The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) confirmed strong progress in preparations for GREEN×EXPO 2027 Yokohama during its official site inspection on 16 to 17 March 2026, a year before the Expo opens.
AIPH Vice President Jack Goossens led the delegation. It included AIPH Chair of the Exhibitions Committee, Takuhiro Yamada; Chair of the Green City Committee, Bill Hardy; Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe; and International Relations Manager, Elena Terekhova. They were welcomed by the Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027 and received detailed updates on operational strategy, site readiness, international recruitment, and communication initiatives.
Building on these updates, preparations continue for the A1 International Horticultural Exhibition, set to take place from 19 March to 26 September 2027. The event is expected to welcome more than 15 million visitors to Yokohama, Japan, and will transform the former Kamiseya Communications Facility into a landscape-led venue that preserves its natural features while introducing green infrastructure, circular design, and immersive horticultural experiences.
A Landscape-Led Expo Is Taking Shape
Located approximately 30 km from Tokyo, the 100-hectare Expo site at Kamiseya, spanning Asahi and Seya Wards, is undergoing a significant transformation from a former military communications facility into a vibrant cultural and innovation district.
During the inspection, AIPH delegates observed ongoing progress in construction, planting, and site planning.
The Expo follows the natural topography, retaining mature trees and landforms for visitors. Rather than reshaping the land, the landscape guides the Expo’s layout.
The site will be organised into a sequence of distinct yet interconnected zones, each with a clear identity and purpose. Urban GX Village, Craft Village, Kids Village, Farm & Food Village, and SATOYAMA Village will each showcase specific relationships between people, plants, food systems, and the wider environment.
Pathways and visual corridors will connect these zones, enabling visitors to experience a seamless spatial journey that links cultural storytelling, practical demonstration, and landscape features.
Working landscapes will play a central role, with areas dedicated to crops such as rice, wheat, and cotton throughout the Expo, offering visitors a direct connection to seasonal change and agricultural practice.
Plants At The Centre Of The Narrative
Under the theme “Scenery of the Future for Happiness”, GREEN×EXPO 2027 places plants at the heart of its vision, positioning them as essential to addressing global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience.
This is reflected in the design of the Themed Pavilion, which explores the concept that all life is connected, with plants forming the foundation of this relationship.
As outlined by the Executive Director GREEN×EXPO 2027 Promotion Bureau of the GREEN×EXPO Association, Ryuichi Wakisaka, during the AIPH Spring Meeting in Sydney:
“Through GREEN×EXPO 2027, we aim to present nature-based solutions to global challenges, creating a space where people and nature can coexist in harmony. By placing plants at the centre of this experience, we hope to inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability and the future of our societies.”
Alongside this, the Horticultural Pavilion will connect traditional Japanese horticultural culture with future innovation, offering insight into how knowledge, craft, and production continue to evolve in response to changing global conditions.
Architecture Shaped By Nature And Circular Design
The overall design direction is led by landscape architect Shiro Wakui, with architectural oversight from internationally renowned architect Kengo Kuma, widely recognised for his work on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium and his approach to blending natural materials with harmonious, human-scale design.
A defining feature of the Expo is its commitment to “Green Circular Architecture”, guided by the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Several key structures will use natural materials such as cross-laminated timber and draw inspiration from plant forms and ecological systems. The goal is to create architecture that coexists with its surroundings, reinforcing the connection between built and natural environments.
This approach extends to material reuse in some pavilions, where elements from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, will be repurposed within the garden and built environment.
Sustainability Embedded In Planting And Design
Sustainability is achieved through construction and the Expo’s living landscape. Planting strategies drive biodiversity, climate resilience, and on-site ecological function. Seasonal replanting lets visitors experience the landscape’s shifting character, echoing Japan’s link to seasonality.
Wider initiatives promote accessibility, inclusion, and community, ensuring the Expo’s legacy goes beyond its footprint.
International Participation Gathering Momentum
AIPH’s inspection also confirmed continued progress in international engagement, with participation expanding across regions.
Qatar was the first confirmed official international participant in 2025, followed by the United States earlier this year, which became the first G7 country to join. Italy’s participation was announced during a high-level meeting between Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, highlighting the Expo’s role as a platform for international cooperation.
Participation from Thailand and African nations is also strengthening, alongside the involvement of international organisations, including ITTO, UN-Habitat, and UNU, reinforcing the Expo’s global reach and relevance.
A Critical Milestone In The Journey To 2027
The one-year-to-go inspection marks a key moment in the delivery of GREEN×EXPO 2027, providing assurance that the project is progressing in line with AIPH’s standards for A1 International Horticultural Exhibitions.
AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe commented:
“With one year to go, GREEN×EXPO 2027 Yokohama is entering a critical phase of delivery. It is encouraging to see the level of progress on site, particularly the integration of landscape, horticulture, and architecture. The Expo is clearly taking shape in a way that reflects both its ambition and its long-term legacy.”
With construction advancing, planting underway, and international participation continuing to grow, preparations are moving confidently towards opening.
As the countdown continues, GREEN×EXPO 2027 Yokohama is emerging not only as a global showcase for horticulture but also as a demonstration of how plants, people, and place can come together to shape a more sustainable future.
For more information about the International Horticulture Expo 2027, Yokohama, Japan, visit www.expo2027yokohama.or.jp
