Osaka, Japan - As Expo 2025 Osaka approaches its 1-year anniversary since opening, Canada celebrated the legacy of the Canada Pavilion, which welcomed over 1.5 million visitors during the Expo period, and highlighted the country’s creativity, diversity, and innovation.

To mark this milestone, Canada held a handover ceremony and legacy celebration with representatives from the Expo Association and other key stakeholders in the Kansai Region. The event was an opportunity to reflect on six months of programming, performances, and visitor engagement at Expo, and to recognize the collaboration that made the Canada Pavilion a success. 

From the start, Canada approached Expo 2025 with a positive and collaborative spirit that guided every step, from planning and construction to programming and sustainability. Canada extends its sincere thanks to the Expo Association for the chosen plot site. The Pavilion benefited from having one of the best locations on the Expo grounds, in close proximity to key venues, and in the company of great neighbours.

Inspired by the theme of Regeneration, the Pavilion invited people to connect with the past while imagining a thriving future. In the main room, visitors experienced a poetic, sensory journey across Canada shaped by the theme of water. Conceived by renowned Canadian artistic director Robert Lepage, the experience revealed Canadian values of openness, creativity, and collaboration through nine illuminated ice formations where physical and virtual spaces seamlessly merged, creating one of the largest augmented reality experiences ever presented to the public. The exhibition required no explanatory text, making it one of the most accessible and engaging experiences for Expo visitors of all backgrounds.

Canada maintained a strong presence across the Expo site, organizing over 600 activities and making extensive use of stages and venues to showcase performances by more than 130 Canadian artists. The Pavilion’s cultural program, curated by the National Arts Centre, brought together artists from across the country and contributed to a vibrant and dynamic presence throughout the Expo. 

The Pavilion became one of the most popular destinations for school groups, welcoming thousands of students through educational and interactive programs. Canada was the first participating country to purchase tickets and among the first to hold a press conference in Tokyo, generating early excitement for the Pavilion and the Expo.

Collaboration was a hallmark of Canada’s approach. The Pavilion was the first to partner with the Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier, hosting monthly RegenHERation panels to highlight gender equality, women empowerment and leadership. The Canada Pavilion also opened its own spaces to partners, creating opportunities for dialogue, cultural exchange, and business connections.

Sustainability guided the Pavilion’s design and construction. The project was delivered in collaboration with ES Global, JKFL and mirari, and built by the local Japanese firm Shima. It was one of the few Expo pavilions constructed without concrete foundations, setting an example in environmental stewardship, with 75 percent of its materials planned for reuse. Expo 2025 also marked the first time that Canada used a rented structural framework for its pavilion.

The Canada Pavilion’s excellence was recognized with three prestigious awards —Gold for Best Technology Integration, Silver for Best Large Pavilion from Expolympics, and Bronze for Exhibition Design from the Bureau International des Expositions — achievements that were matched by exceptional visitor satisfaction and strong partner engagement.

“As we officially return the site of the Canada Pavilion to the Expo Association, we do so with pride and gratitude,” said Laurie Peters, Commissioner General for Canada at Expo 2025 Osaka during the handover ceremony. “This award-winning, must-see Pavilion became a lively meeting place for dialogue and exchange. Our participation strengthened Canada–Japan ties, opened new opportunities for collaboration, and deepened people-to-people connections. Sustainability guided our approach, including the careful dismantling of the Pavilion and restoration of the site. We offer a sincere ookini to the Expo Association and our partners for their collaboration and friendship.”

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Canada for its outstanding contribution to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai,” said the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. “The Canada Pavilion enriched the Expo experience for millions of visitors and strengthened the friendship between Japan and Canada. We also commend the Canadian team for the thoughtful and sustainable dismantling of the Pavilion.”

Canada is proud to add Expo 2025 Osaka to its history of participation in Japan-hosted Expos, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted participant and partner of choice. 

Looking ahead, a range of legacy initiatives will ensure that the Canada Pavilion’s spirit of creativity, collaboration, and regeneration continues to resonate and inspire long after Expo 2025. Key physical elements of the Pavilion have been relocated or donated to various sites, including an academic institution, allowing students and the public to engage with Canada’s innovation and culture. Complementing these efforts, digital initiatives and public opinion research will preserve and amplify the Pavilion’s programming, performances, and experiences. These initiatives reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, gender equality, and climate action, while providing opportunities for continued engagement with visitors, partners, and the global community.