Rachel Teo

Osaka is a lively city year-round, and it gets even more exciting in the summer when there are festivals abound. Many of our favourite seasonal celebrations are fireworks festivals; when vibrant explosions start lighting up the cloudless skies after sundown and the yukata-wearing crowds turn their heads towards the spectacle, that’s when you can get into a truly magical Japanese summer mood. This year’s celebrations kick off with the Ise Shrine Dedication Fireworks Festival out in Mie on July 19 and include everything from classics (Tenjin Festival Fireworks, Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks) to a beachside favourite (Senshu Dream Fireworks) and a massive happening out in rural Kyoto (Kameoka Hozugawa). So dust off your yukata, arrive early to secure the best viewing spot, and enjoy the colourful fireworks while snacking on some tasty festival grub. RECOMMENDED: 7 reasons to visit Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai at night

Awaji, the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, plays host to this annual fireworks spectacle that always draws crowds from nearby Kobe and beyond. Taking place on Sunday November 9 at Ohama Park, across the bay from Osaka, the show is free and can be counted on to light up the night sky with dazzling displays of colour. Now in its 78th year, the event sees fireworks launched over the bay, creating a spectacular display over the park’s wide sandy beaches and pine trees. You can also expect plenty of stalls and food trucks selling eats and drinks. The pyrotechnics begin at 6pm and the show runs for about 30 minutes. As this is one of the most popular fireworks events on Awaji Island, make sure you arrive early to secure the best spot for your night.

TV Osaka’s Yatai Festival is a free-to-enter annual food festival that will be held at Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park from September 19 to 23 this year. The main draw here is quite unsurprisingly the wide variety of food, drinks and desserts that can be purchased from the over 50 food and drink stalls in attendance. Try out Japanese festival staples like yakisoba (fried noodles), takoyaki (octopus balls), and kakigori (shaved ice), as well as international delights like spicy Thai curries, sweet Danish crêpes and refreshing fruit smoothies. Grab a seat out in the open and enjoy your meal accompanied by live entertainment courtesy of local artists and TV personalities, plus music and dance performances. The food festival will take place rain or shine, but might be cancelled in the case of really severe weather. Don’t forget to bring cash.

Held in conjunction with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Osaka Gourmet Expo is a culinary festival showcasing Osaka’s diverse food scene, with free admission. Taking place on the Osaka Castle grounds through October 13, this foodie event features a rotating selection of about 30 restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines, from Osaka’s signature dishes and classic Japanese comfort food to international favourites. Depending on the day you visit, you might enjoy Vietnamese pho and banh mi, Middle Eastern kebabs, Chinese stir-fries, healthy acai bowls, and regional delicacies from all corners of Japan. While you’re there, be sure to also catch stage performances such as live music and comedy skits, as well as limited-time events, including the Bon Odori Festival scheduled for the weekends of August 22–24 and August 30–31. The Osaka Gourmet Expo is held in large, air-conditioned tents, allowing you to enjoy food, drinks and entertainment in total comfort. For added convenience, you can order your food via the QR code at your table. Do note this is a cashless event; electronic payments and credit cards only.

Summer is the perfect time for a sightseeing cruise, and you can enjoy it with a cold beer in hand on Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, just a short trip from Osaka in neighbouring Shiga prefecture. The lake’s iconic paddlewheel boat Michigan, named after Shiga’s sister-state in the US, is running a 90-minute evening cruise that doubles as a floating beer garden on weekends and public holidays until September 28. Take in the lake views and the onboard entertainment while you enjoy an all-you-can-drink menu of 50 different beverages, including beer, cocktails and highballs, plus non-alcoholic options like mocktails, soft drinks and teas. You’ll also receive a snack set served in a special Michigan-themed box, filled with fries, chicken nuggets, pepperoncino-seasoned edamame, nachos with chilli con carne, and pickles. Tickets (including drinks and snacks) are ¥8,000 for adults and ¥4,000 for primary school students. For a more exclusive experience, groups of 8 to 26 people can reserve the Royal Room, a private lounge with its own deck, for an additional ¥2,000 per person. The Michigan Night Cruise departs from Otsu Port at 6.30pm and returns at 8.00pm. Tickets can be reserved in advance online.

