A pergola from the United Arab Emirates Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has been relocated to Tottori Prefecture, where it will serve as a public gathering space at a children’s facility.
Cultural landmark relocated
Originally positioned at the entrance of the UAE Pavilion, the pergola offered shade and a welcoming pause for millions of Expo visitors. It has now been installed at Tottori Kodomo no Kuni, allowing it to continue its role as a community space in a new setting.
His Excellency Shihab Alfaheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion, said: “From the outset, the UAE Pavilion was intended as a place where cultures could meet through design, conversation and shared experience. The pergola welcomed visitors as they entered the Pavilion landscape, offering a moment to pause before beginning their journey through the space. Its installation in Tottori allows it to continue serving a public purpose. By gifting the pergola to the people of the prefecture, we hope it will remain a place where communities gather and interact. In that way, a part of the Pavilion experience continues in Japan.”
Strengthening UAE-Japan ties
Shinji Hirai, Governor of Tottori Prefecture, said: “We are honoured to welcome the UAE Pavilion Pergola to Tottori. During Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Pavilion left a strong impression on visitors through its thoughtful design and the warmth with which guests were received. The presence of the pergola here at Kodomo no Kuni allows a part of that experience to remain in Japan. We hope it will become a place where children and families gather, reflecting the spirit of cultural exchange and friendship between Japan and the United Arab Emirates.”
Design and inspiration
The pergola’s structure mirrors the Grand Ring at Expo 2025, using cedar to reflect Japanese architectural influence. Its shading fabric features patterns inspired by khoos, the traditional Emirati craft of weaving palm fronds, blending elements of both cultures.
During Expo 2025 Osaka, the UAE Pavilion welcomed over 5 million visitors, offering an immersive journey under its theme, Earth to Ether, exploring the relationship between the UAE’s heritage, people, and aspirations. A plaque beside the pergola now reads:
“Designed for the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, this pergola reflects a dialogue between Emirati heritage and Japanese craftsmanship, celebrating a shared appreciation for nature and community. Once welcoming visitors at the entrance of the UAE Pavilion, it has been gifted to the people of Tottori. Here, it continues to provide shade and a place of gathering, standing as a lasting symbol of the enduring friendship between Japan and the United Arab Emirates.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
