The Place That Quietly Set a Record with Twice as Many Visitors as 'Disney' After Fears of Failure

Approximately 195,000 Visitors in a Single Day on June 28
"At This Rate, the Attendance Target Is Achievable"

On June 28, the daily number of visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo reached 195,000, setting a new record for the highest number of visitors in a single day.

Visitors to the Osaka Expo are crossing a bridge. Photo by AFP

On June 29, Japan's Mainichi Broadcasting System reported, citing an announcement by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereafter "the Association"), that the number of visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo on June 28?the 77th day since the opening?was approximately 195,000. Of these, about 18,000 were officials and approximately 177,000 were general visitors. The previous record for the highest daily attendance was set on Saturday, May 31, when 187,762 people (including 169,923 general visitors) visited the Expo site. On June 28, a fireworks event was held at the Expo venue, attracting a large number of people.

Visitors at the Osaka Expo are watching a water show. Photo by AFP

The Osaka Expo, which initially struggled to attract visitors after opening, has recently seen a significant increase in attendance. Over the past month, the daily average number of visitors to the Osaka Expo has reached about 130,000. According to the Association, the number of visitors from June 18 to 21 ranged from approximately 137,356 to 178,484 per day. Compared to Japan's leading theme park, Tokyo Disney Resort, which had a daily average of about 76,000 visitors last year, the Osaka Expo is drawing nearly twice as many people.

The Association originally set a target of attracting a total of 28.2 million visitors by the closing date of October 13. To achieve this goal, about 150,000 people need to visit each day. As of June, most days have either exceeded or come close to this target, signaling that the Expo is on track to meet its goal. As of June 20, cumulative ticket sales reached 14.69 million, moving closer to the break-even point of 18.4 million tickets. On June 23, Tokura Masakazu, Chairman of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, stated, "If the recent trend over the past month continues, we will reach the break-even point."

Korean Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo site in Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

The Osaka Expo, which opened on April 13, is being attended by 158 countries and regions. In particular, on each country's designated "National Day," heads of state and high-level officials visit the Expo. This month, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the venue. In July, the National Days for the United States and China are scheduled. Regarding this, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on June 29, "Heads of state from various countries are making successive visits to the Expo, which also serves as a stage for diplomacy," adding, "Senior officials from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, who are responsible for operations, are experiencing tense days."