Gloom on display

"The whole global-situation is very unstable," he told CNN. But he added: "I believe this is a really precious opportunity to show so many countries can come together in one place and think about our future together." However, the pavilions — and Fujimoto's sustainable architecture — will be dismantled later this year to make way for Japan's first casino.

Expo highlights

Many visitors carried Myaku-Myaku mascots or wore clothes matching its colors — red, blue and white — to get into the mood.

The imaginary creature Myaku-Myaku was born from the fusion of cells and water in a small spring in the Kansai region, organizers say.