Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 and Okayama Tourism Guide - Enjoy the Expo and Okayama-

• Table of Contents
• What is Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025? Check out the highlights
• Get away from the Expo! Access guide to Okayama
• Have a special experience in Okayama!
• Okayama sightseeing itinerary(2 Tomari, 3 days) – An itinerary packed with highlights
• Enjoy the food, hot springs and experiences in Okayama
• Various support information for foreign visitors tourists
• summary

What is Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025? Check out the highlights

The Osaka -Kansai Expo 2025, which will be held in Yumeshima, Osaka from April 13 to October 13, 2025, is a global event spanning 184 days.

The theme of the expo is "Designing a Future Society for Life," with the sub-themes of "Saving Life," "Empowering Life," and "Connecting Life." 158 countries and regions from around the world and nine international organizations have announced their participation (as of February 2025), and each country's pavilion will allow visitors to directly experience cutting-edge technology and diverse cultures. The entire expo venue is designed with the concept of a "People's Living Lab," and is full of interactive features that allow visitors to experience a new society, such as a virtual expo using AR/VR. The Osaka-Kansai Expo, where ideas and technologies from around the world come together, is a great opportunity for everyone to be excited, from technology lovers to culture lovers.

EXPO 2025 Official Website

Get away from the Expo! Access guide to Okayama

After enjoying the Kansai Expo, why not take a little trip to the "Land of Sunshine,"Okayama ? Okayama is easily accessible from Osaka City and Kansai Airport.

Speedy by Shinkansen

From Osaka City , board the Sanyo Shinkansen at Osaka Station, which is one stop from JR Osaka Station. The fastest "Nozomi" train will take you from Osaka to Okayama in a straight line in about 45 minutes.

The fare is about 6,000 yen one way (unreserved seat), making it comfortable and ideal for saving time. The Shinkansen will take you to Okayama Station without any transfers, so you don't have to worry even if you have large luggage.

Easy access from Kansai Airport

If you go directly from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Okayama, it takes about 2 hours by JR + Shinkansen. The most common route is to travel from the airport to Osaka Station by JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service or the Limited Express "Haruka", then transfer to the Shinkansen. There are also limousine buses that connect to Osaka City(Namba OCAT, etc.), and you can reach Okayama Station in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. If you have time and want to keep travel costs down, it is also a good idea to use the express bus.

When using conventional trains or express trains

If you go from Osaka City using only JR conventional lines, it will take about 3 hours via Himeji, but it is an option for cost-conscious travel, such as during the period when the Seishun 18 Ticket is valid. Also, Okayama is a major station on the Sanyo Shinkansen, so you can arrive from Kyoto(about 1 hour 20 minutes) and Kobe(about 1 hour from Sannomiya via Shin-Kobe) with just one transfer. Please choose a convenient route according to your travel plans.

*The Seishun 18 Ticket allows you to use unreserved seats in ordinary cars on all JR local and rapid trains for three or five consecutive days.

JR-WEST ONLINE

Have a special experience in Okayama!

If you want to combine your trip to Okayama with the Osaka -Kansai Expo, be sure to check out the Okayama Experiences Feature Articles page on the EXPO 2025 official travel site. There are Toyotomi of experiences that are popular with foreign visitors tourists. Many programs can be booked in advance, making it convenient for planning your trip.

Here is a list of experiences you can have in Okayama(EXPO official website)

Okayama sightseeing itinerary(2 Tomari, 3 days) – An itinerary packed with highlights

After the Kansai Expo, why not take your time to explore Okayama prefecture over a three- Tomari, two-night trip? Here we will introduce a model itinerary that combines Okayama City , home to the famous Okayama Korakuen Garden and the land associated with the itinerary ; Kurashiki City , a tourist city famous for its Kurashiki Bikan Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and jeans; Tamano City , home to Uno Port , the gateway to each island of the Setouchi Triennale ; and the northern part of the prefecture, with its naturally rich hot springs and terraced rice fields. You can enjoy the diverse charms of Okayama, from history to art and nature.

Day 1: Okayama City– Historical exploration of famous castles and gardens

When you arrive at JR Okayama Station, head first to Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden, the symbols of Okayama . Okayama Castle is a famous castle affectionately nicknamed "Ujo (Crow Castle) Castle" due to its black wooden walls, and its castle tower was just reopened in 2022. The latest exhibition equipment and comprehensive explanations in multiple languages, including English, make it a fun way to learn about the history of Okayama from the Sengoku period to the Edo period. From the castle tower observation deck, you can get a panoramic view of the city and Korakuen Garden across the Asahikawa River, making it a great photo spot.

Okayama Korakuen Garden , located just a short walk from Okayama Castle , is a stroll-style garden that is counted among Japan's three most famous gardens. The vast garden is decorated with flowers and trees that change with the seasons, and you can enjoy the magnificent view of Okayama Castle towering in the background. The fresh greenery of spring, lotus flowers in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter make it a very picturesque sight no matter when you visit. Pamphlets and audio guides in English and Chinese are available for foreign visitors, so you can fully enjoy the beauty of the Japanese garden. It is also recommended to experience Japanese culture by experiencing matcha tea in the garden.

