Over 13,000 people – including a group of Portuguese nationals – visited the Portugal Pavilion on the opening day of Expo 2025 Osaka, held on 13 April.
In addition to the exhibition areas, the Pavilion's restaurant and shop proved particularly popular, with many visitors keen to sample Portuguese delicacies and take home a souvenir from Portugal. UMI, the Portuguese Pavilion's mascot, was also a highlight, capturing guests' attention on the first day of the World Expo.
The Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who designed the Portugal Pavilion, attended the opening ceremony. He placed particular emphasis on the two exhibition spaces, which, over the course of 184 days, will showcase Portugal's historic connection with the ocean—a bond that also links Portugal and Japan—and highlight the pressing need to protect marine ecosystems. This will underline the role of Portuguese technology in driving global sustainability.
The Portuguese Ambassador to Japan, Gilberto Jerónimo; the Commissioner General for Portugal at Expo 2025, Joana Gomes Cardoso; and the Pavilion Director, Bernardo Amaral, attended the opening.
Under the theme 'Ocean, the Blue Dialogue', the Pavilion invites visitors to immerse themselves in a sensory experience inspired by the sea, bringing a symbolic piece of the ocean to Expo 2025. The striking design features 9,972 suspended ropes and recycled nets, creating a structure that interacts poetically with the natural elements of the sun and wind.
Located in the 'Empowering Lives' zone, on a 1,836.75 m² plot, the Pavilion enjoys a prime location near the Japan Pavilion and offers a unique space for interaction within the heart of the Expo's Grand Ring.
