Featured Events in Japan in July, 2025 (July Updated)

Overview Theme: Designing Future Society for Our Lives Subthemes: Saving Lives Empowering Lives Connecting Lives Concept: People's Living Lab 1. A space where 8 billion people from around the world will not only view exhibits but will co-create our future society. 2.Even before the Expo begins, an online platform for sharing challenges and solutions from around the world will be launched. 3.A place where the world’s knowledge such as cutting-edge technology will be brought together, used to create new ideas, and shared, all to help resolve global issues facing mankind. Purpose World Expo has both cohesive and communication capabilities. We will use these capabilities as a trigger to sustain growth and development of Osaka, Kansai as well as Japan following on from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. What is a World Expo? A World Expo is an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. The Osaka Expo 1970, Japan’s, and Asia’s, first ever, became a symbol of Japan’s rapid economic growth and one of the country’s most lauded events. Twenty years after the Aichi Expo 2005, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will bring the international community back to Japan. A World Exposition is a place, where new technologies and products are born, triggering greater convenience in our daily lives. Elevator (New York Exhibition, 1853), telephone (Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, 1876) Family restaurants, wireless telephones, electric cars, moving sidewalks (Expo 1970 Osaka) Entry tickets embedded with IC chips, AED, dry mist (Aichi Exposition, 2005) Goals of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai To contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Achievement of Japan’s national strategy Society 5.0EXPO for SDGs In 2025, the world will be a mere five years away from 2030, the year the United Nations has set as the target for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it a crucial one for ramping up efforts to achieve these goals. Therefore, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will become a key platform for reaching the SDGs by 2030. The key is “Society 5.0” “Society 5.0” is Japan’s national strategy to develop a human-centered society that progresses economically and resolves social issues through a system that combines both cyber and physical spaces in a sophisticated manner. It refers to a new form of society chronologically following hunting, farming, industry, and information societies. A society that is able to resolve a variety of issues on a global scale with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, big data, and biotechnology is a society that will have achieved the SDGs. What we will realise at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Bringing together the wisdom of the world, including breakthrough technologies, to create and communicate new ideasExpansion of domestic and overseas investmentCreation of innovation through activation of human interactionActivation of regional economies and small and medium enterprisesA chance to communicate the wealth of Japan’s cultureThe multiple merits of a world expo held in Osaka, Kansai, Japan Activation of Japan’s economy and the Osaka, Kansai regional economy, and strengthened management of small and medium enterprises resulting from expanded business opportunities are expected to have an economic ripple effect of about JPY 2 trillion.Further development of Osaka, Kansai’s world-class life sciences and biomedical achievements through new innovation in line with Expo’s theme.Further enrichment of Osaka, Kansai’s proud, long history and culture through interaction with foreign cultures, and elevation of its global recognition.Enabling Japan’s young, next-generation creators in a variety of fields to communicate their talents to the world.Japan possesses one of the safest environments and most advanced transport infrastructure in the world, and Osaka, Kansai can be easily accessed from major cities in the world.

The Ghibli 3D Modeling Exhibition, which explores the appeal of Studio Ghibli works, will be held at Warehouse Terada B&C HALL/E HALL in Tennoz, Tokyo from Tuesday, May 27th. Studio Ghibli works, including the movie "How Do You Live?", which has been released in over 80 countries and regions, are now being watched all over the world. Behind the scenes, there were people in each country and region who loved the works and tried to spread them over a long period of time. This exhibition will introduce famous scenes from the movies through 3D models, tracing how overseas partners distributed the works. The 3D Modeling Exhibition is the origin of the full-scale Studio Ghibli exhibition that began in 2003, and will return to Tokyo after 22 years of evolution. Of particular interest is the Savoia S-21 flying boat that appears in the movie "Porco Rosso". The impressive flying boat, created based on the assumption that it "really existed," will look like it is about to take off from Warehouse Terada at any moment. The event will run from May 27th (Tuesday) to September 23rd (Tuesday, national holiday). The "Ham Ramen" that was on sale at the "Friday Road Show and Ghibli Exhibition" two years ago and became a hot topic will be back at the water facility "T-LOTUS M" next to the venue. In addition, tickets will be sold in combination with the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka and tickets linked to hotel accommodation plans.

The newly formed Korean group TWS is preparing for their first concert, and the atmosphere is growing increasingly tense. The concert titled "2025 TWS TOUR '24/7: WITH:US'" will tour cities across Japan from July to August. Recently, Weverse shared a vibrant concert poster with social media platforms, delighting fans immensely. On the poster, the members are smiling under a clear blue sky. Their radiant smiles were filled with joy and anticipation for the concert. TWS aims to become a shining new generation of stage artists. Their performances will feature vibrant choreography and stable live singing, leaving a lasting impression. Pledis Entertainment is dedicated to presenting a genuine show that showcases TWS's growth and commitment to its fans.

