Held annually since 1995, the Shin Umeda City Summer Festival takes place at the Umeda Sky Building’s Wonder Square. During the one-day celebration, the square will be decorated with paper lanterns and bustling with festival food stalls. After filling up on delicious street food like yakisoba (fried noodles) and karaage (deep-fried chicken) available, cool off with kakigori (shaved ice with syrup), the quintessential Japanese summer staple. If you’re up for a challenge, dance along to the Bon Odori folk dance – and to the tunes of the ‘Shin Umeda City Ondo’, a track that was composed in 2016 just for this event.
There will also be classic carnival games like darts and ring toss for the young and young at heart, as well as balloon art by a clown performer (from 5pm) and a fun Doctor Yellow mini-train ride (at ¥300 per ride). A hands-on mini piñata-making experience is also available for the first 80 people, from 3pm to 8pm on the day (reception closes at 7pm). Admission is free.