OSAKA - The Expo pavilion known as the "Nordic Circle" showcases five Nordic countries—Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland—collaborating under a shared structure built from recyclable materials and modeled after traditional Nordic dwellings.
Inside, the flags of the five nations, all featuring the Nordic Cross, highlight a shared medieval Christian heritage. A quiz format introduces trivia, such as the symbolic meaning behind Finland’s blue-and-white flag—the blue representing both the country’s abundant lakes and its clear skies, while the white stands for snow. Finland is often referred to as the land of forests and lakes, with over 70% of its territory covered by forest.
Visitors can explore rotating images of Nordic life projected onto rice paper made from unused Japanese rice, blending sustainability with visual storytelling. A souvenir corner offers items including Moomin goods from Finland, celebrating the character’s 80th anniversary, and Lego from Denmark. Marimekko, the famous Finnish design brand, is behind the pavilion staff uniforms, recognizable by their iconic floral patterns. Visitors are even quizzed on identifying the brand during the exhibit.
The third floor of the pavilion houses a restaurant where head chef Frida, who trained in Sweden, has created fusion dishes combining Nordic classics with Japanese ingredients. Offerings include traditional smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches) topped with meatballs and garnished with Japanese shiso leaf, a herb commonly sprinkled on rice balls in Japan. The restaurant also uses ingredients like white miso and yuzu to bring a Japanese twist to Nordic staples, reflecting a deeper culinary exchange between the two regions.
Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
