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2025.01.30
Osaka Bay Area MICE: ATC Hall, INTEX Osaka, Expo 2025, and more spectacular venues!
Osaka Bay Area MICE
Osaka’s MICE areas are nine urban areas across Osaka that each feature tight-knit collaboration among the facilities and suppliers in the area to provide exceptional service for meetings and events. In this second installment of our series on the MICE Areas, focusing on nine regions within Osaka Prefecture, we delve into the Bay Area, which includes Yumeshima, the site of the upcoming 2025 World Expo.
Centered around the Osaka Bay on the west side of Osaka, the Osaka Bay Area is a hub for conventions, exhibitions, and trade shows, boasting easily accessible meeting and event facilities. ATC Hall and INTEX Osaka, for example, are renowned for their spacious venues and are ideal for exhibitions and trade shows. The adjacent island of Maishima and Yumeshima are gaining attention as potential venues in the near future. The area is also home to unique venues such as Universal Studios Japan and the Santa Maria, an Osaka Port sightseeing ship, offering enjoyable after-event activities. With luxurious accommodations doubling as meeting and event facilities, the Bay Area is arguably Osaka's premier meeting and event destination.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Opening very soon, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is a World Expo to be held on the artificial island of Yumeshima in the Bay Area. The venue, equipped with cutting-edge facilities and highlighted by the outdoor wooden structure known as the Grand Ring, is poised to welcome visitors from around the world. Expo 2025 is expected to become a new hub for meetings and events, providing an ideal environment for large-scale exhibitions and trade shows. Even once the Expo concludes, the Bay Area is projected to remain a popular venue for such events, complementing existing facilities like ATC Hall and INTEX Osaka. With easy access to Universal Studios Japan and the Santa Maria, the area is destined to be a cornerstone of Osaka's future. Its growth as an attractive blend of tourism and business makes it a compelling area for future development.
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
One of Osaka's premier unique venues, Universal Studios Japan is a theme park based on movies with its roots in Hollywood. As Japan’s sole Universal Studios park, USJ regularly features collaborations with anime, manga, and even games, making it a highly popular destination. The recent additions of Super Nintendo World and the newly-opened Donkey Kong Country have further boosted its appeal. Universal Studios Japan offers Group Special Events packages with dining and a show for large groups, and even has Park Buyout options for up to 7,000 people.
See more information on Universal Studios Japan's special offerings for groups:
Unique Venues: Santa Maria
Another iconic Osaka site, the Santa Maria is Osaka's largest sightseeing ship, offering tours of the Bay Area. Departing from adjacent to the Kaiyukan Aquarium in Tempozan Harbor Village, the ship offers views of Tempozan Bridge, Port Bridge, container docks, Yumeshima Island, and Maishima Island. With both regular tours and charter options, the Santa Maria offers fully-private dining options for unique events on Osaka’s waters.
See more information here:
Meeting and Event Facilities: ATC Hall
ATC Hall is a spacious venue capable of accommodating a wide range of events, from exhibitions to trade shows. Its prime location offers stunning views of Osaka Bay, and it is easily accessible. Equipped with a variety of facilities, including a hall that can seat up to 6,000 people, and numerous multi-purpose meeting rooms, ATC Hall is well-positioned to support domestic and international exhibitions and trade shows.
See more information here:
Meeting and Event Facilities: INTEX Osaka
As the largest event facility in the Bay Area and in all of Western Japan, INTEX Osaka is capable of hosting large-scale domestic and international exhibitions and trade shows. Its spacious halls and state-of-the-art equipment, including sound and visual systems, have earned it a solid reputation. Its waterfront location and proximity to shopping malls make it a convenient destination for both business and leisure.
See more information here:
Meeting and Event Facilities: Grand Prince Hotel Osaka Bay
Offering stunning views of Osaka Bay, Grand Prince Hotel Osaka Bay is a popular MICE facility combining tourism and business. Its meeting rooms are equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and can accommodate a variety of events, from seminars to parties. The hotel also offers on-site accommodations, making it convenient for out-of-town guests.
See more information here:
Meeting and Event Facilities: Hotel Fukuracia Osaka Bay
Known for its waterfront location, Hotel Fukuracia Osaka Bay provides spaces for seminars and parties. With large banquet halls capable of accommodating a variety of events, it offers flexibility and convenience. Its stylish interior and hospitality make it an ideal venue for international exchanges.
See more information here:
Osaka Integrated Resort (IR)
Scheduled to open autumn 2030, the Osaka IR (Integrated Resort) is expected to attract significant attention. Centered in Yumeshima within the Bay Area, the Osaka IR will be a complex of facilities including an international conference center, exhibition hall, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, entertainment facilities, and a casino. Designed to cater to both business travelers and families, it is set to become Japan's first IR and a global attraction.
In Closing
With the the 2025 World Expo under the theme of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," the Osaka Bay Area is poised to become a world-class meeting and event destination. If you are planning a MICE event or business gathering, consider the Bay Area as your next venue.
Choose Osaka as your next meeting or event destination.
The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau provides comprehensive support for meeting and event planners, from bringing events to Osaka until their successful completion, and beyond. We offer assistance with a wide range of services including venue and hotel arrangements, budget planning, and public relations. In addition, we provide unique experiential programs that showcase the best of Osaka, as well as funding programs to support the attraction of international conferences. With the upcoming Expo 2025 becoming a major catalyst for more organizers to choose Osaka as their next event destination, we actively support the hosting of international convention and working closely with organizers to foster global exchange and create memorable experiences.