17 best things to do in Osaka this long holiday weekend: January 9–12

One of the largest winter illuminations in Japan, this year’s Osaka Castle Illuminage is introducing new light installations while also upgrading some of the most popular exhibits from previous years. This annual after-dark event, held at Osaka Castle’s Nishinomaru Garden, is not your typical winter light-up. The grand showcase is inspired by Japanese history, specifically the country’s Sengoku (Warring States) period, which spanned from the mid-15th to the early 17th century.

This defining era is brought to life through millions of LEDs and an immersive soundscape, all set against the majestic backdrop of Osaka Castle. This year’s theme, ‘Toyotomi’s Dream – The Unification of the Realm’, centres on Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the eminent feudal lord who is regarded as one of Japan’s great unifiers. Six of his legendary samurai are depicted in luminous armour, their loyalty, courage and ambition expressed through vivid colours and light.

In the Osaka Landmark Series, iconic attractions such as Tsutenkaku Tower, Dotonbori, retro trams, temples and markets are recreated in vivid, three-dimensional light displays. The ever-popular takoyaki illuminations also return, now on a grander scale with enhanced lighting effects.

Another past festival favourite making a comeback is the Samurai Helmet Collection, which has evolved into full-body samurai armour.

This fan-favourite touring exhibition, which wrapped up its Tokyo run just last month, has arrived in Osaka. Held in the gallery space of the Kitamura Camera store in Namba City, the showcase celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Ultraman series, which first aired in the 1960s.

The exhibition features dramatic photographs recreating iconic scenes from the original show. Using cutting-edge photography techniques, the works highlight the series’s legendary special effects, from the monsters and the explosions to the action sequences.

Here you’ll also find a selection of original exhibition merchandise, including some of the most popular items from the Tokyo show.

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.

Beach outings may be a summertime activity in Japan, but Sennan Long Park is proving that this coastal stretch across the water from the Kansai International Airport has plenty of appeal in winter, too. Come sundown, a total of 75,000 lights will illuminate the park, transforming the shoreline into a magical winter nightscape. 

Now in its sixth year, the Sennan Park Light-up features glowing corridors and sculptural light installations shaped like hearts, snowflakes and more, turning this entire waterfront into one giant photo spot.

Hirakata Park’s Winter Carnival transforms this theme park in northern Osaka into a winter wonderland. The carnival’s main highlight is the spacious, 1,200sqm ice-skating rink, which offers excellent views of the park’s many rides and attractions. It includes a baby rink, which offers low handrails so that parents can support their little ones if they require any assistance. The handrails are also a comfortable height for kids to hang onto.

Beyond skating, you can build snowmen at the Snow Park, or try your hand at snowball target practice in the game area. Spectacular winter illuminations with themed zones, music and light shows bring the venue to life after dark (5pm-8pm), so taking a night ride might be the best way to enjoy the seasonal winter magic.

Tickets include admission to the rest of the park and cost ¥2,700 for adults, while children aged 2 to 12 get in for ¥1,900. Skates and snow equipment can be rented on site. Paid rest areas with lounge chairs and heaters can be reserved in advance on the park’s website, with prices starting at ¥3,000.

For parents looking to enjoy winter illuminations with kids in tow, Harvest Hill in Sakai City, Osaka prefecture, makes for a fun family outing. On selected days (mainly Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) until February 23 2026, the sprawling agricultural park comes alive after dark with around a million lights spread across several themed zones.

The illuminations at Wonder Night Hill are designed to highlight the park’s diverse landscape and lush nature. As in previous years, the majestic 15-metre-tall Metasequoia trees will be illuminated, alongside a champagne-gold suspension bridge and hillside displays featuring glowing installations of the park’s beloved farm animals including cows, goats, sheep and capybaras.

Other highlights include wooden huts inspired by Christmas markets selling warm food and seasonal goods, a photogenic rainbow-coloured light tunnel, and a glowing blue forest where meteor-like lights cascade from above. Kids will love the Playground of Light, where they can step on a musical light-up piano, walk across sound-making light plates, and enjoy glowing seesaws.

