Expo 2025 Osaka: Yoichi Ochiai’s “null2 (Nurunuru)” Signature Pavilion – Concept, Highlights, and Reservation Guide
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Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition) finally opened on April 13, 2025.
The theme of Expo 2025 Osaka is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. There will be pavilions and events from 165 countries and regions, as well as international organizations.
One of these is the “Signature Pavilion“, which is about “life” and was created by eight well-known producers.
This article will talk about the most interesting parts of “null2 (Nurunuru)”, a very popular and well-liked pavilion made by Yoichi Ochiai. It will also explain if you need a reservation to visit it.
What is “null2 (Nurunuru)”?
(Source: null2)
“null2 (Nurunuru)” is a special building at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. It was produced by Yoichi Ochiai. He is known as a media artist, entrepreneur, and associate professor at the Faculty of Library, Information and Media Science at the University of Tsukuba.
It is located among the Signature Pavilions produced by “eight renowned producers.” It was created based on the philosophy that “there’s no point in making something merely convenient as an art museum or museum. If you’re going to make that, there’s no need to do it at the Expo.” The result is an innovative pavilion.
“Null” is a programming term meaning “nothing,” but the pavilion’s exterior is covered with a membrane made from a composite of resin and metal. This “mirror” moves fluidly and is also the origin of its name.
シグネチャーパビリオンのひとつ落合陽一プロデュース「null²（ヌルヌル）」
なんと言っても全て鏡の異彩を放つ外観！しかも表面の一部が微妙に揺らいでいる
アプリで自分のアバターを生成し登録すると観覧者のアバターが現れ会話する
予約なしで外から観覧することもできる#EXPO2025 pic.twitter.com/SMmxBfQUEe
— akaishi (@akaishitaizo) April 16, 2025
Supplement: Who is Yoichi Ochiai?
(Source: WATANABE ENTERTAINMENT)
Yoichi Ochiai, the media artist born in Tokyo in 1987, produced the popular “null2 (Nurunuru)” pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Since around 2010, Ochiai has been creating works on “materialization in boundary domains,” “transformation,” and “longing for mass.” He is also an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba, one of Japan’s leading national universities, and is active as a researcher.
In addition to his work as a media artist and university professor, he has worked in many other ways. He has worked as a business executive, head of a general association, and member of government expert panels. This shows that he has many talents. At Expo 2025 Osaka, he works as a “thematic project producer.”
さようなら👋 pic.twitter.com/fr9Jh50lK1
— 落合陽一 Yoichi OCHIAI (@ochyai) April 24, 2025
“null2 (Nurunuru)” is a pavilion that explores the future of nature when it merges with the digital world. It also looks at how humans might change as a result.
Its exterior is beautiful, and it is also well-known for its mysterious interior.
Highlights of “null2 (Nurunuru)”
(Source: null2)
Among the many buildings at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Kansai (2025 Japan International Exposition) building called “null2 (Nurunuru)” is one of the most popular and talked-about.
The main attraction of null2 (Nurunuru) is its unique “mirrored walls” that cover the pavilion.
The outside and inside walls of the pavilion are covered with a special material that looks like a mirror. This creates an interesting effect where the mirrors move smoothly and freely.
The mirrors of the pavilion stretch, contract, and move. This is an architectural feature that you haven’t seen anywhere else.
The idea for the pavilion comes from the important place mirrors have had in Japanese culture. Bronze mirrors, for example, have been loved since ancient times. Visitors can enjoy a mysterious space where the real and digital worlds blend together.
落合陽一の #null2
5日前言ってた３つのモード
①対話モード(予約)
②対話モード（整理券）
③インスタレーションモード（整理券）
があって混乱。
こういうこと？
① 靴脱いで一番内部に入る
② ①を外から見る
③ ②の変形。内部に人が入ってない
最近①と②が統合#大阪・関西万博 pic.twitter.com/YCYZHzC4am— sahisa (@nekokobasiri) April 24, 2025
Another highlight is the expression of a world where digital technology and nature are combined. Inside “null2 (Nurunuru)“, visitors can interact with digital humans that look like them.
A 3D model of a typical visitor is made right away, and an AI that learns their voice and basic information answers questions. This offers a truly futuristic experience using the latest generative AI technology.
This advanced AI and digital art experience is only available at the Expo, and Yoichi Ochiai believes it will encourage visitors to think more concretely about the future of AI.
If you’re interested, be sure to check out the highly anticipated “null2 (Nurunuru)“, produced by Yoichi Ochiai!
Is a Reservation Required for “null2 (Nurunuru)”?
(Source: EXPO 2025)
To visit “null2 (Nurunuru)“, the pavilion produced by Yoichi Ochiai, you had to make an advance reservation.
However, as of May 4, 2025, the system has changed to distributing tickets on the same day. This change was made because of problems with the reservation app and a very high demand for tickets. Tickets are given out in the morning, and people with tickets can go into the pavilion in the afternoon. On some days, you can get both advance reservations and same-day numbered tickets, but there’s a lot of competition, and the slots fill up quickly.
Many reports indicate that reservation slots, especially on weekends, are often fully booked almost immediately. If you can’t get an advance reservation, you can try to get a numbered ticket for the same day. The distribution time for numbered tickets is not public information, and they often run out in the morning. It is recommended that you arrive early if you definitely want to enter.
You can visit the tea room set up outside “null2 (Nurunuru)” without making a reservation. This means that even if you miss out on the lottery, you can still enjoy the exterior of the pavilion and the tea room.
If you want to know how to buy tickets for Expo 2025 Osaka, check out the article below.
Let’s Go See “null2 (Nurunuru)” Produced by Yoichi Ochiai!
As described above, “null2 (Nurunuru)”, produced by Yoichi Ochiai and utilizing the latest generative AI technology, is a pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. It features a mysterious “mirror world” with fluid, surreal movements and opportunities for interaction with AI, making it a perfect fit for the Expo.
It looks unique and mystical, which makes a strong impression on visitors. It is also popular on social media because it is easy to take pictures of. Many people who have visited the Expo have posted great reviews, saying things like “null2 was amazing!” and “You should definitely visit null2.”
You have to see the mirrored walls of “null2 (Nurunuru)” for yourself to believe how they move!
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