Category: NOTICE

Under the slogan “Tokushima Marugoto Pavilion,” Tokushima Prefecture is actively promoting enthusiasm for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
n collaboration with the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereafter, “Expo Association”) and other related organizations, Tokushima will carry out promotional activities for the Expo during the 2024 Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima City.

For details about the 2024 Awa Odori Festival, please visit the official website:

2024 Awa Odori Official Website
　https://www.awaodorimirai.com/

1. Expo 2025 Promotion by Official Mascot “Myaku-Myaku”

(1) Awa Odori Opening Ceremony

**Date & Time:** Sunday, August 11, 2024 – 11:30 to 12:00 (tentative) **Location:** Asty Tokushima (1-1 Higashihama Boji, Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima City) **Details:** Ahead of the kickoff of “THE AWAODORI 2024,” Myaku-Myaku and Sudachi-kun will make a special stage appearance.

(2) Awa Odori Reserved Seating Opening Ceremony

**Date & Time:** Monday, August 12, 2024 – 17:50 to 18:00 (tentative) **Location:** Awagin Minamiuchimachi Enbujo Presented by Awa Bank (1-4 Minamiuchimachi, Tokushima City) **Details:** PR presentation by Mr. Jun Takashina (Deputy Secretary General, Expo Association) and Myaku-Myaku

For a full schedule of Expo 2025 promotional events during the Obon period

＜別紙＞お盆期間の大阪・関西万博PR予定一覧.pdf （PDF:328.2 KB）

2. Joint PR Event by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Expo Association

**Date & Time:** Monday, August 12 and Tuesday, August 13, 2024 – 14:00 until early evening (same schedule both days) **Location:** Pedestrian deck, 2nd floor of Amico Building (24 Motomachi 1-chome, Tokushima City)

3. Official Expo 2025 Goods Sales

Official Expo 2025 licensed goods will be available for a limited time at “Arudeyo Tokushima,” located on the 1st floor of the Awa Odori Kaikan (operated by the Tokushima Prefectural Products Association).
Sales Period: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 – until sold out

**Character Appearances:** During the sales period, Myaku-Myaku and Sudachi-kun will appear at “Arudeyo Tokushima.”
**Date & Time:** Wednesday, August 14 and Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 12:45 to 16:05 (same schedule both days)

Tokushima Prefecture has designated July as Tokushima Indigo Promotion Month and July 24 as Tokushima Indigo Day to promote the beauty and tradition of indigo both within and beyond the prefecture.

The History of Indigo
ndigo has long played a role in Japanese life and was once referred to as a mystical blue. In Tokushima, indigo cultivation has been practiced for centuries. The region’s natural indigo dye, called sukumo, is known as “Awa Indigo” and became a prized product throughout Japan during the Edo period due to its high quality. Indigo merchants facilitated cultural exchange across Japan and greatly contributed to the development of Tokushima’s performing arts such as Awa Odori and Awa Ningyo Joruri puppet theater.

The Connection Between Indigo and the Yoshino River
A major reason indigo cultivation flourished in Tokushima was the Yoshino River. Known as one of Japan’s “three wildest rivers” alongside the Tone and Chikugo rivers, it often flooded during typhoons. While the floods caused damage, they also enriched the soil in the downstream areas. This fertile land made the area ideal for growing indigo, which could be harvested in July—just before the peak flood season in August.

(Reference: “Tokushima no Torisetsu,” Obunsha, 2021)

Fun Facts About Indigo The rich blue of indigo dye is internationally recognized as “Japan Blue.” It was featured in the official emblem of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The Japanese national soccer team’s uniforms are also known as “Japan Blue,” reflecting the same indigo heritage. During the Warring States period, a shade of indigo called *kachi-iro* (victory color) was considered auspicious and worn under samurai armor.

Indigo and Expo 2025
Tokushima will showcase a permanent 126㎡ exhibit in the Kansai Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The booth will prominently feature Awa Indigo along with other traditional crafts such as woodworking and Awa washi paper, creating a space filled with Tokushima’s artisanal pride.

Currently, the Tokushima Prefectural Office’s Civic Hall is hosting the following displays:

Awa Indigo Mock-up (north side of Civic Hall)
A full-scale prototype of the indigo-dyed washi paper wall to be featured in the Tokushima Expo booth.

Indigo Tenugui Hand Towels (Civic Hall display case)
A collection of hand towels dyed with Awa Indigo by local individuals and groups, each piece showcasing unique colors and gradients.

