High-end cuisine will be a major highlight of the Osaka Expo's food lineup, sure to entice foodies as the event draws over 200,000 daily visitors from nearly 160 countries.
The Osaka Expo, set for April 13 to Oct 13 on the artificial island of Yumeshima, will feature a 30,000 yen course and an international kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) experience that includes not only sushi but also signature dishes and craft beverages from participating countries.
Organizers are pulling out all the stops to prepare gastronomic delights for visitors, undeterred by a lower-than-expected participation rate among vendors, which has left some stalls unfilled.
The Expo site in Osaka spans an area equivalent to 40 Koshien Stadiums, the iconic baseball field in western Japan, and walking across the vast grounds is bound to work up an appetite.
While visitors will be allowed to bring in food, including homemade lunch boxes, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is also crafting a plan to showcase Japan's food culture alongside global cuisines from participating countries.
Around 70 food and beverage businesses, selected through a public solicitation, plan to open stalls. Lounge & Dining, a leading operator in the industry, is expected to serve distinguished guests from various countries a luxurious 30,000 yen course featuring sushi and teppanyaki dishes.
An Expo association official said the operator takes pride in offering a "quiet environment" with "a high level of service." Buffets, starting at 8,000 yen, will also be available without reservations.
Some vendors will use the Expo as a testing ground for the event's concept of designing a "future society for our lives."
Leading sushi chain Kura Sushi, which will provide the international kaitenzushi experience, is installing its longest-ever rotating conveyor belt -- 135 meters with 338 seats -- designed to showcase new food-related technology and culinary cultures.
In addition to sushi, dishes from around 70 countries will make their way around the conveyor belt, such as ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban beef dish.
To cater to the diverse needs of visitors and staff, some restaurants will offer halal meals prepared in accordance with Islamic precepts, as well as vegan cuisine.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy food at pavilions of participating countries such as Italy, Kuwait and South Korea.
The Czech Republic, known for its Bohemian crystal glassware, is also among the world's top beer-consuming countries per capita. Naturally, Czech beer will be among the beverages on offer.
The Expo association set screening criteria for restaurant operators, requiring specific efforts to reduce food loss and a proven track record of serving a diverse range of customers from both Japan and abroad.
Although the 39 restaurant lots were expected to be filled after two rounds of applications, only 26 were occupied. As a result, a third call for applications was issued, and the application period was extended.
Thanks to a "lavish" offer that included free use of facilities for some lots and a substantial reduction in payment rates based on sales, only three lots remained unfilled by the end of January.
An Expo association official said, "Food is one of the attractions of the Expo. We would like to welcome visitors with a variety of choices."
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