Official announcements and our take

We cover announcements from the organiser, the government, Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama City, and keep what was announced separate from our take and our tips for visitors.

2026.09.16 Partners

MACNICA Green Tech Messe gets two exhibit zones, and Macnica plans self-driving electric buses on the Expo site

Macnica outlined its MACNICA Green Tech Messe pavilion on 16 September 2026: two exhibit zones, and self-driving electric buses to carry visitors around the site.

Our take: The exhibits themselves are still unannounced. The concrete news is the self-driving electric bus: the Expo area is about 80 hectares, so its route, stops and fare will shape how people get around the site.

Source: Macnica press release, 16 September 2026, outline of the exhibits at MACNICA Green Tech Messe (@Press, Japanese)

2026.09.16 Events

Five special supporters name their time to go: March, Golden Week, summer and September

The GREEN×EXPO Association's report on its six-months-out press event, where five special supporters each named the time of year they would visit.

Our take: The five picks run from March to September. One visit in each of the four periods plus one more comes to 27,500 yen in one-day tickets, about the price of the 28,000 yen season pass. The bloom calendar shown at the event is not in the release.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 16 September 2026, report on the six-months-out press conference with five special supporters (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Events

First event list: Aomori Nebuta floats on show all season, a Kanagawa musical, National Days set for 59 participants

On 15 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association published a first list of events for the 192 days: Nebuta floats, a musical, National Days and monthly highlights.

Our take: Besides monthly highlights, the attachments give dates for individual events and for 59 National Days, so you can now choose a day as well as a month. Nebuta and musical dates are still being arranged. (Corrected 16 September: we first wrote that dates went down to the month only.)

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 15 September 2026, first list of events during the Expo (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Guide

NEKKO, IROHA-GARDEN and HANAMEGURI: the three Association pavilions get nicknames, and NEKKO's six zones are revealed

On 15 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association named its three pavilions NEKKO, IROHA-GARDEN and HANAMEGURI, and revealed the six zones inside NEKKO.

Our take: The three Association-run pavilions now have names, and they will appear on the site map and signs. Inside NEKKO the exhibit that stands out is the real roots of the Miracle Pine of Rikuzentakata, which survived the 2011 tsunami. Whether NEKKO will need an exhibit reservation is still not stated.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 15 September 2026, nicknames for the Theme Pavilion, Horticultural Pavilion and Indoor Exhibition Facility, and the Theme Pavilion's zones (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Partners

Hana Cupid florists to exhibit 10 to 18 April 2027 with the Japan Cup floristry contest and flower workshops

On 15 September 2026 JFTD Hana Cupid, a network of about 4,000 florists, announced a nine-day exhibit at GREEN×EXPO 2027, 10 to 18 April 2027, with a floristry contest.

Our take: The exhibit runs 10 to 18 April, three weeks after opening, one nine-day slot of the short-term flower and green exhibits. The contest to name Japan's best florist can only be seen in those nine days, which makes it easy to plan around. Location and how to watch the contest are not stated.

Source: JFTD Hana Cupid press release, 15 September 2026, participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027 as a flower and green exhibitor (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Guide

HANAMEGURI: 21 season-long and 227 nine-day exhibitors behind a kumiko facade reused from Dubai and Osaka

On 15 September 2026 the builders of the indoor hall HANAMEGURI gave exhibitor numbers and dates: 21 season-long and 227 nine-day exhibitors, facade done by end of September.

Our take: With 227 exhibitors rotating every nine days, roughly ten show at a time and the line-up changes more than 20 times over the season. Two visits will not show the same thing. Season-long exhibitors are up by two from our July list, and the lattice facade is on its third Expo after Dubai and Osaka.

Source: TSP Taiyo press release, 15 September 2026, indoor exhibition facility named HANAMEGURI, kumiko facade from Dubai and Osaka (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Partners

Mika Ninagawa's Expo works: flower beds on the TAISEI GREEN TERRACE and projection mapping on a former powder magazine

On 15 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association revealed Mika Ninagawa's two Expo works: the TAISEI GREEN TERRACE and a projection show on a former powder magazine.

Our take: The terrace is about 4.5 metres high with a 90-metre ramp: less a lookout than a walk over photographed and living flowers. The night projection on the former powder magazine could justify an evening ticket (from 17:00, 3,500 yen), but dates and hours are not yet published.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 15 September 2026, official creator Mika Ninagawa's projects revealed (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Tickets

RING PASS: 2,027 season passes made from Expo 2025 Grand Ring timber, 50,000 yen, lottery entries 18 to 30 September

The GREEN×EXPO Association will sell 2,027 RING PASS season passes made from Expo 2025 Grand Ring timber at 50,000 yen. Lottery entries 18 to 30 September 2026.

