Celebrate Japan's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai and immerse yourself in the nation's incredible culture.

Japan National Day Ceremony

Japan

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Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

Al Wasl Dome 3

Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

Al Wasl 4

Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

Description 

General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

UAE flag

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

Al Wasl Logo-01

Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

and magical

Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

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Join us in celebrating Japan's National Day at Expo 2020

Japan Flag

Four years from now, the next World Expo will kick off in Osaka, Japan and the event’s upcoming hosts are marking this exciting transition in style. From its beautiful design to its eco-features, the Japan Pavilion offers an elegant fusion of Arabic and Far Eastern traditions that celebrates the long history of cultural convergence between Japan and the Middle East. Inside, join a journey of sustainability and innovation, take in dynamic projection shows and experience a dazzling finale where you’ll make your first connection with Expo 2025 Osaka.

An elegant fusion of Asian and Arabian designs, the Japan Pavilion is enclosed within a rectangular façade that resembles folded white origami. This textured, three-dimensional shade structure is made of a paper-like membrane, and draws inspiration from both Japanese Asanoha hemp leaf patterns and Islamic geometric designs.

Asia and the Middle East 

Fusing design from 

Japan Pavilion

Japan National Day

Creating a Cultural Renaissance

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Japan logo

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Japan National Day Ceremony 

Japanese musician and composer Shibuya Keiichiro premieres his new Android Opera, MIRROR. Presented by the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, android Alter 3 performs AI-generated lyrics alongside piano and computer-generated sounds. The opera also features monks led by Eizen Fujiwara, a performer of the 1200-year-old Buddhist music known as Shomyo, and a 45-member NSO Symphony Orchestra from the UAE. MIRROR is a culmination of Shibuya's work, which combines diverse people and cultures, technology, and traditional Buddhist music. Complementing the soundscape, French visual artist Justine Emard’s visual projections focus on the real-time facial expressions of Alter 3, offset by diffused lighting projected throughout the venue and onto the android. 

Android Opera, MIRROR 

Android Opera

Japanese musician and composer Shibuya Keiichiro presents the world premiere of his new Android Opera, MIRROR.

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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Jubilee Stage

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Android Opera “MIRROR” performance by Keiichiro Shibuya at Jubilee Stage m57820

Japan: Android Opera, MIRROR 

Enjoy the music of Koto, one of the most significant instruments in Japanese music, in this unique cultural performance that also features the viola, cajón, traditional Japanese dance and flower arrangement, presented by Tomoekai and ACA.


Sights and Sounds of Japan: Music, Dance and Flower Arrangement

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Take in Koto, one of the most significant instruments in Japanese music, in this unique cultural performance that also features the viola, cajón, traditional dance and flower arrangement. 

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Japan: Sights and Sounds of Japan: Music, Dance and Flower Arrangement

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture in these two creative workshops. The first teaches traditional Japanese music, through the Koto instrument and sounds of ‘Sakura Sakura’, followed by a session on the unique art of Japanese flower arrangement.

Traditional Music and Flower Arrangement Workshop

Japan: Traditional Music and Flower Arrangement Workshop

Two creative workshops that immerse you in traditional Japanese culture.

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Inside Expo: Sustainability II: Harnessing the Sun

The Powerhouse Pavilions

Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion - Audio Guide

Terra

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Terra - Carousel

At Expo 2020, sustainability is an urgent, attainable reality, and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is the proof. Both immersive exhibition space and exemplar of environmental self-sufficiency, Terra is a pioneering piece of architecture that pushes the limits of renewable design.

The pavilion’s 130-metre-wide solar canopy – so vast that you could park 10 city buses head-to-tail atop it – converts sunshine into electricity for the exhibits below. Artfully funnelled natural light and local plant species, together with technologies that can reduce water consumption by 75 per cent, show the way to a sustainable future.


Inspiring experiential journey through our shared sustainable future

Two immersive paths to choose from: beneath a forest and beneath an ocean

LEED Platinum environmental features, including solar power and water recycling

Terra 

terra

Videos

Terra is a super-sized marvel of forward-thinking design. The pavilion’s technology generates enough energy in a year to power a Nissan Leaf to drive halfway to Mars, while another system captures moisture from the air you breathe and turns it into drinkable water. Enter and take a fantastical journey through the wonders of nature, humanity’s challenges and the promise of our shared future. 


terra 

of harmonious living

A model

The Sustainability Pavilion

Terra is home to five thought-provoking art installations from artists around the world, with each piece demonstrating a response to the issue of sustainability.

Terra Art Installations

Young visitors can explore a fantastical world inspired by Terra's very own octopus, Octavia.

Japan National Day Ceremony

Japan National Day Ceremony

Participants

Image Gallery

Japan National Day.