Step into the world of Gustav Klimt, the celebrated Austrian symbolist painter and a key figure in both the Vienna Secession and the Art Nouveau movements. The ‘Klimt Alive’ exhibition offers a breathtaking and immersive journey through Klimt’s iconic masterpieces, where projection mapping and classical music bring his vibrant works to life.

Experience the stunning beauty of The Kiss, one of the art world’s most renowned paintings, as it’s projected onto the walls and floor to create a 360-degree multisensory environment. At this cutting-edge exhibition, you’ll be literally stepping inside his art. Additionally, the exhibition also features captivating photo spots and exclusive merchandise.

Since opening in 1982 with the renowned Ataka Collection of Chinese and Korean ceramics, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka has expanded steadily over the past forty years. The museum owes much of this growth to the generosity of donors, among them Dr. Lee Byeong-Chang, who gifted a significant assemblage of Korean works. This expansive exhibition highlights both the depth and quality of these contributions.

The main highlight is the Shokei Collection, which is being exhibited for the first time ever. This remarkable array of tea utensils from China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan includes scoops, kettles, hanging scrolls and a rare 12th-century waka (a traditional form of Japanese poetry) manuscript fragment, along with many other implements essential to the tea ceremony.

Also on display are exceptional Chinese ceramic wine vessels from the Iriye Masanobu Collection, and a comprehensive historical grouping of Chinese ceramics from the Hakutoro Collection. Additionally, the series of burial figurines and mingqi (spirit objects) from the Umino Nobuyoshi Collection dates from the Han to the Tang dynasties.

Since Grand Front Osaka opened in 2013, its annual champagne gold illumination has become a signature year-end event in Umekita, the area north of Osaka Station where the sprawling multi-purpose complex calls home. This year, following the full opening of Grand Green Osaka and Umekita Green Place, and through a collaboration with JR West, the light-up has expanded significantly to cover a larger area.

The illumination now stretches from Osaka Station all the way to Umekita Green Place. The number of illuminated trees has increased from 93 to 140, while the number of LED lights has almost doubled – from 250,000 last year to an impressive 480,000. The result is an even more striking spectacle, with the lights enveloping the entire Umekita district in a warm, atmospheric winter glow.

Now in its 14th year, Namba’s signature winter illumination event has expanded to feature dazzling large-scale light displays and seasonal installations across the area’s key landmarks. These include the iconic Namba Parks and Namba Parks South, as well as Namba City, Namba SkyO, Namba Carnival Mall, Parks Street and Takashimaya Osaka. Every evening from 5pm to midnight, the bustling Osaka shopping district is transformed by around one million twinkling LEDs, creating a truly mesmerising winter atmosphere...

The National Museum of Art, Osaka’s regular Collection exhibitions offer a glimpse into the museum’s extensive holdings, which span primarily from the 19th to early 20th century. Collection 2, however, adds a special feature to complement the usual Collection Highlights.

Titled ‘The Imaginative Power of the 21st Century’, the special presentation reflects on the first 25 years of this century, exploring both our current state of affairs and the trajectory ahead. At the turn of the millennium, few could have predicted the sweeping changes that had come to completely transform our lives, values and perspectives. This exhibition examines our recent history through contemporary works created over the past quarter-century.

The Collection Highlights section is lighter in subject matter, showcasing some of the museum’s most iconic works alongside recent acquisitions. Notable new additions include pieces by Joseph Beuys, Takashi Murakami, Maureen Gallace and Maria Farrar.

Every Sunday, the central boulevard of Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park hosts Seseragi Marche, a relaxed, family-friendly market surrounded by the greenery of one of Osaka’s most beloved urban parks. From 9am to 4pm, visitors can browse a rotating line-up of local vendors offering everything from fresh seasonal produce and handmade crafts to hot meals and sweet treats from colourful food trucks.

The stalls change weekly, so there’s always something new to discover. But expect to find anything from fragrant karaage, tacos and even pizza alongside crêpes and baked goods. When the weather is good, the atmosphere feels more like a picnic than a market: visitors spread out under the trees, dogs roaming along the paths, and live music or local community events often add to the charm. The market is the perfect complement to an easy Sunday in nature without leaving the city.