The biggest topic of 2025 (here in Osaka, anyway) is undoubtedly the "Osaka Expo 2025." As of mid-September, we're seeing such a fever pitch that morning entry slots are almost entirely sold out for all remaining days until the closing on October 13th. What will we do when it's over?! Where on earth should we take this lingering excitement or the sorrow of "Expo loss"?! Please, rest assured. Two years from now—actually, just 1.5 years away—we have it. The "Yokohama Flower Expo."
One of the charms of an EXPO is that it is "time-limited." Because it disappears almost without a trace once it's over, the excitement builds during the event. But what's even more fun is enjoying the "process" as it gradually takes shape from now, before it even opens. Today, I'd like to introduce you to the "Current Status of the Unfinished Yokohama Flower Expo."
The Osaka/Kansai Expo 2025. Did you know that just two years later, in 2027, an international exhibition will also be held in Yokohama? The official name is the "International Horticultural Exhibition 2027, Yokohama, Japan," commonly known as the "Yokohama Flower Expo" or "GREEN×EXPO 2027." Unlike a general World Expo that covers anything and everything, this is a "Horticultural Exhibition," so the content is quite different. However, there's no mistake that both are "Expos" certified by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). And since it's a horticultural expo, for us plant lovers, it’s a history-making event on an even grander scale than a standard Expo.
It is extremely rare for two consecutive international exhibitions to be held in Japan, so we absolutely must hop on this "Expo Relay"!
There are several types of EXPOs. The so-called "World Expos" that broadly handle industry, science, technology, and art include the large-scale "Registered Exhibitions" held every five years (the next is Saudi Arabia 2030). There are also smaller "Recognised Exhibitions" held irregularly (the next is Serbia 2027). Additionally, there are one-off themed exhibitions like "Ocean Expos," "Environment Expos," or "Leisure Expos" ("Tsukuba Science Expo '85" was one of them). While the theme differs from a "World Expo," "Horticultural Exhibitions" are held regularly rather than being one-offs.
"Horticultural Exhibitions" are held irregularly, roughly every 2 to 5 years. They specialise in "Flowers and Greenery," "Agriculture and Nature," and "Sustainability." Their characteristic is that countries not only bring their prized horticultural techniques and gardens but also showcase the latest environmental technologies and urban greening models. If the World Expo is a "museum," then the Flower Expo is a "botanical garden."
Actually, there are different categories within "Horticultural Exhibitions" based on scale. A large-scale Flower Expo that is also certified by the "Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)" is only the second of its kind in Japan since "Osaka Flower Expo '90." In the interim, events like the "Awaji Flower Expo" and "Hamanako Flower Expo" were held, but those were medium-scale exhibitions certified only by the "International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH)" (though they were still plenty big!).
The venue will be the former site of the Kamiseya Communications Facility in Seya-ku, Yokohama. This was a vast area of land requisitioned by the U.S. military for a long time after the war, and it was returned in 2015. It's 1.3 times the size of Yokohama Minato Mirai. How to use this vast empty lot that was suddenly handed back? Of course, various plans were proposed: large-scale theme parks, disaster prevention parks, logistics hubs, and agricultural experience facilities utilizing nature... However, the idea of a "Flower Expo" emerged as a "firework display" before starting such developments. The aim seems to be to develop urban infrastructure all at once while drawing global attention to the new district.
The theme of the Yokohama Flower Expo is "Scenery of the Future for Happiness." It's a simple yet powerful message showing a vision of the future where nature and people coexist.
The logo was selected through a national competition, representing the image of "greenery overlapping and layering happiness." The character is named "Twink Twink," representing a "resonance" like the heartbeat of people and nature.
The exhibition is planned to feature gardens from around the world, cutting-edge agricultural and environmental technologies, and participatory greening projects. But as of now, that's the extent of it. In 2025, the full list of participating countries hasn't been finalised. It seems the rough content of the theme pavilions, government exhibits, and domestic participating groups has been decided, but exactly what kind of displays or events will take place hasn't been detailed yet. Let's wait with anticipation for future announcements and progress.
When people in Japan think of a Flower Expo, "Osaka Flower Expo" is famous (the site is now Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park and the Sakuya Konohana Kan). However, that was 37 years ago in 1990. Let's look back at Flower Expos held in recent years to see what we can expect in Yokohama.
