The Japan Pavilion received the gold prize for best exhibition Friday at Expo Milan 2015, on the eve of the six-month event's final day.
Under the theme of "Harmonious Diversity," the exhibition showcased Japan's traditional culinary culture, including foods cooked with fermentation methods, as well as its agricultural, forestry and fisheries know-how.
The pavilion also included interactive displays presenting potential solutions to global issues such as how to achieve sustainable food supply, which was held under the theme of "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."
The pavilion was one of the most popular venues at the expo, with visitors waiting up to 10 hours for entry on some days.
The prizes, presented by the International Exhibitions Bureau, which oversees the organization of international expos, were awarded in three categories — architecture, exhibition design and theme — based on pavilion size.
Japan's facility was recognized for its harmonious combination of nature and technological innovation in the large-scale exhibition category.
The pavilion's commissioner general, Tatsuya Kato, who received the prize, said, "We had a sense of being well-received by visitors."
Of the around 140 participating countries and international organizations, more than 50 set up their own pavilions to promote diverse gastronomical culture and address global challenges, such as famine and food safety.