Yokohama: The organizing committee and the national government are moving ahead with preparations for the International Horticultural Expo 2027 to be held in Yokohama, eastern Japan.
According to Philippines News Agency, plans include adorning the venue with about 10 million flowers and trees, while showcasing horticultural traditions and the latest decarbonization technologies through collaboration between national and local authorities, along with international participants.
GreenxExpo 2027, scheduled to run from March 19 to September 26, 2027, will take place at the former US Navy Kamiseya Communication Facility in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. It will operate under the theme “Scenery of the Future for Happiness.” This event marks Japan’s fourth such exhibition and the first A1-recognized Expo in 37 years, following the International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka in 1990. Subsequent lower-category exhibitions took place on Awaji Island in 2000 and in Hamamatsu in 2004.
The forthcoming Expo is anticipated to attract around 10 million paying visitors. Highlights will include approximately 600 cherry blossom trees featuring about 40 varieties, such as Kawazu-zakura and Somei-Yoshino, expected to bloom in spring. The event’s venue, covering about 1 square km., will be divided into three “zones” with exhibitions by the national government, municipalities, and participating countries, and five “villages” focusing on themes like decarbonization technologies, traditional crafts, and food and farm culture.
Local governments are actively refining their Expo exhibits. Osaka Prefecture, alongside the cities of Osaka and Sakai, plans an outdoor garden of roughly 200 square meters. “In an all-Osaka effort, we aim to present an exhibit at the 2027 Expo that will spark greater interest in visiting Osaka,” stated a prefectural official. Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its gerberas, is planning an indoor exhibit to showcase its specialty flowers.
The organizers are working to secure participation from about 70 countries and international organizations for the 2027 Expo. However, as of August, only about 50 had confirmed their intention to participate, with seven countries, including Qatar, Nepal, and Kenya, having signed participation contracts. The association aims to use international conferences and forums to encourage further commitments.
Improving awareness and building momentum for GreenxExpo 2027 across Japan remain significant challenges. A Kanagawa Prefecture survey conducted in fiscal 2024 revealed that 63.8% of respondents were unaware of the Expo. To address this, the Expo association is running publicity campaigns beyond the host city and its surrounding areas. They exhibited at the World Exposition in Osaka in September and plan a publicity event in November, marking 500 days until the opening.
“Attention still tends to be focused on the Osaka Expo for now,” mentioned an official at the land and infrastructure ministry. “But we will promote nationwide publicity and advance venue preparations to ensure many people visit GreenxExpo 2027 as well.”
