At Expo 2025 Osaka–Kansai, the most popular pavilions can be the hardest to enter—not just because of the crowds, but because of the complex reservation system. This guide breaks down the four opportunities to secure your spot—lottery, advance booking, and same-day reservations—and shares clear strategies to help families and international visitors enjoy the pavilions without stress.
Current Situation: How Reservations Work for Popular Pavilions
Expo 2025 offers four main chances to get into popular pavilions:
- 2-Month Advance Lottery
- 7-Day Advance Lottery
- 3-Day Advance First-Come-First-Served Reservations (only for leftover spots)
- Same-Day On-Site Reservations
(expo2025.or.jp)
These are carried out in order, and the difficulty varies depending on demand, date, and time.
Lottery Process and How to Win
- What are the 2-Month and 7-Day Lotteries?
Both lotteries allow you to select up to five pavilions and time slots in advance, but you can only win one per lottery. Filling out all five choices increases your odds. - Tips to Boost Your Chances
- Enter both lotteries: Apply for both the 2-month and 7-day draws, filling in all five choices.
- Avoid peak times: Weekends and midday slots are the most competitive. Early morning or after 5 pm generally offers better odds .
- Strategic 3rd choice: The most popular pavilions are usually fully booked after the 1st and 2nd choices are processed. From the 3rd choice onwards, pick slightly less popular pavilions in later time slots to increase your chance of getting in.
First-Come-First-Served Reservations (3 Days Before)
- How it works
At midnight, 3 days before your visit, leftover slots from the lotteries are released for first-come-first-served booking. These often disappear within seconds to a few . - Strategy and when to skip
For top pavilions, there may be no slots left at all. Staying up late to fight for a slim chance can be exhausting—sometimes it’s smarter to skip and save your energy.
Same-Day Reservation Strategies
- How it works
Same-day reservations open about 10 minutes after you enter the venue. At 9 am opening, popular pavilions can see 1,000–2,000 slots vanish within 1–2 hours. Some pavilions, like the Gundam Pavilion, release extra slots at set times throughout the day. - Go early for the best chance
If you want the most popular attractions, arrive early, line up before gates open, and book within the first 10 minutes. - Book multiple times
After you attend your first booked session, you can reserve another within about 10 minutes—so morning bookings give you more chances throughout the day. - Consider walk-ins
Many international pavilions don’t require reservations. Early morning or evening often means shorter queues. - Enjoy without reservations
Even without hitting the top pavilions, Expo 2025 offers plenty—Commons halls, the Grand Roof Ring, stunning country architecture, and cultural exhibits. For families with small children, this can be a more relaxed and enjoyable option
Conclusion
- Summary of winning tactics: Master the order—2-month lottery → 7-day lottery → 3-day first-come-first-served → same-day booking. Combine smart timing choices with solid preparation.
- Encouragement: With good planning and a flexible mindset, both families and international visitors can enjoy their dream pavilions—and the whole magic of Expo 2025!
More Expo 2025 Guides
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