In 2025, Osaka became the scene of a grand event - the international exhibition Expo 2025, the theme of which is "Creating a Future Society for Our Lives". The central symbol of the exhibition is a unique engineering and architectural marvel - the Grand Ring, the largest wooden structure in the world, already recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Grand Ring is a massive ring structure almost 2 kilometers long in circumference with an outer edge diameter of about 675 meters and a width of 30 meters, with a walkway called "Sky Walk" running along its upper level 12 meters above the ground.
"Sky Walk" is landscaped with an array of plants and flowers that turn the walk into a journey through an airy garden with panoramic views of the exhibition pavilions and Osaka's scenic landscapes.
Photo: newatlas.com
The project was designed by the famous Japanese bureau "Sou Fujimoto Architects", which combined advanced construction technologies with traditional Japanese methods - first of all with the nuka technique, which allows connecting wooden elements without the use of nails and screws.
This technique, used in ancient Japanese temples and shrines, has proven to be strong and durable. The wood used in the construction was predominantly local woods - Japanese cypress and cedar, with some of the material being Scots pine.
Photo: nippon.com
Special attention was paid to environmental aspects: timber was harvested with sustainable forestry principles in mind, and rainwater harvesting systems and
solar panels have been installed throughout the Grand Ring to reduce the structure's carbon footprint.
But the Grand Ring is not just a bold architectural experiment. It fulfills a practical function: it is the main transportation route around the Expo area, protecting visitors from sun, rain and wind and creating a comfortable public space.
Photo: nippon.com
The press release of the exhibition emphasizes that the ring symbolizes the concept of "Unity in Diversity", uniting pavilions, cultures and ideas from around the world in a single structure.
It was originally planned that the structure would be dismantled after the exhibition ends on October 13, 2025. However, inspired by examples like
the Eiffel Tower in Paris (which was also conceived as a temporary project), the Japanese authorities began discussing the possibility of keeping the Grand Ring permanently.
Photo: nippon.com
The authorities have asked local residents and experts to share ideas on how the massive structure could be used after Expo 2025 - for example, as a park, public space or cultural center.
The Grand Ring construction has become not just a local landmark, but part of a global trend. In recent years, the world has seen a marked increase in interest in large-scale projects made of wood as an environmentally friendly and renewable material.
Examples include a new airport terminal in Portland, USA, with a 9-acre roof, and the tallest wooden 25-story skyscraper in the world, the Ascent in Milwaukee, at more than 86.6 meters.
Photo: nippon.com
Architects, engineers and urban planners increasingly see wood as the material of the future: it not only reduces the carbon footprint of construction, but also makes it possible to create aesthetically expressive, warm and cozy spaces for people.
The wooden structure of the Grand Ring in Osaka is not just an architectural landmark of Expo 2025, it is a manifesto of an era. It combines ancient crafts and the latest technologies, serves as a symbol of international cooperation and embodies hope for a sustainable future. Visitors to the exhibition will be able not only to walk around its ring, but also to experience how tradition and innovation intertwine to shape the building of tomorrow.