Osaka Kansai Expo has decided to hold the "Japan Fireworks Expo", and the "Japan Fireworks Expo" will show the world the charm of Japan's unique culture, the world's highest level of fireworks technology. Fireworks festivals in various places have their own regional characteristics and are deeply connected to local culture and traditions. There are also many fireworks festivals with a history of 100 years. For example, fireworks festivals started to pray for the comfort of those who died in the great famine and plague and for the elimination of diseases. Fireworks festivals that started as a symbol of reconstruction after war and earthquakes, and include mourning and wishes for peace. Fireworks masters from all over the country gather together to compete in technology and artistry. Fireworks set off near the sacred shrine are solemn and there is a fireworks festival where you can feel a special atmosphere.

Discover the enchantment of TWICE's 《THIS IS FOR》 WORLD TOUR in Osaka, hosted at the renowned Kyocera Dome Osaka. Mark your calendars for July 26th and 27th for this exclusive opportunity to witness the international sensation, TWICE, perform live. Immerse yourself in this extraordinary concert experience and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Osaka. Don't let this unforgettable event pass you by!

The fireworks festival in Tokyo has a long history. The 51st festival in 2017 is held on the banks of the Edogawa River that flows through Katsushika. You can enjoy the ancient fireworks "wabi" inherited from the Edo period. This is a thin orange-gold filamentary firework that blooms dazzlingly in the night sky. There are 6 "stages" in this traditional downtown area, and about 13,000 fireworks are set off here. The intense roar of fireworks is accompanied by rhythmic music, plus the gorgeous fireworks, the scene is very beautiful.

This event will light up the first day of the Asahikawa Summer Festival with 4,000 fireworks. The event will be held on the banks of the Ishikari River and will be divided into three parts: the first part "Opening Fantasy", the second part "Luxury Show" and the third part "Grand Closing", which will make the audience linger. Large fireworks will bloom continuously, creating a dreamy atmosphere for the venue.

This fireworks display is held in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, on the Seto Inland Sea. With the sea breeze from the Seto Inland Sea as the background, about 10,000 fireworks with the theme of dreams will light up the night sky. In addition to the many fireworks provided by fireworks masters from all over the country, you can also enjoy music fireworks and starry sky fireworks. It is an event full of highlights.

The popular Poop Museum has made its glorious return to Fukuoka, better than ever! “＼”Power up!!”／ Poop Museum FUKUOKA” will be making its return to the city starting from April 18th, 2025. The experience has evolved since visiting Fukuoka last, and plenty of mainstays of the original exhibit as well as brand new and thrilling poo-ventures await you there! Cute and pop art influenced poop-designs will transform your humdrum everyday into a unique and unforgettable experience!

Ramses The Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs will feature 183 pieces of rare artefacts from ancient Egypt that focus on the almighty pharaoh, Ramses The Great and it will be the largest collection of artefacts on Ramses II to ever leave Egypt. This spectacular exhibition will also boast the FIRST ever virtual walkthrough of Ramses II’s famous temples as well as a full-length documentary ever produced on Ramses II’s tomb.

Kobe Port weekend fireworks are set off regularly to liven up Meriken Park. We have added a February schedule. The bright fireworks in the cold and clear night sky are different from the summer. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the art of light with the winter night sky as the background. Fireworks time: [June][June] June 7 (Sat) 19:30 June 21 (Sat) 19:30 [July][July] July 5 (Sat) 19:30 July 19 (Sat) 19:30 [August][August] August 1 (Fri) 1 9:30　August 2 (Sat) 19:30 August 8 (Fri) 19:30　August 9 (Sat) 19:30 August 15 (Fri) 19:30　August 16 (Sat) 19:30 August 22 (Fri) 19:30　August 23 (Sat) 19:30 August 29 (Fri) 19:30　August 30 (Sat) 19:30 Fireworks location: Meriken Park

How have the works of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) been passed down to the present day? This exhibition focuses on the collection that has been passed down through his family. Van Gogh's younger brother Theo, who supported Van Gogh's painting career and kept most of his works, passed away six months after his brother's death, and Theo's wife Yo took over the management of the vast collection. Yo dedicated her life to increasing her brother-in-law's fame, lending and selling his works for exhibitions, and organizing and publishing his vast letters. His son Vincent Willem created the Vincent van Gogh Foundation and worked hard to establish a museum to prevent the collection from being dispersed. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses approximately 200 oil paintings and 500 drawings by the painter Vincent van Gogh, as well as letters, related works, and ukiyo-e prints. Most of the pieces were permanently loaned by the Vincent van Gogh Foundation when the museum opened in 1973. This exhibition will mainly feature works from the Van Gogh Museum, but will also display more than 30 of Van Gogh's works, as well as four of his letters, which will be on display in Japan for the first time, to introduce the collection that has been protected and passed down through the family.

