Things to do in and around Osaka today

Osaka Art & Design 2026 is like a treasure hunt. This four-week-long creative festival features a host of exhibitions, events and activities across the city's main hubs, from Umeda, Nakanoshima and Abeno to Honmachi, Shinsaibashi and Namba. And it's not just museums and galleries either. You'll find visual arts, installations, product designs and more in a wide variety of spaces including department stores, train stations, commercial facilities and home interior shops. Since its debut in 2023, the city-wide festival has become a staple in Osaka’s annual art calendar. Last year, it attracted 760 creators with exhibits scattered across 65 venues.  The theme for 2026 is 'Infinitize Your Creation/Imagination', which aims to channel the global inspiration from last year's Osaka Expo into new creative expressions. You can expect works by emerging Japanese and international artists and designers across various disciplines. Highlights include installations by contemporary artist Yuichi Hirako at Hankyu Umeda Main Store's display windows on the concourse floor (May 20–June 22) and the Festival Plaza (May 27–June 8) on the 9th floor, as well as a group exhibition inspired by the mythical phoenix at Daimaru Shinsaibashi (May 29–June 25). Kenji Yanobe will showcase his beloved ‘catstronaut’ character, Ship’s Cat, at two venues. A newly configured parent-and-child installation, ‘Cosmo Red’ and ‘Little Cosmo Red’, will make its debut at Grand Green Osaka South Building's 'Valley...

Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is home to two of Osaka’s most popular and best-attended flea markets, one in its Festival Square and one in its East Square. The Expo Garage Sale is noted for the wide range of goods its vendors sell. Expect handmade items, accessories, antiques, bric-a-brac, and plenty of second-hand and vintage clothes.  Most importantly, expect bargains. The organisers pride themselves on the market being a true-to-its-name ‘out of the garage’ sale. That means you’ll need to bring cash, and that bargaining – albeit politely – is encouraged. If you prioritise low prices over being particular about the products, know that in the afternoon, the crowding calms down and many of the amateur vendors lower their prices.  The market also attracts food trucks, and the park has several cafés and restaurants so there are plenty of options for a picnic in the park. The Expo Garage Sale takes place up to three times a month but on irregular dates and is subject to weather conditions, so make sure to check the website for an up-to-date schedule.

By bringing together three Kansai-born, internationally renowned artists who each has a singular point of view on the world today, this group exhibition is bound to be a blockbuster hit. Born in Osaka, Kenji Yanobe creates functional mechanical sculptures that carry underlying social commentary on modern survival. He is perhaps best known for his Ship’s Cat series, ‘catstronauts’ envisioned as guardian spirits to protect travellers. One of these beloved feline figures now permanently greets visitors at the entrance of the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, the host of this showcase. Fellow Osaka artist Yasumasa Morimura is a master of disguise. A conceptual photographer, filmmaker and visual artist, Morimura is renowned for appropriating iconic Western paintings and historical images. He inserts himself into these works as a form of self-portraiture through a meticulous fusion of props, costumes, make-up and digital manipulation. Rounding out the trio is Miwa Yanagi. Born in Kobe, Yanagi creates evocative works that put women at the centre of the narrative. Through photography, make-up and digital effects, her captivating images examine women’s roles and gender stereotypes in modern Japanese society. Since 2010, her practice has expanded to include large-scale theatre works. To introduce these artists to new audiences, the exhibition features a selection of career-defining pieces. However, the curation is largely focused on the future; new works by these masters anchor the show,...

Nothing beats enjoying a pint on a warm and sunny spring day. Craft Beer Live invites you to celebrate the sipping season with locally brewed Kansai craft beers over the May 23 and 24 weekend, featuring a respectable 300 beers by 66 breweries from across the region. You can pair your choice with Japanese pub grub like skewered meats, gyoza and various deep-fried delights, or opt for curry, pizza or pasta. Come for the beers and eats, stay for the live music and dance performances, which run throughout both days. Admission is free, but the beers can only be purchased with special drink tickets. These are available at the venue, but we highly recommend picking up yours online in advance. General tickets cost ¥3,500 for a bundle of 6 and a plastic mug, while the limited-edition set of 6 tickets and an exclusive beer glass will set you back ¥5,500. Can’t wait to get buzzed? Even more reason to buy online; advance ticket holders can enter the venue an hour before everyone else.

Yajuro Takashima (1890–1975) stands as one of modern Japan’s most enigmatic artistic figures. Born in Fukuoka prefecture, the self-taught oil painter forged a career entirely outside the established art world. As a result, his work remained virtually unknown during his lifetime, only gaining recognition in 1986, more than a decade after his death, when his photorealistic technique and contemplative subject matter finally captured public attention. Known for his meticulous, almost obsessive approach, Takashima developed a unique style that brought an uncanny realism to his subjects. His most celebrated works – flickering candles casting warm light in darkness and luminous moons suspended in night skies – reveal an artist deeply concerned with illumination, both literal and spiritual. These iconic motifs, rendered with painstaking attention to light and shadow, earned him recognition as a painter of rare technical mastery and meditative depth. From spring through early summer, the Nakanoshima Museum of Art presents the most comprehensive retrospective of Takashima’s art ever held in Osaka. Marking the 50th anniversary of his passing, the exhibition brings together over 160 works, including numerous pieces shown publicly for the first time. It offers an unprecedented opportunity to examine the full breadth of Takashima’s seven-decade career, from his early self-portraits and still lifes to the transcendent candle and moonlight paintings that would come to define his legacy....