One of the most scenic fireworks events in the Kansai region, Minato Hanabi in Kobe takes place every year at the port-side Meriken Park. Running for five days from October 20 to 24 this year, the festival features two back-to-back fireworks displays every evening from 6.30pm. The first is launched in silence, allowing you to hear every burst, bang and crackle, while the second is synchronised to music. The entire display is expected to last around 15 minutes, featuring approximately 700 shells of fireworks. You can enjoy the spectacle for free from Meriken Park, with the shimmering Kobe Port in the background. But don’t leave right after the show. The tree-lined paths in the park will be lit up with illuminations until 7.45pm, offering a relaxing stroll and a chance to take in Kobe’s beautiful night view. Attendees will also receive a limited-edition sticker (while supplies last), which lets you enjoy special deals at participating shops and restaurants around the festival site.

Located in the Osaka Bay area, the Grand Prince Hotel is opening its rooftop pool on the 9th floor to the public this summer. All decked out with vibrant neon lights in shades of blue, pink and purple, the pool area offers a colourful retreat against the backdrop of city lights. There’s even a dedicated photo spot that lets you capture picture-perfect memories of your summer night out. When you’re not enjoying the water, unwind at Pergola, the poolside restaurant and bar. With alfresco seating, you can soak up the summer breeze while savouring light bites and refreshing drinks including ice-cold beer. Lockers are provided to keep your belongings safe as you relax. The night pool is open daily until August 31, from 6pm to 10pm, exclusively for guests aged 18 and older. Admission is ¥4,000 on weekdays and ¥5,000 on weekends and public holidays. Hotel guests receive a ¥1,000 discount. Tickets are available online and include two hours of free parking. Do note that the pool remains open during light rain but will close in the event of severe weather.

Miffy is a beloved fictional rabbit well-known around the world, created by Dutch picture book author and graphic designer Dick Bruna (1927–2017). For the adorable character’s 70th anniversary, Daimaru Umeda is hosting an exclusive exhibition at its 15th-floor museum until September 1. From 1955 to 2009, Miffy has appeared in 32 picture books, and for the first time in Japan, the exhibition brings together original sketches and illustrations from the entire series. You’ll also get to delve deeper into three standout stories: Miffy Goes to Stay (1988), Dear Grandma Bunny (1996) and Miffy and the Long-Eared Rabbit (2006). Through these works, the exhibition examines Bruna’s bold design sensibility as well as his gentle and honest approach to heavy subjects such as loss. Other highlights include a rare video screening of Bruna reading Miffy at the Seaside in Dutch (shown for the first time in 20 years) as well as art and graphic design works from his early days as an aspiring artist. Naturally, the event also features a gift shop with official Miffy merchandise such as plush toys, pouches, tote bags and stationery. Tickets are available via Lawson, and cost ¥1,800 for adults, ¥1,300 for high school students, and ¥800 for elementary and junior high school students. Do note that entry is by time slots.

With rivers and canals winding through the city's scenic downtown areas, boat rides are a wonderful way to enjoy Osaka’s balmy summer evenings. It’s no surprise, then, that boating has become a favourite seasonal pastime here.  Running on most Fridays and Saturdays (except August 15–16) until September 13, the Sunflower Summer Beer Cruise aboard the Himawari offers a picturesque journey through some of Osaka’s main waterways. You’ll even pass by the Osaka River Fantasy, billed as the world’s largest water and light show.  The 90-minute cruise departs at 6.20pm, giving you uninterrupted views of the city skyline as it transitions from sunset into night. On board, enjoy live music, an all-you-can-drink menu (including alcoholic beverages for those of legal age), and an appetiser platter prepared by Le Clos de Mariage, a popular French restaurant in Tenmabashi.  Tickets, which include the aforementioned drinks and hors d’oeuvres, are priced at ¥8,000 for adults, ¥7,250 for junior and senior high school students, and ¥5,250 for elementary school students. Reservations must be made online at least three days in advance.

