Hopes on palm leaves: UAE pavilion at Osaka Expo hosts Japanese festival for 2 millionth guest

Khaleej Times

07-07-2025

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, today celebrated a major milestone as it welcomed its two millionth visitor in just three months, affirming its status as a destination of inspiration, dialogue and cross-cultural exchange.
The milestone was marked with a special celebration inspired by Japan's beloved Tanabata Festival. As part of the celebration, visitors were invited to write their wishes for a better future on custom-designed Tanzaku cards and hang them on the pavilion's outdoor signage.
Tanabata is a traditional Japanese festival that has been cherished for generations. Rooted in themes of love, hope and dreams, it invites people to write their wishes on colourful Tanzaku strips and hang them on bamboo branches, with the belief that their hopes will be carried to the sky.
The celebrations, which drew thousands of participants, featured palm leaves in place of bamboo, echoing the UAE Pavilion's symbolic date palm. Wishes were hung upon them, transforming the pavilion's forecourt into a vibrant visual symbol of dreams and aspirations.
Designed under the theme 'Earth to Ether,' the UAE Pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience across five thematic zones that reflect the UAE's story of heritage, ambition, and innovation.
Visitors have consistently praised its immersive storytelling, architecture, and warm hospitality, all of which underscore the UAE's commitment to forging meaningful international partnerships and creating inclusive platforms for dialogue.
Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: 'We are deeply honoured to have welcomed two million visitors to the UAE Pavilion. This reflects the world's interest, trust, and connection with the UAE's journey. By celebrating this milestone during Tanabata, we not only honoured a cherished Japanese tradition but also embraced the spirit of cultural exchange that defines Expo 2025. Our Pavilion continues to be a living space of ideas, creativity and shared values.'
Since its opening in April, the UAE Pavilion has hosted a variety of impactful events, cultural showcases, and thematic activations. These have included expert talks, cultural performances, creative workshops, Emirati cuisine demonstrations, and exhibitions by Emirati artists alongside collaborative dialogues, each carefully curated to engage diverse audiences and provide meaningful insights into the UAE's culture, values, and spirit of collaboration.
The timing of this milestone during the Tanabata Festival adds special significance to the celebration. The festival, which falls on July 7 each year, celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair.
Visitors to the pavilion have consistently praised the authentic Emirati hospitality they experience, with many noting the warmth and knowledge of the Japanese and Emirati Youth Ambassadors who guide them through the exhibits.
The pavilion's restaurant, which serves authentic Emirati cuisine, has become a popular destination for visitors seeking to experience the flavours of the UAE, while the curated shop offers products by UAE-based creatives, providing visitors with tangible memories of their experience.
The architectural design of the Pavilion itself tells a story of collaboration between the UAE and Japan. Taking inspiration from the cherished date palm tree, the structure reimagines areesh, the traditional vernacular architecture of the UAE.
The innovative use of agricultural date palm waste fused with Japanese woodworking expertise creates a physical manifestation of the cultural bridge between the two nations.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, runs until October 13, 2025. The UAE Pavilion remains open to all visitors throughout the Expo, offering a powerful, human-centred perspective on how nations can come together to shape a better tomorrow.