The "Small World Fireworks Festival" is held every year at the Wild Ethnology Museum in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture. You can enjoy gorgeous fireworks synchronized with music against the backdrop of traditional buildings from all over the world. In 2025, the festival will be held for 15 days from late July to the end of August, starting at 8:15 pm every day, with about 500 fireworks, each lasting about 5 minutes. You need to buy a "Small World" admission ticket to watch the fireworks festival, and there are no paid seats. In addition to the fireworks festival, you can also experience a variety of activities such as trying on ethnic costumes, tasting world food, and listening to music. The fireworks that bloom in sync with the music create a dreamy atmosphere against the backdrop of buildings from all over the world, bringing a unique cross-cultural experience. A 5-minute fountain show will also be held on the day of the fireworks. The fountain show will be held during the day (12:00 noon to 1:00 pm) and dusk (7:00 pm to 7:30 pm), and the finale show in the evening will be presented with fireworks.

A special exhibition of the latest Gundam series, which is also a hot topic for its TV broadcast! Anime Tokyo Station, an exhibition center for anime that utilizes Japanese anime content with a strong fan base around the world, is holding a special exhibition of the theatrical advance version of "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX (Gi-Q Axe) -Beginning-". This work is the latest Gundam series work directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, which attracted a lot of attention as it was the first collaboration between Studio Khara, the creator of the "Evangelion" series, and Sunrise, the creator of the Gundam series. The theatrical advance version, which was screened ahead of the TV series broadcast, with some episodes reconstructed, was very popular and continues to attract attention even after the anime began broadcasting in April this year. The special exhibition will feature scene cuts from the theatrical advance version of "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX -Beginning-", which was screened ahead of the TV series broadcast, looking back on famous scenes from the work. Other attractions include standees of characters and mobile suits, including the main character Amaterasu Yuzuriha (Machu), a photo spot that recreates scenes from the series, and valuable production materials such as scripts. There is also a corner where you can take AR photos with motifs of characters.

The newly formed Korean group TWS is preparing for their first concert, and the atmosphere is growing increasingly tense. The concert titled "2025 TWS TOUR '24/7: WITH:US'" will tour cities across Japan from July to August. Recently, Weverse shared a vibrant concert poster with social media platforms, delighting fans immensely. On the poster, the members are smiling under a clear blue sky. Their radiant smiles were filled with joy and anticipation for the concert. TWS aims to become a shining new generation of stage artists. Their performances will feature vibrant choreography and stable live singing, leaving a lasting impression. Pledis Entertainment is dedicated to presenting a genuine show that showcases TWS's growth and commitment to its fans.

This exhibition introduces the world of prints by world-renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama (1929-). Yayoi Kusama made her international debut at the 45th Venice Biennale in 1993 as a representative Japanese artist, but her active involvement in printmaking from an earlier stage of her career was a major driving force behind her current acclaim. In 1979, Yayoi Kusama exhibited her first prints. In contrast to her other works based on themes such as death and suffering after returning from the U.S., her prints are rich in color with vivid motifs. In addition to abstract expressions of her earlier works, motifs such as pumpkins, dresses, grapes, flowers, and butterflies covered in distinct colors and composed of mesh and polka dots are distinctive in her printworks. It is no exaggeration to say that Kusama, whose creative activities are rooted in the proliferation of dots and nets, inevitably encountered printmaking, an art of reproduction.

This is a touring, international exhibition designed and organised by the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France, focusing together, for the first time, on two Impressionist/Post-Impressionist painters, Renoir and Cézanne.Featuring masterpieces like Renoir’s “Two Young Girls at the Piano” and Cézanne’s “Portrait of the Artist’s Son”, the exhibition explores the origins of modern art through approximately fifty works, including portraits, still lifes, and landscapes by these two great masters, as well as pieces by Picasso, who was influenced by them.Realised through cooperation between the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Musée d'Orsay, the exhibition travels the world, showing in Milan, then Martigny (Switzerland) and Hong Kong, before appearing at Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo, the only Japanese venue for the show.We hope that audiences will delight in the connections between Renoir and Cézanne, and in the extraordinary artistic expression of these two great masters who produced such unconstrained and diverse work on the eve of the birth of modern art.

