Re-Discover Japan's Beauty in Sakai, Osaka

CONCEPT コンセプト

Japanese beauty and aesthetics are renowned across the globe. At Expo 2025, gain a deeper understanding of the essence and origins of Japanese aesthetics through experiences delivered by Sakai City.

Events at Expo 2025 hosted by Sakai City

*All images are artist impressions.

Enjoy unique encounters with
Sakai's open mind philosophy　

Date: July 28 (Mon)
10:00~20:00

Location: Osaka Healthcare Pavilion "Reborn Stage"
(Near East Gate)
※Another event is scheduled to take place at the same venue on
September 25 (Thu). Further details will be announced soon.

Concept

As a historical trading hub, Sakai has long flourished through cultural exchange, giving birth to diverse traditions. Through interactive experiences such as traditional performances, cultural workshops, and exchanges with artisans and sumo wrestlers, enjoy the timeless spirit of Japanese tradition that thrives in Sakai.

Check !

Post Share photos capturing the charm of Sakai on social media and receive an exclusive traditional Japanese wasarashi cloth (with ice pack)*available while supplies last!

SAKAI TICKETS A travel gift that can be used within Sakai city.
Please take advantage of the Expo to visit Sakai. View more

Highlights

A giant hand-painted “Koinobori” (carp streamer) by Osaka’s sole remaining artisan makes a stunning appearance at the Expo.

Live demonstration of exquisite engraving on Sakai knives—admired by top chefs around the world.

Hands-on experiences showcasing the skills behind traditional tenugui (hand towels) and yukata-making.

Step into the spirit of amateur sumo with an interactive experience from Sakai, a hub of sumo tradition.

Cross-cultural stage connecting Sakai and Jordan—celebrating global friendship and heritage.

Enjoy premium Japanese tea and sweets curated by Sakai’s master tea artisans.

Dynamic stage performances blending shamisen (Japanese lute), calligraphy, and other musical arts.

Summer tours discovering local attractions Highlights of Osaka's 43 Municipalities Expo 2025, Expo Messe
(5-min walk from West Gate)

Yarihanare Zone (Activity Zone)

July 28 (Mon) ~ July 29 (Tue)
9:00～21:00

Sakai Open Factory Event

Hands-on workshops showcasing Sakai’s exceptional manufacturing techniques.

Four leading manufacturing firms from Sakai will offer engaging workshops using scrap materials—experience the joy and precision of Japanese craftsmanship.

Minahare Zone (Viewing Zone)

July 28 (Mon) ~ July 30 (Wed)
9:00～21:00 ※July 30 (Wed) until 16:00

Sakai Kitchen: Showcasing Officially Certified Products

Promoting a lifestyle enriched by timeless, high-quality items designed for long-term use.

Discover Sakai’s exceptional craftsmanship through items like professional-grade knives, vibrant hand towels, and uniquely designed incense holders—bringing artistry into everyday life.

Tabenahare Zone (Culinary Zone)

July 28 (Mon)
9:00～21:00

Live Wagashi Demonstration
by Maruichi Confectionery

Taste and take home the iconic “Totoya Chawan” sweets
—a tradition since 1895.

Maruichi has been crafting sweets inspired by tea master Sen no Rikyū since 1895. With a commitment to quality ingredients and playful designs, they continue to breathe new life into wagashi culture.

Osaka Festivals Expo 2025: Midsummer Events Expo 2025, Expo Arena
(6-min walk from West Gate)

July 27 (Sun) 10:00～14:30
*The performance is scheduled to be the first one after the start.

Next Generation Performance

Dance and cheerleading performances by Sakai high school groups

We will be bringing you passionate performances from Sakai Cheerleading Club, Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High Scool, and Risho Gakuen Osaka Ritsumeikan Senior High School, all of which have won national championships.

Similar Events in Sakai City

Machiya History Museum
Summer Chusen Hand-dyeing Exhibition

Exhibiton of Tenugui (hand towels) using Sakai’s traditional “chusen” dyeing technique at the Machiya History Museum.

