The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has achieved a major milestone, welcoming more than one million visitors within its first 70 days of operation. Since opening on 13 April 2025, the Pavilion has firmly established itself as one of the standout attractions at the world expo.
Designed by Foster + Partners, the Pavilion is the second largest at Expo 2025 Osaka, after the host country Japan. Its striking architecture, made from lightweight Saudi stone, evokes the exploration of towns and cities across the Kingdom, blending traditional motifs with contemporary design. This spatial journey mirrors Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and underlines the country’s ambitions to build sustainable, empowered societies in line with Vision 2030.
A hub of activity and cultural exchange
Since opening, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion has hosted 1,137 events, with 1,021 held inside its innovative spaces and a further 116 across the wider expo grounds. It has also received 5,396 VIP delegates, while Irth Restaurant and Café inside the Pavilion has served more than 58,000 guests, pouring over 45,000 cups of coffee in just over two months.
A notable peak came on 14 May, when the Pavilion recorded 17,969 visitors in a single day, highlighting its strong appeal to international audiences.
Dr Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, remarked: “We are honoured to mark this significant milestone, which underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to showcasing its transformation under Vision 2030 and inviting the world to discover its heritage. Our participation at Expo 2025 Osaka also celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations with Japan. As we look ahead to Expo 2030 in Riyadh, we will leave a legacy here in Osaka and look forward to welcoming the world to Saudi Arabia.”
Award-winning design and immersive experiences
Beyond the numbers, the Pavilion is drawing international acclaim. It recently won Gold at the 2025 New York Architectural Design Awards in the category of Cultural Architecture – Interactive and Experiential Spaces, recognising its cutting-edge blend of culture and technology.
Visitors are taken on an immersive journey through seven themed rooms and galleries, from ‘The Evolving Cities’ and ‘Sustainable Seas’ to ‘Unlimited Human Potential’ and ‘The Pinnacle of Innovation’. Each space tells part of the story of Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation and growing global impact.
The Pavilion’s extensive cultural programme includes more than 700 events, ranging from live performances and traditional dances to interactive experiences like ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’, ‘We Are Saudi Arabia’, and the innovative Botanist Augmented Reality experience. Key moments ahead include celebrations of Saudi National Day on 23 September, promising to draw even larger crowds.
Looking towards Expo 2030 Riyadh
The Pavilion’s success in Osaka serves as a strong precursor to Expo 2030, which will be hosted in Riyadh. Expo 2030 Riyadh promises to be a landmark global event, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation under Vision 2030. Set to run from October 2030 to March 2031, the Expo will welcome millions of visitors to explore innovative themes centred on sustainability, technology and cross-cultural dialogue. Riyadh aims to offer an immersive experience that highlights the Kingdom’s deep heritage alongside its ambitious future, positioning itself as a hub for global collaboration and investment.
Plans feature state-of-the-art pavilions, smart infrastructure and extensive cultural programming, all designed to create a legacy that endures well beyond the event. As the first World Expo to be hosted in Saudi Arabia, Expo 2030 underscores the country’s growing role on the world stage and invites nations and businesses alike to engage in shaping a shared, forward-looking future. It is set to be a celebration of human progress — with Riyadh at its heart.
As Dr Binzagr highlighted, the Osaka edition is a chance not only to deepen ties with Japan and the wider international community but also to position Saudi Arabia as a dynamic global destination.
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion is located inside the West Gate at the Connecting Zone (C14-01) and is open daily from 09:00 to 21:00. For more details on programmes and upcoming events, visit the official website at ksaexpo2025.sa.
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