Ashiya Summer Carnival is a fireworks festival held in late July every year in the Minami-Ashiyahama area of ​​Ashiya City, Hyōgo Prefecture. Its official name has not changed since the first festival in 1979, but the first fireworks display was at the seventh festival in 1985. It is considered one of the three major festivals in Ashiya and is positioned as a summer festival in the city. Festivals and stage events are held during the day.

The fireworks display marks the end of the two-day Gamagori Festival in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture. This year's theme is "Colors". There will be a variety of programs, including "Music Star", which perfectly combines music and fireworks, and "Water Star", which uses the sea surface. The fireworks, which are 3 meters high and even larger than the Tokyo Skytree, are the signature project of this festival. In addition to the fireworks, there will be stage performances and various food and beverage stalls on site, making the entire celebration add vitality to the summer night.

A "Detective Conan" mystery-solving event will be held at Osaka Castle! Take on the challenge of solving mysteries with Edogawa Conan and Hattori Heiji! A strange code was discovered in the city overlooking Osaka Castle. The identity of the culprit and his motives are unknown. Heiji, who received a top-secret request, begins an investigation with Conan. Before long, the two realize that the code is not just a play on words, but a device that also involves the surrounding "scenery." Can you solve all the codes using the clues scattered around the city?

The Beppu Hi no Kai Festival Cooling Fireworks Festival is an annual summer event in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. This event combines traditional summer festivals with spectacular fireworks displays, attracting a large number of tourists and local residents. The final fireworks display will launch about 10,000 fireworks in 60 minutes along the coast of Beppu Bay, making it one of the largest fireworks displays in the prefecture. The viewing area is divided into paid areas and free areas. The paid area provides BBQ seats and folding chairs, allowing you to enjoy the fireworks in a spacious and comfortable environment. Unique fireworks displays such as the "Golden Peacock" will be held, and these fireworks will be launched from barges that utilize the terrain of Beppu Bay. In addition, colorful activities such as the "Cool Night Market", "Beppu Food Stall Village", and "Summer Festival Song Contest" will be held to make the event more lively.

A celebration of Hello Kitty 50 years in the making. Come enjoy this exhibit showcasing Hello Kitty’s uniqueness! Hello Kitty made her debut 50 years ago, and has become a global icon and beloved household name. Look across the world and stories like hers are quite rare. So, what made, and continues to make, Hello Kitty so popular? The hint lies in her connection to each and every one of her fans. At this exhibit, the secret will be revealed in various corners of the exhibit, including the largest assemblage of Hello Kitty goods in history, artist collaborations with Hello Kitty overflowing with personality, and original video made for the event.

Japanese animation master Isao Takahata is known as "the man who created Japanese animation" He redefined the humanistic depth of animation with works such as Grave of the Fireflies, The Tale of Princess Kaguya, and The Legend of the Ancient Swordsman. This exhibition is held to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Takahata Isao's birth. Curated and assisted by Studio Ghibli, this is a look back at his artistic career Through the techniques and concepts that Takahata used in his works before joining Studio Ghibli and Studio Ghibli films to delve into the essence of animation production Showing his great contribution to the development of Japanese animation culture

J.League will hold the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2025 presented by The Nippon Foundation on Wednesday, July 30th between Yokohama F･Marinos and Liverpool FC of the Premier League. MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2025 will be held with special support from J.League title partner Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company. This competition will allow J.League clubs to experience a match against top-level international opposition at the Nissan Stadium and for football fans to see an attractive brand of football. Like last two years’ edition, the match will be co-hosted by the J.League and NTT DOCOMO,INC, and this year, The Nippon Foundation will newly support this competition as a charity partner. ■MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE WORLD CHALLENGE 2025 presented by The Nippon Foundation ・Organizer: Japan Professional Football League (J.LEAGUE), NTT DOCOMO, INC. ・Special sponsorship: Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company ・Charity partner: The Nippon Foundation

Japanese game auteur Hideo Kojima, the mind behind Death Stranding and the Metal Gear series, has revolutionised interactive storytelling with his cinematic sensibility. Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, celebrated for Drive and Only God Forgives, is known for his stylised, meditative explorations of violence and human nature. Bound by mutual respect and a fascination with the convergence of their mediums, the two artists share a decade-long friendship that has sparked artistic collaborations across film and video games. The two visionary creators now reunite in Tokyo for an ambitious installation. From April 18 to August 25, Prada Aoyama hosts ‘Satellites: Nicolas Winding Refn with Hideo Kojima’, an exhibition that invites visitors into a retro-futuristic space where Refn and Kojima appear across six exposed television screens together shaped like a spaceship, engaging in dialogue on identity, death and creativity.The journey continues in an adjacent dressing room filled with cassette tapes, interweaving AI-translated soundbites and film soundtracks, allowing guests to craft their own narrative from fragments of conversation. Blurring the lines between analogue and digital, film and games, ‘Satellites’ explores human connection in an age of technological fusion.

