The BLUE OCEAN DOME: Ready for the Start of the EXPO

As a company committed to environmental responsibility, SARAYA is honored to support the BLUE OCEAN DOME, which serves as a powerful reminder of our collective role in protecting the ocean. On March 27, a bit more than 2 weeks before the public opening of the EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai to the public, we attended the press opening of the pavilion, confirming its completion and preparing for the months to come.

A video message from Yusuke Saraya, the chairman of ZERI JAPAN and the president of Saraya Co., Ltd.

An Immersive Experience

The BLUE OCEAN DOME is a stunning, innovative structure consisting of three interconnected domes, each constructed using different sustainable materials and designed to provoke thought and inspire action. Unlike traditional buildings, these domes require no supporting pillars, symbolizing both structural and environmental ingenuity.

• Dome A: Built from laminated bamboo, this entryway invites visitors to rediscover water from a new perspective displaying the flow of water in its middle structure. Through a constant stream of droplets that navigate gravity in an artistic interpretation, it encourages appreciation for the beauty and significance of this essential element.
• Dome B: A vast carbon-fiber (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) dome, home to a massive HD LED sphere screen, showcasing a powerful cinematic experience. The film highlights the devastating impact of plastic pollution on marine life, immersing the audience in the urgent reality of ocean conservation.
• Dome C: Constructed from recyclable paper tubes, this final space serves as an informational hub. Throughout EXPO 2025, global speakers will share knowledge, insights, and solutions for ocean preservation. Visitors can check the ZERI JAPAN website for the full schedule of talks and presentations.

The high-definition, extra-large spherical LED screen in Dome B.

To complete the experience, guests can even "taste the ocean" through a special salted water tonic drink, offering a unique sensory connection to the theme.

A Pavilion with a Purpose

At SARAYA, we believe that solving environmental challenges requires collaboration. That’s why we chose to support this project in partnership with ZERI JAPAN, an NPO dedicated to sustainability. The creators of the BLUE OCEAN DOME hope that visitors will leave with a lasting impression – one that sparks reflection and inspires change in everyday actions to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.

Perspectives from the Creators

BLUE OCEAN DOME is a result of a powerful collaboration between Shigeru Ban, a renowned architect known for projects like La Seine Musicale and the Swatch and Omega Campus who designs the pavilion, and Kenya Hara, a prominent designer famous for serving as the art director of MUJI since 2001, who oversees the pavilion's interior design and the exhibitions at Domes A and B.

A group photo, from left to right: Shigeru Ban, architect of the pavilion, Director Ittoku Saraya, representing SARAYA, and Kenya Hara, art director of the installation.

Shigeru Ban’s Insight: 
Plastic is an amazing material; it is not the material itself that is responsible for pollution, but how we use it. The same can be said of any material we use, regardless of its origin. The BLUE OCEAN DOME was designed with sustainability in mind, using lightweight, mobile materials that can be easily repurposed or recycled. For example, after the EXPO, Dome B will be relocated and transformed into part of a tropical resort, giving the carbon-fiber dome a second life without creating waste.

Kenya Hara’s Vision: 
Understanding the problem in detail allows us to find real solutions. We wanted to create a space that encourages people to ask the right questions. Pavilions like this are crucial – they showcase ideas, materials, and techniques that are not easily expressed elsewhere. As long as these events offer unique, immersive experiences, they will remain relevant, providing a platform for innovation and future-focused experimentation.

One of the messages at Dome B.

We hope that the BLUE OCEAN DOME at EXPO 2025 will be more than just an exhibition; it will serve as a catalyst for change. We invite you to explore, reflect, and join the global effort to protect our oceans for future generations.

BLUE OCEAN DOME: A Dive into Marine Sustainability at the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai