Latest Events in Osaka Prefecture(May Updated)

The major whisky tasting event, "Osaka Whisky Festival 2026," will be held on June 26th (Friday) and 27th (Saturday), and will feature significant upgrades this year. The venue remains the same as last year: ATC Hall in the Osaka Bay area. On Friday, June 26th, a premium evening will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM, featuring a talk show with invited guests on the venue's stage. On Saturday, June 27th, a tasting seminar will be held with a distinguished panel of speakers, including leading blenders in the Japanese whisky industry. The seminar will be divided into two sessions: Part 1 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and Part 2 from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Throughout the event, various booths within the venue will offer tastings of whisky, gin, and other spirits, and will sell bottled spirits and related merchandise. Furthermore, participants can communicate directly with manufacturers, which is a major highlight of this event.

Discover U!!! An undiscovered side of you is about to make some noise. It's Universal Studios Japan's 25th anniversary. This is a special year where "U" stands for "you" and "USJ." You can encounter captivating new experiences this year at USJ. Here, you can rediscover awe-inspiring experiences from 25 years of our history, as well as unforgettable entertainment. Here, you can savor unexpected moments of excitement, break out in dance, and experience the thrill of unleashing a power that you never knew you had! Take the plunge! Unleash all of your emotions! An undiscovered side of you is about to make some noise at the awesome festivities!

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 Tenjin Festival at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, is one of Japan's three major festivals, boasting a history of over a thousand years. In 2026, the festival includes a nighttime celebration on July 24th (featuring the release of deities, lion dances, and other rituals), followed by the main shrine ceremony on July 25th (featuring the transfer of deities, land processions, boat processions, and fireworks displays). Attracting 1.3 million visitors annually, the Tenjin Festival's grand finale is the fireworks display. Approximately 100 large boats light bonfires, and about 3,000 fireworks explode simultaneously, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

The Tenjin Matsuri is one of Osaka's most iconic water lantern festivals and one of Japan's three major festivals, held annually from July 24th to 25th. Tenjin means "God of the Sky," and Matsuri means "festival" in Japanese. Osaka, also known as the City of Water and the City of Light, hosts this festival with a history spanning over a thousand years. The festival began in 951 AD to commemorate the great scholar Sugawara no Michizane, who was revered as the god of learning. Start your exciting festival journey at Tenmangu Shrine. For early risers, the Night Shrine Festival (evening pre-festival ceremony) begins as early as 7:45 AM on July 24th, featuring various rituals and prayers for the festival's success. The festival kicks off with taiko drumming, stretcher dances (carrying the portable shrine), and dragon dances. Don't miss the festival's special golden portable shrine on display at Tenmangu Shrine. On July 25th, the day of the main festival, the three main events are the land occupation, the water occupation, and the nighttime fireworks display. The highlight is the fireworks show, which begins around 7:30 PM and attracts a large crowd. In Japan, a summer festival without fireworks is incomplete, and this unmissable event will feature 3,000 dazzling fireworks. The fireworks display undoubtedly provides a perfect ending to this grand festival.

The Sumiyoshi Festival is one of Osaka's largest summer festivals, held annually from July 30th to August 1st. It is also known as the "Ofusatsu Festival," meaning "purification," as its rituals aim to ward off disease and other misfortunes. Before the festival begins, the mikoshi (portable shrine) used to enshrine the deity is cleansed. The water for this cleansing is drawn from Osaka Bay in the early morning. At 8 PM on July 30th, a night festival is held to move the deity to the mikoshi. The following day, the Nagoshi Purification Ceremony, also known as the "Summer Purification Ritual," is held. This ritual includes a procession of shrine maidens, children, and dancers dressed in brightly colored Muromachi period (1336-1573) costumes. They pass through a large standing ring made of woven straw, which is believed to have the power to purify the soul.