On the evening of July 26, 2025 at 19:40, the reclaimed land of Toyohama Fishing Port in Minamichita Town will once again stage the annual fireworks feast - the 35th Ichitsuyama Hall Displays Present Toyohama Fireworks Festival. Within 35 minutes, about 3,500 fireworks competed to rise into the sky, illuminating the night sky and sea surface of the fishing port into a flowing sea of ​​light. The extra-large star curtain and creative star clusters took turns to appear on stage, and finally the whole venue was ignited by the ruler-jade stunts and the finale fireworks, presenting the ultimate interpretation of light and color to the audience.

The Sumiyoshi Festival is one of the three major summer festivals in Osaka, and it is also a grand festival in the back of the summer in Osaka. The three-day event starts on July 30 and ends on August 1. There are three well-known events: "God Washing the Gods", "Xia Yuexi" and "God Yu Yu". "God washes the gods" refers to the ritual of washing the gods with sea water on July 30. The shrine starts from Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and heads towards Sumiyoshi Park, which used to be in the direction of Yoshihama, washing the shrine with sea water as it goes. This seawater is brought back in the morning by the special ship "Shiokabune" of the Osaka Sumiyoshi Fisheries Association from Osaka Bay, which is considered a sacred seawater. After the cleaning was over, Miyu returned to Sumiyoshi Taisha. "Xia Yue's sacred events" is considered to be an intangible cultural heritage, and it is also the highlight of the annual festival on July 31. It is a ceremony in which a gorgeously dressed Xia Yue girl and a golden boy and a jade girl drill the thatch together. Ordinary people can also participate, praying for no disease and no disaster. "Shinyu Togo" refers to a ceremony in which the deity of Sumiyoshi the Great God parades through the shrine to Sakai no Judo Intongu. Local residents will participate in the activities of raising the gods, and the scene is very lively.

The official name of Sensoji Temple comes from the Golden Dragon Mountain, and it is called "Golden Dragon Mountain Sensoji Temple", and the name "Golden Dragon Dance" comes from the name of this mountain. "Golden Dragon Dance" is a dance that started in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of the main hall of Sensoji Temple, Kannon Hall. This dance is based on the story of Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined in Sensoji Temple. According to legend, she appeared as a golden dragon that descended from the sky, and overnight she created a thousand pine trees that symbolize a good harvest. The 18-meter-long, 88-kilogram shining golden dragon dances gorgeously to the music of the celebration, and this scene is absolutely impressive.

From a young age, Kusama has suffered from visual and auditory hallucinations. Her mental health condition has had a tremendous impact on the artist’s creative activities. In the 1950s, driven by her own obsessions, Kusama created an enormous number of drawings, resulting in an opportunity to make her breakthrough as an artist. After relocating to the United States in 1957, the artist began to create a series of works that could be described as ritual of “self-obliteration,” where all existence is engulfed in infinitely repetitive patterns such as polka dots and nets while the self is immersed into a boundless world. These works express a desire for salvation from psychological disorders and simultaneously reflect her intention to liberate society from absurd oppression through happenings and other forms of expression.

Shosoin THE SHOW, an exhibition event supervised by the Imperial Household Agency's Shosoin Office, will be held on the occasion of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, where visitors can experience and enjoy the miracle of Shosoin and its treasures, which are still in good condition after 1,300 years of rare items. These treasures, which still shine and do not fade, have been passed down through the hearts and hands of people throughout the ages. This exhibition will unravel the story of the miracle of Shosoin's 1,300 years from the three perspectives of "love, beauty, and weaving." This exhibition is unique in that it will make full use of the latest digital techniques. The treasures will be scanned from 360 degrees and displayed in high-definition 3D digital data, allowing visitors to experience the details and texture of the treasures in a realistic way. In addition, the "replicas" that the Shosoin Office has been researching and producing will be exhibited in combination with video, music, and lighting, providing a new encounter with Shosoin. In addition, new works created by contemporary artists, including fashion designer Tomoe Shinohara, inspired by Shosoin treasures will be introduced. Photography and posting on social media is permitted throughout the venue, not just at the photo spots. This is an exhibition event that is truly colored with the splendor of a show, with cutting-edge creators directing the words and space.