Rediscovering Kyoto at Osaka Expo 2025: Six Themed Zones, Ichiza Konryu, Forest Bathing & the Hozu-gawa River

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Did you catch Kyoto at the Osaka 2025 World Expo? The Kansai Pavilion's Kyoto zone offered visitors a fresh perspective on Japan's ancient capital through six distinct themes, blending centuries-old traditions with forward-looking innovation. What emerged was a portrait of Kyoto that goes far beyond the well-trodden temples of the city center — a Kyoto of coastal fishing villages, misty forests, tea-covered hills, and deeply rooted community spirit.

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Ichiza Konryu: The Spirit of a Treasured Encounter

At the heart of the Kyoto zone lay the tea ceremony philosophy of Ichiza Konryu — the belief that each meeting between host and guest is a once-in-a-lifetime moment worth cherishing. This wasn't just a decorative slogan. Every exhibition, hands-on workshop, and live demonstration was designed to create genuine connection between exhibitor and visitor, transforming the pavilion into a space where strangers became guests in the truest sense.

Six Themes, One Kyoto

The exhibits rotated approximately weekly, offering six lenses through which to discover the region. Tourism introduced the concept of "Another Kyoto" — the coastal serenity of Kyoto by the Sea with its Tango-ori weaving, the forest bathing experiences of Woodland Kyoto, and the rich tea heritage of Kyoto Tea Country. Culture celebrated performing arts, local festivals, and even manga. Food put the spotlight on dashi (the soul of Kyoto cuisine), regional sakes, and artisanal teas. Industry showcased how traditional crafts meet cutting-edge technology. Environment featured Kyoto's unique approach to sustainability, from furoshiki wrapping cloths to bamboo forest products. And Life tackled themes of health, aging, and community through interactive, empathy-building exhibits.

A Space That Connects: Kimono Tiles by Kohei Nawa

The physical space itself was a work of art. World-renowned sculptor Kohei Nawa's studio Sandwich collaborated with Asada Kawara Co. to create "Kimono Tiles" from Kyo-gawara, a ceramic material with 1,400 years of history. Some 12,000 tiles in varying sizes flowed across floors and walls like the layered folds of a kimono, their smoked silver finish and subtle geometric patterns creating an oasis of calm amid the Expo's sensory overload. Composer Marihiko Hara's layered soundscape — piano, natural sounds, gentle electronics — completed the immersion.

First Impressions: What Visitors Said

One visitor, a seasoned traveler who had previously explored Akita, Nagano, and the quieter corners of Kyoto — Kumano Kodo, Kifune-jinja Shrine, the tea shops of Uji — was visibly moved. "I'm really, really impressed by the whole setup," he said, pausing to study intricately carved wooden Buddha statues on display. His verdict on the Kyoto zone? "Quite well put together and very nice."

Forest Bathing in the Expo Hall

One of the most memorable exhibits came from itswellness, a company specializing in Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) tours. Rather than just describing their experiences, they brought the forest inside: fresh Kitayama Cedar leaves, fragrant Kuromoji wood, and the actual scents of Kyoto's woodlands for visitors to inhale. Their 10-minute Deep Breathing Experience sessions became a hit — a brief taste of their full tours, which guide participants through Kyoto's forests to lie on the grass beneath ancient trees, listen to birdsong, and rediscover stillness. English-language tours are available across Kyoto by the Sea, Woodland Kyoto, and Kyoto Tea Country.

Riding History Down the Hozu-gawa River

The Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride (Hozugawa Kudari) has been operating since the 1600s, and the boatmen still navigate the river the traditional way — by hand, no engines. The 90-minute to 2-hour journey from Kameoka to Arashikawa takes passengers through serene stretches and pulse-quickening rapids against a backdrop of forested mountains. With roughly 70% of their guests now coming from overseas, English explanations of the sights are readily available.

Building Community in Kyotamba

In Kyotamba, a town in the heart of Woodland Kyoto known for its prized black beans and chestnuts, Shinji Ichise is doing something refreshingly simple: inviting the world to belong. His initiative, GREEN GREEN KYOTAMBA, operates on the philosophy of a "community connected by shared sentiment." Whether you're a local, a foreign resident, or a visitor passing through — you're considered a member. His message at the Expo? "Feel welcome to visit, stay, relax, commute, or even join us in farming."

The Kyoto Food Expo: A Feast of Local Flavors

Just outside the main Kyoto zone, the Kyoto Food Expo served up the region's culinary soul. Highlights included Fukuchiyama's Gyokuro (a shade-grown tea prized for its deep umami), Wazuka Town's whimsical "Pote-cha" snack (potato chips infused with local tea), chestnut sweets from Kyotamba (dorayaki, Mont Blanc), and craft beverages from the Tango region — beer, gin, wine, and sweet potato shochu. Matcha workshops taught visitors the art of preparing and appreciating traditional Japanese green tea, turning tasting into learning.

A Deeper Understanding

By the time visitors stepped out of the Kyoto zone, they had encountered a side of Kyoto rarely seen in guidebooks. Through interactive moments, sensory design, and the philosophy of Ichiza Konryu, the Expo offered something genuinely transformative: permission to see Kyoto not as a postcard destination, but as a living, breathing region where ancient crafts still thrive, forests still heal, and communities still welcome strangers as if they'd always belonged.

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