"I want to eat that expo food one more time." Anyone who walked the Osaka/Kansai Expo grounds has had this thought.
From Friday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 6, 2026, an after-expo festival called Bakushoku Onsai GW ("麦食音祭GW") is taking place at the Festival Plaza in Banpaku Memorial Park — and it grants that wish, at least for six days.
About six months after the expo closed, the festival is bringing back fan favourites: the USA Pavilion's Spark Burger, the UK Pavilion's fish and chips, the Canada Pavilion's soft serve, and more. All under one roof, for six days only.
Myaku-Myaku will also be there (weather permitting). Switzerland's beloved character Heidi makes an appearance too.
I'm planning to visit on May 4. This guide covers what's worth knowing before you go, based on official information.
Event Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Bakushoku Onsai GW (麦食音祭GW) |
| Dates | May 1 (Fri) – May 6 (Wed), 2026 / 6 days |
| Hours | 9:30 – 17:00 |
| Venue | Festival Plaza, Banpaku Memorial Park (Suita City, Osaka) |
| Organiser | Bakushoku Onsai Executive Committee (Nishio Rent All / Color create / Food Fes) |
| Supported by | Suita City |
| Admission | Banpaku Memorial Park entrance fee required (check official sources for any additional event fees) |
| Official Instagram | @bakushoku_afterexpo |
The Bakushoku Onsai Executive Committee bills this as the third edition of an "after-expo festival" — designed to keep the international exchange and cultural experiences of the Osaka Expo alive in the city, rather than letting them disappear once the gates close. This GW edition coincides with Japan's Golden Week holiday.
Highlight #1: Iconic Pavilion Foods Return
The headline draw is the return of popular pavilion menus from the Osaka Expo. Confirmed at the time of the third-edition announcement:
| Pavilion | Returning Dish |
|---|---|
| USA Pavilion | Spark Burger |
| Canada Pavilion | Soft serve ice cream |
| UK Pavilion | Authentic fish and chips by the UK Pavilion restaurant team |
Together with menus from the first and second editions, the lineup of participating countries and dishes is expected to expand further. The festival is structured so visitors can sample food from multiple countries in one visit.
Getting to taste these again outside the expo grounds is genuinely good news.
Highlight #2: Myaku-Myaku at the Festival
The official Osaka/Kansai Expo character Myaku-Myaku is confirmed to appear.
Two important caveats:
- Appearance days are not announced in advance — they're posted on the day via the official Instagram
- Cancelled in case of rain
If you want to be sure of meeting Myaku-Myaku, check @bakushoku_afterexpo on the morning of your visit.
Switzerland's beloved character Heidi is also making an appearance. Heidi was a regular at the Switzerland Pavilion at the Osaka Expo, and is set to be central to the stage performances here.
Highlight #3: Country Material Exhibits
Living up to its tagline as "an urban festival made of pieces of the expo," the venue hosts exhibits where visitors can experience materials and culture from various countries.
Confirmed exhibits as of the third-edition announcement:
- Pakistan: pink salt, the golden panel used at the Osaka Expo
- Jordan: sand, stones
- India: pavilion uniforms
- Nepal: traditional clothing, drums
- Spain: tiles actually used in the pavilion
- Aichi Expo (2005): panels with each country's name
The inclusion of Aichi Expo panels — bridging two generations of Japanese expos — is a quietly powerful detail. For expo fans, this corner of the venue feels like an "answer key" for everything you saw and remembered.
Highlight #4: "Circular Dress-Up Booth" — May 2 Only
A special one-day-only feature: the Circular Dress-Up Booth debuts on Saturday, May 2.
Official details are being kept under wraps ("the rest is a surprise on the day"). If you're planning your visit around the most talked-about content of GW, May 2 is your day.
I would have loved to go on the 2nd as well…
Highlight #5: Limited Goods & Collaboration Items
On sale at the festival's market area:
- Merchandise for "Spark," the USA Pavilion's official character
- Limited-edition expo collaboration tea with London's heritage tea brand Farrer's
Spark merch was popular at the Osaka Expo grounds, and seeing it back at this scale after the expo closed is genuinely rare. The Farrer's collab is a here-only limited item, so worth a look for tea fans.
Getting There
The venue is Festival Plaza in Banpaku Memorial Park (Suita City, Osaka) — the familiar wide-open plaza right next to the Tower of the Sun.
From Major Stations
| From | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Umeda | Osaka Metro Midosuji Line → Senri-Chuo → Osaka Monorail to Banpakukinen-Koen Station | About 30–40 min |
| Senri-Chuo | Osaka Monorail, 2 stops | About 6 min |
| Shin-Osaka | Osaka Metro Midosuji Line → Senri-Chuo → Monorail | About 25–35 min |
From Banpakukinen-Koen Station to Festival Plaza, it's a 5–10 minute walk.
Parking
Paid parking is available at Banpaku Memorial Park. Heavy congestion is expected during Golden Week, so public transport is the safer choice.
Pre-Visit Checklist
- Check the official Instagram @bakushoku_afterexpo on the morning of your visit for Myaku-Myaku status
- Have your Banpaku Memorial Park admission ready
- If visiting on May 2, don't miss the Circular Dress-Up Booth
- For rainy forecasts, dress for outdoor conditions (the venue is largely open-air)
- Popular dishes may be limited in quantity — morning visits are safer
Summary
Bakushoku Onsai GW is a six-day-only after-expo festival that lets you re-experience the food, characters, and exhibits of the Osaka Expo right here in the city.
- May 1–6 @ Festival Plaza, Banpaku Memorial Park
- Pavilion food returns (USA, Canada, UK and more)
- Myaku-Myaku appearances (rain-dependent, daily IG announcement)
- Country material exhibits + Aichi Expo panels
- Circular Dress-Up Booth on May 2 only
- Limited goods + Farrer's collaboration tea
I'm planning to visit on May 4. I'll publish a separate experience article after the visit covering what I actually ate and saw — please check back for that.
If your Golden Week schedule still has room, Banpaku Memorial Park is worth the trip. The festival is over before you know it.
Information is current as of May 1, 2026. Please check the official Instagram for the latest updates.
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