The GREEN×EXPO Association held a “GREEN×EXPO 2027 Press Conference Six Months Before the Event” on September 15. Expo-related characters, including the official mascot “Tunk Tunk,” as well as “Myaku Myaku,” “Morizo and Kikkoro,” and “Hanazukin-chan,” gathered in one place to build excitement leading up to the opening.
During the first half of the press conference, Kazuko Ishigaki, Director of Public Relations and Media Affairs for the GREEN×EXPO Association, presented the latest information. She began by announcing the nicknames for the three facilities selected through a public call for entries.
Out of 3,600 submitted proposals, “Nekko” was selected for the Theme Pavilion, “Iroha Niwa” for the Horticultural Culture Pavilion, and “Hanameguri” for the indoor exhibition facility.
In addition, the park announced the themes for each zone of the Theme Pavilion’s exhibits and hands-on activities, while the Horticultural Culture Pavilion released a new concept image for its exhibit titled “Edo’s Nursery and Flower Garden.”
The first installment of the event list for the exhibition period (7 pages total) announces National Days, Special Days, events open to the public, events organized by local governments, and events in collaboration with government agencies. Five event spaces (totaling approximately 800 m²) will be set up within the venue.
At events organized by the association, the “Festival Almanac Project”—an interactive event for visitors—will be held. The association plans to feature a permanent exhibition of Aomori’s Nebuta floats, as well as a variety of events organized in collaboration with regional festivals and traditional performing arts groups.
At the Organizing Venue (tentative name), Kanagawa Prefecture’s original musical, “Vibrant Life,” will be performed. In addition, the “Sports Event” will feature sports activities, workshops, and stage events on the lawn plaza.
Schedules for National and Special Days have now been finalized for 59 countries and organizations. Eleven ministries and agencies have confirmed their participation in inter-agency events.
Eleven municipalities have confirmed their participation in events organized by local governments, including “Municipality Week” hosted by Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City, and the “Izumisano Danjiri Festival” hosted by Izumisano City.
It has been confirmed that 25 organizations will host public events, including tourism promotions, music, and performances.
The 19th of every month has been designated as “Tunk Tunk Day,” in honor of the official mascot character. Starting before the opening and continuing throughout the event, we will use social media as a platform to share information about Tunk Tunk’s charm and GREEN×EXPO 2027.
Speaking on behalf of the participating countries, Mr. Mario Andrea Vattani, the Italian Government Commissioner for the Italian Pavilion and Italian Ambassador to Japan, delivered a speech in Japanese. Reflecting on the popularity of the Osaka-Kansai World Expo, he expressed his hope that “the World Expo serves as a laboratory for the future,” and unveiled the design for the Italian Pavilion.
It has been decided that a lottery-based sale will be held for the “RING PASS,” a special admission ticket made from reclaimed wood from the “Grand Roof Ring”—a structure beloved as a symbol of the Osaka-Kansai World Expo. Limited to 2,027 tickets, the pass is available only as a full-season pass (adult) and is priced at 50,000 yen. The price includes the 28,000-yen cost of the full-term pass, and those who have already purchased a pass can upgrade by paying the difference.
The 2,027 tickets are broken down as follows: 1,227 for new purchasers, 300 for those who have already purchased a full-season pass, and 500 for new purchasers who reside in Yokohama. Applications will be accepted on the special website through September 30.
The special program “192 Days: Always in Full Bloom Conference” featured “QuizKnock”—GREEN×EXPO 2027 Special Supporters Fukura P, Nobutaka Tsurusaki, Ikue Sakakibara, and Masafumi Mikami—as well as “Igo Shogi” members Daisuke Fumita and Taichi Neken, and “NMB48” members Kion Shiotsuki and Mai Hirayama. Drawing on their respective areas of expertise, they promoted their recommended times to visit the expo.
© Source travel watch