Credit: Luxembourg@Expo2025Osaka GIE
Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade has confirmed that the Luxembourg Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Japan, attracted a total of 378,000 visitors.
On Monday 13 October 2025, 184 days after its opening on 13 April, Expo 2025 Osaka closed its doors for good. Under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," Expo 2025 Osaka, according to the organisers, welcomed more than 28 million people.
The ministry hailed this 25th participation of Luxembourg in a World Expo as "a great success". With a daily capacity of 2,250 visitors, the pavilion regularly reached its maximum number of visitors per day; a total of 378,000 visitors discovered the pavilion from April to October 2025.
Designed by the architectural firm STDM according to circular economy principles, the Luxembourg Pavilion adopted the motto "Doki Doki - The Luxembourg Heartbeat," referring to the Japanese expression for an enthusiastic and joyful heartbeat. Its three-act scenography introduced Luxembourg to a predominantly Japanese audience by highlighting the diversity of its inhabitants, its entrepreneurial spirit and the beauty of its landscapes, noted the ministry. According to various surveys, the Luxembourg Pavilion was among the most popular pavilions.
During the six months of the World Expo, the Luxembourg Pavilion hosted various high-level ministerial delegations, notably at the opening of the Expo in April, in which Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel participated, on the occasion of Luxembourg Day on 30 May in the presence of Grand Duke Henri and during the sectoral economic missions led by Hereditary Grand Duke (now Grand Duke) Guillaume in July.
Luxembourg's Foreign Ministry added that the economic ties and interests between the Grand Duchy and Japan were highlighted during the various economic missions organised in May and July by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, which were attended by more than 160 people from 95 Luxembourg companies. In addition to the multi-sector economic mission in May, the economic missions in July focused on the space, technology and healthcare sectors.
The ministry described the Chamber of Commerce as "an essential partner" of the Luxembourg State within Luxembourg@Expo2025Osaka GIE, the economic interest group responsible for the planning, construction, operation and deconstruction of the Luxembourg Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Luxembourg's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reportedly showcased the expertise of Luxembourg companies, particularly through the services offered by Cargolux as part of a sponsorship agreement with Luxembourg@Expo2025Osaka GIE, as well as through the pavilion's digital presence - according to the ministry, the pavilion's application, developed and implemented by Virtual Rangers in collaboration with Artec3D, demonstrated the expertise and quality of these companies.
Luxembourg's cultural and craft sectors were also showcased through various events and exhibitions. The bowling alley ("Keelebunn") was an expression of traditional Luxembourgish craftsmanship. It was the result of a collaboration between students from the Lycée Emile Metz, trainers from the CNFPC (national centre for continuing professional training) and the last bowling alley builder in Luxembourg, Georges Linster. During the Expo, the Luxembourg Pavilion held an "Intra-Pavilion Championship," open to teams from the various pavilions, which was ultimately won by the Japanese team.
Students from the École d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme du Luxembourg (EHTL), who handled kitchen, pastry and service duties at the pavilion, were tasked with offering visitors a culinary glimpse of Luxembourg. Among the culinary offerings were six desserts created especially for the Expo by pastry chefs working in Luxembourg. In October, the prize for the best dessert was awarded by Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel based on an online vote by visitors and a jury. "Cœur de joie / Heart of joy", the dessert created by Stéphane Muller (Pâtisserie Cayotte), won first prize.
On sustainability, the ministry recalled that the Luxembourg Pavilion is "circular by design", meaning it was designed according to the principles of the circular economy and thus designed for disassembly. The modular concrete blocks used for the pavilion's foundations will be reused by the Nesta Resort Kobe, a theme park located near the city of Kobe. The lightweight membrane roof will also get a second life, in the form of leather goods made by the SEAL brand. In addition, the exterior panels will be reused by the Japanese company Shinko Construction Co., Ltd.
This circular concept was recognised on Sunday 12 October 2025, during an awards ceremony on the occasion of Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Day at Expo 2025 Osaka. The BIE Sustainability Award went to the Luxembourg Pavilion in the category of pavilions built by participants and measuring less than 1,500 m². The awards presented at this ceremony celebrate those who have significantly contributed to the success of Expo 2025 Osaka. The winners were chosen by an international jury composed of nine experts in relevant fields. Their selection follows two visits by the jury, in May and October 2025, to all pavilions of Expo 2025 Osaka.
The ministry described Luxembourg's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka as "a testament to the close friendship between Luxembourg and Japan", also noting that 2027 will mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
