19th International Symposium on Spatial and Temporal Data

Expo 2025

A World Expo is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. The Osaka Expo 1970, the first World Expo held in Japan and Asia, became a symbol of Japan's rapid economic growth and remains one of the country's most significant events. Twenty years after the Aichi Expo 2005, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will welcome the international community back to Japan.

• Schedule: April 13 to October 13, 2025 (184 days, including SSTD 2025 period: August 25-27)
• Venue: Yumeshima, Osaka (30-min by Osaka Metro from the SSTD 2025 venue)
• Website: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/

Osaka Castle Park

Osaka Castle stands as one of Japan's most iconic landmarks, playing a crucial role in the country's unification during the sixteenth century. The castle museum showcases the history of both the castle and the city through exhibits of historical artifacts, including samurai armor, weapons, and important documents. Visitors can enjoy panoramic city views from the castle tower, while the surrounding park is particularly famous for its cherry blossoms in spring.

• Access: 20-min from the Nakanoshima Station
  (5-min by Osaka Metro plus 15-min walk)
• Website: https://osakacastlepark.jp/?lang=en

Dotonbori District

Dotonbori represents Osaka's most popular entertainment district and culinary destination. This energetic area is renowned for its spectacular neon signs, iconic 3D signage (including the famous Glico Running Man), and an abundance of restaurants serving authentic Osaka cuisine. Visitors should try local specialties such as takoyaki (octopus dumplings), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and kushikatsu (breaded and deep-fried skewers).

• Access: 30-min from the Nakanoshima Station
  (15-min by Osaka Metro plus 15-min walk)
• Website: http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/en/

Nakanoshima Island

The SSTD 2025 venue, Osaka University Nakanoshima Center, is located on Nakanoshima Island, a sophisticated district in central Osaka—just 5 minutes by metro or a pleasant 15-minute walk from Osaka Station. This unique island, formed by the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, serves as Osaka's cultural and business center, where historic architecture harmoniously coexists with modern museums, galleries, and office towers.

• City Central Public Hall
  A magnificent Neo-Renaissance building from 1918 (20-min walk)
  Website: https://osaka-chuokokaido.jp/english/
• Nakanoshima Museum of Art
  Contemporary art exhibitions in an architecturally striking underground building (3-min walk, next to the conference venue)
  Website: https://nakka-art.jp/en/
• The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO)
  Modern and contemporary art museum (4-min walk, next to the conference venue)
  Website: https://www.nmao.go.jp/en/
• Museum of Oriental Ceramics
  World-renowned collection of Asian ceramics and pottery (3-min by Osaka Metro)
  Website: https://www.moco.or.jp/en/
• Osaka Science Museum
  Interactive science exhibits and planetarium (4-min walk, next to the conference venue)
  Website: https://www.sci-museum.jp/osaka-science-museum/
• Nakanoshima Park
  Riverside green space featuring seasonal rose gardens and walking paths (3-min walk)
• River Cruise
  Evening cruises offering unique perspectives of Osaka's waterfront cityscape
  Website: https://en.osaka-info.jp/spot/nakanoshima-river-cruise/

Day Trips to Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto and Nara, Japan's ancient capitals, are perfect for day trips from Osaka:

Kyoto

Access: 30 to 45-min by train from Osaka Station

• Iconic temples and shrines including the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)
• Historic Gion district with preserved traditional architecture and geiko (geisha) culture
• Arashiyama area featuring bamboo groves and monkey park
• Fushimi Inari Shrine's tunnel of thousands of vermillion torii gates

Nara

Access: 45-min by train from Osaka Station

• Todaiji Temple, housing Japan's largest bronze Buddha statue
• Nara Park, home to hundreds of free-roaming deer considered sacred messengers
• UNESCO World Heritage sites including ancient temples and shrines
• Traditional Japanese gardens and historic architecture

• Osaka official tourist informatoin
• Japan Guide
• Lonely Planet
• The Kansai (the Large Tourism Region including Osaka and Kyoto) Guide