7 best fireworks festivals in and near Osaka: July–October 2026

The Tenjin Matsuri is one of the biggest traditional festivals in Japan, dating back over 1,000 years. It takes place annually in July over two days, with the main events happening on the second day.

On Saturday July 25, the festivities culminate with a vibrant parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) carried by devotees in elaborate costumes. The procession starts at 3.30pm at the historical Tenmangu Shrine before arriving at the Okawa River. It then continues on boats from around 6pm, accompanied by fireworks over the water at 7pm.

The Ouo – or 'Great Fish' – Night Market has some serious history, having been a summer tradition in Sakai since the 13th century. Taking place at Ohama Park by the Old Sakai Pier on July 31 from 4.30pm to 8.50pm, the market features a wide variety of festival stalls selling Japanese street food, plus a spectacular fish auction.

The pyrotechnic segment of the market – produced by SBI Mai Fireworks, formerly known as the Senshu Dream Fireworks – will close the night with a big bang. Hundreds of fireworks will be launched from the centre of Old Sakai Pier at 8.20pm, in sync with music to create an immersive cinematic experience.

This is a paid event; ticket prices will be announced in due course.

The seaside Senshu Dream Fireworks at Sennan Long Park has always been one of Osaka's most dazzling pyrotechnic displays. This year, coinciding with the event's rebrand as 'SBI Mai Fireworks in Osaka-Sennan', the layout of the launch barges will also be redesigned to create larger and more powerful fireworks that are taller and wider than before. The venue will open at 3pm, with food trucks and entertainment for visitors to enjoy before the fireworks kick off at 7.15pm.

All seating for the show is paid and there are no free standing areas. Tickets are available in a range of tiers, with prices starting at ¥5,500 for the free seating area and running up to ¥220,000 for the ten-person VIP sofa seats with free-flow drinks as well as exclusive toilets and entrance.

Early bird discounts of ¥1,000 are available until June 25 (premium and VIP seats excluded). Junior high school students and younger children are eligible for half-price tickets, while one preschool child may enter for free with each purchased ticket...

Now in its fifth year, the annual Suito Kurawanka Fireworks Festival is one of Osaka’s most unique pyrotechnic events. Interestingly, the number of fireworks launched each year is determined by the number of babies born in the Osaka prefecture cities of Hirakata, Takatsuki and Katano during the previous year, plus an additional 100 memorial fireworks.

For 2026, you can expect 4,877 shells to celebrate a total of 4,777 births across those three cities. They will be accompanied by a drone show, with the display set to commence at 7.10pm.

The Suito Kurawanka Fireworks Festival is held at the sprawling Yodogawa Riverside Park, across two separate venues facing each other over the water. Both the Hirakata and Takatsuki sides will each host a live music stage, a selection of children’s festival games, and plenty of food trucks and booths.

While there is a free viewing area – where you can claim a spot in person on a first-come, first-served basis after 12noon on the day of the event – the paid seating offers a more leisurely experience with the best vantage points...

Summer in Japan is synonymous with fireworks festivals, but Osaka’s biggest pyrotechnic display was moved to October last year to coincide with the finale of the Osaka Expo. In 2026, Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival will again take place in October.

Established in 1989, the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is held along the Yodogawa River with a spectacular view of the city skyline in the background. The hour-long spectacle is split into five sections, each featuring a pair of songs played in sync with the fireworks.

Details on paid seating will be announced in due course.