Spend the night in Okayama City and enjoy local cuisine. Why not try dinner at a long-established restaurant such as Ajitsukasa Nomura , which serves Okayama 's specialty Demikatsudon (rice with shredded cabbage + pork cutlet with special demi-glace sauce). It is said to have originated at Nomura, which was founded in 1931, and has now become a representative local dish of Okayama. The harmony of the rich demi-glace sauce and crispy cutlet is so delicious that it will blow away the fatigue of your journey.

Day 2: Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter and Setouchi Art Tour

On the second day, in the morning, travel to Kurashiki City from JR Okayama Station by train for about 15 minutes (get off at Kurashiki Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line or Hakubi Line). The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter , which is within walking distance of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter , is a street full of Edo atmosphere, with white-walled and namako-walled storehouses. Strolling along the Kurashiki River lined with swaying willow trees, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time. In the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, stop by the Ohara Museum of Art , famous as Japan's first museum focusing on Western art. It houses world-famous paintings by Monet and Gauguin, and is a unique spot where you can enjoy the contrast between traditional Japanese storehouse architecture and Western art. If you get tired of walking around the city, we recommend taking a break at a cafe renovated from an old house, or shopping for Kurashiki -made crafts such as Denim products.

In the afternoon, we moved again by JR to the Uno Port area of ​​Tamano City along the Seto Naikai (about an hour from JR Kurashiki Station to JR Okayama Station via JR Okayama Station). Uno Port is the gateway to the islands of art, and unique artworks are scattered around the port. The year 2025 is the year when the Setouchi Triennale(Seto Triennale), which is held once every three years, will be held. If it is during the spring (April 18th to May 25th), summer (August 1st to August 31st), or autumn (October 3rd to November 9th), you can take a ferry from Uno Port to islands such as Naoshima and Teshima Island and experience the world-famous contemporary art festival.

Permanent art such as Yayoi Kusama's "Pumpkin" object on Naoshima and the Chichu Art Museum can be viewed even outside of the exhibition period, so art fans should definitely visit. The beautiful evening view of the islands seen from around Uno Port is also exceptional, and watching the sun sink into the calm Setouchi Sea will add to the romance of your trip.

On this day, you will return to Kurashiki or Okayama City for the night. If you stay in Kurashiki, you can enjoy the luxury of strolling around the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter at night under the lights, and if you return to Okayama, you will be able to smoothly depart for the northern part of the prefecture the next day.

Day 3: Experience the nature and history of northern Okayama Prefecture

On the final day of the trip, we will travel to the northern area of ​​Okayama Prefecture by rental car or tour. This is a greedy plan that combines magnificent nature, historic townscapes, and hot springs.

In the morning, we depart Okayama City and head Kitakami on the Chugoku Expressway to Maniwa City and the Hiruzen-kogen Heights(about an hour and a half by car). The Hiruzen-kogen Heights, at an altitude of 500 to 600 meters, is a summer resort where Jersey cows graze and where refreshing breezes blow through.

First, fill up on the specialty Hiruzen Yakisoba. Hiruzen Yakisoba is the champion of B-class gourmet food, made with chewy medium-thick noodles, juicy chicken meat, and Takaharu cabbage, stir-fried in a special miso sauce. It won the B-1 Grand Prix in 2011 and quickly gained nationwide fame. The rich miso sauce and chewy chicken meat make this a superb dish that will become addictive. After the meal, rent a bicycle to explore the Takaharu, enjoy Hiruzen Jersey milk soft serve ice cream, and refresh yourself in the great outdoors.

Drive about 30 minutes south from Hiruzen to Yubara Onsen in Maniwa City . Yubara Onsenkyo is an atmospheric hot spring resort with many hot spring inns along the Asahikawa, and the most famous of these is the open-air bath "Sunayu". The sand bath is a rustic open-air bath that is surrounded by rocks and has a natural spring source that springs from the riverbed. It is open 24 hours a day, free of charge, and for mixed bathing. There are three baths, and the high-quality alkaline spring water, also known as the beauty bath, fertility bath, and longevity bath, is known for making your skin smooth. Soaking in the hot spring while looking out at the clear waters of the Asahikawa Asahikawa and the dam in front of you is truly special, and is an experience that hot spring fans will drool over. Bathing clothes are available for rental and changing rooms are available for women, so why not give it a try? The sand bath alone is enough for a day trip, but if you have time, you can also take advantage of the day trip plans and foot baths at hot spring inns to relieve the fatigue of your trip.

After enjoying the hot springs in Yubara, another place you might want to stop by before heading home is Tsuyama City , about an hour's drive Higashi . Tsuyama is a castle town associated with Mori Ranmaru, and in the center you can still see the Ishigaki of Tsuyama Castle (Kakuzan Park) and historic roads such as Joto Old Town (a preservation district of the Joto area), which has been designated a Japanese Heritage site. The Joto townscape, lined with white-walled storehouses and samurai residences, is full of charm, and if you're lucky, you can take a rickshaw for a guided tour.