Our take: Of the 50,000 yen, 28,000 is the regular season pass and 22,000 is the wooden ticket and postage; pass holders pay only the difference. It is the third use of Grand Ring timber in Yokohama after KAJIMA TREE and the Kanagawa pavilion's flower bed, and the first sign that the city holds some of the wood.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 15 September 2026, RING PASS made from Grand Ring timber, 2,027 pieces (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Partners

Sakata Seed details five Expo exhibits: a garden of 160 flower varieties, the Flower of the Future and a seed pavilion

On 15 September 2026 Yokohama seed company Sakata Seed detailed its five GREEN×EXPO 2027 exhibits: a garden of 160 varieties, a seed pavilion and two indoor shows.

Our take: A seed company founded in Yokohama brings five exhibits to its home Expo: a garden, a pavilion, indoor shows in May and July, and a second garden by its landscaping arm. The garden's 160 or so varieties are enough to walk around reading name tags. Locations and reservations are not stated.

Source: Sakata Seed press release, 15 September 2026, the Flower of the Future and five exhibits at GREEN×EXPO 2027 (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.15 Partners

Hyaku no Mori pavilion: from a tunnel to a rooftop deck, opening with a question, protect forests or fell trees

On 15 September 2026 Sumitomo Forestry revealed the route through its GREEN×EXPO 2027 pavilion Hyaku no Mori: a tunnel, a theatre, a museum and a rooftop deck.

Our take: A forestry company opening its pavilion with the apparent contradiction of protecting forests and felling trees is putting its own business on display. The answer is given inside, so this is a pavilion to walk in order. Time needed, reservations and the location in the venue are not stated.

Source: Sumitomo Forestry press release, 15 September 2026, six months before the Expo, the story and latest renderings of the Hyaku no Mori pavilion (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.14 Partners

JTB becomes a Platinum Partner: posters in 255 branches, tickets and hotels on its Expo site

On 14 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association named travel agency JTB a Platinum Partner. Promotion in 255 branches; tickets and hotels on JTB's Expo site.

Our take: After the Osada advertising group and Keikyu, JTB is the third Platinum Partner of the awareness-building project we know of, and the first travel agency. Its Expo site bundles official tickets with hotels in Yokohama, Shin-Yokohama and Kawasaki. Whether branches will sell tickets over the counter is not stated.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 14 September 2026, JTB named Platinum Partner (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.11 Goods

1,000-yen silver coin with Tunku Tunku and native plants: 40,000 coins at 33,500 yen, applications from 2 December

Japan will issue a 1,000-yen silver coin for GREEN×EXPO 2027 showing Tunku Tunku and six native plants: 40,000 coins at 33,500 yen, applications from 2 December.

Our take: This is a keepsake: 33,500 yen for a coin with a face value of 1,000 yen. Shipping starts in late March 2027, after opening day, so it will not be in your pocket on 19 March. Applications run for about three weeks from 2 December, and the release does not say what happens if demand exceeds the 40,000 coins.

Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, press release, 11 September 2026, commemorative coin for the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (Japanese)

2026.09.11 Government

Kanagawa to give local groups 50 flower seedlings and an Expo sign; applications 6–16 October

Kanagawa Prefecture will give local groups flower seedlings, normally 50 each, and GREEN×EXPO 2027 signs. Applications run 6–16 October 2026.

Our take: Travellers will not be applying, but from late November GREEN×EXPO 2027 signs will start appearing beside flowers in parks and nursery gardens across the prefecture. If you spot one near a station, it comes from this programme.

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture, cheering on GREEN×EXPO 2027 in our local communities (updated 7 September 2026, Japanese)

2026.09.11 Events

GREEN×EXPO 2027 booth at the Fujisawa Citizens' Festival on 27 September, near Fujisawa Station

Kanagawa Prefecture will run a GREEN×EXPO 2027 booth at the 51st Fujisawa Citizens' Festival on Sunday 27 September only, at Sunpearl Plaza by Fujisawa Station.

Our take: Kanagawa's booth is at the plaza just outside Fujisawa Station's north exit on Sunday 27 September only. What the booth will offer has not been announced, so treat it as a detour on a day out to the Shonan coast.

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture, GREEN×EXPO 2027 special site, news, PR booth at the 51st Fujisawa Citizens' Festival (11 September 2026, Japanese)

2026.09.11 Partners

GREEN×EXPO Association and Triathlon Japan sign partnership, with Expo booths at race venues

The GREEN×EXPO Association and Triathlon Japan have a partnership running to the end of 2027, with Expo booths at race venues and athletes posting on social media.

