The theme of the Expo is 'Nature's Wisdom' (in japanese ai-chikyuhaku 愛地球博), with national and corporate pavilions expressing themes of ecological co-existence, renewable technology and the wonders of nature. Official mascots are kiccoro (forest child) and morizo (forest grandfather). There are about 122 countries and five international institutions participating formally in the Aichi Expo.
The journey from Kyoto to Nagoya took us about 3 hours by local trains (using the seishun 18 kippu). Left, Menaka and right, Cho.
Great care has been taken to build the pavilions out of recycled or recyclable materials, to lessen the environmental impact on the site, and to provide environmental friendly transportation to and within the Expo area.
Corporate Pavilion Zone A and Corporate Pavilion Zone B : corporate pavilions where visitors can experience the excitement of the latest technology.
Outside the Wonder Circus - Electric Power Pavilion is decorated with pictures drawn by children based on the themes - Our Dreams and The Future of the Earth. Riding on an electric train, visitors can experience a travel to wonders and dreams.
In the Toyota Group Pavilion, one could enjoy a welcome show performed by robot music band and a main show of futuristic concept (the directions and technology of future society, along with the possibilities for the vehicles of the future).
Inside the Gas Pavilion - The Magic Theater of Flames, special effects, images and performances enables visitor to easily understand the versatility and possibilities of natural gas
With the latest IT technology, inside the Hitachi Group Pavilion - Nature Contact visitors can come in contact with rare animals selected from the World Conservation Union's 'red list' of animals threatened with global extinction.
Other corporate pavilions such as the JR Central Pavilion - Invitation to the Ultimate Surface Transit System, JAMA Wonder Wheel Pavilion, Mitsubishi Pavilion : Earth - What If the Moon Didn't Exist ? and several more.
The Expo Plaza - an open area in the center of the Expo site has an 840-inch screen and an outdoor stage - a variety of events by different countries. A green environment overall - a place where visitors can relax.
Within this period, approximately 15 million visitors are expected to turn up for the expo. It was so hot on that day of our visit and so crowded (in fact it is crowded all the time) that one has to take a number and wait forever to get in the major pavilions (the corporate ones). Damn ... we didn't manage to get into any of the big ones.
Expo Aichi 2005 : http://www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/
