Participants from Czech Republic Vintage Car Enthusiasts Navigate Eurasia and Finally Reach Osaka Exhibition
The ROBOT Expedition, an ambitious journey of seven historic vehicles, is currently underway, covering approximately 16,000 kilometers to reach the EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan. This epic voyage began on June 21, 2025, with a ceremonial send-off from Prague Castle by Czech President Petr Pavel.
The route of this cultural journey spans Europe and Asia, starting from Prague, crossing the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey, continuing through Kazakhstan after crossing the Caspian Sea by boat, and progressing across Asia to eventually reach Osaka, Japan. The teams have already completed the "European stage" and are now navigating through Asian borders, which have posed significant logistical challenges.
The expedition features seven vintage cars manufactured in or before 1980. The flagship vehicle is a legendary 1959 Czech-made Tatra 603, driven by expedition leader and automotive entrepreneur Josef Zajíček. Among other cars is a Toyota Celica from 1977, representing Japanese automotive heritage. These vehicles symbolize a blend of Czech and Japanese automotive history, aiming to highlight the quality and legacy of Czech vehicles internationally.
Inspired by the Sakura Expedition of 1970, when four young Czechs hitchhiked to the first Osaka EXPO, the ROBOT Expedition seeks to celebrate Czech automotive history and industry. The mission aims to showcase Czech craftsmanship and innovation at EXPO 2025, with a key driver being the promotion of Czech cars and industry at the Japan World Expo.
Josef Zajíček, the 53-year-old expedition leader, envisioned the journey to promote Czech cars and industry at the Japan World Expo, leveraging the historical fact that the Japanese emperor drove a Czech Škoda vehicle in the early 20th century. The expedition also promotes friendship and cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Japan and demonstrates human spirit and endurance, proving that a garage in Central Europe can be the starting point for a powerful global journey.
The seven cars will be exhibited during the Czech Republic’s national day event at EXPO Osaka on July 24, 2025. This exhibition is part of the team's commitment to showcasing their journey and the rich history of Czech and Japanese automotive heritage. The ROBOT Expedition is indeed a historic and cultural journey using vintage cars to bridge Czech and Japanese heritage, highlighting automotive legacy and international friendship on the global stage of EXPO 2025 in Osaka.
During this journey, participants will display a vintage 1977 Toyota Celica as a testament to Japanese automotive legacy, crossing continents within the ROBOT Expedition's cultural travel, which is a blend of lifestyle, travel, and celebrating the shared history between Czech and Japanese automotive industries. This adventurous journey, complete with a photo-worthy collection of vintage cars, aims to reach its culmination at EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
