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

Love dinosaurs, or know someone who does? This exhibition of giant dinosaurs should make the perfect summer day out, then. The highlight is a full-sized, 37-metre reconstructed skeleton of the Titanosaur, which was one of the largest sauropods to ever have walked the Earth. The Titanosaur comes from the collection of the British Museum of Natural History, one of the collaborating organisers of the event. Skeletons of all-time favourites such as Tyrannosaurus Rex, Diplodocus and Ankylosaurus will be featured as well, in addition to a range of dinosaur specimens that have been found in Japan and are on loan from the Fukui Dinosaur Museum. You’ll also be able to look forward to some dinosaur animatronics, which should help you imagine what the mighty creatures looked like while they were still alive. Ticketing details and more information is available on the website.

Held simultaneously in Tokyo and Osaka every August, Summer Sonic is, like it or not, Japan’s biggest music festival. Always featuring an eclectic mix of major international and local artists performing across multiple stages, the festival spans a wide variety of genres, from hip hop to K-pop. Big names this year include Alicia Keys, Fall Out Boy, Camila Cabello, J Balvin, NiziU, Treasure and many more. As expected, the festival also provides a wide variety of food and beverages, autograph sessions, and exclusive merch by the performing artists – from vinyl and CDs to band tees and patches – on the day they perform. Doors at the venue in Expo ’70 Commemorative Park open at 10am on both days, with the first performances kicking off at 11am. Tickets are sold on the festival website, and both one-day (¥18,000) and two-day (¥35,000) tickets remain available as of mid-July.

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.

Held at the height of summer from July 21 to August 1, the Sumiyoshi Festival is one of Osaka’s three major summer festivals and centres on a purification ritual conducted to cleanse the city of impurities. The main rituals take place from 5pm on July 31, with sacred prayers and dances for a bountiful harvest and national peace. For the purification ritual, a large ring of kaya grass is constructed, and anyone can walk through the ring to cleanse themselves of impurities and bad fortune and receive blessings for good health. The highlight of the festival is the August 1 procession of mikoshi – ornate portable shrines that weigh almost 2 tons each. These are carried on long wooden beams by the shrine parish, bringing the Sumiyoshi deities’ presence and divine blessings to areas around the city. The four-hour procession starts at Sumiyoshi Taisha in the afternoon and spans 4.6km from the shrine all the way to Tonogu Shrine in Sakai. It’s especially photogenic when it crosses the Yamatogawa Bridge in Sakai, showcasing the blend of traditional practices and modern infrastructure that characterises Japan’s third-most populous metropolis.

Farmer’s markets are a great way to purchase some of the freshest produce that the Osaka region has to offer, and also serve as an opportunity to meet the people behind the greens and other goodies. The Yodoyabashi Odona mall hosts a market every Wednesday in July and August, inviting you to explore a wide variety of fruits, freshly picked vegetables, pickles, cut flowers, tofu products and ready-to-eat snacks, such as flavoured mochi, castella cakes, cookies, chestnut buns and red glutinous rice. Sometimes you’ll also find vendors selling coffee beans, olive oils, wines, teas, and handmade accessories like earrings and cloth masks. The market is held from 2pm to 7pm and the list of vendors and wares can be found on the event website. It takes place outdoors and may be cancelled in the case of rain or stormy weather.

One of summer’s sparkliest highlights in the fireworks festival space takes place down in Mie prefecture, where Ise Shrine will hold its annual display on Saturday July 19. Held at the Watarai Bridge by the Miyagawa river, the Ise Shrine Dedication show is one of Japan’s biggest competitive fireworks festivals, attracting artisans from throughout the country. With 9,600 rounds of fireworks colouring the night sky, expect some amazing scenes. There will also be rows of festival stalls selling Japanese street food, and carnival games for the young and young at heart. Tickets for paid seats are currently on sale, with individual tickets going for ¥3,500. One child under the age of 3 can enter with each adult. Group tickets for pairs and groups of up to 6 are also available and cost ¥10,000 and ¥21,000 respectively. Tickets can be bought online and at convenience stores (more information on the event website).

