A Day at the Osaka Expo: A Mix of Surprises and Disappointments

Spent a day exploring the Osaka Expo, and the experience was quite fascinating! The architecture was incredibly interesting, especially the large wooden circular ring that surrounds the venue. Its design is top-notch and perfect for photos 📸. Online reservations were indeed challenging, so we decided to go without any bookings. Our strategy was simple: pick pavilions based on their "visual appeal, interest in the country/content, and short queues." If they met at least two criteria, we went for it. By the end of the day, we managed to visit four or five pavilions. The Saudi Pavilion's exterior and the content of the German Pavilion left a strong impression. The China Pavilion had a rich cultural vibe, and standing atop the large circular ring to overlook the national area was quite a sight. The Chinese flag stood out prominently, and the flagpole seemed taller than the others, filling me with pride 🇨🇳. Now for the disappointments❗ Avoid the domestic souvenir shops! Seeing the staff wearing themed merchandise made us think the items would be interesting, but after queuing for ages, the products turned out to be dull. Even switching to another shop yielded the same result. If you're looking for souvenirs, it's better to visit designated stores elsewhere in Osaka—don’t waste time queuing inside the Expo. Overall, architecture enthusiasts will love it, but be cautious with souvenirs. The day was unique and memorable, making it a worthwhile trip ✨.