Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese magazine WalkerPlus has described the Saudi Arabian Pavilion as “the talk of the town at the Expo” in Osaka.

“The Saudi Arabia Pavilion has a particularly strong presence at the Osaka Kansai Expo,” the magazine says. “This pavilion is the second largest after the Japan Pavilion and is a space that feels like you have wandered into a foreign city, combining the wisdom of a desert country with the latest technology.”

The article says the pavilion’s design “makes you feel like you are walking through an authentic souk,” with exterior walls made of Saudi stone “exuding an overwhelming presence reminiscent of the traditional local market.”

The Irth restaurant is praised for serving authentic cuisine from 13 regions of Saudi Arabia and the program of events – more than 700, including music and theater performances, film screenings and dance – is also recommended.

“No matter how many times you visit,” WalkerPlus says, “there is always something new to discover. That is the main attraction of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion.”

One event, “The Story of Water,” depicted the common ground between Japanese female divers and Saudi Arabian pearl divers, with the cultural connection between the seas of the two countries introduced through content projections. 

Coffee lovers are directed to “Ahlan Wa Sahlan,” where visitors can experience the world of Saudi coffee, which has its history in unique cultivation methods and ingredients. Its taste, appearance and aroma are different from ordinary coffee, the report says. 

The article says that after sunset, “a fantastic show is held where images are projected onto the building, giving it a different charm from the daytime.”