The Nakanoshima Festival is one of Osaka’s largest annual community festivals. Returning for its 53rd edition this year, the free-to-enter extravaganza takes over Nakanoshima Park with a bustling flea market plus lots of food stalls selling classic Japanese street eats like yakisoba and yakitori, as well as springtime festival staples like shaved ice and draft beer.
A variety of live performances will be held throughout the day, with the programme including music, dance numbers, street performances and daring sword fights. Also on the grounds is a handmade, hand-powered amusement park for kids, which features a variety of carnival games, a maze, a playground and even makeshift (but perfectly safe) rides cobbled together from plywood and metal.
The Nakanoshima Film Festival will be taking place concurrently as well, with indie movies screened twice daily for free at Osaka City Central Public Hall.