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

The Plarail Expo in Osaka is a fun-filled exhibition for all the little train enthusiasts in your life. The main highlights of the January bash at Osaka Nanko ATC Hall are the massive dioramas, which showcase the extensive variety and range of the Plarail train sets, providing plenty of inspiration for how to set up your own tracks at home. The event also features interactive play areas, special themed zones for Thomas the Tank Engine and Shinkalion (Shinkansen transformers), photo spots, interactive games and exclusive merch. Attractions like a rideable mini Shinkansen, customisable train sets and fishing activities are available for an additional fee. Advance tickets are available online until the end of December and cost ¥1,200 for adults and ¥800 for children 3 to 12. Same-day tickets cost ¥200 more and can be purchased at the door.

If you love train rides, you’ll enjoy the Sagano Romantic Train in Kyoto. This charming, old-fashioned diesel train offers year-round sightseeing tours through some of the most scenic landscapes in the Kyoto countryside. The 7.5km-long, 25-minute journey departs from Torokko Saga Station and follows the Hozugawa River Gorge to Torokko Kameoka Station. Along the way, you’ll pass by stunning views of the river, the rugged gorge and the forested mountains. During the autumn and winter seasons, the route lights up at dusk with dazzling illuminations. The annual Fantasy Train of Light event runs from October 25 until December 29, with over 1,000 LEDs illuminating the gorge, creating a truly magical landscapes. Tickets cost ¥880 for adults and half price for children, and are available online up to one month in advance. The light-up tour begins at 4.30pm. Note: there's no service on December 17.

If you have a good eye for vintage treasures – or just love a good bargain – mark your calendar. The Kansai Nominoichi flea market takes over the Expo ’70 Commemoration Park on the first weekend of December. Expect a wide variety of vendors from across Japan offering antique tools, furniture, tableware, clothing, home décor, books and handcrafted accessories. Families will also have plenty to enjoy, with kid-friendly activities such as face painting and stuffed-toy workshops. Foodies will be pleased to know the flea market features a dedicated food section. The on-site Wheat Festival showcases an impressive selection of breads, pastries and other baked goods. There’s even a dedicated noodle zone, more than 30 food trucks, and live performances throughout the event. Tickets are available online for ¥1,500, or ¥2,000 at the door. You’ll also need to pay for the park admission separately: ¥260 for adults and ¥80 for elementary and high school students.

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. This exhibition is closed on December 10 as well as from December 30 to January 1.

A quintessential Japanese experience during the cold months, winter illuminations transform public spaces into magical, romantic landscapes. The historic Former Foreign Settlement district of Kobe, where the streets retain their European charm, is beautiful year-round, but especially picturesque during the winter season. Along Akashimachi-suji avenue, near Daimaru Kobe department store, over 100,000 LED lights adorn the trees, creating a sparkling display that continues until February 28 2026. This annual light-up is free to enjoy and stretches across three city blocks towards Kobe’s vibrant port area. It’s a delightful way to explore the heritage district after dark and a perfect spot for capturing photos or simply chasing away the winter blues. The lights stay on until 10pm, making it ideal for a post-dinner stroll.

A proud supporter of local artists and small businesses, Minoh Marche is a monthly artisan market brimming with creativity and charm. The next edition takes place at Kayano Square, just a short stroll from Minoh-Kayano Station, on November 16 from 10am to 4pm. Browse an eclectic selection of handcrafted goods, from unique home décor and jewellery to stylish bags, tableware and even charming accessories for pets. It’s the perfect place to discover something whimsical and special for your home, or as a thoughtful gift. Come meet the makers. And when you need a breather, relax over freshly brewed coffee and tasty treats from the food and drink stalls that add to the market’s lively atmosphere. The market runs rain or shine, and admission is free. Remember to bring cash for purchases – and maybe an umbrella as well, just in case.

