Osaka Expo 2025’s Grand Ring: One of the World’s Largest Wooden Structures Nears Completion

The Grand Ring, the iconic symbol of World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, is set to be one of the largest wooden structures ever built. The 2-kilometer circular structure, designed by renowned architect Fujimoto Sou, embodies the Expo’s theme of “Unity in Diversity.”

A significant portion of the timber used in the Grand Ring comes from coastal Fukushima Prefecture, an area devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster. In August 2024, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition confirmed the completion of the wooden structure, including the installation of skywalk ramps that connect the entire ring.

The Grand Ring blends traditional Japanese joinery techniques, seen in historic shrines and temples, with cutting-edge construction methods. The structure will serve as the primary circulation route for visitors, offering shelter from rain, wind, and sun. From its rooftop, attendees will be able to take in panoramic views of the Expo grounds, the Seto Inland Sea, and the Osaka skyline.

Of the 27,000 cubic meters of wood used, 4,500 cubic meters of glue-laminated timber (glulam) was supplied by Woodcore, a company based in Namie, Fukushima. By sourcing timber from Fukushima, the Grand Ring not only showcases sustainable materials but also serves as a symbol of resilience and renewal for the region. As final installations, including elevators, escalators, and rooftop greenery, continue, the Grand Ring stands ready to welcome the world when Expo 2025 opens in April 2025.

Key Features of the Grand Ring

• Timber Used: Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress, and imported Scots pine

• Building Area: ~60,000 cubic meters

• Diameter: Inner – 615 meters | Outer – 675 meters

• Width: 30 meters

• Height: 12 meters (structure) | 20 meters (skywalk height)