OSAKA Convention and Tourism Bureau has hailed the city’s hosting of World Expo 2025 a resounding success and is now looking ahead to the next big project – an integrated resort being built next to the expo site.
The 184-day Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai came to a close last month with over 28 million visitors and participants flocking to the event on the artificial island of Yumeshima.
The resort is scheduled to open in Q3 of 2030, with developers and city officials saying the project will highlight the appeal of Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region as a leisure and business events destination.
“The future multipurpose facility is expected to become one of the largest MICE facilities in Japan and bring numerous visitors to not only Osaka, but to the rest of the country,” OCVB said in its Osaka MICE newsletter
OSAKA BUREAU MAKES EXPO HISTORY
A highlight of the World Expo for Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau was its hosting of the MICE & Event Professionals Meeting at Expo 2025, which saw over 300 business event professionals from 10 countries participate in the first large-scale MICE event to be held in World Expo history.
Representatives from the Australian and Netherlands pavilions told attendees about sustainability and other initiatives before gathering for an industry networking party.
OCTB, in collaboration with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, also brought the Expo’s Digital Wallet Park to life. The facility allowed visitors to experience travel across Japan without leaving the site, using immersive VR and LED technology.
Promotions were also held by OCTB to highlight some of Japan’s finest traditions – kimono wearing to sumo.
Construction of the integrated resort is being undertaken by Osaka IR Corporation, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and Orix.
MGM Osaka will also operate Japan’s first licensed casino when the resort opens. The granting of a licence follows the passing of a law in 2018 permitting three integrated resorts with casinos to be built in different parts of Japan.
“This is Japan’s first IR resort and we believe it will attract many visitors and tourists to Osaka, both from the rest of Japan and from overseas,” Toyonori Takahashi, ORIX Group’s Kansai representative, said as the project was announced earlier this year.
With about 470 gaming tables and 6,400 machines planned, the casino is limited to 3 per cent of the resort’s indoor space, according to reports.
More… Film director Kawase among Osaka World Expo creatives
Business event venues planned for the resort include 67,800 square meters suitable for conventions, 30,700 sqm of exhibition space, and a 3,500-seat theatre. Three hotels – MGM Osaka, MGM Villas and a Musubi hotel – have so far been signed up for space on the 49-hectare site to provide a total of 2,500 guest rooms.
Part of The Grand Ring, which surrounded the World Expo site, will one retained due to public demand, according to reports.
Officials say the completed resort will attract about 20 million visitors each year with Osaka and Kansai’s competitiveness as a destination expected to increase.
Main image… Visitors stroll through The Grand Ring – the world’s largest wooden architectural structure – built for World Expo Osaka. Sections of the ring will be retained as a centrepiece for the integrated resort. Picture via Shutterstock
