to Ibaraki Prefecture because I lived in the Kansai region, so I stared at the Tsukuba Expo special feature in the science magazine "NEWTON" until I wore holes in it. That was the beginning of my insatiable interest in Expos.
Then came 1990 and the International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka. It was the height of the bubble economy, and as an eighth grader, I finally made my long-awaited Expo debut. Pavilions like the Electric Power Pavilion and the Mitsubishi Pavilion, which truly showed us the "future," left a deep impression on me and had a major impact on my life.

Next was the 2005 Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan. Fifteen years after the Garden Expo, this was the first Expo I attended as an adult using my own money. From the frozen mammoth and the maglev train to the numerous international pavilions, this stimulating space captivated me once again. I visited many times, and I remember clearly how the crowds grew more intense as the event neared its end.

And now, the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. It has been 55 years since the Osaka Expo with the Tower of the Sun, 35 years since the Garden Expo that influenced me so deeply, and 20 years since the Aichi Expo, and now an Expo is being held in Osaka once again.
I know about the various things that happened beforehand and the things that have been said. And while there are still many issues, such as problems with the reservation site, the summer heat, and the long lines, it still holds a strong appeal for me. At the Expo venue, where I can act on my curiosity regardless of my age, I can return to the person I was back then.

In this article, I would like to report on the "food" at the international pavilions!
Countries have staked their prestige on their exhibits at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The restaurants attached to these pavilions allow you to enjoy the very "flavors" that represent each nation.Now, let's set off on a culinary world tour!

[France Pavilion] Enjoy authentic croissants!

Entering from the East Gate and passing through the ring, you immediately come upon the France Pavilion. The theater-like curtains and life-sized sculptures are just so stylish!

The France Pavilion is primarily sponsored by LVMH, which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton. With features like a room where the walls are covered in the Louis Vuitton pattern, it radiates an artistic and elegant presence unlike any other pavilion.

Just as popular as the pavilion itself at the France Pavilion is the attached bakery, "La Boulangerie." Long lines form there every day without fail. When lining up at the France Pavilion, be sure to check whether you are in the line for the pavilion or the line for the bakery.
This bakery is supervised by Eric Kayser, a baker and the founder of "Maison Kayser," which opened its first store in Paris. It is said that Mr. Kayser emphasizes the use of natural yeast and reduces the use of commercial yeast in his bread-making process to bring out the bread's true deliciousness. In any case, you can find authentic French croissants right here!

The window display features a wide variety of breads. The careful craftsmanship of each one is eye-catching. The "Croissant Rouge" in the upper left is particularly popular, partly because it is an Expo-exclusive item.

This time, I purchased the "PAIN SWISS." It is an Expo-exclusive product featuring croissant dough sandwiched with rich custard cream and chocolate chips.
When you take a bite, the outer dough crumbles with a crispy sound, while the inside remains chewy. Then, the sandwiched custard cream and chocolate chips make their appearance.
The three chocolate pieces topped on it are also stylish! That is France for you.

And this is the "CROISSANT MONSIEUR" (Croissant Croque Monsieur).
A Croque Monsieur is a hot sandwich created in 1910 at a café near the Opéra Garnier in France, made by pan-frying bread filled with ham and cheese.
This is a rich version that reimagines the Croque Monsieur as a croissant, generously filled with ham and avocado.When you take a bite, the buttery flavor of the croissant fills your mouth, while the cheese from the Croque Monsieur and the generous amount of avocado and ham create an elegant, multi-layered flavor that feels as if you are watching an opera.
All bread is for takeout, so it is best to sit on a bench or similar spot within the venue to eat it.

[Spain Pavilion] Passionate cuisine in the land of passion!

The Spain Pavilion features a design reminiscent of the sunset sinking into the blue ocean. It is said that the pavilion was designed to represent the sea, the sun, life on Earth, and the identities of both Spain and Japan.

It exudes an open atmosphere, characterized by a grand staircase that you just can't help but want to climb (?).

True to Spain, the "land of passion," the exhibits are also quite emotional.Once you step inside, the atmosphere changes completely. You will be overwhelmed by the giant screen representing the sea and the large globe. In terms of both atmosphere and immersion, it is my top recommendation among the European pavilions.

The Spain Pavilion also features an adjoining restaurant serving Spanish cuisine.
This restaurant is produced by the renowned Osaka Spanish restaurant "ETXOLA," so you can be sure the taste is top-notch!

For the menu, you can choose between two courses: the "Appetizer and Main Course" (3,850 yen) or the "Pinchos & Tapas from Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities and 2 Autonomous Cities Course" (5,500 yen).Unfortunately, the "Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities" course was sold out this time, so I chose the "Appetizer and Main Course".
By the way, the "Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities" course is, as the name suggests, an elaborate course limited to 50 servings per day that allows you to enjoy 19 types of local cuisine from all over Spain.

The restaurants in the international pavilions also offer beer and wine representative of their respective countries.
I started with a draft of the Spanish beer "Mahou." It is very easy to drink and really hits the spot when you are tired from walking.

For appetizers, I started with a combination of a baguette topped with crab salad and "Gilda," a classic pintxo from the Basque region. Gilda is made by skewering an anchovy, an olive, and a guindilla (green chili pepper), and it pairs perfectly with Mahou beer!

Next came the "gazpacho," a cold vegetable soup. The chilled soup is packed with vegetables, primarily tomatoes, and its refreshing acidity is irresistible.
It is also delicious to dip the accompanying baguette into the soup!

