What Has Become of Yumeshima, the Former Expo Site?｜Highlights and Access in 2026

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, held from 13 April to 13 October 2025, drew a total of about 29.02 million visits (about 25.58 million general visitors, excluding AD pass holders). What has become of Yumeshima, the artificial island in Osaka's Konohana Ward that served as the venue, since the Expo closed? Drawing on materials published by Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka Metro, this article sets out what is known as of August 2026 — and what has "not yet been decided".

After the Expo, Yumeshima is still an island "under construction"

To put the conclusion first: as of August 2026, the former Expo site is in the middle of demolition and clearance work, and it is not open for the public to walk around. The site is surrounded by construction fencing, and access is restricted to authorised personnel. On-site reporting in January 2026, and reports in April that year marking a year since the opening, describe no-entry signs near the station exit and a situation in which visitors can do no more than look through the fence at the demolition under way.

Pavilions are being dismantled and removed in stages, and demolition of the Grand Ring also began in December 2025. Yumeshima has always been an industrial island too: its eastern side operates as a container logistics hub, and part of the western side hosts a large solar power plant. It is worth knowing in advance that it is not a place developed as a tourist destination.

The plan is to keep about 200 metres of the Grand Ring

The Grand Ring, the symbol of the venue, measures about 2 kilometres around, about 615 metres in internal diameter, with a building area of 61,035.55 square metres. In March 2025 it was certified by Guinness World Records as "the largest wooden architectural structure".

Materials from Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City set out a policy to retain about 200 metres of it, in the north-eastern part of the Yumeshima Phase 2 area, and use it as an observation deck that people can climb. The surrounding 2.9 hectares or so would be developed as a "memorial park zone", and a concept for an (provisionally named) EXPO2025 Memorial Hall has also been presented. The use of the Expo's surplus funds is being considered for the Ring's renovation costs.

However, all of this is still at the stage of considering a basic plan and basic design. It is due to take concrete shape after deliberation by the prefectural and city assemblies and public consultation, and as of August 2026 neither the opening date nor the form of public access has been decided. When people will be able to climb the retained section is also undecided.

The dismantled timber is not being discarded: it is being reused, for example in reconstruction housing in areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and in facilities for the international horticultural exhibition to be held in Yokohama in 2027.

How much of the redevelopment schedule has been decided?

On 19 June 2026, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City adopted the "Yumeshima Phase 2 Area Master Plan Ver. 3.0". Besides the memorial park zone, it includes as concepts a private-sector development area envisaged for hotels and retail facilities, indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities, and an arena and theatres. It also indicates that the "Forest of Tranquility", a green space within the venue, will be carried forward as green space integrated with the new district.

Following this, on 3 July 2026 Osaka City began its call for developers for the Phase 2 area. It uses a two-stage evaluation, with review of plan proposals scheduled for early February 2027 and review of price proposals for 17 February the same year. In other words, as of August 2026, who will build what has not yet been decided.

Meanwhile, in the call for operators for the utilisation zone on the former Osaka Healthcare Pavilion site (about 1.5 hectares), it was announced in July 2026 that no proposals had been submitted. Future policy is said to be under consideration. The realistic view is that redevelopment of the site is at a stage where things may not go according to plan.

MGM Osaka, the Osaka IR aiming to open in autumn 2030

In Yumeshima's Phase 1 area, construction of the integrated resort (IR) "MGM Osaka" is under way. Work began after a groundbreaking ceremony on 24 April 2025, with a plan to open around autumn 2030. Besides a casino, the plans include three hotels with about 2,500 rooms in total, an international convention centre with a capacity of over 6,000 people, retail facilities and a bus terminal.

This area is also under construction and cannot be visited. At this stage, all you can see is the rows of cranes in the distance from the surrounding roads. The opening date and the content of the facilities may change.

Access to Yumeshima, and the Osaka Metro Chuo Line today

Yumeshima can be reached on the Cosmosquare–Yumeshima section of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line, which opened as an extension on 19 January 2025. Yumeshima Station has continued to operate normally since the Expo ended.

However, the number of services has fallen sharply compared with the Expo period. The main points to note are as follows.

• Under the timetable revision of 14 October 2025, the Cosmosquare–Yumeshima section has 99 trains on weekdays and 84 on weekends and holidays. At some times during the day, intervals are up to about 20 minutes
• About half of Chuo Line trains turn back at Cosmosquare Station, so you may need to change trains
• An additional fare (90 yen for adults) applies on the extension section
• By car, you can enter via the Yumesaki Tunnel from Sakishima or the Yumemai Bridge from Maishima, but parking is limited

Service frequency on this section is hard to predict, so it is reassuring to check times before you set out.

What can you see if you go to Yumeshima now?

To be frank, as of August 2026 Yumeshima is not "a place to go sightseeing". What you can see is Yumeshima Station and its surroundings, the former venue under demolition stretching beyond the fence, and a distant view of the IR construction site. There are very few places to eat or convenience stores, little shade, and it takes about 30 minutes on foot from the station towards the Yumemai Bridge.

Even so, for anyone who wants to see with their own eyes a place where more than 25 million people walked as it changes into its next form, it should be time well spent. If you visit, bring comfortable shoes and water, and take great care not to obstruct construction vehicles. Never enter restricted areas.

Most important of all is to check the latest information before you go. The areas of the site open to the public and the progress of construction may change, and conversely there may be temporary public events. Always check the latest information before visiting. We recommend checking the official websites of Osaka City and Osaka Prefecture, together with Osaka Metro's service information, before you set out.

*Information in this article is current as of August 2026. The state of redevelopment and the areas open to the public are in flux. Please be sure to check official information from Osaka City and each operator before you go.