Despite having concluded its 20th run earlier this year in March, the Osaka Asian Film Festival returns in August for a special edition held in conjunction with the Osaka Expo. Featuring an extensive programme of Asian films – from Singapore, South Korea and Kazakhstan to China, Bhutan and Thailand – the festival offers a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures of Asia, showcasing a broad range of ideas, perspectives, interests and filmmaking artistry. Complementing the screenings is a symposium, where filmmakers from across the region will gather to discuss the potential of Asian cinema, along with a lecture on visual culture and the future of film festivals. The festival opens with Tracing to Expo ’70, a 2K-restored version of the 1970 film by Taiwanese director Liao Hsiang-Hsiung, featuring nostalgic scenes from the original Osaka Expo held 55 years ago. Closing the event is the world premiere of A Good Child by Singaporean director Ong Kuo Sin, which follows a drag queen who returns home to care for his mother with dementia. Screenings will take place throughout all ten days of the festival. Tickets range from ¥1,000 to ¥1,500, depending on the venue. Here are the five screening locations: ABC Hall (Fukushima, Osaka), Theatre Umeda, T-Joy Umeda, Nakanoshima Museum of Art and Osaka City Central Public Hall. Additionally, a small selection of student films will be screened free of charge at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art. For more information on screenings and ticketin

Taking place over the weekend of September 20–21, Osaka Sake Square is a festival showcasing 27 sake breweries from across the Kansai region. In addition to junmai (pure rice sake with no added alcohol) and junmai daiginjo (premium pure rice sake), you’ll also find sparkling and flavoured sake, seasonal brews for summer and autumn, and snacks that pair well with rice wines. Be sure to download the official event app, which lists all the sake served at the festival along with their flavour profiles and brewery information. Admission is free, but to enjoy sampling, you'll need to purchase a starter set, available online in advance (¥3,200) or at the door (¥3,800). The set includes a wristband, 10 tokens for sampling, and an event glass. Additional tokens can be purchased for ¥200 each. If you fancy any of the sake you try, full bottles are available for purchase on-site. For a more relaxed experience, consider booking a paid seat through the app. This is an outdoor affair and will proceed in light rain, but may be cancelled in the event of severe weather.

Summer is in full swing, and what better a way to cool off than relaxing in a pool? Hirakata Park’s water park, The Boon, is now open for the season. Running from July 19 to August 31 and open daily from 10am to 4pm, The Boon has four different pools. The Donbura is much like a lazy river, the Siesta offers panoramic views of the entire park and the surrounding neighbourhood, and the Nagisa is similar to a beach and shallows, with a gentle sloped bottom that has a maximum depth of 120cm. There’s also a children’s pool with playground equipment fitted with splash buckets and slides, plus four water slides, one of which is the longest in all of Kansai. Tickets include admission to the rest of the park and cost ¥2,900 for adults and ¥1,700 for children aged 2 to 12. Water slides require an additional ticket, which costs ¥1,000 and can be purchased from a ticket machine in the pool area. Paid rest areas with lounge chairs and parasols can be reserved in advance on the website, with prices starting at ¥5,000.

Bursting into full bloom from late July to early August, the tall, bright and yellow sunflower is a symbol of the high summer. The sunflower fields at the Sakai Green Museum’s Harvest Hill are in full bloom right now, and the park is showing off its 70,000 vibrant beauties from July 26 to mid–late August. Across two fields spanning an area of about 6,000sqm, the bright contrast of yellow petals against the blue skies creates an exceptional opportunity for taking photos. You might even stand a chance to win prizes if you participate in their Summer Photo Contest on Instagram, which runs until September 28. Tickets cost ¥1,500 for adults and ¥1,000 for children aged 4–12. While tickets are available at the door via vending machines or at the counter, they can also be purchased in advance online on the park website.

Summertime is festival time in Osaka. Kicking off the celebratory season is Tanabata, a traditional Japanese festival with origins in Chinese folklore. According to legend, deity couple Orihime and Hikoboshi are separated by the Milky Way, and they are only able to meet once a year: on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Tanabata, or the Star Festival, celebrates the day of their reunion. As Japan has largely dropped the lunar dating system in favour of the Gregorian calendar, Tanabata is commonly celebrated on July 7, which falls on a Monday this year. The Star Festival is associated with grand, colourful streamers decorating streets, shopping malls and temples. Another popular custom is to write your wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo trees. Tanabata is one of the most joyous and colourful traditional celebrations in Osaka – and it offers great photo opportunities. So if you’re in the city between July 5 and 7, put any of these three Star Festival events on your to-do list.   Photo via Hirakata ParkTanabata Lantern Festival at Hirakata Park Tanabata Lantern Festival at Hirakata Park July 5–6 Hirakata Park’s Tanabata festival features a special indoor lantern area, where lanterns filled with wishes are launched. Summer festival stalls offer carnival games like superball scooping, yo-yo fishing and shooting. There are also workshops that allow you to paint masks and make flower crowns or have your face painted. Consider picking up a ¥200 fortune-telli