From April 13 th to October 13 th , 2025, the Japanese city of Osaka will host Expo 2025. This Universal Exposition, dedicated to co-creating a “future society for our lives,” was constructed on the artificial island of Yumeshima and features pavilions presented by over 150 countries and organizations—each offering a unique immersive experience to showcase innovation. The iconic fil rouge of the event is the Grand Ring, a 2 km long circular wooden installation designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto to evoke unity and connection.

Among the most popular national pavilions is the Italian Pavilion, designed by Mario Cucinella Architects. Cucinella’s contemporary reinterpretation of the Renaissance “Ideal City” incorporates essential symbolic elements such as the theater, the square, and the Italian garden. To explore the Pavilion’s theme, “Art Regenerates Life,” visitors move through a narrative and multisensory itinerary that celebrates Italian creativity as a driving force for innovation and rebirth. The dialogue between tradition and the future is compelling. After exploring everything from aerospace and robotics to green steel, the journey culminates in an extraordinary exhibition that brings together masterpieces by Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Tintoretto, and other great Italian masters.

Some works are on exceptional loan from the Holy See, which is participating in a Universal Exhibition for the first time with its own space inside the Italian Pavilion. The Pavilion also includes a terrace restaurant, where visitors can sample regional menus and products that exemplify Italy’s food and wine heritage, a theater with live performances from opera to pop music, and an area entirely dedicated to Made in Italy, showcasing design, fashion, craftsmanship, and science through exhibitions and interactive demonstrations.

Wakapedia’s point of view

Being of Italian and Japanese origin and curious by nature, we at Wakapedia couldn’t miss the Italian Pavilion at the Expo Osaka. We set out expecting to criticize stereotypes and caricatures of the Belpaese… but instead, we were blown away! We actually got goosebumps (and not because of the air conditioning).

As good art communication graduates, we thought we already knew everything… but instead, we discovered a Michelangelo that doesn’t even appear in art history textbooks. But the real surprise was seeing Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ, a masterpiece from the Vatican Museums, on display in Japan! We can’t even imagine the titanic feat of transporting it overseas.

The route through the Pavilion takes the visitor on a journey to discover an eclectic mix of artworks, scientific artifacts, and technology that complement each other perfectly, much like mozzarella, tomato, and basil—ok, perhaps not the best metaphor, but you know what we mean!
The Pavilion catapults you into a parallel universe filled with lights, sounds, smells, and a few whispered “wow” that escape even the most reserved Japanese visitor.

The icing on the cake? After the visit, we got the chance to chat with Mario Vattani, the Pavilion’s general commissioner. He’s the kind of guy who looks like he stepped out of a Sorrentino film: cultured, visionary, and with the rare gift of making you think without being boring. We discussed everything—art, Italian culture, and innovation. Honestly, the only thing missing was a couple of spritz cocktails to toast with.

In short, read this interview and you’ll understand how Italy made such a splash at Expo 2025 Osaka!

Wakapedia: Good morning, Mario. We are delighted to meet you and discuss the fantastic Italian Pavilion—the most beautiful one here in Osaka. And we are not just saying that because we are biased! (laughing) Can you give us your perspective? What is the vision behind the Pavilion, and why is it worth visiting?

Mario Vattani: In a context as competitive as the Expo, we asked ourselves a simple but fundamental question: how do we want to present ourselves to the world? We are in Japan, a country that knows and loves Italy, but also in Asia, where we are often reduced to the usual “3 F”: food, fashion, and furniture. Italy is much more than that! It is advanced technology, research, and education. Our goal is to showcase this contemporary, dynamic, and profound Italy, capable of being a valuable partner.

We thought above all about young people like Asian students who are curious, numerous, and open-minded. At a time when our country is facing demographic decline, talking to them is strategic. The Pavilion was created precisely as a tool to showcase an Italy that looks ahead. And we wanted it to be immediately recognizable: the arch, the helmet, the archetypal aesthetics—strong symbols that evoke our timeless identity between history and the future. But there are also surprising facts: 40% of the International Space Station is made in Italy, as are the security systems used in the Osaka subway. Almost no one knows that! Everything has been designed to fascinate and make people think, combining culture, science, and beauty. The perfect symbol? The armature of the Ferrari airplane we are exhibiting evokes Leonardo but also the Italian ingenuity of today. Our message is clear: an eternal Italy, living in the present and flying towards the future.

