The World’s Largest Wooden Structure Goes Round In Circles For Over A Mile

The Grand Ring, now officially the largest wooden structure in existence, was completed during the ongoing Osaka 2025 Expo. Designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, the 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) circular walkway offers visitors an exclusive exploration experience throughout the event grounds.

Blending traditional Nuki joint techniques with modern construction methods, the Grand Ring is built using local cypress and cedar wood alongside Scots pine. The impressive structure features a 30-meter-wide (98-foot-wide) pathway and spans an outer diameter of approximately 675 meters (2,214 feet).

One of its key highlights is the Sky Walk, an elevated pathway standing 12 meters (40 feet) above ground, adorned with floral installations. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of both the Expo pavilions and the Osaka cityscape.

Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest wooden structure, the Grand Ring serves two vital purposes: it acts as the main circulation route for Expo attendees and provides protection from sun, rain, and wind, offering both comfort and functionality amid the bustling event.

The Grand Ring serves as a symbol of “Unity in Diversity,” as stated in the Expo’s press release, because it unites traditional elements with modern innovations. The Expo organizers initially planned to break down the structure after October 13, 2025, but public interest is now growing to keep it. Public input is needed to determine the Grand Ring’s permanent usage after Expo concludes in 2025, as authorities compare this situation to Paris’ Eiffel Tower’s original temporary status.

The construction of the Grand Ring demonstrates a global trend toward massive timber structures, which includes the Portland airport roof and Milwaukee skyscraper.