Travel

Crocodile Burgers Draw Crowds to Australia Pavilion

OSAKA, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - The Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka is drawing attention for its immersive design and distinctive culinary offerings, blending the country’s natural wonders with its unique food culture. The exterior of the building is shaped like a eucalyptus flower, a nod to Australia's iconic flora, and greets visitors with statues of kangaroos and emus—animals also featured on Australia's coat of arms.

According to the pavilion’s guide, these animals were chosen because they can only move forward, symbolizing Australia’s optimistic future.

Inside, the pavilion offers a multi-sensory experience that simulates the Australian wilderness. Visitors are first transported into a eucalyptus forest, complete with gentle winds, the scent of the trees, and mirrored walls that create an illusion of endless greenery. As the scene transitions from forest to twilight, the night sky of the Southern Hemisphere unfolds overhead, including the Emu constellation, which Aboriginal Australians traditionally use to track seasonal changes. Further along, the journey continues into the ocean zone, where 28 screens display powerful images of Australia’s coastal beauty, enhanced by surround sound and vibration effects that deepen the sense of immersion.

Beyond the visual spectacle, the pavilion is also a hotspot for Australian cuisine. Reporter Nobuhiro Fukushima sampled dishes made with Aussie beef brisket, noting its tenderness and rich flavor. The highlight, however, was a hot dog filled with crocodile meat—described as having a texture similar to chicken breast, with a refreshing citrus hint. The pavilion plans to host a special lamb skewer event on June 3rd and 4th, following a successful run in May when supplies ran out within 15 minutes.

The venue also features exclusive merchandise, including a popular ‘Kocha’ mascot doll and koala-themed daruma figurines blending Japanese tradition with Australian flair. One standout souvenir is a fan that hides a koala in its pattern, further emphasizing the pavilion’s cross-cultural theme. Visitors can also enjoy Australian beer, which Fukushima confirmed pairs well with the crocodile dish. With vibrant sights, bold flavors, and a touch of humor, the Australia Pavilion offers a memorable experience at the heart of the Expo.

Source: MBS NEWS

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

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A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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