Osaka Expo (7 Day Lottery Reservation)

Hi All,

I've recently purchased a ticket to visit the World Expo starting in a few days but have found something rather challenging to understand - the lottery reservation system.

This 7 day lottery was open 30 - 7 days before this time and you could put down 5 different times/things you wished to visit. I put down 5 different things and it's now 4 days until I visit. I don't see anything on my ticket to see if I was successful for any of the lottery options. Does anyone have any idea how this thing works because it seems to be rather convoluted (or I'm looking in the wrong place!)

I am glad I am not the only one.

The exact same thing happened to me with the 2 Month Lottery Reservation. It made me wonder whether I had missed clicking on yet another confirmation screen button. But I suspect now that they simply don't inform you about the lottrey results and just delete everything from the records.

By the way, in order to see your reservations, you need to select your ticket to see them. They are unintuitively not shown under "reservations".

I hope the actual expo site will be better than the web presence.

I just found this in the FAQ: In addition, only successful applicants will receive emails informing them of their results from two months and seven days before the event. We are very sorry, but there will be no emails regarding unsuccessful applicants, so please check

It seems that not hearing anything and having all records deleted from your account means that you were unsuccessful.

They will inform you via email if successful. For the 2 months lottery I was successful for 2 consecutive nights for the nightly event by Suntory.

As for the 7 days, I applied same pavilion 2-3 time slots to increase chances and hopefully successful with one of the slots. Fingers crossed. Another week or so before I know.

Do all the pavilions require reservations?? I plan to go but haven't really looked at the website yet.

I'd like to be able to enjoy the pavilions at my own pace without being shut out or having a list of time slots that I need to make, but will that result in wasting money to enter and see nothing?

I don't want to be negative, but it just seems like every time I learn something about the Expo, it's never anything good. The "cashless only" is obnoxious.

So it seems to be a bit of a strange setup.

I did not get anything for the 7 day lottery. However - the day 1 - 3 lottery is basically book what is available. You can only book 1 pavilion in advance for this. I ended up booking the Kansai Pavilion for 6PM.

RE: Rabbityama - most of the general exhibits are able to be visited without a booking. It's only around 15-20 from memory.

I'm visiting on the 14th of April so I will give a report on the 15th of so when I have some time.

Expo Update (14/4/25)

I've just come back from the expo and thought I'd give out some pointers to those who might find them helpful.

7+ DAYS BEFORE VISITING

Download the app or login and purchase your ticket online. If possible - have a look at the bookable exhibits and book them using the 7 Day Lottery. Note - you will only get an email if you are successful with this. It's also possible to book multiple different times with the lottery for the same attraction, with later in the day probably being a better chance of getting something.

1 - 3 DAYS BEFORE VISITING

Log on and book 1 exhibit from those which are still available. Note that this one is not a lottery but an actual guaranteed time.

INFO ON LOCATION: Note that the location is very open to the elements so it can get hot. Food prices are also expensive for Japan prices (1500 - 3000 yen a meal in general). There are however Family Mart/or 7/11 which are normal prices.

GETTING THERE: I came via the East Exit with a 10AM ticket but arrived at 9:10. As this was the second day and in the morning, there were huge crowds and you'll have to wait until your time. Note that you might feel as though you are in a cattle holding area (this is important for people who are claustrophobic. I left in the afternoon and there was basically no line to get in. It's also a good idea to take a screenshot of your QR CODE ticket in case there are problems with internet access.

BOOKING ON THE DAY: Once you get in - it's possible to book to see more exhibits (through the app is best - but there is some locations which you can do it in person but it's a bit hard to find). The main problem is you can only book another exhibit once the booked one is completed. For example - I booked the Japan exhibit at 6PM but could not book any others due to this. I then cancelled and booked others.

FINDING TOILET HACK: Often - there might be large lines for toilets. However - all of the large expo halls have toilets in the back. These are often quieter than those outside.

GENERAL INFO:

(1) Many of the exhibits do not need bookings. Some of the locations (such as Poland or Hungary) allow for walk in's along with bookings. Do note that there are often long waits around 11:30 - 3PM when most people are here.

(2) If you visit on a weekday - note that there will be lots of school groups. I did not have problem with them in exhibits but be warned.

(3) Do not bring large bags to the EAST ENTRANCE. Storage is 10,000 yen. You have been warned!

(4) The site is quite large and not that easy to find your way around. A good hint for seating is the large wooden loop often has seating underneath it.

(5) I might be wrong, but the afternoon ticket after 5PM might be great for a weekday to dodge the crowds

Others who have visited feel free to add info below

Sir
Can you give us some info about transportat ion and its cost/price From JR shin osaka. How you go Expo by bus or train and parking cost,if someone go by car.And nearest JR st

Thanks for the info!

Overall, how was the experience? Was it amazing? Average? Disappointing? Any pavilions (particularly reserved ones) that you would recommend to visit or to skip?

Wondering how is the Portuguese pavillon as my cousin actually constructed it. But he never showed me a picture. Maybe it was a secret until yesterday. Need to catch him in the next few days.

I got annoyed by the over-the-top, airport-like security which led to huge lines, and by the fact that my mail box was filled up with one-time passwords by the end of the day because of the website's user-unfriendliness. But otherwise it was much better than expected! The Grand Ring is wonderful, there are more than enough food options, and the pavilions with so many countries present (and visitors from all across the world enjoying them) create such a nice atmosphere. I had time to visit only four pavilions (Canada was my highlight), and I am sure to return.

Like Uji said, it was difficult to visit all locations due to crowds later in the day. I visited Singapore, Malaysia, Poland, Oman and others. If I lived in Osaka, I'd buy a season pass and go at night a couple of times.

Earlier in the day, there were light lines for the busier but they increased quickly.

I'd probably not visit again, but would definitely recommend to visit mid week away from holidays. I mentioned that food was expensive, but that's compared to normal Japan prices. They still make Australia prices look reasonable.

For example, I purchased fried rice for 800 yen and gyoza for 490 yen. The gyoza were also better than normal. Unfortunately the Poland restaurant delayed their opening. I did not visit the Portugal exhibit but the outside looks striking

That pavilion entry lottery is some kind of shit
Said 7 day advance
Thought you i had to make lottery in 7 day before enter
But it show in very detail that i have to put my ticket 7 day because on this �g7days�h means making ballot draws
Why made easy thing with very confusing information
I reserved ticket for months and now i cant even make pavilion entry. Bruhh

Hmm... Even though the above reviews say it was fun, what is written sounds like the opposite. Maybe some of these issues are due to people all wanting to visit at the beginning to "be the first"... Hopefully some of the hype will die down and it will become easier to enjoy)...
I suppose word-of-mouth could also affect it. If lots of people say it was awesome, it could draw in more crowds. If lots of people start complaining about the website/app, lotteries, crowds, etc and it gets an overall negative or "more trouble than it's worth" reputation, it could make less people apply... This won't be apparent probably until at least after Golden Week.

@Koko19 Unfortunately, Japan loves lotteries, even though it turns what is supposed to be something fun into a stressful chore that you must continuously check up on and be aware of the next lottery opening.