Have you been to Expo 2025? Or are you planning to go there soon? I had posted about how to buy the Expo 2025 entrance ticket. This time, I’m going to share some tips on how to maximize your visit as a casual visitor like me. I only had a day to spare for this event. I’m glad I had the opportunity to go there. It’s likely a once in a lifetime visit for me.
Before you go…
1. Buy the ticket in advance. The earlier the better. Best to go on weekdays. Cheaper ticket & less (still large!) crowds. Read more in this post https://irenelaw.com/expo-2025-osaka-ticket/
Get the earliest entrance ticket. We wanted 9am but it was sold out. The second best is 10am. Might need to queue for 1 hour outdoor (sun/rain) to get in depending on how early you arrive. We arrived on time but got in at 11am.
2. Study the map, plan your route. Use it as a guide. Book/reserve accordingly. If failed, there’s still plenty to see. A blessing in disguise as you are more flexible to wander around. Just walk-in to any pavilion with short/moving queue. My list actually required at least 4 days to complete 
Pick a few in each zone & see how it goes on actual day. Be flexible.
3. Screen capture/print the ticket out as backup. There’s free WiFi at the entrance but still best to have it offline.
4. Download the app as guide https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/visitorsapp/ . It is useful for real-time navigation.
What to bring or not to bring?
5. IC card is good enough for cashless payments. I forgot to take photo of the recharge machines 
It’s small, not obvious. You’ll find them in shops, at the corner, near the entrance. No English on the machine but shouldn’t be hard to figure out. Bring enough cash to reload your card.
6. Bring your bottle to refill water. Many water stations. They will scan your water bottle at the entrance for illegal substance. Bags and body will be scanned too.
7. Outside food is allowed. Plenty of food outlets inside. The prices are reasonable. Don’t worry. Don’t just set the budget for entrance tickets and transportation but budget for food too! You can bring your own food though to save some money. You’ll definitely need to allocate at least 10000yen/pax if you want to eat along the way depending on where, what, and the frequency you want to eat
8. Extendable tripod is not allowed. Umbrella is OK. Bring raincoat if you want. A cap/hat is convenient. Check the weather. We’re blessed with clear weather. It started to rain when we left. The next day was a wet day. We had left Osaka. Phew…
How to get there?
9. The expo is easily accessible via public transport. Shuttle bus has fixed time (west gate). The subway (east gate) has flexible timing. I recommend the latter.
Where to start?
10. There are many souvenir shops/kiosks around. Don’t waste too much time in the official shop. However, do buy the passport at the shop upon entry if you want to get stamps at each location. I didn’t buy any souvenirs, not cheap 
nothing fancied me too.
11. Start your visit from the information office (if you arrive at east gate) so that you don’t mess up the sequence (we did but got it rectified). It was overwhelming at first! Chill, deep breath, and follow your planned route with the help of the visitor app/guide.
12. You can access the award-winning Grand Ring of Expo 2025 anytime you’re there. There is no need to walk throughout the ring. It’s too long! About 2km! Unless you have time to spare. Just go up one escalator and down at the next one.
13. Toilets are everywhere and each has its own building design in the event ground of Expo 2025.
14. There’s a transfer (e-Mover) from east gate to west gate and vice versa. It costs 400yen per pax (children too) by Osaka Metro. Our initial plan was to take it from west gate back to east gate but later decided to just walked back going through the Forest & Tranquility Zone. It’s actually not too far away as there were plenty to see and it made your walk felt shorter.
Hope these tips helps. Thanks for reading this far.
More updates…
Lastly, feel free to check out more photos of Expo 2025 on my Instagram or Facebook. I’ll be updating more photos there.