Date: July 2 (Wed) ~ August 25 (Mon), 2025
Location: Sakai City Traditional Townhouse Museum

Experience the Charm of Historic Sakai Incense

Exhibition about Sakai incense and hands-on experience using models of manufacturing tools.

Date: (Exhibition) July 18 (Fri) ~ 20 (Sun), July 22 (Tue) ~ 27 (Sun), 2025
(Workshop) July 26 (Sat), 2025
Location: Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum

Sakai Open Factory
in LaLaport Sakai

Companies participating in the Sakai Open Factory event at the Expo will also exhibit at this event.

Date: August 30 (Sat), 2025 10:00 ~ 16:00
Location: LaLaport Sakai 1F Fansta XROSS STADIUM

The 52nd Sakai Festival

Sakai's largest annual event held every October, featuring matchlock gun demonstrations, Futon daiko drum performances, the Rikyu hometown tea ceremony, and much more showcasing Sakai’s charm.

Date: October 18 (Sat) & 19 (Sun), 2025
Location: Around Ochoji-suji (Nankai Koya Line Sakai-higashi Station to Nankai Line Sakai Station), Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, Nanshuji Temple, and more

FactorISM 2025
~ Cultural Festival of the Successors ~

Four days to experience local factories with all five senses. Feel manufacturing through sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.

Date: October 23 (Thu) ~ 26 (Sun), 2025
Location: Various business sites in Sakai City and more

*All images are artist impressions.

SAKAI TICKETS

What are Sakai Tickets?

Discount tickets available for use in Sakai City after Expo 2025

Visitors to the Sakai event site at Expo 2025 can participate in a lottery for "Sakai Tickets" offering discounts on sightseeing locations in Sakai. "Sakai Tickets" can be obtained by scanning a QR code at the venue on the day of the event and entering a lottery. We look forward to seeing you at the Expo 2025 Sakai event site and in Sakai!

Sakai City Hotel Lodgings 10,000 yen discount ticket

Sakai City Sightseeing Facilities Free matcha green tea ticket Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko (Risho no Mori), Sakai City Tea House Shin-an, Daisen Park Japanese Garden

Sakai Traditional Crafts Museum 500 yen discount ticket For purchases of 5,000 yen and over

*All images are artist impressions.

This event has ended

A grand stage for
tea ceremony and hospitality

Date: May 10 (Sat) - 13 (Tues)
10:00 〜 20:30
※From 11:30 on the first day, until 18:00 on the last day

Location: Pop-Up Stage South
(5-min walk from East Gate)

Concept

Sakai is the birthplace of Sen no Rikyu, the great tea master who refined Japanese tea ceremony culture.
On this comfortable, grand stage decorated with vibrant Japanese umbrellas and paper lanterns, both works of master artisans, guests may savor matcha tea as well as sencha, or infused tea, offered by masters of the san-senke ("three great schools of tea ceremony") paired with Japanese traditional sweets from long-established shops.

Checkpoint!

Post a photo sharing Sakai's appeal on
social media to get Free traditional Japanese sweets!*Offer valid while supplies last.

Venue

Highlights

Enjoy hospitality and receive tea from the masters of Japan's "three great tea ceremony schools" alongside special traditional Japanese sweets

Special performance of the theme music from the NHK historical Taiga drama "What Will You Do, Ieyasu?" by Sakai City artist Wataru Inamoto

Photo op with vibrant Japanese umbrellas and paper lanterns dyed with traditional “chusen” technique

Listen to the enchanting shamisen, first introduced to Japan via Sakai through overseas trade

Enjoy mesmerizing global grooves by DJ TOHRU / DJ JUNTANAKA

Time Schedule

*All images are artist impressions.

Photo by：Tadayuki Minamoto *All images are artist impressions.

This event has ended

Envision a future urban retreat
where silence and tranquility
sharpen the mind

Date: May 10 (Sat) - 13 (Tues)
9:00 〜 20:30
※From 11:30 on the first day, until 18:00 on the last day

Location: Gallery East
(5-min walk from East Gate)

Concept

A dignified, relaxed space in the middle of the vibrant Expo 2025 site.
With a focus on chanoyu (tea ceremony), visitors can experience tranquility and mindfulness while learning about the culture and spirituality of Sakai.