The Osaka-Kansai Expo has come to a close! Guest House opens to the press
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which generated tremendous excitement over six months, concluded on October 13th, and the guest house was opened to the press for the first time. This special building served as the venue for hosting distinguished guests from around the world, including heads of state who visited during National Days and Special Days, welcoming them over 160 times throughout the expo period.
For security reasons, the guest house was not displayed on official maps and had been shrouded in secrecy until now. However, following the expo's conclusion, an exclusive media unveiling day was held to widely share the excellence of the guest house and its diplomatic role. JTBGMT, which was involved in VIP hospitality services, was also specially invited to the event.
The guest house was supervised by architect Sou Fujimoto, who designed the Grand Ring. It features a corridor-style structure reminiscent of the Grand Ring, with large windows surrounding a water basin that allow natural light to flow in. Near the entrance, displays of bonsai, ikebana (flower arrangements), and washi (Japanese paper) art create a distinctly Japanese atmosphere utilizing natural materials. In the VIP room, tea and seasonal sweets were served by Sansenke (the three major tea ceremony families). The dining room, designed with red as the primary color, featured chairs and tables made from upcycled sustainable materials. The desserts, designed with motifs of the Grand Ring and the "Myaku-Myaku" character, were reportedly very well received. The banquet room, which served as the venue for standing receptions, featured eye-catching intricate tapestries with motifs of Japan and world maps.
The guest house successfully impressed visitors with Japan's craftsmanship and beauty, playing an internationally significant role as a venue for diplomacy with countries and regions around the world.
JTBGMT's expertise in international protocol rules for welcoming VIPs was extensively utilized at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. JTBGMT's mission is to create global exchange bridging Japan and the world to contribute to achieving a peaceful and fulfilling society. At the expo, where countless smiles were created, we were able to truly embody this philosophy.