Originating in Germany, Christmas markets are festive end-of-year street fairs showcasing seasonal goods, food and drinks. Osaka’s annual Christmas Market returns this year from November 28 to December 25 at Tenshiba, a spacious lawn in Tennoji Park, and it’s open daily from 11am to 9pm. The market is designed to resemble a charming Christmas village, with food stalls and craft stands housed in quaint wooden huts. Here, you’ll get to savour classic German fare such as warm pretzels, sausages and Christmas stollen (a fruit-studded cake), accompanied by seasonal drinks like glühwein (hot spiced wine) and hot cocoa, both served in an exclusive mug that you can take home as a souvenir. Make sure you allocate plenty of time to explore. Browse charming décor items including wooden German ornaments, snow globes and lanterns, and enjoy the vibrant winter illuminations that come on after sundown. There are live performances, too, adding to the market’s festive atmosphere. Admission is free, though you’ll need cash for food and souvenirs. Note: the market opens at 4pm on its first day, November 28

If you love chilli, rice and all things spicy, the Sichuan Festival is not to be missed. Taking place for the first time in Osaka at Osaka Food Lab over the weekend of November 22–23, the event promises a piping-hot culinary experience. Over two days, savour dishes prepared by passionate chefs from ten of Osaka’s most celebrated Sichuan restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments. From tongue-tingling mala skewered meats to fiery hotpot, this is an opportunity to explore one of China’s Eight Great Cuisines and its rich, multi-layered flavours. The festival is limited to 4,000 attendees, and admission is staggered by time slots to prevent overcrowding. Tickets cost ¥500 and can be purchased online in advance or on the day. Admission is free for high school students and younger children.

Few foods unite the world like noodles, and you sure can expect a cosmopolitan bunch of offerings at the Noodles Revolution Festival, set to take place in Osaka’s Ogimachi Park from October 31 to November 3. This festival rounds up a bunch of extremely popular ramen and other noodle restaurants from across Kansai. Try out decadent tonkotsu ramen, spicy pork and garlic ramen, or even ramen served without broth. Exclusive event-only bowls from the participating eateries will be available too, including a special ‘morning ramen’ for those who prefer something hearty before beginning their day. As for the other delicious noodle dishes that will be present, you’ll get to choose from hiyashimen, soba, yakisoba, pasta, Vietnamese pho and various rice vermicelli dishes. The slurping bash takes place rain or shine, but might be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Admission is free, and we recommend bringing some cash just in case.

Kita-Nagaya in quaint Nakatsu is a little miracle: traditional Japanese wooden houses in small, narrow alleys, refurbished and preserved, and now filled with independent shops, offices and even a cute little inn for vacation lodging. There’s no better time to explore the area than the first long weekend in November, when Kita-Nagaya hosts its Autumn Garden Market from 11am to 4pm daily. Held twice a year in spring and autumn, the seasonal bazaar showcases the works and wares of some 60 chefs and bakers, sommeliers, artisans, writers and artists. In addition to stalls selling handcrafted wares and bustling food and drink dealers, there will be booths for therapeutic massages, haircuts, fortune telling and even kintsugi workshops. Completely free to enter, the market will be held rain or shine, but may be cancelled in case of inclement weather. Don’t forget to bring some cash and an umbrella with you, just in case.

If you’re a lover of book fairs and markets, head over to Creative Center Osaka on the first long weekend in November, when the Kitakagaya Flea 2025 Autumn & Asia Book Market will be held at the bustling art hub. Hosted by LLC Insects, the Osaka-based publisher known for its eponymous culture mag, the event brings together local and foreign publishers and bookstores from across East and Southeast Asia, giving readers a chance to discover new titles from authors from all over the region. Small lectures and panel discussions by invited speakers will also take place over the three days. Furthermore, you can expect international food stalls and craft beer, stalls selling a variety of handcrafted wares, immersive workshops, and a wide variety of live music performances. Tickets can be purchased at the door for ¥1,500 and admission is free for high school students and younger.

There’s something magical about fireworks: the bright, beautiful colours that light up the night sky are a mesmerising sight to behold any time of year.  While most fireworks in Japan take place in summer, the Osaka Art Fireworks Festival happens in early autumn instead, on November 1. What makes this show so special is that the fireworks are launched over Osaka Bay at Rinku Park and synchronised to rousing music for that extra dramatic effect. For this one-off spectacle, Marble Beach will be transformed into a (paid) seating area for the public to enjoy the fireworks comfortably. With clear, unobstructed views over the water, this sandy shore is the best vantage point to enjoy the pre-show sunset as well as the pyrotechnics. While the hour-long fireworks show will only begin at 6pm, the venue will open its doors at 3pm. There will be food and drink stalls on site to add to the overall festivities. The show will proceed even in the rain and will only be cancelled in the event of inclement weather.

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