The State of Qatar has revealed the design for its national pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025, a collaboration between Kengo Kuma & Associates and Qatar Museums. The pavilion merges Qatari and Japanese traditional craftsmanship, emphasizing the countries’ maritime heritage as a nexus of resources, trade, and knowledge exchange. Scheduled to be on display from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the pavilion aims to highlight Qatar’s innovations across various fields.
Drawing from Qatar’s dhow boat construction techniques and Japan’s wood joinery heritage, the pavilion integrates cultural elements to reinforce the bilateral relations between the two nations. Initial images reveal a complex wooden structure draped in white fabric, reminiscent of traditional sailing vessels used for trading across Eastern Arabia, East Africa, Yemen, and coastal South Asia.
Inside, the exhibition will focus on Qatar’s progress toward the Qatar National Vision 2030 and showcase investment opportunities aimed at economic diversification under the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-30. The display will provide an immersive experience reflecting the strong cultural, trade, and traditional ties between Qatar and Japan.
The pavilion spans over 1,200 square meters. Construction began in April, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony. Aligned with Expo Osaka’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the pavilion aims to strengthen Qatar-Japan ties, highlight Qatar’s development, and promote it as a premier tourist and business hub, showcasing its history, present, and future.
World Expos have historically served as a platform for nations to present their most innovative ideas and designs. Expo Osaka 2025 continues this tradition, featuring contributions from around 500 participants from 150 countries. Other national pavilions include Lina Ghotmeh’s design for Bahrain, LAVA Architects’ circular economy-inspired German Pavilion, and DP Architects’ “Dream Sphere” concept for Singapore.