The Beijing Expo was a top-tier large-scale event in recent years, with 9.34 million visitors (for historical records, Osaka is by far the leader with 23 million, followed by Munich 1983 with 11.6 million and Kunming 1999 with 9.5 million). With 110 participating countries and organisations, it was of an exceptional scale. Large pavilions and structures like the "Yongning Pavilion" built on a hill as the symbol of the expo and the centrally located "China Pavilion" were not temporary but remain in the "Beijing Expo Park" today. Records also show a Japanese garden was created in the Japan Pavilion, and teamLab held an immersive art exhibition.
Held in the Netherlands, the mecca of the global horticultural industry, this expo featured a unique venue map with a clean rectangular site divided into a beautiful grid—a urban development project that could only be done for an Expo. Attention was drawn to the "Netherlands Government Pavilion," a grid-like wooden structure, the "Flores Tower" with flowers printed over its entire exterior (converted into housing after the closing), and gondolas for transportation across the venue.
Befitting Qatar, which is mostly desert, this horticultural exhibition had the greening of deserts and arid regions as one of its main themes. With roofs like gentle hills that were themselves greened, the venue featured the "EXPO HOUSE," a semi-circular building that looks half-buried underground, and a site so lush it's hard to believe it's in the middle of a desert. Perhaps our beloved succulents played an active role there too.
Now, once it's decided, I can't help but hope for its great success. However, whether it's the Osaka Expo or the Yokohama Flower Expo, there are naturally voices of criticism. Concerns include "it costs too much tax money," "will transportation access be ready?" or "it hasn't even resonated with the citizens yet." Regarding transport specifically, the fact that they abandoned the "Kamiseya Line" which they were trying to finish in time for the Expo, and are now planning to "focus on buses," makes me worry (having seen the incredible transport capacity of the subway at the Osaka Expo).
# Also, they're assuming 15 million visitors, but based on past Flower Expos, isn't that goal a bit too high...?
# And when I search for hotels around the venue, only "Love Hotels" pop up...
Regarding PR, I think we "small-scale citizens" just have to work together and do our best. But about the taxes. Well, what exactly is a "failure" for such an international event? Where is the line drawn between "it cost tax money but it was good" and "it cost tax money and was a total failure"?
When I looked into examples of past Expos or Olympics that were socially regarded as "failures," I found three main patterns:
1. Visitor numbers fail to reach targets, resulting in an operational deficit.
2. Venue facilities are left abandoned and become ruins afterwards.
3. Debts from construction costs become a burden, straining city finances.
At the Osaka Expo, "visitor numbers and ticket income" have been featured in the news daily since the opening. As for ticket income, they passed the break-even point in mid-August. Visitor numbers might not reach the target, but they are at a level that's perfectly respectable for an Expo. There are plans to develop the site into an urban resort including an IR (though there are pros and cons).
Construction costs for the venue are said to be 235 billion yen. Most of that, including the "Grand Roof Ring" which reportedly cost 35 billion yen, consists of temporary structures to be removed after the event (only the Blue Ocean Dome and the Netherlands Pavilion have been confirmed for relocation? The Women’s Pavilion, which was the Japan Pavilion at the Dubai Expo, will also appear at the Yokohama Flower Expo).
On the other hand, we must not forget the aspect that "venue construction costs are an investment, not waste." While a large amount of tax money is invested, much of it is returned to the economy and infrastructure that will remain and be used in the future, such as roads, transport networks, and the expansion of tourism demand. What's even more important is what remains after it's over. The newly developed streetscapes and facilities, the recognition and brand gained through the event, and the future goals and memories shared by many people. Depending on how we utilise these, it will be decided whether it was "good we did it" or "we shouldn't have done it."
In short, what matters is: What do we leave behind? And how do we use it?
As someone who is currently enjoying the Osaka Expo to the fullest, a thought that often crosses my mind is the regret that "I should have enjoyed it more before it even started." Of course, there was the drama from the decision to hold it to the logo selection, the birth of Myaku-Myaku, the appointment of ambassadors for the Signature Pavilions and their themes, the logos and posters I started seeing around town... Even without trying, various information was coming in, but if I had been more proactive in gathering info, I definitely would have bought a season pass before it started and visited every day from the first week.
Holding another international expo in Yokohama right after the Osaka Expo 2025 is a huge opportunity for Japan. A Flower Expo is not just a flower event; it's a stage to show the world "how cities and nature can coexist." As citizens, we can get involved through volunteering or participating in events, and simply "going to see it" and "enjoying it" is the greatest form of support. It's also part of the fun to witness the process of how the site transforms into a new district.
There are criticisms and anxieties, but let's take this opportunity that has come our way positively and support the future of Yokohama starting from "Flower Expo 2027" together.
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