Wakapedia: Wow, what a great project, and you’ve managed to pull it off perfectly. Congratulations! The decision to exhibit Italian masterpieces from different eras is fascinating and powerful. It’s such an original way to showcase Italian excellence. How did this idea come about, and what message do you want to convey to the international audience with this “exhibition in progress”?

Mario Vattani: Paradoxically, one of the Italian Pavilion’s greatest strengths is its use of reality itself. In an Expo dominated by digital scenography, special effects, and spectacular LED walls, we chose to go against the grain and present real, tangible works and objects. Because reality, when presented with care, is anything but boring. On the contrary—it can be deeply inspiring. This approach speaks to young people especially. In an age where everything seems possible in the virtual world, where we can even become superheroes, there is a risk of feeling powerless in the face of real life.

We want to convey a different message: reality is more inspiring than fantasy. Exhibiting inventions, works of art, and tangible tools means remembering that real people, such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio, built wonders with their talent and determination. They were not mythical heroes; they were young people just like those who visit the Pavilion today. The message is simple and powerful: you can do it, too.

Wakapedia: That’s so true. What an important and encouraging message for future generations! Speaking of artists, can you tell us how those exhibited here in the Italian Pavilion were selected?

Mario Vattani: The artists involved span a vast time frame, ranging from the anonymous sculptor of the Farnese Atlas, dating back to the 2 nd century CE, to masters such as Tintoretto and Michelangelo. But for us, those who design cutting-edge technologies, such the engineer behind Ferrari’s advanced braking system, are also artists. The connection between art and ingenuity is profound, as demonstrated by Leonardo da Vinci himself. Our pavilion houses very different objects, but it conveys a coherent national vision of an Italy that combines creativity, innovation, and vision.

Wakapedia: What key messages do you want to convey to Japanese visitors?

Mario Vattani: We aim to convey a few clear, profound, and memorable messages. Our goal is for visitors to leave the Italian Pavilion with an impression, a thought, or an emotion. That’s why we chose an intimate and engaging approach. We have not filled the spaces with a continuous flow of images or information but have created a welcoming, cool theater scented with the essence of Santa Maria Novella (the iconic Florentine perfumery), where visitors can sit, concentrate, and enjoy a truly sensory experience. The intention is to leave a lasting memory. The second message concerns the special bond between Italy and Japan. We are not just any two countries. We have a long history of exchange that has been sometimes marked by difficult moments, such as war. It is a deep relationship, not often discussed, but one that is worth remembering because it unites us even more. For example, we wanted to include a reference to the 1920 Rome-Tokyo flight, conceived by D'Annunzio. It was a visionary undertaking, born from an Italian idea to reach Japan.

Wakapedia: Really? We didn’t know that! We would have loved to have a teacher like you!

Mario Vattani: Yes, these are stories that deserve to be shared. We also want to reflect on the role Japan played in dialogue with Europe. The Japanese arrived on our continent as early as 1585, at the height of the Renaissance, long before the Grand Tours of European poets and artists such as Goethe, Byron, and Shelley.
They came as equals by choice, not as colonizers, driven by curiosity and a spirit of discovery. It’s something to be proud of.

Wakapedia: Is there an aspect of Japanese culture that has influenced your approach to cultural diplomacy or the design of the Italian Pavilion?

Mario Vattani: That’s an interesting question, and the answer is yes, absolutely. In my case, I have a very personal connection with Japan. It’s a country I love deeply, where I lived for a long time, which I studied and know well. It’s also part of my life because I’m married to a Japanese woman.

Wakapedia: And you also wrote a book about Japan, right?

