Rachel Teo

Osaka’s markets are as varied and vibrant as the city itself. From its temple courtyards and leafy shrines to its park promenades, the city hosts regular flea markets and antique and vintage clothes fairs throughout the year. Some unfold every Sunday for a slow, easy day of perusing; others appear monthly for treasure hunters who prefer quiet prospecting; yet others are festival-style events that come complete with music. Whether you’re chasing rare collectables, classy antiques, one-of-a-kind outfits or just a bargain, Osaka’s markets guarantee good finds and a good day out. Plus, almost all the markets we’ve put together boast a wide array of stalls offering seriously tempting food and drink, so even if you don’t find the niche memorabilia or eccentric ensemble you were hunting for, you’ll at least leave well fed. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best museums in Osaka

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

A former castle town, the city of Itami in Hyogo has been a significant centre for sake brewing since the Edo period (1603–1868). To explore the locale’s boozy legacy in depth, head to the Itami City Museum on March 28 for the Spring Sake Festival. Held in the museum’s traditional Japanese garden, it makes for a serene and slow way to learn about local history and culture while sipping on some of the finest sake made by Itami breweries. There’s no need for registration or admission fees, as the tastings are paid per cup, with prices ranging from ¥400 to ¥900 per glass. A special appetiser set (¥1,000) by chef Takefumi Sato will showcase three delicious dishes that pair swimmingly with any of the brews. Using public transport is highly recommended due to limited parking at the venue. Don’t forget to bring some ID.

Food trucks are a beloved and essential part of Osaka’s culinary scene, offering affordably priced and often surprisingly delicious grub across the prefecture. The annual Kitchen Car Grand Prix brings together the best of the bunch in Takatsuki’s Amaiseki Park, where a total of 33 food trucks will be facing off for the title of Osaka champion over two weekends between February 14 and 23. With mini dishes to let you taste a little bit of everything offered alongside regular-sized portions, you’ll have the chance to fill your belly with a wide variety of cuisines. Staples include burgers, tacos, omurice and takoyaki, plus sweet treats like milkshakes, crepes, donuts and so much more. The event also features street performances like balloon artists and acrobatics, and young ’uns can run wild on play equipment and partake in various fun activities. Admission is free, but be sure to bring some cash.

The theme of the annual Cycle Kitchen food festival at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park is ‘eat and play’. You can accomplish the former by perusing the many food trucks and booths set up on the grounds to offer a diverse range of delicacies, while two concurrent events make up the ‘play’ portion. Those springtime happenings are Cycle Mode Ride, one of Japan’s largest sports-bike festivals, and Outdoor Festival, a family-friendly event centred on camping gear and outdoor recreational goods that also features live performances you can take in over pizza or a plate of steaming takoyaki. The festival itself is free to enjoy, but you have to pay to get into the park. Admission costs ¥260 for adults and ¥80 for children of junior high school age or younger.

Drawing several hundred thousand visitors every year, the Osaka Auto Messe is one of Japan’s premier automotive customisation events. Essentially a love letter to car culture, the festival spotlights one-of-a-kind custom builds while well over 200 vendors showcase their car customisation options, including engine tunings, in-vehicle audio systems and a range of accessories. Expect to see everything from Super GT race cars with their loud and aggressive wide-body kits to luxury vehicles with interiors showcasing the ultimate in comfort and elegance. You can also look forward to exclusive merch, engine revs and a ton of photo ops. The Messe is held in its usual digs at Intex Osaka from February 13 to 15 this year. Tickets are available at the door for ¥3,500, as well as online. Junior high school students and younger children enter for free if accompanied by an adult.

Sitting at the intersection of history, science, magic and horror, mummies are an enduring source of fascination for many – and at the heart of this exhibition featuring a selection of masterpieces from the prestigious Egyptian collection of the Brooklyn Museum. Following successful runs in Tokyo and Hiroshima, the show will be on at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum from March 20 to June 14. The 150 artefacts on display include sculptures, coffins, jewellery, pottery, earthenware, papyrus scrolls and, of course, human and animal mummies. You can dive right into the lore with immersive video and audio presentations about the pyramids and ancient Egyptian spells, learn about the daily lives of people in the age of the pharaohs, and study up on their beliefs about the afterlife.

Also known as the Nankinmachi Spring Festival, this celebration of the Lunar New Year in Kobe’s Chinatown is always a vibrant affair. This year’s edition takes place over four days – February 17 and 21–23 – and features a smattering of traditional Chinese performances between 11am and 7pm daily. The line-up includes dramatic ‘face-changing’ shows, where performers rapidly change masks to evoke shifting emotions, plus thrilling acrobatics, martial arts showcases and time-honoured lion and dragon dances. The performances offer an exciting taste of traditional Chinese culture, with many symbolising renewal and welcoming prosperity and good fortune into the new year. You can also take part in a raffle to win lucky envelopes, participate in paper cutting workshops and, of course, have your fortune told for 2026. By nightfall, lanterns and festive decorations light up the streets and restaurants throughout Chinatown serve regional Chinese specialities for the joyous occasion.

