In anticipation of the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, Osaka Metro is set to implement a significant revision of the Chuo Line timetable starting April 2, 2025. This change, announced on March 14, 2025, aims to address the expected surge in passenger demand associated with the Expo, which will feature numerous international visitors.
The new timetable will be effective from April 2 until October 13, 2025. It marks a rare second timetable adjustment in less than three months, following an earlier modification on January 11, 2025. This unusual frequency of changes underscores the importance of efficient transport links to the Expo, as the Chuo Line is the only railway directly serving the Expo venue located on Yumeshima Island.
The adjustments will greatly enhance service frequency during peak hours, with trains operating every 2 minutes and 30 seconds during the busy morning (8:00–11:00) and evening (16:00–21:00) time slots, totaling 24 trains per hour. Daytime service between 12:00 and 15:00 will also see an increase, with 12 to 20 trains per hour being made available to accommodate the influx of visitors.
In total, the Chuo Line will operate 379 down trains and 376 up trains each day, effectively more than doubling the current service levels. Additionally, from mid-April through mid-July 2025, special trains will be introduced for school excursions—a significant initiative aimed at facilitating educational trips to the Expo for students. The "Children Only" trains will run between Morinomiya and Yumeshima, with the first four cars reserved exclusively for children. Other passengers will be permitted to board, but must be mindful of the train's stop pattern, as these trains will not stop at certain stations other than Bentencho.
Moreover, the "Children Priority" train service will operate from Nagata to Yumeshima, making stops at all stations along its route, but passengers may be asked to yield seats to children.
In conjunction with these changes, the Kintetsu Keihanna Line, which connects with the Chuo Line, will also increase service frequency from April 2, 2025, adopting a unified timetable for weekdays and weekends. Osaka Metro's New Tram service will add three types of increased-service timetables, running from April 9 to October 13, 2025, to further accommodate the expected passenger increase.
Meanwhile, BANDAI SPIRITS has announced the opening of a limited-time shop called "TAMASHII NATIONS STORE Satellite in OSAKA 2025" at the Daimaru Umeda Store from March 19 to October 13, 2025. This shop will feature a variety of figures, including the highly anticipated “RX-78F00/E Gundam,” which will be showcased at the Expo's "GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE PAVILION," along with numerous other popular figures catering to fans from around the globe. Limited editions like the “ROBOT Tamashii RX-78-2 Gundam ver. A.N.I.M.E. ~Earth Color~” will also be available.
The shop will offer various collectibles with prices starting at 6,600 yen up to 33,000 yen for exclusive items such as the EXPO2025 Chogokin RX-78F00/E Gundam.
Another noteworthy initiative being introduced for the Expo includes the "Crosta Kansai Airport" luggage storage and delivery service, launched in collaboration by JR West, Nippon Travel Agency, and JAL Sales West Japan. Designed to facilitate a smoother experience for travelers, this service will be operational from April 10, 2025, to October 13, 2025. It aims to ease congestion caused by travelers with large luggage, making transportation to and from the Expo more manageable.
Travelers can take advantage of the convenient luggage storage service for just 1,000 yen while the delivery service will start at 2,500 yen. The service is strategically located at Kansai Airport Station and will facilitate same-day pickups from major hotels in Osaka.
Importantly, large luggage and bags with wheels are prohibited from being taken into the Expo venue, with the Osaka-Kansai Expo Association enforcing a hefty fee of 10,000 yen per item for large luggage storage at the venue itself. This highlights the need for effective transportation management during this high-profile event.
The collaboration highlights the concerted efforts of various organizations to enhance visitor experience as the world looks towards the Osaka-Kansai Expo, anticipated to draw massive crowds and international visitors.
With all these new measures in place, Osaka is bracing itself for a busy Expo period, emphasizing efficiency and improved transport services to ensure a smooth experience for all attendees.