The Ouo Night Market has some serious history, having been a summer tradition in Sakai since the 13th century. Taking place at Ohama Park by the Old Sakai Pier on July 26 from 4.30pm to 8.50pm, the market features a wide variety of festival stalls selling Japanese street food, plus a spectacular fish auction. The night ends with a bang, as the organisers of the popular Senshu Dream Fireworks display make a visit for the second consecutive year, launching hundreds of fireworks set to music over the Old Sakai Pier. Paid seating tickets are available in a range of tiers and cost from ¥2,200 to ¥4,800 per person. If you’re looking to go all out, opt for the exclusive VIP ticket package, available for groups of up to 5. This deal comes with a bottle of champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and the very best view of the fireworks display – for a cool ¥77,000.

Always one of Osaka’s most dazzling fireworks displays, the seaside Senshu Dream Fireworks at Sennan Long Park takes place on August 23 this year. Featuring a stunning pyrotechnic demonstration and an accompanying drone show, the well-established event also boasts food trucks, festival food stalls and street performances. All seating for the show is paid and there are no standing areas. Tickets are available in a range of tiers, with prices starting at ¥4,800 (standard seating) and running up to ¥220,000 (VIP seating with exclusive lounge access; sold out as of July 9). Early bird discounts run until July 14 and ticket sales until August 20. Junior high school students and younger children enjoy discounted rates, and one preschool-aged child can enter for free with every purchased ticket. For full ticketing details, please refer to the event website.

The city of Kameoka in Kyoto prefecture has been holding its annual fireworks festival for 74 years in a row now. Taking place on the August 11 Monday holiday this year, the celebration commemorates the establishment of the city while serving as a tribute to those who have died in past wars and natural disasters. Looking at the numbers drives home what a big deal the show is: It features a whopping 13,000-plus rounds of fireworks, a drone show with 500 drones, three distinct viewing areas, 150 festival food stalls, and one small night market. Ticket prices begin at ¥2,200 for the open area without benches and go up to ¥22,500 (for bench seating with panoramic views). Tickets for a luxurious fireworks viewing experience from the nearby Sanga Stadium are also available, with prices ranging from ¥60,000 for a pair of tickets to ¥180,000 for a private VIP room for up to six people. Kameoka residents are eligible for a special discounted rate. Note that tickets are not available at the event and must be bought in advance at Lawson or Ministop (more information available on the event website). Ticket sales will end on August 10.

Shitennoji Temple hosts a bi-monthly weekend market on the first Sunday of the month, from 9am to 3pm, rain or shine. Held at the temple’s Nishiju Gate square, the market features vendors selling handmade crafts, secondhand goods, fresh produce and food products like honey from local beekeepers. Cafés are also often part of the scene, dealing in freshly brewed coffee, beans and a variety of baked goods, while food trucks offer opportunities for a hot picnic meal. In addition, the market often has storytelling events and a toy corner to amuse the little ones, as well as the occasional yoga session – all of which are free to enjoy. If you’re looking to shop though, don’t forget to bring cash.

What better way to enjoy summer than a matsuri-themed rooftop beer garden? From June 6 to October 13, Keihan City Mall is putting on just that, with festival food stalls meeting the wonder of the all-you-can-eat deal. The latter feature a range of seafood, wagyu beef and vegetables for barbecues, as well as delicious cold sides that complement the meaty grub. Meal deals also include a wide range of self-service drinks like beer, whiskey, shochu and soft drinks, children’s menus, and summer specialities like sweet shaved ice desserts. The venue organises weekend-only activities for children, with classic carnival games like super ball fishing, shooting galleries and more. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made by phone or online at their website. The venue will remain open even on rainy days, but might close in the event of typhoons or other inclement weather.

First held in 2010, the annual Osaka Milky Way Legend takes place from 7pm on the night of Tanabata (July 7) at the Hachikenyahama Pier by Keihan City Mall. The event features colourful floating balls with LED lights called Inori Stars being released onto the Okawa river, creating stunning visuals as it gets dark – and symbolising the Milky Way galaxy in the great expanse of the cosmos. The release of the Stars into the river takes place in two sessions; at 7.10pm, and again at 8pm. Each admission ticket includes one Star, as well as a slip of paper to write your wish on. Tickets can be purchased in advance for an early-bird discount, ¥2,000 for adults. For advance ticket purchases, see the website for full details (in Japanese only). Tickets can also be bought at the door for ¥2,500, and children under 4 get in for free.

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