Wales will take centre stage at the UK Pavilion in the Osaka Expo on Tuesday 29 April, as it hosts the first ever Celebration of Wales Day – a vibrant, public event showcasing the very best of Welsh culture, creativity and innovation.
From traditional music and dance to cutting-edge technology and sustainability, Wales Day offers visitors a sensory journey through a nation known for its rich heritage and forward-thinking spirit. The event is a key highlight in the Year of Wales and Japan – a year-long programme celebrating the enduring connections between the two nations.
Hosted by Rebecca Evans, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, the day also marks the 10th anniversary of Wales’ pioneering Well-being of Future Generations Act. As a global leader in sustainable development, Wales continues to align its ambitions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and with Expo’s future-focused theme, ‘Come build the future’.
Visitors can expect a truly immersive experience – including performances from genre-defying folk band NoGoodBoyo and the contemporary dance troupe Qwerin, whose energetic routine fuses Welsh folk with the vibrancy of queer nightlife. These acts will also perform at Osaka Umeda’s Hankyu Department Store in the days leading up to the event.
Adding to the cultural showcase is a virtual tour of Wales, where screens present the breathtaking natural beauty of the country. Handwoven blankets by Welsh designer Llio James, inspired by both Welsh and Japanese traditions, will be on display, alongside interactive tech including the Augmented Reality Draig Goch – a fiery dragon that springs to life in the palm of your hand. The showcase also features cutting-edge examples of Welsh innovation, such as the compact yet powerful Raspberry Pi computers developed by Sony in Wales, which power the digital displays. Visitors can explore these creative zones while collecting a special series of Eki stamps – designed by renowned Welsh illustrator Jonathan Edwards – celebrating the shared landscapes, heritage and imagination of both nations, from Mount Fuji and Eryri to the twinned castles of Himeji and Conwy.
Visitors will also be treated to traditional Welsh delicacies such as Bara Brith, Cawl and Welsh Cakes, and can meet Mistar Urdd, the mascot of Wales’ national youth organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
Adding a musical highlight, baritone Owain Rowlands, an Urdd Ambassador and rising star of the Welsh National Opera, will perform alongside Tim Rhys-Evans, Director of Music at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which has strong ties to Osaka.
Wales Day is part of a wider programme of events in Japan, including a showcase in Tokyo, an anniversary celebration at Himeji Castle, and official visits to Oita and Kitakyushu. During her visit, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans will also lead an Investment Showcase and sign a memorandum of understanding celebrating the twinning of Welsh and Japanese heritage sites.
The First Minister of Wales, Baroness Eluned Morgan, who launched the year of celebration in Tokyo and Cardiff, captured the spirit of the moment, saying “In 2025 we will celebrate the deep-rooted connections between our two countries – connections that have been centuries in the making and continue to thrive in new and meaningful ways.”
Wales Day will be held on Level 3 and the Village Green at the UK Pavilion on 29 April. For more information about the Year of Wales and Japan, visit: