Japan’s 47 Prefectures: Wakayama
Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International takes us on a tour of Wakayama Prefecture’s zone at the Kansai Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
As followers of JapanCulture•NYC know, JCNYC Business Editor at Large Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International spent several months in Osaka, visiting Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan almost 40 different times. She shared her Expo experiences through blog posts on her website and during six Expo Talks she and I hosted on Zoom and LinkedIn Live.
She was fortunate to have access to the Wakayama Prefecture Zone of the Kansai Pavilion. Below please see her complete post about that visit, which is the perfect way to kick off JapanCulture•NYC’s long-time goal of introducing all 47 prefectures of Japan. Since Expo took place in Japan’s Kansai region, it’s fitting to start there.
Please enjoy this in-depth look at some of the things Wakayama has to offer through Yvonne’s experiences at Expo:
Incredible craftsmanship
The spiritual heartland of Japan
Culinary products, including umeshu, the traditional Japanese liqueur
The 47 Prefectures series will be an exploration of Japan’s richness and diversity, highlighting areas that tourists might overlook. Let’s dive into places not named Tokyo and Kyoto to discover more of the essence of Japan. Keep reading JapanCulture•NYC to learn more about each prefecture and start planning your trip to Japan. After reading about Yvonne’s experiences, you might want to start with Wakayama!
Osaka Expo Visits 36 & 37: October 10 & 11, 2025 - Wakayama Prefecture @ KANSAI PAVILION
— By Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International
The Kansai Pavilion at Expo showcased the diverse richness of the Kansai region — the prefectures of Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Tokushima, Fukui, and Mie — each presenting its unique blend of history, culture, creativity, charm, and attractions.
Wakayama Prefecture - Part 1
Among them, the Wakayama zone was a deeply moving highlight. I was privileged to experience it firsthand, guided by the warm and generous spirit of Wakayama's representatives. Every element of the zone was thoughtfully curated to convey the finest essence of Wakayama — Japan’s spiritual heartland, where faith, nature, and craftsmanship have harmoniously intertwined for centuries.
I was fortunate to visit twice in two days. On my first visit, I took in the stunning visual exhibit and experienced a sumptuous bespoke confectionery tasting that was truly next level!
The first encounter in the zone began with a mural depicting ancient folklore and led to the focal point of the zone: the 5 “totems” video installation that stood tall and proud.
Each towering totem displayed a dazzling array of scenes of Wakayama culture, arts, nature, and industry from the past, present, and future. Across the elongated digital panels, the story of the prefecture is told on screens embedded in pillars symbolic of ancient Kii trees, encased in the renowned regional Kishu lacquerware.
Centuries-old craftsmanship embracing modern technology, merging nature, artistry, and industry into this unique expression of the Wakayama spirit — timeless yet ever evolving.
The zone itself was designed by a wonderful curator whom I had the pleasure of meeting. Her passion and appreciation of Wakayama were present in every detail. The creative use of the prefecture’s materials and products, both functionally and artistically, produced an integrated space that was beautiful, bathed in serenity, and with an almost reverent quality in the air.
Tasting the Best of Wakayama
At the elegant counter (made from Kishu wood) toward the back of the zone, visitors could experience a refined tasting experience — a blend of sweet and savory delicacies, each using Wakayama's signature ingredients and served in an elegant Kishu wood “chest,” with compartments containing sumptuous and artful treasures.
More than flavors, it offered a taste of Wakayama’s aesthetic, spirit, and grace.
Wakayama Prefecture - Part 2
My second visit was an invitation to experience a collaboration between the monks of Mount Koya (Koyasan) and the sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
A procession of seven Koyasan monks performed Shomyo—sacred Buddhist chanting—that enveloped the audience in reverent tones that were calming and restorative.
The sacred aura of these two World Heritage sites radiated an almost otherworldly grace, yet within that divinity was a warm, earthly welcome to everyone from across Japan and beyond. It was more than a tribute to Buddhist faith; it was a celebration of compassion, connection, and our shared humanity.
After the ceremony, I had the privilege of speaking with the monks — a moment that revealed their lightness and humor. They spoke with genuine delight about welcoming visitors to Koyasan, sharing their faith, and enjoying aspects of other faiths, and traditions, such as their annual Christmas parties.
I felt their harmony between devotion and delight, reverence and play. One monk, who had once studied in New York City, embodied this spirit perfectly — a bridge between worlds, his story a testament to deep faith and a commitment to connecting beyond borders.
A couple of days later, on the final day of Expo, I encountered two of these same monks wandering the grounds — wide-eyed and smiling as they explored pavilions and exchanged greetings across languages and cultures. It was a wonderful reminder that the sacred and the contemporary can not only coexist, but enrich one another — proof that faith, when open to the world, becomes a bridge, not a boundary.
My second visit to the Wakayama Zone concluded with what else . . . a tasting of Wakayama's famous umeshu (Japanese traditional liqueur). The flight I selected (set C) revealed umeshu’s versatility—from gentle and fruity to rich and robust, from a pale green plum color to deep amber. I sipped and savored every drop!
Wakayama’s blend of faith, tradition, craftsmanship, and creativity weaves a universe of timeless beauty — where spirituality and artistry coexist, inviting all who visit Wakayama to feel both wonder and connection.
Wakayama and the other prefectures of the Kansai region have so much to offer visitors. The Kansai pavilion was a wonderful showcase of the richness and diversity of each prefecture. Showing us that what is most local can also be universal — and that connection, in all its forms, is what the Kansai spirit is all about.
NOTE: I am writing and giving online talks about my Expo visits to share the wonders, innovations, inspiration, and cultural richness of EXPO Osaka 2025 with those who are interested but unable to attend.
