With less than a month to go until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo (April 13, 2025), efforts to build momentum are gaining momentum in Kyoto Prefecture. Buildings across the prefecture will be lit up in the "Expo colors" of red and blue, and interaction events with the Expo's official mascot, "Myakumyaku," will also be held to liven up the Expo atmosphere.

Kyoto City Hall illuminated with alternating red and blue lights

A total of 14 locations in Kyoto Prefecture will be lit up. In Kyoto City, the Kyoto Prefectural Office (until March 22), Kyoto City Hall (until March 22), and ROHM Theatre Kyoto (until March 18) will also be lit up, as will Kumiyama Yume Tower 137 in Kumiyama-cho, Kyoto Prefecture (until March 18), and the Red Brick Museum in Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture (until March 23).

The roof of the ROHM Theatre Kyoto (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City) is lit up in the "Expo colors" of red and blue.

Myakumyaku will make an appearance in front of the old main building of the Kyoto Prefectural Office on March 13. Together with Kyoto Prefecture's mascot Mayumaro, who was wearing a new costume in Expo colors, he promoted the Expo by charming and taking photos with about 180 fans and Kyoto Prefecture officials who had gathered.

Myakumyaku (left) and Mayumaro are showing off their love (Kyoto Prefectural Office, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City)

On April 17, Kyoto Prefecture will open "Expo Kyoto," a hub to promote Expo-related events in Kyoto Prefecture, along the North-South Passageway on the second floor of Kyoto Station Building. Booths will also be set up selling local specialties and offering demonstrations of traditional culture, conveying the charms of various parts of Kyoto Prefecture to Expo visitors from Japan and abroad.