Where is the best place to see the "Big Ring Roof", the symbol of the Osaka-Kansai Expo? Designer Sou Fujimoto shares his tips for the best views

Certified by Guinness! The world's largest wooden building

The "Big Roof Ring" is a structure that combines traditional Japanese wooden construction methods with cutting-edge building technology. Its scale is impressive, with an outer diameter of approximately 675m, an inner diameter of approximately 615m, a width of approximately 30m, and a skywalk that visitors can walk on that is approximately 12m high (approximately 20m on the outside). The circumference of the ring is approximately 2km, and in March 2025, it was officially certified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator as the "largest wooden structure in the world."

The structure uses the "nuki" method, in which pillars and beams are assembled and fixed with wedges. This is a traditional Japanese construction method that is also used for the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but metal has been incorporated into the wedges to meet modern earthquake resistance standards.

Although it looks simple at first glance, it is actually a new type of wooden building that combines traditional construction methods with the latest technology to meet modern earthquake resistance standards.

Furthermore, they also play an important role in supporting the Expo site in practical terms, providing routes to ensure smooth flow of people, roofs to protect visitors from the sun and rain, and guide signs installed on the pillars.

Sou Fujimoto, who designed the building, says that his biggest priority was "creating a place where countries from around the world could come together and connect with each other in diversity."

"The world situation is extremely unstable right now, and divisions are becoming more and more intense, which I find very unfortunate. In times like these, people from nearly 160 countries around the world will gather in one place and spend six months together. I thought this would be a very precious event, something incredibly valuable," said Fujimoto.

"People from a diverse world, with different values ​​and traditions, come together and connect as one. I think this will send a powerful message that the future will be born from that," says Fujimoto.

Just as he said, inside the ring will be lined with pavilions from countries around the world.

1: First, go up and enjoy the panoramic view. The diversity of the world is right in front of you!

The Skywalk on the large roof ring can be accessed via stairs and escalators installed on the inside and outside circumference, as well as six elevators. It is about 12m high (about 20m on the outside), and from there you can get a panoramic view of the pavilions of each country lined up on the inside of the ring.

Fujimoto said, "I believe that the shock, surprise and excitement that children experience here will be the driving force behind building Japan for the next 50 years," and he said he designed it with a message for the younger generation.

2: When you look up at the sky, you will see another Earth...!

In addition, because the outside of the ring is designed to be higher than the inside, when you look up, the sky is cut into a circular shape by the ring, creating the illusion of another floating Earth. It is a design that makes the sky look larger and more beautiful.

3: Enjoy the sunset while lying down on the grassy area on the east side

Part of the Skywalk is a rooftop garden with grass and flowers, where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. The steep slopes are off-limits, but there is grass on the gentler slopes where you can enter.

The lawn area on the east side is a particularly great spot for watching the sunset.

According to Fujimoto, "Since you're facing the west, the sun sets over the edge of the ring on the west side. On clear days, you can even see a bit of the Seto Inland Sea. We made this area two-tiered so that everyone can lie down here and watch the sun sink into the ring, which is like a symbol of this world." It's truly a "best seat"!

4: Fantastic night lighting♡

After sunset, the entire roof of the ring is lit up, creating a fantastical atmosphere. The sight of the ring floating in the sky during the magic hour just after sunset is beautiful, but when viewed after complete darkness, the structural parts stand out, making its beauty even more striking.

The color of the lights and the presentation change depending on the time of day and season, so one of the attractions is that you can experience a different look every time you visit.

Just walking along the Big Roof Ring is exciting! No matter when you visit, you will enjoy its many different expressions. Be sure to enjoy the spectacular view of the sea and sky, and the special promenade surrounded by greenery!

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※This article was originally written in Japanese and translated using an automatic translation tool. It may contain expressions that are different from the meaning of the original text. Please enjoy the article with this in mind.
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