Additionally, the local delicacy Tsuyama Horumon Udon (a stamina boosting dish of stir-fried horumon and noodles in miso sauce) is the perfect way to end your trip.

If you return to Okayama Station by evening, you can take the Shinkansen back to Osaka. There is some distance between the Kansai region, where the Expo is being held, and northern Okayama Prefecture, but if you make good use of cars and bus tours, you can make a fulfilling day trip here. With magnificent nature, historical culture, and soothing hot springs, you are sure to have a very satisfying trip.

Enjoy the food, hot springs and experiences in Okayama

To make your trip to Okayama even more enjoyable, be sure to try some of the local cuisine and experiences.

Fruit picking in Okayama, the kingdom of fruits

Okayama Prefecture is one of the leading fruit producing areas in Japan, famous for the white peach known as "Muscat of Alexandria" and the Momotaro legend. In the summer (July to August), you can pick mellow-smelling white peaches, and in early autumn (August to September), you can pick fresh Shine Muscat grapes.

At tourist farms, you can taste freshly picked fruit on the spot, and you'll be amazed by its juicy sweetness. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy strawberry picking (winter to spring) and blueberry picking. Freshly picked fruit makes a perfect souvenir, and is a luxurious experience that can only be found in the "fruit kingdom of Okayama."

Taste the local cuisine

Taste the local delicacies: Okayama has a wide variety of unique local delicacies other than Demikatsudon and Hiruzen Yakisoba. Around Okayama Station, restaurants serving mamakari sushi (sushi made with pickled herring fish) and yabarazushi (Okayama-style chirashi sushi with colorful toppings) are popular. Kibi Dango is a famous confectionery associated with the Momotaro legend and is a popular souvenir. Trying out the local delicacies from each region will surely deepen your memories of your trip.

Traditional culture and activities

In the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, you can change into traditional Japanese clothing and enjoy taking commemorative photos, or try your hand at pottery making in the area around Bizen City , the birthplace of Bizen Pottery . In Ushimado , Setouchi Setouchi City , you can enjoy a variety of experiences, such as making olive oil in an olive orchard. Seasonal events also offer a chance to experience traditional Japanese events. If you have time in your itinerary, try incorporating some experiential sightseeing into your plans.

Various support information for foreign visitors tourists

Okayama Prefecture and each city and town offers multilingual support and convenient services to help international visitors enjoy sightseeing with peace of mind. Check out the points below to make your "Expo + Okayama" trip a fulfilling one.

Multilingual support and information

Tourist brochures for visitors to Japan are provided in multiple languages ​​with detailed information. Each city and town also creates various guide maps. Major tourist facilities such as Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen Garden also have brochures and information boards written in multiple languages, and some information centers have English-speaking staff on hand. The Momotaro Momotaro Tourist Information Center inside Okayama Station also offers tourist consultations in foreign languages, so feel free to stop by if you need help.

Multilingual brochures and guide maps

A convenient transportation information app

Smartphone route search apps are extremely useful for travelling around Japan. For example, "Japan Transit Planner" and "NAVITIME for Japan Travel" are transit guide apps available in English, Chinese and Korean that allow you to easily search for train and bus routes, timetables and fare information.

Of course, you can also search for routes on Google Maps. You can easily find the best route to your destination, so you won't get lost when traveling. We recommend downloading it in advance.

Japan Transit Planner: App Store

NAVITIME for Japan Travel: App Store

Japan Transit Planner: Android

NAVITIME for Japan Travel：Android

Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi spots are available in major tourist areas and public transportation in Okayama City and Kurashiki City. "Okayama Free Wi-Fi" and "Japan Free Wi-Fi" are available at Okayama Station, Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, Okayama Airport, etc. Wi-Fi is also available at the Expo site and on JR Shinkansen trains. Travelers who want to save on their smartphone data roaming can use apps such as Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi to connect to nearby free Wi-Fi. For added peace of mind, it is a good idea to rent Wi-Fi or purchase a prepaid SIM card at the airport if necessary.

Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect

Transportation passes and IC cards

If you are traveling between Kansai and Okayama, you should also consider using the JR West Area Pass, which is available only to visitors from overseas. If you use the JR Kansai- Hiroshima Area Pass, you can ride the Shinkansen between Osaka and Okayama as much as you like, making it a great way to travel. You can also use national transportation IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, etc.) in Okayama to pay for trains and buses. If you charge your card in advance, you can travel smoothly with just one touch on the Okayama Electric Tramway (streetcar) or bus. If you are on a "Expo + Okayama" trip that visits multiple cities in a short period of time, make good use of these passes and IC cards to save time and money.

How to use Japan's transportation IC cards: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA

Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass Information​

summary

A trip to Okayama combined with the Osaka -Kansai Expo will give you the opportunity to experience technology and the future, as well as encounter Japan's Hara landscapes, culture, and delicious food. After the excitement of the Expo, be sure to spend some time relaxing in Okayama. Combining a cutting-edge Expo with Okayama's abundant tourist resources is sure to double your satisfaction with your trip. If you are visiting the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, why not plan an excursion to Okayama as an extra trip?