The official Expo Map has been released! You can get it from the official expo site here, in either an A3-size one-sheet format, or in a more printer-friendly A4 format that divides the map and info up over 8 pages. However, I wanted a larger A2 version, so I stitched together the pages of the A4 version to create my own A2 version. It’s not perfect. There are a couple places where things didn’t line up perfectly, but unless you know where to look, you probably wont notice. I’ve posted my A2 version below as a PDF. Enjoy!
Updated Osaka Expo 2025 Map!
I recently found a newer map with more detail! So, I’ve created a new map based on this version, with additional detail including: the e-Mover shuttle route and stops, a notation for which country pavilions will have a dining option, more detailed info on all the shopping and dining venues (as well as adding them to the alphabetical map legend), and a symbol indicating locations at the Expo with dedicated terminals for making on-site pavilion/event registrations.
(Click on images for higher resolution.)
EDIT: I’ve also created PDF versions of these files here.
Osaka Expo 2025 World’s Fair Maps
I’m going to Expo 2025 in Osaka, and I’ve been frustrated that there is no relatively high-quality map with detailed info available about where all the pavilions are located within the venue. So, using maps and information cobbled together from multiple websites, I’ve put together some maps and information below for anybody who wants them. Enjoy!
This is a decent-quality map without markings. (click on image for larger version)
This is a decent quality map with location markings. (click on image for larger version)
These are the directories for those markings, one alphabetical by type, and one by map location. (click on images for larger versions)
Introduction
From 2017 to 2022, I managed the Art Film Series for the Rainier Club in Seattle. The Rainier Club is a private members-only club that was founded in 1888, and has hosted events for the city’s elite, as well as presidents and prime minsters, actors and artists, captains of industry and philanthropists. I became a member shortly after moving to Seattle, in 2004. During my time there, I was involved with several of the activity committees, principal among which was the Arts Committee. As the club’s resident film buff, I was put in charge of their monthly movie night at the club. During my five-year tenure, I worked diligently to select movies that I thought had great artistic merit, were perhaps a little lesser known, and would appeal to a general audience and spark conversations.
With each film, I started putting together little introductory presentations to help add some context and background information to the films we were watching. Starting in 2019, I started recording these introductions as short videos that could be played before the movies. In total, I recorded over five hours of content! Here they all are, collected together for the first time (along with some behind-the-scenes stories). I hope these videos inspire you to check out these films and maybe discover some new favorites!
Waking Sleeping Beauty
2009, directed by Don Hahn
My last-ever Rainier Club movie intro! It was bittersweet, but you knew I had to end with a Disney documentary. When I found the footage of the opening of Euro Disney, I never realized how cringe Michael Eisner’s attempt at French is! I used my annual pass to get into the park before it opened to the general public, and I really lucked out on the beautiful weather. As this was my final video, I included a few outtakes for fun . I got attacked by huge bumblebees (and had the gayest reaction ever). And, right as I was finishing up, the loud opening announcements and fountains started, ruining that take.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
2018, directed by Marielle Heller
It seemed serendipitous that there was a direct connection between this movie and the first one in this series, so that was fun to point out, like a little hidden Easter egg. Somewhere along the way, I had gotten the note on one movie (I can’t remember which one now) that they “really hated that movie because the main character was so unlikeable.” This movie is the summa of “unlikeable” main characters, and I was a little afraid to show it. Hence, my warning about that at the end of the intro. Also, I got to brag that Porto has “the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s” (though, personally, I think the one in Budapest is even nicer).
Wishful Drinking
2001, directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
One thing I remember about putting this intro together was that I was determined to show the original Star Wars opening crawl, without the “Episode IV” label that was added later. It took a lot of searching to find a good-quality copy that wasn’t a fan re-creation. But, when you listen to the original music, it sounds very tinny and a little off-key. I ended up super-imposing the music from “Episode VII: The Phantom Menace” over it, and it worked out pretty well. While the film is good, I was very lucky to have seen Carrie Fisher perform her show live in Seattle and in Toronto, and that was an experience I’ll always cherish.
The Farewell
2019, directed by Lulu Wang
Derek and I moved to Porto in February of 2022, and I was excited to have some new locations from which to film! This was the most recent film I ever showed at The Rainier Club. I have to admit that I “phoned it in” a little on this one, relying a lot more on the behind-the-scenes interviews from the DVD. We were still in the process of unpacking and getting the new house set up, and I just didn’t have enough time to do all the research I would normally do. Still, I think it came out okay.
I Am Not Your Negro
2016, directed by Raoul Peck
I usually showed a romantic comedy for Valentine’s Day, but since February is also Black History Month, I decided to honor that this year instead. I had originally shot this intro at the “Padrão dos Descobrimentos” in Lisbon, which is a monument dedicated to famous Portuguese explorers. Despite being an Instagram-able tourist attraction, it has a remarkably racist past, not only in terms its subject matter, but also in its design and construction. Unfortunately, that took up so much time to explain that I didn’t have enough time left to talk about the movie. So, I ditched that whole filmed intro, and re-shot it in another part of town.
God Said, Ha!
1998, directed by Julia Sweeney
After my first aborted attempt, I finally got to film an intro at the Jerónimos Monastery without getting knocked over by wind. I also invested in a fluffy cover for my lapel microphone, which was a real game-changer for being able to record outdoors without having to do a million takes. For this movie, I’ve listened to the audio CD version dozens of times, and I think it’s a better performance of the material. I had the crazy (in retrospect) idea to dub the CD version over the film, but I got about ten minutes through it and gave up, because trying to synch up each individual spoken word gave me the worst headache I’ve had in years.