Our take: The Yokohama race is held every May, so the 2027 edition falls in the middle of the Expo. Watching the race and then heading to the venue could make a day out, but what will happen at the race has not been announced.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 11 September 2026, comprehensive partnership agreement with Triathlon Japan (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.10 Government

Participation commitments reach 74 countries and 5 international organisations as Colombia, Nauru and Libya join

On 10 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association added Colombia, Nauru and Libya to its participant list, for 74 countries and 5 international organisations.

Our take: With the Association saying it has reached its target of around 70, the invitation phase looks nearly done. What comes next is each country's exhibit, and the seven that have signed official participation contracts have already shown their direction.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association, "Updated list of countries and international organisations that have announced participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027" (10 September 2026) (Japanese)

2026.09.08 Government

Kanagawa Prefecture announces "Kanagawa Pavilion" logo and mascots VIBRANTs and Momon at six-months-to-go event

On 8 September 2026 Kanagawa gave a first look at its GREEN×EXPO 2027 pavilion: the logo, the mascots VIBRANTs and Momon, a theatre film and staff uniforms.

Our take: The Kanagawa Pavilion reuses Grand Ring timber from Expo 2025 in its flowerbed and changes with the season, from canola at the opening to sunflowers in July. Its two mascots are the prefecture's own, with no English names or merchandise announced yet.

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture, "GREEN×EXPO 2027 Kanagawa Prefecture six-months-to-go event held" (8 September 2026) (Japanese)

2026.09.08 Partners

Keikyu becomes a Platinum Partner for project sponsorship

On 8 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association named Keikyu, the railway serving Haneda Airport, a Platinum Partner under its project sponsorship programme.

Our take: Keikyu, the railway between Haneda Airport and Yokohama, has joined the 500-million-yen-plus sponsorship tier. Visitors from abroad will now see Expo posters on the first train they board. Keikyu does not serve the four shuttle-bus stations, so the change at Yokohama Station stays the same.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release (PR TIMES), 8 September 2026 (Japanese)

2026.09.04 Events

GREEN×EXPO 2027 booth at Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa, with Tunku Tunku appearing three times on 13 September

Kanagawa runs a GREEN×EXPO 2027 booth at Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2026 (12–13 September, Yokohama), with origami and Tunku Tunku appearing on the 13th.

Our take: Tunku Tunku appears three times on Sunday 13 September, and every time is approximate. The venue is a one-minute walk from Nihon-Odori Station and free to enter, so it fits into a day of sightseeing in Yokohama.

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture, GREEN×EXPO 2027 special site, news, PR booth at Vietnam Festa in Kanagawa 2026 (4 September 2026, Japanese)

2026.09.03 Goods

Tunku Tunku and Yokohama's Garden Bear collaboration goods on sale from 5 September at the Satoyama Garden Festa

Goods pairing Tunku Tunku with Garden Bear, Yokohama's flowers-and-greenery character, sold at a pop-up in the Autumn Satoyama Garden Festa 2026 (5–27 September).

Our take: Satoyama Garden was a venue of the 2017 national greening fair in Yokohama, and buses reach it from Mitsukyo, one of the Expo's shuttle-bus stations. Buy the goods, then walk the autumn flower bed to get a sense of scale for next spring.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 3 September 2026, Tunku Tunku and Garden Bear collaboration goods (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.03 Fun

Six months to go, and a wrapped Shinkansen starts running

On 3 September 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association announced that a Shinkansen train wrapped in GREEN×EXPO 2027 livery will start running to mark six months before opening.

Our take: The wrapped trains run on JR East's Tohoku-Hokkaido and Joetsu-Hokuriku Shinkansen lines, not the Tokaido Shinkansen. They never come to Yokohama, so this is a way for people travelling to Tokyo from eastern Japan to see the Expo on board or at Tokyo Station.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release (PR TIMES), 3 September 2026 (Japanese)

2026.09.02 Tickets

Tickets go on sale at convenience stores nationwide from 18 September

From 18 September 2026, admission tickets with timed entry will be sold at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson stores across Japan.

Our take: A paper ticket that already carries your entry slot means a family can buy everything at a shop counter. Changing the slot still needs the ticket ID registered online, so if your dates may move, the official site is the easier route.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release (PR TIMES), 2 September 2026 (Japanese)

2026.09.02 Events

Tokyo Skytree lights up in Tunku Tunku colours on 15 September, 9 December and opening day

Tokyo Skytree will be lit in Tunku Tunku's four colours on 15 September 2026, 9 December (100 days to go) and opening day, 19 March 2027.

