Osaka is famous for being a quite vibrant metropolis that never sleeps, offering an endless array of activities and events all year round.
Known for its dynamic culture and rich history, Osaka is also a haven for festival enthusiasts. With an impressive lineup of celebrations, Osaka’s festivals range from the traditional and widely celebrated to the uniquely local and distinctly original. Each festival is a colorful tapestry of customs, stories, and community spirit, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural landscape.
In this article, we’ve carefully curated our list of the 10 best festivals in Osaka, ensuring you get a taste of the city’s most captivating and unforgettable celebrations. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a curious traveler, these festivals promise to offer something special, providing a glimpse into the heart and soul of Osaka.
1. Tenjin Matsuri
We will start this list with the Tenjin Festival (天神祭). This festival, renowned as the city’s most famous celebration, stands as one of Japan’s three greatest festivals, alongside Kyoto’s Gion Festival and Tokyo’s Kanda Festival.
Originating from the Heian period (8th to 12th century), it celebrates the deity at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine with a tradition of boat processions on the Okawa River, known as Funatogyo. As one of Osaka’s three major summer festivals, it features an array of activities including a grand display of about 5,000 fireworks, hundreds of large boats adorned with bonfires and lanterns reflecting beautifully on the river, food stalls, and houseboats.
On the main night of the festival, numerous boats navigate the Okawa River during the Funatogyo, accompanied by a dedicated fireworks display. The festival is said to attract over a million visitors annually.
Date: Late July
Place: Osaka Tenmangu (大阪天満宮)
2. Sumiyoshi Matsuri
The Sumiyoshi Festival (住吉祭), held at Sumiyoshi Taisha, is one of the city’s three major summer festivals and marks the culmination of Osaka’s summer celebrations.
This traditional Shinto ritual, deeply rooted in the cleansing and purification of the city, was historically known as “Oharai.” The festival is famous for its spirited Mikoshi (portable shrine) processions, believed to purify the entire city during the series of rituals conducted over the festival period.
Drawing approximately 300 thousand visitors each year, the Sumiyoshi Festival not only showcases Osaka’s rich cultural heritage but also serves as a significant event for spiritual cleansing and rejuvenation for the city and its inhabitants.
Date: Late July to early August
Place: Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社)
3. Aizen Matsuri
The Aizen Festival (愛染まつり) is the third of the three greatest summer festivals in Osaka. It is renowned as one of Japan’s oldest summer festivals, with a history spanning about 1400 years.
Celebrated for the deities of love and matchmaking, the festival is a vibrant display of culture and tradition. Young women, often dressed in yukatas, are seen smiling atop carried baskets, symbolizing joy and festivity. Also known as the “Yukata Festival,” it attracts many people wearing these traditional garments.
The festival also includes prayers for health and safety and features grand fairgrounds and processions that enliven Osaka’s summer. The highlight is the Hoekago procession on the first day, starting with energetic Aizen girls in yukatas riding in baskets, followed by the Nagoshi no Harae grand ritual and special openings of secret Buddha statues.
Date: Late June to early July
Place: Aizendo Shoman-in (愛染堂勝鬘院)
4. Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri
Next, we have the Kishiwada Danjiri Festival (岸和田だんじり祭) held in Kishiwada City. This is a thrilling event known for its powerful and high-speed clashes of Danjiri – large wooden floats. These floats, weighing around 4 tons and reaching heights of 4 meters, are skillfully navigated through the city streets, showcasing a dynamic and forceful spectacle, especially during the Yarimawashi (the masterful and dramatic turning maneuvers).
Dating back approximately 300 years to the Edo period, the festival is a deeply rooted traditional event. Men display their strength and skill in handling the Danjiri, creating a series of intense and unmissable moments. The entire city of Kishiwada comes alive with energy and enthusiasm during this autumn festival, making it a vibrant and unforgettable experience for all who witness it.
Date: September, October
Place: Kishiwada City (岸和田市)