Forests celebrated at the heart of Osaka Expo 2025

30 October 2025 Sustainable construction

The commitment to a sustainable future is being demonstrated not only through national pavilions and innovative design at Osaka Expo 2025, but by highlighting forestry and natural ecosystems.

Amidst the technology and architecture, forests and timber are playing a significant role in shaping the visitor experience.

From cooling public spaces to creating moments of calm, wood and trees are woven into the very fabric of the event, reminding us that our relationship with forests is fundamental both now and in the future.

Osaka Expo 2025 organizers have integrated forests, timber, and natural materials into the wider show site. At the heart of the Expo Grand Ring lies the ‘Forest of Tranquillity’, a living installation designed to offer relief from the summer heat.

In a city known for hot summers, this green oasis is a living demonstration of the ecosystem services forests provide, including natural shade, reducing ambient temperatures, and improving air quality, offering visitors a refuge amidst the busy exhibition grounds.

For many visitors, this forest is a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature and shows that trees remain indispensable in the fight against climate change and the urban heat island.

One of the more subtle but striking features of Osaka Expo 2025, is the widespread use of timber seating.

Benches and resting areas throughout the site are crafted from wood, displaying both functionality and comfort.

Unlike metal or plastic, timber does not overheat under the summer sun. Even at the peak of the day, visitors can sit down comfortably – a small but powerful reminder of the practical benefits of natural materials.

Many visitors noted a surprising sense of quiet inside many of the national pavilions, even where large crowds were gathered.

Timber is well known for its acoustic and sound-absorbing properties. By dampening echoes and reducing noise, it creates an atmosphere of calm and focus – this has become a key reason why timber is increasingly used in schools, offices, and public buildings. 

Among the most meaningful installations at Osaka Expo is the ‘Forest of Civilization’.

This features ancient subfossil oak trees – some over 6,500 years old. Each oak is dedicated to a participating nation, transforming this installation into a breathtaking symbol of shared human heritage.

These ancient trees are more than relics – they are storytellers, reminding us of past civilizations and the enduring presence of trees in human society. In dedicating them to nations of the world, Osaka Expo 2025 underscores how forests transcend both borders and generations. 

The event celebrates the extraordinary value of forests in our lives - not only as sources of renewable materials but as providers of comfort, health, and inspiration.

A forest can cool a city, clean its air, and support biodiversity, and even a single tree can provide shade, improve wellbeing, and serve as a gathering point for people. 

PEFC is proud to see Osaka Expo 2025 organisers and partners, embrace certified timber and showcase the many values of forests. By choosing responsibly sourced wood, we ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from the countless services forests provide.