[Special Feature] Let’s Go to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai!
Hello everyone, this is Nagata.
The rainy season has begun here in Osaka, and the days have been damp and gloomy. Once the rain clears, temperatures rise rapidly, making it a tough season to manage our health. It’s said that acclimating your body to heat during this time can help prevent heatstroke in the summer. Please take good care of yourselves.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai officially opened on April 13, 2025. Have you had a chance to visit yet?
As for me… I haven’t made it there just yet.
Still, both personally and professionally, there are several exhibits and innovations I’m keeping a close eye on.
In particular, I’d like to highlight the Osaka Metro Central Line’s new 400 Series trains and the innovative material “SPACECOOL” used in the Gas Pavilion.
Spaceship-Inspired: Osaka Metro 400 Series
From our Osaka-based office, you can get to the Expo venue in Yumeshima directly via the Osaka Metro Central Line.
The line’s new 400 Series trains are futuristic icons in their own right.
A Spaceship-Inspired Design
With a panoramic glass front and space-age aesthetic tailored for Expo 2025, the train resembles a spaceship headed for the future.
At master-piece, we’ve created a collaborative series inspired by the front face of the 400 Series.
These are available now in limited quantities at our Osaka flagship store, Lucua Osaka location, and our online store. If you’re interested, don’t miss out!
Osaka Metro × master-piece News Page
The Future of Cooling: SPACECOOL at the Expo
One of the Expo’s standout pavilions is the Gas Pavilion, which features a remarkable new material called SPACECOOL, also featured in a master-piece collaboration.
Zero Energy, Below Ambient Temperature
SPACECOOL delivers world-class radiative cooling performance. It can achieve temperatures lower than the surrounding air—all without using any energy.
Used on the exterior membrane of the Gas Pavilion and the roof of the East Entrance Information Booth, it helps reduce heat and air conditioning load.
Cooling Performance in a Bag: SPACECOOL × master-piece
We were the first in the world to incorporate SPACECOOL into a bag, releasing the collaboration as part of our S/S 2024 COLLECTION.
This series was our response to the growing demand for heat-resistant bags.
Function Meets Technology
- SPACECOOL × nylon mesh on the flap
- MASTERTEX-04 (3-layer breathable waterproof fabric) for the body
- Ideal for rainy and summer seasons
- Unique monotone palette (white × black)
- Lineup includes backpack / messenger / shoulder / mini shoulder
Developing this series took a lot of trial and error, since SPACECOOL wasn’t originally intended for use in apparel or bags. That made the process all the more rewarding.
Perfect for those who want something unique, and for gadget or materials enthusiasts.
Under-the-Radar: Check Out the “Defend Series”
Also part of our S/S 2024 COLLECTION, the Defend Series features a durable 600d polyester oxford fabric with a PVC-coated back for firmness and water resistance—perfect for this season.
The colorway, while unofficial, was inspired by a certain well-known design (I’ll let you guess).
Back at our November 2023 exhibition, no one picked up on it, and I grumbled about how poorly the Osaka PR campaign was going. In hindsight, it fell flat. But now I think we pulled it off pretty well.
Choosing a Future-Ready Bag This Summer
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai runs through Monday, October 13.
We hope you take a trip into the future—with a master-piece bag by your side.
Visit any of our flagship stores, dealers nationwide, or browse our online store to find your next favorite. This summer, discover bags that blend innovation with style.
Thank you for reading to the end. May your own journey to the future be comfortable and stylish.
— Nagata
