Sumitomo Pavilion Creator’s Voice Vol.13 Kyohei Kinoshita (SEVEB SEAS)
Hello, this is the Sumitomo Pavilion.
In this series, Sumitomo Pavilion Creators’ Voice, we introduce the “voices” of creative staff involved in the exhibition, architecture, and production, little by little.
These stories are filled with passions for the Expo and pavilion, struggles that were overcome, and unwavering commitments.
Our storyteller this time is Kyohei Kinoshita of Seven Seas, who serves as Operations Director, responsible for designing operations that transform “exhibitions into experiences.” Drawing on his experience at Expo 2020 Dubai, he shared with us his perspective on the realities of on-site operations and his conviction in the “power of people” that drives the pavilion.
＜Profile＞
After graduating from university, Kinoshita worked for a tourism service company in Kyoto, supporting both Japanese and foreign visitors. When COVID-19 made it difficult to continue his work, he decided to take a leave of absence and served as an attendant at the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai for six months. Captivated by the Expo experience, he decided to pursue a career connected to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and joined Seven Seas, a company specializing in event operations. He now works as Operations Director for the Sumitomo Pavilion project.
https://montage.co.jp/members/ota/
Fascinated by the Expo — From Dubai to Osaka
In my previous job, I worked in tourism services, sharing the appeal of Japan with In my previous job, I worked in tourism services, sharing Japan’s appeal with international visitors. When the pandemic made that work difficult, I felt an even stronger desire to share Japan from an international stage. I decided to take a leave of absence and joined the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai as an attendant. After Dubai, I could have returned to my old job, but I was completely fascinated by the Expo and longed to be part of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. That decision led me to Seven Seas, where I now have the opportunity to work with the Sumitomo Pavilion.
In Dubai, my role as an attendant was to fulfill assigned duties within an already established environment. This time, however, I’ve been involved from the planning and production stage, helping to design the entire operational framework. I’ve had the chance to see behind the scenes of exhibition planning, which has been deeply rewarding but also more challenging than I ever imagined. Every day I feel the depth and complexity of what it means to create a pavilion.
What It Means to “Operate” a Pavilion
The biggest challenge has been information sharing and decision-making among the many stakeholders—architecture, exhibition, video, PR, operations—each with their own professional expertise and priorities. Aligning everyone toward one direction was no small task.
A particular challenge was aligning the team on how to accommodate diverse visitors: seniors, wheelchair users, families with young children, and international guests. It wasn’t enough to take a one-size-fits-all approach—we had to design systems flexible enough to address each situation.
It is impossible to meet every need perfectly, which is why we had to carefully set “minimum standards that must be upheld” while also leaving “room for flexible judgment on site.” The operational team debated these boundaries repeatedly. Through this process, I came to truly understand the difficulty of running operations.
“Operations” as Another Highlight
My role is not in the exhibitions themselves, but in creating the operational design that transforms them into experiences. From smooth visitor flow and thoughtful handling of waiting times, to staff allocation planning—we make daily adjustments so that each visit becomes a comfortable and memorable experience.
At the Pavilion, each staff member becomes the “face” of Sumitomo and interacts directly with visitors. Through daily meetings and feedback, new ideas and improvements emerge, and sometimes visitors even tell us, “The staff hospitality was part of the exhibition.” Hearing voices like “It was wonderful” motivates us every day and reminds me that the “human warmth” of our team has become part of the Pavilion’s appeal.
The Power of People Drives the Pavilion
Since the opening, time has flown by. Working as Operations Director at a global event like the Expo has been both a major challenge and an invaluable experience. Visitor feedback—“I was moved,” “I want to come again,” “This was the best pavilion”—has been an incredible encouragement.
The UNKNOWN FOREST, with its light and sound design, resonates beyond age and nationality, and I feel daily that the Sumitomo Pavilion has become not just an exhibition but a lasting memory.
One of my biggest realizations is how powerful “people” truly are. Running the Pavilion has required hundreds of staff and volunteers, and every day brings unexpected challenges. What sustains us is not manuals, but individual judgment and kindness. That “human warmth” has become part of the Pavilion’s value.
Of course, there have been challenges: managing opening-day crowds, accommodating visitors with disabilities or language barriers, and maintaining quality even with small teams. Each of these lessons from the field has provided insights that can be applied to future operations and other projects.
Carrying This Experience Into the Future
My time as Operations Director at the Sumitomo Pavilion has been profoundly valuable. Working with staff, stakeholders, and visitors from diverse backgrounds has required respecting different values and cultures while uniting everyone toward a common goal.
The ever-changing on-site environment demanded flexibility and quick decision-making, which strengthened my ability to identify issues and respond in real time. Constantly thinking about what makes a visit both comfortable and memorable also deepened my understanding of true hospitality and the power of communication. The moment when our operations and space design connect to create an unforgettable experience for visitors is a source of immense fulfillment.
The management skills, on-site adaptability, and appreciation for diversity I have gained here will guide me in future projects. I hope to continue building operations and organizations that maximize team potential in any environment, while personally maintaining broad perspective and flexibility.
When you visit, I encourage you not only to experience the Pavilion exhibitions, but also to notice the “operations team” supporting them. I believe you’ll discover another side of the Sumitomo Pavilion’s charm.
