History buffs, assemble: the Osaka Castle Festival is a massive exhibition dedicated to all things Japanese history and castles. Held at Grand Front Osaka in Umeda on the weekend of August 8 and 9, the event brings together expert historians and a wide selection of booths to shed light on feudal Japan, historical sites across the country, and the distinctive designs and fortifications of Japanese castles.
Besides a dizzying variety of displays and interactive elements, special lectures and seminars are available (in Japanese, at an additional fee) for those looking to dive deep into castle town and samurai clan lore.
At the door, tickets cost ¥1,600 for adults and ¥1,000 for high school students. Admission is free for elementary school children and below. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online with an early-bird discount.