Osaka Expo
I had no plan to visit Osaka, one of the places usually overrun by tourists. But I couldn't resist attending the Expo, kind of a bookend for my life as a world traveler. (For now; I hope I'm not done traveling.)

Well, this was a pleasant surprise.

I was watching a video about the RADI:T train between Kansai Airport and Osaka; I’m a sucker for any kind of Japanese train video. In the course of this video, they mentioned the Osaka Expo. The 2025 World’s Fair is going to be in Osaka, and it starts while I’m in Japan.

In other words, I could go. Hmm.

I went to the Montreal World’s Fair with my dad back in 1967, Expo ’67. I only have vague memories of it, including getting lost, but it was pretty cool. I’ve not been to another world’s fair, or World Expo to use the official term, and the chances to do so are likely to be rare. So maybe I ought to take this opportunity.

So, after several hours of research, credit card issues, and trying to figure out travel times, I have a ticket to the Expo for April 15 – the third day of the expo. That should be interesting. It’s possible there will be bugs in the system or other issues, but what the hell. It’ll be an adventure whatever happens.

I’m flying down to Osaka in the morning and taking the shinkansen back. Lots of details to sort out along the way, mostly some travel-related stuff. I have to hope the shuttle gets me from the Expo to Shin-Osaka station in time; it’s about a 30-minute trip (I’m guessing, since they’ve not got that info finalized) and I have 90 minutes to get that done. Then half-an-hour from to get to my subway train to get back to where I’m staying in Tokyo.

Oh hell yea. This is one of the great reasons to travel: To do things that might go very wrong in order to have experiences that are likely to be very awesome.

Notes: I was able to reserve a window seat on the plane that should give me a view of Fuji-san. That would be a total treat.

I opted to spend an extra thirty bucks for a “green car” seat on the shinkansen. A bit more comfortable, and it’ll probably be a good thing after that day. I’ll probably sleep the whole way back. Shinkansens are so smooth and quiet. Not sure why people pick the expense and discomfort of a car to the relaxation and calm of these trains.