Woman's 20-year mission to unite people as she breaks record with World EXPO attendance
A Japanese woman with a passion for discovering the world has broken a Guinness World Record for the number of days spent at world expositions. The new record stands at 1.7 years. Its holder is 76-year-old Tomijo Yamada, who has been attending world expositions for 20 years. According to the Guinness World Records website, the total number of days she has spent on exposition grounds has reached an incredible 648—and is still growing.
Tomijo first visited a world exposition in Aichi in 2005. At that time, she was struggling with her health, undergoing several surgeries and frequent hospital visits. However, after she began regularly attending EXPO, her doctor noted an improvement in her condition and even encouraged her to go more often.
She eventually attended all 185 days of the Aichi EXPO. During that period, she made many acquaintances and friends. When they suggested meeting again at the next world exposition, Tomijo resolved to prepare herself for it.
In the following years and decades, she continued exercising to stay fit and healthy. Thanks to this, Tomijo was able to attend EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, EXPO 2015 in Milan, and EXPO 2020/2021–2022 in Dubai. She also visited specialized expositions in 2008 (Zaragoza), 2012 (Yeosu), and 2017 (Astana), as well as horticultural exhibitions in 2019 (Beijing) and 2023 (Doha).
For her dedication in Shanghai and Yeosu, she received recognition for attending every single day of these expositions (184 days and 93 days).
“When I look back, 20 years is truly a long time. To last that long, I had to overcome many difficult moments, but it is people who change the way others think. It was people who kept me going, and that’s why I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me,” she said.
The record holder emphasizes the importance of people from all over the world meeting, helping one another, and communicating in a spirit of friendship through their participation in expositions. “An exposition is like an alternative Earth, where people are connected by smiles,” she said. “The same should apply to the real Earth. Smiles can overcome any obstacle and bring people together. I wish for a world without wars and conflicts.”
Attending EXPO every day is no easy task. Yet she says she was encouraged by people telling her, ‘Come again tomorrow.’ The reward was surpassing the milestone of 648 days—and counting. The global event in Osaka runs until October 13, 2025.
Source: Czech News Agency, author’s adaptations