Latest Events in Osaka(October Updated)

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.

The 2026 Osaka Christmas Market will be held from November 20th to December 25th, 2026 at Tennoji Park. Following its successful debut in 2023, which attracted over 200,000 visitors, this year's market will feature approximately 24 stalls, including 7 new ones. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine served in original mugs, German beer, sausages, pretzels, and festive gifts such as snowballs and wreaths.

The critically acclaimed 360° immersive sound and light show "ENLIGHTENMENT," a sensation in Europe, is making its Japanese debut. The performance takes place at the Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, a registered tangible cultural heritage site in the heart of Osaka and the site of last year's World Expo, a place that has witnessed joy from around the world. Relax and immerse yourself in this 30-minute, six-part spectacular sound and light show, set to the soothing melodies of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons." After experiencing the vibrant cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, the fifth act, "Ignorance," depicts the struggle within the endless cycle of life and death. Upon reaching the final act, "Enlightenment," you will be freed from all constraints, bathed in a radiant light that evokes absolute peace and connection with your true self. The elegance of a historical temple intertwines with cutting-edge digital art to create a wondrous symphony. Immerse yourself in luxurious sound and light, and enjoy a dreamlike experience. Performance times: ① 17:45～18:15, ② 18:30～19:00, ③ 19:15～19:45, ④ 20:00～20:30, ⑤ 20:45～21:15

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!

The Osaka Museum of Natural History will hold a special exhibition, "Mass Extinctions: The Five Great Extinctions in the History of Life," from July 17 (Friday) to October 12 (Monday/Holiday), 2026, exploring five major extinction events in Earth's history. Over the past 4 billion years since the origin of life, Earth has experienced countless crises. These crises were primarily caused by meteorite impacts from outside the Earth and internal activities such as volcanic eruptions, but sometimes life itself was the trigger. However, life has tenaciously overcome each crisis, evolving in multiple ways by constantly replacing extinct species with new ones. In other words, mass extinctions can be seen as phenomena that promote the flourishing of life. This exhibition will trace the evolutionary history of "organisms" fighting for survival by revealing various evidence preserved in fossils and rocks, and will unveil the five largest mass extinctions (commonly known as the "Five Great Extinctions").

The Shinno Festival, held annually from November 22nd to 23rd, is the last festival held in Osaka, hence its nickname "The Last Festival." Just a 20-minute walk from Osaka's city center and a 5-minute train ride from Osaka Station, the Shinno Festival is a convenient stop when visiting the city. The Shinno Festival is hosted by Sukunahiko-no-Mikoto Shrine, which enshrines Shennong, the Chinese god of medicine, and Sukunahiko-no-Mikoto, the Japanese god of medicine. Shinnong also means "Emperor Shennong," commemorating Emperor Shennong's teachings in agriculture and medicine. One of the shrine's symbols is the tiger amulet, "Tiger of Tiger." This tiger-shaped paper amulet is distributed as a souvenir and is said to prevent illness. This tradition began in the early 19th century when a cholera outbreak occurred in Osaka, and those who possessed the amulets were cured. While attending the festival, it's also worthwhile to visit the Medical Museum next to Sukunahiko-no-Mikoto Shrine. This museum is small, but its exhibits date back 300 years. Unfortunately, the explanations are only in Japanese, but it should be interesting for those particularly interested in the history of medicine in Osaka. You can see the materials used for dispensing and storing medicines.