Latest Events in Osaka Prefecture(September Updated)

This brand-new Ghibli Park exhibition will showcase the park's current state thanks to the collective efforts of visitors. A highlight of the exhibition is its interactivity. In addition to valuable exhibits, the park features various interactive facilities that allow adults and children alike to "see, touch, and explore."

The scheduled date for the 38th Yodogawa fireworks festival in Reiwa 8 has been decided: Saturday, October 17, Reiwa 8. This year's event will also be held in October, continuing from last year. Born in the first year of the Heisei era, the "Heisei Yodogawa fireworks festival organizing committee" was established with the wish to revitalize the city, formed from the operating committee of the "Juso dontokoi festival" which had been held 16 times in the past. For 17 years, it continued as the "Heisei Yodogawa fireworks festival," becoming a traditional summer event in Naniwa thanks to everyone's support. From the 18th year onward, with new sponsorship, it became an all-Osaka effort to support the "Naniwa fireworks festival." The "Heisei Yodogawa fireworks festival," which has been handmade with the involvement of local residents in various ways, will now be renamed the "Yodogawa fireworks festival" and aims to continue expanding its impact as a true catalyst for Osaka's revitalization. We strive to create a fireworks festival that can share even greater excitement with everyone. We sincerely appreciate your continued warm understanding and support.

One of Osaka's biggest autumn events, the 2026 Expo Night Sky Art Festival, returns to the 1970 Expo Memorial Park on November 21, 2026. Since its inception in 2022, the festival has attracted over 100,000 visitors with its spectacular combination of fireworks, music, and art performances. The 2026 event, also celebrating its fifth anniversary, is themed "Beyond the Past, Towards a New Level of Entertainment," expanding the program and enhancing the viewing experience to transform Osaka's autumn skies into a dazzling work of art. This year, the viewing location has moved to the East Plaza of the 1970 Expo Memorial Park. Approximately 15,000 fireworks will burst in front of the audience, creating a panoramic view covering the entire horizon. These fireworks, meticulously crafted by top pyrotechnicians in the Kansai region, are perfectly synchronized with carefully selected music, elevating the audiovisual feast to a whole new level! In addition to the traditional fireworks display, last year's popular drone light show is back! Utilizing the latest technology, a dazzling 3D drone light show illuminates the night sky, complementing the fireworks and creating a dreamlike spectacle for one night only. The daytime festival is equally spectacular. Starting at 11:00 AM, the nearby festival square will host the Kitayuki Cultural Festival, concurrently with the wildly popular Ramen Expo. You can enjoy live cultural performances while indulging in Japan's most popular ramen – a full day of non-stop excitement!

[Osaka/Kishiwada] Experience the thrilling "yarimawashi" up close! Kishiwada road race festival viewing seats now available! The "Kishiwada road race festival," boasting over 320 years of history, is one of Japan's most representative traditional festivals. This year, special viewing seats will be set up at the thrilling viewing spot "Kankanba," where you can witness the breathtaking moment of "yarimawashi" as the race cars make sharp turns at high speed. Around 400,000 people from all over the world visit annually just to catch a glimpse of this spectacle. Be sure to experience the excitement and realism that can only be felt on-site! ●About the seating area Special viewing seats will be set up on both the mountain side and sea side where the "kan-kan area" is located during the three days from September 18 (Fri) to 20 (Sun) (trial pull, eve festival, and main festival day). We offer various types of seats to experience different moments: the "trial pull" where you can feel the tension of the eve, the "yanki-dashi" when carts from each neighborhood depart, the "parade" where all carts gather together, and the "daytime program" when the festival atmosphere reaches its peak. ●Highlights of the Kishiwada danjiri festival The hikiyama (float-pulling) team consists of about 500 to 1,000 members, including "pullers," "hayashikata (musicians)," "craftsmen," "front shovelers," and "rear shovelers." One of the festival's biggest attractions is the sight of this united team manually maneuvering a massive 4-ton tram. Particularly breathtaking is the climax moment called "yarimawashi," where the tram makes a sharp 90-degree turn while moving at high speed. For this very moment, the participants have spent years training, building their physical strength, fostering unspoken understanding, and honing the courage to overcome danger. It is only when the team is perfectly in sync that they can clear the difficult challenge of the "sharp turn." This sense of unity in the community is the foundation that has kept the Kishiwada tram festival going for 300 years. Though there have been regrettable accidents, the passion of the citizens for the tram festival remains undiminished to this day. When you hear the festival music, you can't help but run out into the streets. The tram festival is not only a source of pride for the citizens but also a bond of the heart passed down from generation to generation. From parent to child, from child to grandchild, the tradition of the tram festival will continue to be passed on.