Additionally, the entrance hall features displays of “indigo noren” curtains and sukumo (indigo dye material), as well as a special Tokushima Marugoto Pavilion exhibit titled “Part 2: Kaiyo Town & Fururun.” If you’re visiting the prefectural office, don’t miss it!

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai kicks off on April 13, 2025!

We look forward to welcoming you to experience Tokushima’s charm—including the stunning Awa Indigo—at our booth!

The Osaka-Kansai Expo will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and is expected to attract approximately 28.2 million visitors from both Japan and abroad. Tokushima Prefecture will not only present the “Tokushima Pavilion” at the Expo venue, but is also promoting the “Tokushima All-in-One Pavilion” initiative—an effort to treat the entire prefecture as a pavilion to draw visitors to Tokushima. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with local communities at the forefront of sharing Tokushima’s unique appeal.

In May of this year, we held the first installment of the "Tokushima Marugoto Pavilion Special Exhibition" at the Prefectural Government Office, showcasing the appeal of various municipalities in the prefecture, featuring "Miyoshi City & Tsutahan."
Starting in July, we will be holding the second installment of the special exhibition "Kaiyo Town & Fururun." A "photo spot" will be displayed, where visitors can take photos as if they are enjoying marine activities in the beautiful sea of Kaiyo Town, alongside the official mascot of Kaiyo Town, "Fururun."
The Expo is coming! Let’s go, Tokushima!

Exhibit Duration:

From Monday, July 1, 2024, to Monday, July 29, 2024 (tentative)

Exhibit Location:

Tokushima Prefectural Bandaicho Government Building (1-1 Bandaicho, Tokushima City) Entrance Hall and Citizens’ Hall

Exhibit Highlights:

・Kaiyo Town official character "Fururun" air pop
・Background of "Mizutoko Bay" and coral specimens, sea kayak photo spot.
・PR video and posters of Kaiyo Town, and more.

The Osaka-Kansai Expo will be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and is expected to attract approximately 28.2 million visitors from both Japan and abroad. Tokushima Prefecture will not only present the “Tokushima Pavilion” at the Expo venue, but is also promoting the “Tokushima All-in-One Pavilion” initiative—an effort to treat the entire prefecture as a pavilion to draw visitors to Tokushima. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with local communities at the forefront of sharing Tokushima’s unique appeal.

To further build excitement leading up to the Expo, Tokushima Prefecture is holding a special exhibition titled “Tokushima All-in-One Pavilion Special Showcase” in the entrance hall and Citizens’ Hall of the Prefectural Government Building. This exhibition highlights the unique charms of regions across Tokushima. The first edition features Miyoshi City, spotlighting the beloved local revitalization character “Tsutaha~n,” inspired by the former Ikeda High School baseball coach Tsuta, whose legacy marked its 10th anniversary this March. The exhibition includes a miniature of the famous Kazura Bridge and rare memorabilia from the Ikeda High School baseball team—items you won’t see anywhere else. We invite everyone to visit the Prefectural Office and experience this special display!

Exhibit Duration:

From Tuesday, May 7 to Friday, May 31, 2024 (tentative)

Exhibit Location:

Tokushima Prefectural Bandaicho Government Building (1-1 Bandaicho, Tokushima City) Entrance Hall and Citizens’ Hall

Exhibit Highlights:

・Local revitalization character “Tsutaha~n”
Miniature Kazura Bridge
・PR posters and other promotional materials from Miyoshi City

Exhibition view of the Citizens’ Hall

・Photos of Ikeda High School Baseball Team at the moment of victory in the 1982 Summer Koshien and the 1983 Spring Senbatsu Koshien tournaments
・Coach Tsuta’s uniform, bat, and other memorabilia

To celebrate the one-year countdown to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Tokushima Prefecture hosted the “One Year to Go! Expo Prefectural Office Marche” on Friday, April 12, 2024.

The event featured the official Expo 2025 mascot “Myaku-Myaku,” special product booths from various municipalities, mascot meet-and-greets, and a stunning “Trio of Light” installation that showcased different local lighting designs. The event drew a large crowd and was filled with excitement.

Expo 2025 will attract millions of visitors from around the world—making it a major opportunity to promote Tokushima on a global stage. The prefecture will continue working with communities to refine local attractions, build momentum leading up to the Expo, and energize Tokushima for the future.

The Expo is coming! Let’s go, Tokushima!

EVENTS

Dance Stage: “Kono Chikyuu no Tsuzuki o”

English Workshop by Regional Supporter John

Mugi Town PR Stage

Yuru-chara Greeting House

“Trio of Light” Installation

Municipal Marche Booths

Booth by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition