Osaka, Japan

A new urban development space, named “Umekita 2,” is set to open at Osaka’s busiest district of Umeda in summer 2024 ahead of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, featuring a multi-purpose park connecting business, residence and commercial zones.

The concept of the large-scale space, partially open to the press on December 10, is “Fusion of MIDORI (Greenery) and Innovation.”

The 45,000-square meter park, centered in the area, was designed by the world famous landscape architect GGN (Gustafson Guthrie Nichol).

The park, just next to Osaka Station, will have a museum designed by Japan’s famed architect Tadao Ando and a canopy designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning studio SANAA.

Umekita is seen as a global hub connecting Japan to Asia and the world, with this project soon to be connected to Kansai International Airport, through a new train station set to open in 2023.

“In this project, we are aiming at creating new industries, developing human resources and attracting international guests,” said Akihiko Taniguchi, deputy general manager of development headquarters at Hankyu Hanshin Properties.

Following the press preview, a green-and-diversity themed fashion show was staged in the nearby park with several fashion labels, including Japan’s fashion brand “nisai,” known for its recycling of used clothes.

Osaka, the nation's second-biggest metropolis after the greater Tokyo region, will host the World Expo 2025, entitled "Designing Future Society For Our Lives,” which follows the latest one held in Dubai.