Kyoto’s historic Randen tram line invites you to combine a ride through the city with samplings of fine sake and warm nibbles. These ‘Retro Sake Tasting’ events take place on Saturday January 31 and Wednesday February 4, with tours beginning at Shijo-Omiya Station in central Kyoto and finishing at Arashiyama Station. There are two tours on each day: one in the morning (11am) and one in the afternoon (2.20pm). You’ll get to savour five types of nihonshu while a sake connoisseur guides you through the flavours, colours and aromas of the different brews. The price also includes a piping-hot serving of daikon oden (stewed radish), a snack set and a glass of Kyoto-made craft beer. Reservations can be made up to five days in advance online, and tours cost ¥6,980 per person. As alcohol is only served to those aged 20 and older, remember to bring some ID with you.

Winter is the height of seafood season in Japan, and the oysters from the Pacific coast are especially delicious this time of year. Get your fill of plump bivalves at Sennan Long Park near Kansai Airport, where the Sennan Oyster Festival is taking place from 11am to 5pm on weekends and holidays between January 17 and March 29.  The free-to-enter extravaganza features Osaka Bay oysters from the Senshu coast, along with Sanriku oysters from higher up the Pacific coastline in Tohoku. The oysters are served in a variety of styles, and visitors will be treated to a complimentary bowl of oyster soup while stocks last. Sake tasting is available for just ¥300 per glass, with ten varieties of local brews to sample. Come for the food and booze, and stay for the live music and daring street performances. You can even make your own oyster shell candle at a workshop.

If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll be pleased to hear that a limited-time Zootopia Cafe is welcoming hungry fans of the cute zoo-comedy films at the Kitte Osaka complex until March 8. A themed menu features the characters from Zootopia 2 in healthy and photogenic dishes like a pink beet stew inspired by Nick’s pink shirt, Judy’s favourite carrot steak, burgers and special drinks, plus adorable fruit parfaits for dessert. Exclusive merch from the Disney store will also be available for purchase.  The café stays open from 10am to 9pm daily, with the last seating at 7.45pm. Walk-ins are possible, but reservations are highly recommended. These can be made online for a 75-minute session, which has a ¥770 fee per booking but comes with an exclusive Zootopia zippered pouch in six different designs.

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.

Harvest Hill is an expansive farm-themed park on the outskirts of Sakai that invites visitors to get close to nature and animals, and also offers seasonal flower exhibitions and various activities and workshops for family fun. If you’re a fan of furry beasts, you’ll love to know that the park’s three resident capybaras get to enjoy hot-spring baths during the cold winter months. During daily meet-and-greet sessions with the capybaras, you can pet and feed these gentle giant rodents, and watch as they lounge around and doze off while soaking in hot yuzu baths. As the event is held outdoors, do note that the capybara sessions might be cancelled in the event of rain.

Kick start your 2026 at the annual Toka Ebisu Festival in Osaka. Running for three days from January 9 to 11 at the Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, this traditional Shinto celebration is dedicated to Ebisu, the god of commerce, and is a popular occasion to pray for prosperity and business success in the new year. Visitors can purchase fukuzasa, lucky bamboo branches adorned with charms such as money boxes or abacuses, symbols believed to bring good fortune. These lucky charms are distributed by more than 50 fukumusume, or ‘lucky daughters’ who have been chosen specifically to represent the festival. The main festivities take place on January 10, featuring a large parade of over 500 participants including celebrities, geisha and fukumusume, who will be handing out lucky charms to the public. The festival runs from 9am to 9pm, with the surrounding streets lined with food stalls serving a variety of local treats – perfect for snacking as you make your way into the shrine for your prayers.

Street art can breathe new life into public spaces, transforming blank walls into vibrant canvases. But it’s more than just decoration. When created with intention, it can reflect a community’s cultural values and identity, and help strengthen the connection between people and place. While murals remain relatively uncommon in Japan, interest is growing – especially in Osaka’s Konohana ward, where a new street art festival is making its debut this month. Photo: Jun Chihara The Enoen Festival will take over Konohana’s Shikanjima Sumiyoshi Shrine on Saturday, September 27, for a day of art, live music, street food and wholesome family fun. Alongside celebrating the town’s 25 existing murals – created by local and international artists from more than 20 countries over the past two years – the festival will also unveil five new murals painted during an artist residency running from September 21–28 in Konohana’s Baika district.  Photo: Wall Share At the heart of Konohana’s emerging street art scene is Wall Share, an organisation established in 2020 with a mission to transform Osaka’s urban landscape with bold, colourful murals. Since launching the Mural Town Konohana initiative in September 2023, Wall Share has invited local and international street artists to participate in an art residency programme, where they create captivating murals across the Yodogawa and Konohana wards during their stay in Japan. Photo: Wall Share In the week leading up to the Enoen Festival, five new

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