Qatar Pavilion: From the Coastline, We Progress

A Boat to Japan

This pavilion was designed by the leading Japanese architect Kuma Kengo. It draws inspiration from a traditional Qatari dhow, a wooden sailing ship with a triangular sail, and has been created using traditional Japanese sashimono woodwork techniques to express how the two countries are connected by the sea.

Qatar has long benefited from the sea, from the ancient tradition of pearl diving to natural gas in more recent times, and trade has been its main connection with Japan. The exhibition, titled From the Coastline, We Progress utilizes multimedia imagery to introduce the rich maritime heritage, along with initiatives to protect ecosystems and environmental technology for desalination.

The Qatar pavilion is located in the Empowering Lives zone. (See the official map for details.) Qatar marks its national day on Tuesday, July 8, at the Expo National Day Hall.

Exploring Expo 2025

Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai kicks off on April 13, 2025, to run for a half-year through October 13. Below we take a look at the main facilities, national pavilions, and attractions of the all-new World Expo.

The rich wooden interior of the Qatar Pavilion. (© Nippon.com)

(Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken’ichi and Nippon.com. Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © Nippon.com.)