Mario Vattani: Yes, it’s called Svelare il Giappone (Unveiling Japan), and it’s about to come out in paperback. It's not a novel but rather an essay in which I discuss aspects of Japanese culture and the relationship between Italy and Japan. In fact, many of the reflections that inspired the Italian Pavilion can also be found in the book. Japan is a constant source of inspiration for me.

Wakapedia: It’s clear that Japan fascinates and inspires you! We will definitely buy your book. Would you agree that Japan has considerable soft power, similar to Italy’s?

Mario Vattani: Absolutely. Japan is loved all over the world for a thousand reasons: martial arts, the tea ceremony, cinema, photography from the 1950s and 1960s, manga, and video games. All this culture has an extraordinary influence. Italy also has soft power in the form of fashion, design, and cinema. These are languages that tell who we are and connect us to the world.

Wakapedia: Your in-depth knowledge of Japan must have helped you a lot in designing the Italian Pavilion here in Osaka.

Mario Vattani: Absolutely. When designing an experience for the public, you need to know what to show and what not to show. Knowing the Japanese audience, which accounts for about 80% of visitors, was fundamental. You must understand their rhythms, their sensibilities, and what really moves them. Only then can you build a suitable itinerary. Whether we were successful is not for me to say… but judging by the reactions, it would seem so.

Wakapedia: Don’t be modest! The Italian Pavilion is one of the most popular here in Osaka!

Mario Vattani: I’m not sure if it’s the most visited overall. We can handle large crowds, even 20,000 or 30,000 visitors a day, but that’s not our goal.

Wakapedia: Of course, it’s not just about numbers.

Mario Vattani: Exactly. What matters is how much people talk about it and want to visit it. The real impact is what remains in people’s memories. In this sense, Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ has certainly played an important role.

Wakapedia: Yes, the Caravaggio caused quite a stir!

Mario Vattani: Involving the Holy See was decisive. When they asked us for space inside the Pavilion, we replied, ‘We’d love to include you—what will you be exhibiting?’ And they suggested that very painting. They had already wanted to bring it to Japan but had not been able to do so until now, partly because of the pandemic. We managed to hook into that pre-existing project and bring it here. It was an important moment. Pope Francis himself was very supportive of it.

Wakapedia: And then there’s also a Michelangelo!

Mario Vattani: Yes, that was brought by the Lazio Region. It’s a lesser-known work, but no less significant. It doesn’t come from the great museums of Rome or Florence but from Bassano Romano. I imagine you’ve never seen it before.

Wakapedia: No, actually! Even though we studied art history at university, when we saw this work, we immediately thought, ‘Where did this Michelangelo come from?’ (laughing).

Mario Vattani: That’s exactly why we wanted to show it. The theme of tourist overcrowding and mainstream tourism is a problem that affects Italy as much as Japan. Just think of how Kyoto has changed in the last ten years, or cities like Venice and Florence, which, victims of their own fame, are no longer the same today. We need to offer alternative itineraries and help people discover lesser-known but meaningful places and artworks. It’s a challenge we can share with the Japanese public. That work by Michelangelo, for example, is little known but holds great significance in the artist’s career. It is the first version of the Risen Christ, which is in Rome. Known as the Giustiniani Christ, it was created around 1514 but abandoned due to imperfections in the marble. According to some sources, it was later completed by a young Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Few people are aware of it, but once you learn its history, you’ll want to see it for yourself.

Wakapedia: Exactly! Discovering a hidden gem is more memorable than seeing the same great masterpieces everyone takes pictures of. The Italian Pavilion here in Osaka has taught us a lot and made us want to cultivate our curiosity and spirit of exploration even more.

Mario Vattani: Well, mission accomplished then!

Wakapedia: Very well done! Arigatou gozaimasu, Mario, for explaining everything so clearly and passionately! We have already visited the Italian Pavilion twice, but we are ready to see it ten more times; it is so rich and full of masterpieces! We especially hope that our interview will inspire many other visitors, Italian and Japanese alike, to come and (re)discover Italy in all its splendor here at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Mario Vattani: It’s our pleasure! We welcome everyone with open arms!

 

Description & Interview: Sara Waka

Edited by: Kassandra Frua De Angeli

Foto: Tomaso Lisca