The cool and pleasant spring weather creates the perfect opportunity for an outdoor barbecue, and Osaka Castle’s Forest BBQ offers the full grilling experience without all the bothersome prep. The spreads available range in price from ¥2,000 to ¥3,600 per person and include a variety of meats like pork, chicken and beef; all-you-can-drink plans and a delightful range of add-ons such as tomahawk and T-bone steaks, seafood sets and an assortment of vegetables and meats for grilling are also available. All packages include comfy outdoor furniture, serving utensils and cutlery, tongs for grilling, fire tongs and charcoal, and garbage bags. Bringing your own food and drinks is fine, too. Admission for adults costs from ¥1,800 to ¥2,100 depending on the day, while kids of elementary-school age enter for ¥900 to ¥1,000. Preschool-aged children and younger can dine for free. Walk-ins are accepted, but we recommend making reservations online in advance.

Set in the verdant Yase mountains, Ruriko-in is easily one of the most photogenic temples in Kyoto. This former-residence-turned-temple is home to a beautiful garden, with an abundance of momiji (Japanese maple) trees that turn brilliant crimson come autumn. What makes Ruriko-in even more appealing is that the temple is not open year-round, but only for brief periods in spring, summer and autumn. While autumn is its busiest season – often requiring advance reservations – the spring opening offers a more serene experience. Better yet, you can walk in without any advance booking. The garden is, of course, the highlight here. For the most iconic view, head up to the second floor and see the lush green foliage reflected on the perfectly polished lacquered tabletop.

Prominent creative studio Naked is drawing on its digital art technology expertise to bring the visionary world of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) to life. Following a popular run in Tokyo that attracted over 170,000 visitors earlier this year, the exhibition now arrives in Osaka.  This is not a fan tribute. Held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death and the completion of the Sagrada Familia’s central tower of Jesus Christ, ‘Naked Meets Gaudi’ is an officially sanctioned exhibition produced in collaboration with the Gaudí Foundation. The comprehensive display of rare archival materials – including letters, manuscripts, personal notebooks, blueprints and architectural tools – offers a deep dive into Gaudí’s genius mind. You’ll learn about his singular approach to architecture, defined by an organic, nature-inspired aesthetic that shaped everything from Casa Batlló and Casa Milà to Park Güell and his magnum opus, the Sagrada Familia. Today, seven of his works are collectively designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site. What sets this exhibition apart from a typical museum show is the inclusion of immersive, experiential elements – something Naked is known for. With cutting-edge projection mapping and interactive installations, you’ll not only see Gaudí’s distinctive designs and understand his revolutionary approach, but also experience his fantastical architecture in a truly sensorial way. In fact, the immersive Sagrada Familia area at this...

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Ultraman series, the Hirakata amusement park is hosting a VR-experience 'museum' where fans can step into the fantastical world of the titular hero. The Land of Light Museum: Ultraman XR Journey is divided into four zones connected via a narrative thread. As the story goes, a museum celebrating the life and history of Ultraman heroes has opened in Ultraman’s home world, the Land of Light, and humans on Earth are now welcome to visit. To go on this VR journey, you first choose an avatar dressed in a soldier uniform. In the opening zone, a larger-than-life Ultraman appears and whisks you away on a dreamlike journey to his home in the Land of Light. Zone 2 is the monster exhibition room, where you get to examine renowned Ultraman foes in 360-degree views, including iconic kaiju such as Baltan Seijin, Gomora and King Joe. Moving on to the exhibition of Ultraman heroes in Zone 3, you’ll encounter the different versions of the titular hero as the tribute looks back at the franchise’s 60-year legacy. Saving the best for last, Zone 4 will put you in the thick of intense battle scenes between Ultraman and some of his most fearsome adversaries including Zetton and the evil Ultraman Belial. The good thing is, even within the virtual spaces, you can still take photos and selfies, and download them to your smartphone for sharing on social media. Do note that the experience is available in Japanese only, and Hirakata Park admission is required in...

One of the year’s most anticipated films, ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ – starring the incomparable Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci – features several scenes shot at the Waldorf Astoria New York. Now, in conjunction with the sequel’s global release, the Waldorf Astoria Osaka is getting in on the glamorous action with a limited-time food and drink special, available until late June. Offered at the sky-high Peacock Alley lounge on the 28th floor, the hotel’s Elegance in New York Mode afternoon tea has been reimagined as a ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ special (¥13,000 per person), filled with sweet and savoury treats inspired by the film’s fashion. Of note is the hotel’s signature red velvet cheesecake, now topped with a red chocolate high heel filled with berry sauce. Also available at Peacock Alley is an exclusive cocktail created to commemorate the film. Called the Devil’s Martini (¥3,500), this ‘groundbreaking’ floral-for-spring concoction mixes vodka, sakura vermouth and hibiscus extract, and it’s finished with a preserved Japanese mountain peach that looks deceptively like an olive. For fans of the film, don’t miss the chance to take a photo with the iconic Red High Heel sculpture, the symbol of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ films. You’ll find this massive, eye-catching installation on display at Peacock Alley from May 11 until June 11.