The long-awaited main dish is the "Lamb Caldereta."
Caldereta is a dish where meat is stewed in a tomato-based soup; while known as a Filipino dish, its roots are in Spain. This time, I had a caldereta stewed with lamb and paprika.
The lamb had a surprisingly soft and fluffy texture, and the enveloping acidity of the tomato gave it a very exotic flavor. I am so moved that I can eat such authentic cuisine at the Expo.

[Germany Pavilion] Is this Munich!?

The pavilion visible from the Grand Roof Ring is the German Pavilion. There are several circular buildings, which are designed based on the German Pavilion's concept of a circular economy, and the pavilion is named "Wa! Germany."

It seems "Wa!" has three meanings: "wa" for circular economy (ring), "wa" for harmony, and "wa!" for exclamation. It is somehow delightful to see a foreign pavilion using Japanese wordplay. It truly is a circle (wa) of friends!

Although it is a serious pavilion where you can learn about the circular economy, the video of the original character, "Circular-kun," floating up and down is just so cute.
The schoolgirls who were there on a field trip were all saying "Cute!" in unison. It might be the most popular character among the international pavilions.

The German Pavilion has an attached restaurant called "Oishii! Germany," where you can drink "Hofbräu München" from the German national brewery. This is a brand that is a star of Oktoberfest.
I sat at the counter (there are also table seats) and gulped down a Hofbräu lager (300ml, 1,200 yen). It has a smooth mouthfeel, with little bitterness and a sweet taste, so the mug will be empty in no time!
It feels like a beer hall in Munich. Well, I've never been to Germany, though.

You also want to pair German beer with sausage, right? So, I ordered the "Nuremberg-style grilled sausages"!It's a plate with three grilled sausages, served with sauerkraut and bread. The sausages have no strong aftertaste, and they taste quite good with a touch of mustard.
In any case, there is no doubt that it will make you want to order another beer.

[Hungary Pavilion] After the live singing, enjoy delicate Hungarian cuisine!

What kind of image do you all have of the country of Hungary?
The first time I became aware of Hungary was through F1 Grand Prix broadcasts. The heroic figure of Ayrton Senna racing through the Hungaroring circuit still remains in a corner of my memory. Conversely, that is about the extent of my knowledge regarding Hungary.
What kind of experience can you have at the Hungarian Pavilion?

While many pavilions are high-tech, featuring video screenings and various devices, the Hungarian Pavilion has taken the complete opposite approach.
A woman dressed in traditional Hungarian clothing appeared in the pitch-black dome theater. To my surprise, she performed a live song!
The music was beautiful, and I felt like it really conveyed the atmosphere of Hungary!

Now, let's head into the Hungarian Pavilion's restaurant, named "MISKA"!
Produced by a star Hungarian chef, this restaurant is very popular, and there is often a wait time of over an hour during lunch.
I ordered the "Cold Stuffed Paprika with Cottage Cheese Cream and Tomato Salsa." It was my first time trying Hungarian cuisine.
The very tender paprika was packed full of cheese cream, and this cheese cream had a nice spicy kick to it. It tasted wonderful whether eaten on its own or with the bread provided.

Wait, a crepe with meat inside!? What on earth could that be?
Hortobágy is apparently the name of a village in eastern Hungary. Looking at it on Google Maps, it features vast lands that look just like Hokkaido.This dish was apparently first introduced at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, and it is a very popular dish in Hungary today.
Inside the crepe, there are two chicken tenderloins: one is steamed chicken, and the other is breaded like chicken katsu. Eating them together with the crepe created a texture I had never experienced before. And the paprika-flavored sauce—this must be the true taste of Hungary. It is very delicious.
This dish made me feel an instant affinity for Hungary, while at the same time, I felt it shared something in common with Osaka's "konamon" (flour-based dishes)!

[Monaco Pavilion] Experience the celebrity lifestyle! A wine bar.

Finally, let me introduce the Monaco Pavilion. The Principality of Monaco, facing the Mediterranean, is a country where global celebrities gather, and the average annual income of its residents is 20 million yen (!). The F1 Grand Prix held on public roads is also world-famous, isn't it?
Not many Japanese people have been there. Let alone drinking at a bar—that's a world beyond reach. But you can experience that right here at the wine bar on the third floor of the Monaco Pavilion!

Go up to the third floor in the elevator, and you are in Monaco. The wines covering the walls are said to be wines and cognacs carefully selected from the wine cellar of the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a super-luxury hotel in Monaco where VIPs from all over the world gather. It is a world completely beyond reach.
So, what did I choose at such an otherworldly wine bar...?

I couldn't quite bring myself to order a Grand Cru wine, so I tried a relatively affordable Chablis Premier Cru Côte de Léchet.
It had a powerful yet expansive flavor that felt like it was stimulating my taste buds. I'm not an expert on wine, but more than anything, the fact that I was in the Monaco Pavilion made it taste the best.

The Monaco Pavilion has a terrace, and if you go out at night, you can enjoy the night view of the Expo. Drinking wine here, you might even forget you are in Japan.

How did you like the Europe edition of the Osaka-Kansai Expo restaurants? The many dishes that let you feel tradition and technique, and the bars that let you experience a gorgeous mood, are great opportunities to encounter foreign lands.

There are still many more European pavilions, and plenty that I couldn't introduce here. Please make sure to visit them yourself!
Next time, I will introduce restaurants in the Middle Eastern pavilions!

"OMO7 Osaka," a hotel where you can fully enjoy the Expo

OMO7 Osaka has prepared special content to help you enjoy the Expo even more. You are sure to fully enjoy the Expo, not just during your visit, but also before and after.
▶OMO7 Osaka | Introducing 5 points to fully enjoy the Expo