The annual Sakai Festival is the largest event in Osaka prefecture’s Sakai city, held every third weekend of October. This vibrant two-day celebration transforms key locations across the city – including the main thoroughfare Okoji-suji and Mina Sakai plaza in front of Sakai City Hall – into a lively showcase of tradition and community spirit.
Most of the main festivities take place on Sunday October 19, with only a small number of pre-festival activities happening on Saturday October 18.
Festival highlights include dramatic matchlock gun demonstrations (October 19, 11am–4pm), the energetic Futondaiko drum procession (October 19, 11am–4pm) featuring performers in traditional Japanese attire, and a traditional tea ceremony (October 18, 9am–3.40pm, tickets required).
Over at Mina Sakai, there will be food and drink stalls, along with live performances and Futon drumming from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday October 1. The following day, from 11am to 5pm, the festivities get even bigger. You can enjoy live music and dance performances, explore an array of exhibitions, and feast on street food from a variety of stalls. Admission is free, though it’s best to bring cash for purchases at the stalls.