Our take: On 15 September the lighting runs from 19:00 to midnight. Through trains on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line run from Minami-Machida Grandberry Park, an Expo shuttle-bus station, to Oshiage (Skytree-mae) without a change, so the Expo and the Skytree sit on one line.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 2 September 2026, special lighting at Tokyo Skytree (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.09.01 Goods

Moomin and Tunku Tunku collaboration goods from January 2027, starting with a mug, a plate and an eco bag

Official Moomin and Tunku Tunku goods: a mug (¥2,970) and plate (¥2,860) around January 2027, then handkerchiefs and an eco bag around late February to early March.

Our take: Releases fall between January and early March 2027, just before opening: the mug and plate first, the handkerchiefs and eco bag later. Sales outlets are not announced, so we do not know whether the Yamashita Park pop-up store will carry them.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 1 September 2026, Moomin and Tunku Tunku collaboration goods (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.08.31 Goods

Official merchandise pop-up opens in Yamashita Park through May 2027, plus short runs in Wakayama and Yokkaichi

Official pop-up stores open from September 2026 in Yamashita Park, Yokohama (to 31 May 2027), plus short runs at Kintetsu Wakayama and Kintetsu Yokkaichi.

Our take: The Yamashita Park store stays open until 31 May 2027, so you can buy official goods while sightseeing in Yokohama even on a day you do not go to the venue. It is far from the venue in Seya-ku and Asahi-ku, so treat it as a stop for a different day.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 31 August 2026, official pop-up stores (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.08.31 Partners

200 days to go, and outdoor-advertising firm Osada Group becomes a Platinum Partner with 230-plus digital signs

On 31 August 2026 the organiser named the Osada advertising group a Platinum Partner. Its 230-plus digital signs will carry Expo content for up to 13 months.

Our take: Platinum is the 500-million-yen-plus tier, and an outdoor advertising group has joined the awareness-building project. Up to 13 months from September means Tunku Tunku on street screens right through to the closing.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 31 August 2026, Osada Group Platinum Partner (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.08.31 Access

A traffic-management trial to ease congestion around the Expo

On 31 August 2026 the GREEN×EXPO Association announced a transport demand management trial to reduce traffic congestion linked to the Yokohama Expo.

Our take: The trial targets Yokohama and Shin-Yokohama stations from 8:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. That tells us the organiser expects Expo traffic to overlap with the commuter peaks at these two transfer stations. No date is given for publishing the results.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release (PR TIMES), 31 August 2026 (Japanese)

2026.08.27 Tickets

GREEN×EXPO Association announces timed-entry details and same-day reservations for some exhibits

On 27 August 2026 the organiser set out timed entry: reservations open 18 September, changeable up to three times, and same-day booking for some exhibits.

Our take: You can change your entry slot up to three times, and the outdoor gardens need no reservation at all, so planning is far easier. Some exhibits use same-day reservations only, one per ticket per day.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release (PR TIMES), 27 August 2026 (Japanese)

2026.08.21 Goods

Mizuno shoes and T-shirts with Myaku-Myaku and Tunku Tunku, on pre-order from 22 August

Five licensed Mizuno products pairing Myaku-Myaku and Tunku Tunku, including ¥17,600 shoes and a ¥6,490 T-shirt. Pre-orders from 22 August 2026.

Our take: This is billed as the first round of goods carrying both the Osaka 2025 and Yokohama 2027 characters. General sale comes in March 2027, right before opening, so we expect many people to wear these on day one. The Osaka store on the pre-order list is there to bring Expo 2025 visitors on to Yokohama.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 21 August 2026, Mizuno, Myaku-Myaku and Tunku Tunku triple collaboration goods (PR TIMES, Japanese)

2026.08.05 Government

71 countries and regions and 5 international organisations have signed up (MOFA list as of 4 August 2026)

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs updated its GREEN×EXPO 2027 participant list on 5 August 2026: 71 countries and regions and 5 international organisations.

Our take: As of 4 August, 71 countries and regions and 5 international organisations. The large African contingent lines up with TICAD 9, held in Yokohama in August 2025. The count rose to 74 on 10 September.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, countries and international organisations that have announced participation in GREEN×EXPO 2027 (updated 5 August 2026, Japanese)

2026.03.10 Goods

Sold-out Myaku-Myaku × Tunku Tunku goods return on 18 March with six new items

Myaku-Myaku and Tunku Tunku goods that sold out in 2025 return with six new items and four restocks, on sale from 18 March 2026 (20 March at Maruzen Marunouchi).

Our take: A restock five months after the Osaka Expo closed, with a clear aim of carrying its popularity over to Yokohama. The four restocked items cost 520 to 770 yen, an easy souvenir before opening day. The Maruzen Marunouchi store is right outside Tokyo Station, handy on a Shinkansen transfer.

Source: GREEN×EXPO Association press release, 10 March 2026, Myaku-Myaku and Tunku Tunku collaboration goods, new line-up and restock (PR TIMES, Japanese)

That is every announcement we have covered.