Two million palm fronds generate the distinctive aroma for the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan.
A Unique Sensory Experience at the UAE Pavilion in Expo 2025 Osaka
The UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, has been captivating visitors with its unique organic scent reminiscent of drying dates for Emiratis and something comforting for Japanese visitors. This warm, earthy, slightly sweet aroma is the natural result of over two million date palm fronds used in the pavilion's construction.
The multidisciplinary collective behind the pavilion's development, consisting of architects, designers, artists, writers, and engineers, has created a striking structure with a glass facade that invites people in and a circular layout centered on a courtyard-like space. The columns within the pavilion vary in height from nine to sixteen metres, adding to its impressive architecture.
The scent at the pavilion's entrance mimics the sounds of an oasis, creating a truly immersive experience. The aroma, not artificially created or planned, emerged naturally from the large quantity of date palm fronds sourced from the UAE, Egypt, and Tunisia. These fronds were cleaned, straightened, and treated before being shipped to Japan, and the aroma lingered on even after the pavilion was built and experienced months of foot traffic.
The team behind the pavilion is exploring the idea of bottling the unique scent with perfumers due to its strong connection with Japanese visitors. Inside the pavilion, visitors can find a shop offering products made by Emirati artists and start-ups, many of which are made from date palm fibre.
The restaurant inside the pavilion serves Emirati cuisine in bento boxes, offering a form of cultural exchange. Emirati youth ambassadors and volunteers guide visitors and answer questions, serving as the human face of the UAE. The response to the food has been incredibly positive, with some ingredients flown in from the UAE and others sourced locally for freshness and sustainability.
Visitors often express feeling a sense of calm and welcome connection at the pavilion. The effect of the pavilion's materials is both immersive and intimate, with Japanese visitors often touching the materials. The columns are constructed from treated palm fronds and bound with rope, a testament to the pavilion's organic design. A Japanese carpentry studio was involved in making the columns a reality.
Since opening its doors, the pavilion has attracted over two million visitors, a testament to its success in creating a unique and authentic Arabian oasis atmosphere. The pavilion's theme, Earth to Ether, connects past and present, with a reference to Expo 1970. The design aims to create a multisensory experience, including a scent, sound, textured materials, lighting, and space to create calm. The pavilion is truly a testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty of natural materials.
[1] Date palm fronds bring unique scent to UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka
[2] UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka: A sensory experience
[3] UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka: A celebration of Emirati culture
[4] UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka: A sensory journey
[5] UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka: A multisensory experience
[1] The drying dates-inspired scent from over two million date palm fronds used in the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka provides a unique olfactory experience.
[2] The UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka offers a captivating sensory journey, taking visitors through a warm, earthy, slightly sweet aroma, evoking feelings of calm and connection.
[3] The UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka showcases Emirati culture, hosting a restaurant, shop, and ambassadors who connect visitors to the regional traditions, customs, and cuisine.
[4] Visitors at the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka can immerse themselves in the multisensory experience, including the realistic sounds of an oasis, the intimate touch of the textured materials, and the calming influence of the space.
[5] Inside the UAE pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japanese visitors and attendees can find an engaging sensory experience, exploring the unique scent, authentic local cuisine, cultural exchanges, and stimulating designs.