All pictures and videos by Yvonne Burton
A big thank you to Yvonne for allowing JapanCulture•NYC to repost her entire article so that we can get a glimpse of Wakayama Prefecture. Are you craving umeshu? Or do you think a peaceful visit to Koyasan is just what we all need right now?
Please visit Yvonne’s website to read all of her blog posts about Expo.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
What’s the Latest at Expo 2025 in Osaka?
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #6: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Thursday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET | 6:00 p.m. PT | Friday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, since it began in April. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this fascinating global event.
In Talk #6, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 30! She will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
🚀 Taking the Expo Conversation Across Platforms
Since our last talk in early September, Yvonne has shared her Expo insights through a variety of media outlets. Check them out:
📰 Featured in an article on Forbes.com
🎙️ Guest on Joan Michelson’s Electric Ladies podcast
💻 Guest on the Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast with John Chen, where she discussed everything from architecture to technology at the Expo
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-6withcross-culturalcon7378471677707309056/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube and LinkedIn
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
Talk 5: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/
All About Yvonne
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Explaining Expo: LinkedIn Live with Yvonne Burton
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Expo 2025 Talk #5: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
At the Heart of Expo: Countries and Connections
In Talk #5, Yvonne will update us on her most recent visits to Expo 2025, which now number more than 20! With two months remaining in the international exposition, how is Yvonne planning her final visits? Will she reveal her agenda?
Yvonne will also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar! 💬 Have you visited Expo 2025? Share your observations with us! Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-5withcross-culturalcon7366980410452373504/theater/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up here
Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
Talk 4: https://www.linkedin.com/events/expotalk-4withcrossculturalcons7346199577739378688/
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
What Expo Means for Osaka’s Global Business Future
📣 We’re going live on LinkedIn!
On Monday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET, I’ll be joined by cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton for our fourth Expo 2025 talk—this time focused on what the World Expo means for Osaka’s global business future.
Expo 2025 Talk #4: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Monday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT | Tuesday, July 15 at 8:00 a.m. JST
LinkedIn Live
Admission: Free
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our ongoing Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
What Expo Means for Osaka’s Global Business Future
In Talk #4, Yvonne will focus on what Expo 2025 means for the city of Osaka in terms of global business opportunities, international visibility, and economic development. Yvonne will share observations from the Expo site, highlight what major companies and industries are showcasing, and offer insight into Japan’s strategy for engaging the world through this major international event. She’ll also share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
💡 Whether you work in international business, cross-cultural strategy, economic development, or are simply curious about Japan’s global presence—this conversation is for you.
Join the talk on LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7346199577739378688/about/
🎥 Missed our earlier talks? Catch up on YouTube:
• Talk 1: https://youtu.be/zd1fEp3SLLI
• Talk 2: https://youtu.be/vF00yjNyPO4
• Talk 3: https://youtu.be/bpenIQ5dROM?si=0EwThM4XrP765mw9
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
💬 Bring your questions and join the live conversation in the comments!
Night view of the Germany Pavilion at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Photo by Yvonne Burton.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Talk #3
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
Photo: Night view of the Netherlands Pavilion with Singapore in the background. Photo courtesy Yvonne Burton
Expo 2025 Talk #3: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton
Wednesday, June 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. PT | Thursday, June 12 at 9:00 a.m. JST
Zoom Meeting
Admission: Free (Registration Required)
JapanCulture•NYC is thrilled to continue our Expo 2025 Talk series with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International!
Yvonne has been on the ground in Osaka, exploring the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. She’s visiting pavilions and reporting on the dynamic energy and discoveries at this once-in-a-lifetime global event.
In Talk #3, Yvonne will share her latest insights, show photos, and answer your questions in an interactive conversation that brings you closer to Expo 2025—even from afar!
Previous Sessions
If you missed the previous sessions, catch up here:
📺 Talk #1 Recording on YouTube
📺 Talk #2 Recording on YouTube
🎥 Watch previous Instagram Lives: @JapanCultureNYC
📝 Read Yvonne’s Expo blog posts: burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with Yvonne on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
Prepare and Register
Have a question for Yvonne?
📧 Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com or DM us on Instagram @JapanCultureNYC.
🎟 Register for Talk #3 here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/zKIDr2rxQYODO6fMXHKeUg
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Talk #2
Join JapanCultureNYC for Part 2 of my live conversation with cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton reporting from Osaka, Japan, where she’s been exploring the site of Expo 2025!
Expo 2025 Talk: A Conversation with Cross-Cultural Consultant Yvonne Burton – Part 2
Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00 p.m. ET | 5:00 p.m. PT | In Japan: Thursday, May 29 at 9:00 a.m.
Zoom
Admission: Free (Registration Required)
On May 13 JapanCultureNYC and cross-cultural consultant Yvonne Burton of Burton Consulting International held a special live Zoom conversation from Japan, where she’s been exploring Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. We had so much fun, we’re doing it again!
Yvonne has been on the ground, visiting pavilions, observing the process, and soaking up the energy at this year’s World Expo. Prior to the event, Yvonne joined JapanCultureNYC for two Instagram Live tours—one at night, the other during the day—and gave us insightful tours.
On Zoom, Yvonne will share highlights, show photos, and answer your questions about what she’s learned so far. Curious about what Japan is showcasing to the world? Wondering how Osaka prepared for millions of visitors? Don’t miss this insightful and interactive session!
What to See
📺 Watch the first Zoom session on @JapanCulture-NYC’s YouTube channel
📌 Watch the recordings of our Instagram Lives on @JapanCultureNYC’s feed
📝 Read Yvonne’s blog posts from each visit at burtonconsulting.biz/blog
🔗 Connect with her on LinkedIn: Yvonne Burton
📧 Have questions for Yvonne? Email susan@japanculture-nyc.com or DM @JapanCultureNYC
Register in advance
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!