World’s Largest Origami Heart to Debut at France Pavilion, EXPO 2025 Osaka

Osaka, Japan – June 12, 2025 – As part of its “A Hymn to Love” theme, showcased at the France Pavilion during EXPO 2025 on Yumeshima Island, the French Republic proudly presents a new global milestone in paper art: the World’s Largest Origami Heart, crafted by the esteemed collective Femmes du Monde, led by acclaimed origami artist Machiko Ikeoka.

A Heart in the Making: Trial & Preparation

In the months leading up to EXPO 2025, Femmes du Monde embarked on a creative and logistical journey to bring this monumental vision to life. A trial assembly where the team tested the structural design, folding methods, and material behavior at scale.

Dozens of volunteers—artists, students, mothers, engineers—came together to practice folds, test adhesives, and choreograph the final assembly, transforming a delicate paper tradition into a feat of monumental sculpture.

This preparatory phase was more than technical—it was a human rehearsal of cooperation and shared intention, building not only the heart, but the spirit that now animates it.

A Collaborative Masterpiece

Measuring over 5 meters across, the origami heart now stands as the largest of its kind in the world. Crafted from hundreds of interlocked Washi paper panels, it embodies the theme of the France Pavilion, “A Hymn to Love,” celebrating connection to self, to others, and to nature.

This symbolic heart is not only a triumph of art and engineering—it is also a living expression of kindness, connection, and care. In collaboration with Janat Paris, the installation is infused with the spirit of the “Tea for Two” project: a global campaign that celebrates the power of sharing a cup of tea as a gesture of empathy and peace.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors are invited to participate in spontaneous acts of generosity beneath the heart—whether through the sharing of a Janat Pomme d’Amour tea, inspired by the French tradition of candied apples and sweet affection, or through handwritten messages of hope placed around the installation.

In the words of Femmes du Monde, “A heart only grows when it is shared.”

Sustainability in Practice

In keeping with Expo 2025’s green objectives, the heart is crafted from FSC‑certified Washi paper, assembled using biodegradable adhesives. Post-exhibition, materials will be composted or reused—as part of France’s commitment to carbon-conscious design and reusability .

A Global Message of Connection

Embedded within the folds of the heart is the legend of the red thread—a timeless Japanese symbol of invisible bonds between people destined to meet. Each Washi panel is stitched with a single red thread, representing thousands of unseen stories and connections formed across continents.

Visit & Experience

Expo attendees are invited to witness the world’s largest origami heart at the France Pavilion. Join us in celebrating enduring connections, crafted through artistry, sustainability, and the collective power of women.