Italy joins Osaka Expo 2025 with an independent Pavilion. From April 13 to October 13, 2025, the World Expo in Osaka will welcome visitors from all over the world to Yumeshima, the “Dream Island”. With 160 participating nations and an estimated 30 million visitors, the Italian Pavilion will stand out for its “Art Regenerates Life” concept. See a two-millennium-old masterpiece, taste regional Italian cuisines, immerse yourself in technological worlds, stroll in a lavish garden in the sky, at the Italian Pavilion in Osaka Expo 2025.
Concept, Mascot and Logo of Italy at Osaka Expo 2025
The central concept of “Art Regenerates Life” brings Art to the heart of the Pavilion. However, the theme wants to express not only beauty, creativity, and culture but also craftsmanship, fashion, design, engineering, research, and innovation. Art becomes the key to connecting the past with the future, blending emotion with rationality.
Italia-chan is the Pavilion Mascot designed by Simone Legno, the creator of the Tokidoki brand. She represents a young girl, as kids symbolise the future and hopes. She wears a light blue kimono with a tricolore obi (three flag colors red, white, green) and a cherry blossom, highlighting the connection between Italy and Japan. On her head, she carries a tower (as Italia turrita is one of the personifications of Italy) along with an olive branch and an oak branch, emblems of the Italian Republic. Also Italy’s Star is a symbol of the country and it appears in Italia-chan eyes (and sometimes the earrings). All these symbols are also on the Italian passport cover.
The logo of the Italy Pavilion recalls the Renaissance concept of the “Ideal City” using the Renaissance technique of perspective to depict a Roman arch. The colorful tiles represent Italy’s cultural and territorial diversity, creating a mosaic effect.
Architecture and Design: A Journey into the Ideal City
Designed by Mario Cucinella Architects, the pavilion draws inspiration from the Renaissance Ideal City and features elements such as a theater, arcades, a central square, and an Italian-style garden.
Moreover, Great emphasis is placed on sustainability. Natural materials, a short supply chain, recycled components, and certified materials are utilized. Every element is designed to be reused without further processing.
The Three Main Areas of the Italy Pavillion at Osaka Expo 2025
The Italian Pavillion will be in the so-called “Saving Life Zone” on the West side
- The Theater: After passing the arcade, visitors enter an immersive, multisensory space. Historically, the theatre has been a place of fiction, and here, it reverses the roles of spectator and actor, encouraging people to reflect on the active role they can have in shaping modern society. In the late afternoon, it will host daily performances of music, dance, and performing arts.
- The Ideal City: A square, always a place of meeting and exchange, is divided here into four sections. At its center, the Farnese Atlas, an original marble statue from the 2nd century AD usually kept in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The themes explored include:
– The Individual (contemporary art installations, science and technology, health, the environment, AI, robotics)
– Society (Italy’s upcoming infrastructures and social projects, design, architecture, engineering, sporting events)
– The Territory (featuring 18 Italian regions on rotation)
– Spirituality (with a presence from the Holy See (Vatican) and Caravaggio’s “The Deposition of Christ”)
Beyond this exhibition area, a multimedia space will host various events. - The Italian Garden: A balance between human control over nature and environmental respect. The precise and geometric design recalls the image of the labyrinth, and it is embellished with sculptures, fountains, plants.
reference artworks: teatro olimpico di vicenza, ideal city galleria nazionale marche in urbino, giardini di villa d’este
The Italian Regions Involved
The Pavilion will host as many as 18 out of Italy’s 20 regions on a rotating basis. Although there is no official statements by the organization yet, some confirmed dates include:
- Friuli Venezia Giulia: April 27 – May 3
- Veneto: May 4 – 10
- Puglia: May 11 – 17
- Lazio: May 17 – 24
- Marche: June 1 – 7
- Abruzzo: June 15 – 21
- Liguria: June 29 – July 5
- Molise: July 6 – 12
- Tuscany: July 13 – 19
Surprisingly, the Vatican will have a permanent presence, which is the first time happening during an Expo.
Italian Cuisine at the Pavilion
Undoubtedly, gastronomy will play a central role, with EATALY located on the rooftop of the pavilion, in front of the garden, open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The menu will include Starters (Burrata with fresh tomatoes, mixed cured meats, seasonal salads), pasta dishes (Spaghetti with tomato sauce, cacio e pepe, trofie with pesto, tagliatelle Bolognese, rigatoni carbonara), meat and fish dishes, pizza ( Margherita, Diavola, Capricciosa, Marinara), desserts (Tiramisù, Sicilian cannoli, panna cotta, gelato).
In addition to EATALY, another Expo location will feature pizza such as Pizza da Mario and MARE-Mediterranean cuisine . But they are not from Italian organization… Salvatore Cuomo team will be present but at the Somalia Pavilion.
Events (updating)
- September 2025: Ceremony for the Compasso d’Oro design award.
- September 12: Italy’s National Day, featuring ceremonies and cultural events.
Daily performances will take place in the Theatre area
Useful Information
Expo Map: View the map
Official Italy Pavilion Website: italyexpo2025osaka.it
Official Expo 2025 Osaka Website: expo2025.or.jp
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