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The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, 21 August 2024, the wooden structure of the Grand Ring, the symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”) venue and one of the world’s largest wooden structures, was completed with the installation of the Skywalk ramps, connecting the entire 2km circumference into one complete ring.
The Grand Ring, conceived by architect FUJIMOTO Sou, the Expo Site Design Producer, is the symbol of the venue that represents the venue’s design philosophy of ‘Unity in Diversity.’ Assembly began on 30 June, 2023, and construction has been progressing ever since.
Work will continue towards the opening of the Expo in April 2025, including the installation of elevators, escalators, and rooftop greenery.
■ Overview of Grand Ring
The Grand Ring is the symbol of the Expo site. When completed it will be one of the world’s largest wooden structures.
It is constructed using modern construction methods in addition to the traditional timber joints used in the construction of Japanese shrines and temples. It will be used as the main route of flow around the venue, providing smooth movement of crowds as well as a comfortable space to stay out of the rain, wind, and sun.
From the rooftop of the Grand Ring, the entire venue can be viewed from various points, and if you look outside the ring, visitors can enjoy the charms of the Expo site surrounded by sea and sky, such as the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea, the spectacle of the setting sun, and the city of Osaka.
●Building Area: Approx. 60,000m2
●Inner Diameter: Approx. 615ｍ Outer Diameter: Approx. 675ｍ
●Width: 30m
●Height: 12m (External height: 20ｍ） *The height of the sky walk that visitors can walk on.
(The Sky Walk photographed on 9 August 2024）
●Timber used: (Domestic) Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress
(Foreign) Scots Pine
| Today, the construction of the wooden building part of the Grand Ring, which began in June 2023, has been completed and connected to form a continuous ring. The Grand Ring is an architectural symbol of the Expo site’s concept of “Unity in Diversity”. We are confident that visitors from all over the world will enjoy the Expo. TOKURA Masakazu Chairperson of Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition |
(Enquiries)
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp