Giappone Pavilion

So far one of the best pavilions I’ve seen. Too bad the queue is so long! about ³⁰⁄₄₀ minutes waiting time, but this is just because there are so many things to see inside and you know how precise the Japanese can be, they want you to have the best experience. In fact, you enter in groups so you can fully appreciate the different rooms without being cramped and rushed (well, you’re a bit rushed sometimes, I wish I had more time to read some of the panels). It is all as you could imagine the Japanese might do: technology, design, simplicity and smiles everywhere. I loved the wall with all the variety of their food, and of course the presentation of the Table of the Future — really worth the waiting in line, you’ll see!
Naturally, after seeing the table of the future you will be hungry, and so immediately after it you can find the ‘fast food’ restaurant where you can choose between some Japanese curries, sukiyaki, soba and tempura and rice burgers. You order at a machine (like the McDonalds easy order system) and then pick up your order when the screen shows it’s ready.
I had the Teriyaki Beef Burger and I liked it. For 12 euros I got a combo including the burger, fries and a coke. The meat was yummy and the rice bun was different, it seemed like a big sushi rice chunk but it was good and it didn’t break while biting it — definitely something to try.
Of course there’s another restaurant, famous at the begining of Expo because journalists were saying that the Expo was expensive, the headline was «Expo, milionaire prices: dinner at the Japanese pavilion for 110 euro per person» or something like that — well, yes, there is a restaurant that charges 110 euros per person but it is a historical 1700s restaurant, Minochiki from Kyoto and it is an 11 (mini) courses dinner but they forgot to mention that there is also the fast food option for us common people.
So, the Japanese pavilion is really worth the wait and at least one visit.
Just a tip, if you bring toddlers, hold them in the first rooms, it’s dark and they could trip and fall (and be ready to be kept waiting in the line with them — no skipping the queue for anyone).