Because of their popularity, some of the expo's pavilions are very hard to get into. Reservations and an understanding of the pavilions' admission systems are keys to minimize the hassle and waiting time associated with a visit.
This page introduces the ways to visit the expo's most popular pavilions. Check also our separate page on reservations for additional information on the various methods of making advance reservations.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
by tickets
Line up:
limited
Toyota Group Pavilion
The Toyota Pavilion is one of the most popular pavilions at the expo, featuring a show performed by robots and introducing other latest technologies. Performances start every 50 minutes.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
The Toyota Pavilion is one of the few pavilions, for which you cannot line up, except for the first performance in the morning (9:30) and for the last four performances in the evening (17:50 and afterwards).
The rest of the seats is given away by means of numbered tickets, which indicate the performance time. Tickets for the morning performances (10:20 to 14:30) are distributed as soon as the gates open, while tickets for the afternoon performances (15:20 to 17:00) are distributed from 14:00. Tickets are gone within minutes, so you will have to line up long in advance.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
by tickets
Line up:
possible
Hitachi Group Pavilion (Nature Contact)
After the Toyota Pavilion, the Hitachi Pavilion is the most difficult corporate pavilion to get in. It features a ride introducing endangered animals by using virtual reality computer technology.
The admission system for the Hitachi Pavilion has been changed as of July 25:
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
From 10:00 to 17:00, the Hitachi Pavilion can be entered with numbered tickets, which are distributed in front of the pavilion once per day, starting at 9:10.
Before 10:00 and after 17:00, it is possible to enter the pavilion by lining up, however, expect waiting times of more than two hours. It is not possible to enter the pavilion by lining up between 10:00 and 17:00.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
at terminals
Line up:
possible
Mitsui-Toshiba Pavilion
The face of each visitor to this pavilion is scanned by a computer to be featured in a movie shown afterwards.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Same-day reservations can be made at reservation terminals in front of the pavilion, but they book out within minutes after the site opens in the morning.
It is possible to line up. Expect waiting times of two hours and more.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
possible
Line up:
possible
Gas Pavilion
A show about natural gas is shown in this pavilion. Performances start every twenty minutes.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Same-day reservations are possible by means of tickets, which indicate the performance time. Tickets are distributed in front of the pavilion in three batches: at 9:00 (for performances from 10:20 to 13:40), at 12:00 (for performances from 14:00 to 16:40) and at 15:00 (for performances from 17:00 to 18:40).
It is also possible to line up.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
not possible
Line up:
possible
Wonder Circus
This pavilion by the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan features a ride in an electric car through eight scenes.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Visitors without an advance online reservation have no choice but to line up, since same-day reservations are not possible for this pavilion.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
not possible
Line up:
possible
JR Central Pavilion
The pavilion by JR Central consists of two separate attractions: a 3D theater where footage of the over 500 km/h fast maglev trains is presented and a laboratory, where the maglev technology is explained. Furthermore, an actual maglev car is exhibited.
Advance reservation by internet is possible for the 3D movie theater, however, available space is gone quickly. No advance reservation is possible for the lab.
The other option is lining up in front of the pavilion. Only on busy days, a numbered ticket system is used for the 3D theater. Waiting times are not as bad as in case of other corporate pavilions.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
at terminals
Line up:
possible
Mitsubishi Pavilion
The Mitsubishi Pavilion features a show about what earth would be without the moon. Shows commence every 20 minutes.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Same-day reservations can be made at reservation terminals in front of the pavilion, but they book out within minutes after the site opens in the morning.
Finally, it is also possible to line up. Expect waiting times of one hour or more.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
at terminals
Line up:
possible
Japan Pavilion Nagakute
The Japan Pavilion's main feature is a short 360-degree virtual reality movie.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Same-day reservations can be made at reservation terminals in front of the pavilion, but they book out within minutes after the site opens in the morning.
Finally, it is also possible to line up. Expect waiting times of two hours and more.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
at terminals
Line up:
possible
Nagoya City Pavilion (Earth Tower)
The Earth Tower by the city of Nagoya is a giant kaleidoscope, roughly as tall as Nagoya Castle.
Advance reservation by internet is possible, however, available space is gone quickly.
Same-day reservations can be made at reservation terminals in front of the pavilion, but they book out within minutes after the site opens in the morning.
Finally, it is also possible to line up. Expect waiting times of 90 minutes and more.
Reservation Options
Internet:
possible
Same-day:
by tickets
Line up:
limited
Global House
The Global House is the expo's theme pavilion. It is divided into three parts, the Blue Hall, which features a 50 meter wide screen, the Orange Hall, which features an image system 16 times as accurate as a conventional high-resolution image system, and the Mammoth Lab, where the remains of a frozen mammoth are exhibited.
Admission to the orange and blue halls are separate, but a visit to either hall also includes admission to the mammoth lab. Furthermore, it is also possible to visit the mammoth lab only, but note that the visit to the mammoth lab is limited to just about a minute.
Advance reservations by internet are possible for the blue and orange halls, but available space is gone quickly.
The Global House is one of the few pavilions, for which you cannot line up, except for admission before 10:00 in the morning.
During the rest of the day, admission is gained by means of numbered tickets, which indicate the entrance time. Tickets for the blue and orange halls are distributed in front of the Global House twice per day: at 9:00 (for admission before 15:00) and at 15:00 (for admission after 15:00). Tickets for viewing the mammoth lab are distributed only once a day at 10:00, except on not so busy days, when access is gained by simply lining up.
Reservation Options
Internet:
not possible
Same-day:
not possible
Line up:
not possible
Satsuki and Mei's House
Satsuki and Mei's House is a replica of a house featured in the popular animated movie "My Neighbor Totoro". It is the expo's most difficult attraction to visit, as the daily number of visitors is limited to only 800. Note that the house from the outside and the garden can be seen from the distance without an admission ticket.
Applications for visiting the house must be submitted by postcard far in advance of an intended visit. Successful applicants will be determined by lottery. See details on the official website. Previously it was possible to make reservations at Lawson convenience stores, however, this system has been discontinued.
