Featured Events in Osaka Prefecture in 2025 (August Updated)

With the expansion of the launch area, you can enjoy a fireworks display that is even larger in scale than last year. In addition to the diverse displays that unfold at close range, the spectacular fireworks that shoot straight up into the air will create a spectacular sense of realism. This year, the number of fireworks will be increased even further, allowing you to experience a sense of dynamism that feels as if the climax is never ending. The colorful and flashy displays that are unique to the Kansai region will brightly color the summer night sky.

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.

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?

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.

Summer Sonic is back! Summer Sonic is known for featuring some of the biggest acts from around the world. The festival is held simultaneously in Chiba and Osaka, with acts switching days – so you won’t miss out, whichever you choose.

ILLIT is a South Korean girl group launched by the South Korean entertainment company Belift Lab. The members of the group were selected through the survival audition program "R U Next?" and officially debuted on March 25, 2024, with their mini-album "Super Real Me". In terms of music style, ILLIT's songs mainly feature a dynamic and energetic electronic pop style. Their debut song, "Magnetic", has attracted a large number of fans with its catchy melody, energetic rhythm, and the members' clear and lovely timbres. The song has achieved excellent cumulative playback figures on Spotify, the world's largest music streaming platform, which proves the group's strength and appeal. Their second mini-album, "I'LL LIKE YOU", has also achieved good results on the Japanese Oricon and Billboard Japan charts.

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.

U-NEXT MUSIC FES - Love Live! Series EXPO 2025 STAGE ~Right now!~ is a live concert to be held by U-NEXT which features the Love Live! franchise on its third day. The concert will take place at EXPO Arena "Matsuri", Osaka on August 14, 2025.

During the Osaka Kansai Expo, Osaka Prefecture and each city and town will promote the charm of Osaka to both domestic and overseas audiences through the "Osaka Week - Spring, Summer, and Autumn" held in three periods throughout the year! In autumn, a music-centered event "Osaka Festival! - EXPO2025 Autumn Battle" is planned.

In 2025, Osaka will be transformed into a giant art museum! "Learning: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival 2025" will be held from April to October. The exhibition will cover various areas of Osaka and take the World Expo as an opportunity to bring an unprecedented art feast. Among the first wave of 28 international artists announced, heavyweight creators such as surreal sculpture master Ron Mueck and conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan will surely present a visual feast that subverts imagination!

Yumeshima, the site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, is a place that gives a sense of Osaka's unique character, which developed towards the sea. The numerous documents stored in the Osaka Castle Tower retain the image of the "water city" of the past, which can no longer be seen today. Please take the time to reflect on the history of Osaka, which was nurtured by its abundant waters.

During the Sengoku period, various cultural artifacts from Europe and Asia were brought to Japan through trade with the Western countries. This exhibition will focus on the various aspects of exchange with the world that had a major impact on Japanese society, such as the introduction of Christianity and firearms.

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.

There are many artists and works that are still unknown to the world in Japanese art. For example, in the case of Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800), an exhibition held at the Kyoto National Museum in 2000 triggered an unprecedented boom in Jakuchu's work, but before 2000, Jakuchu was a "hidden treasure trove" for the general public. Since then, Jakuchu and other eccentric painters have been unearthed, but there are still many hidden treasures from the Jomon period to modern times. This exhibition aims to unearth these treasures once again and establish them as beautiful gems in the history of Japanese art. We would like the audience to use their own eyes to find "future national treasures."

Fukahori Ryusuke (born in Aichi Prefecture in 1973) is an artist who is fascinated by goldfish and continues to create works of art. This exhibition will feature around 300 works, from his early period to his latest, with a focus on his Goldfish Sake series, which the artist named himself after the incident of being saved by a goldfish. His virtuoso 2.5D (dimensional) paintings (which look like swimming goldfish when viewed from above, but what about from the side?) bring to life the cruelty, strangeness, beauty, loveliness and transience of life.

【Osaka・Kishiwada】Experience the thrilling “sharp turn” up close! Kishiwada Road Race Festival Observation Seats Now Available! The “Kishiwada Road Race Festival”, with a history of over 320 years, is one of Japan’s representative traditional festivals. This year, we will set up special observation seats at the powerful viewing spot “Kankanba”, where you can sit and watch the exciting moment “Yarimawashi” when the road race turns sharply at an incredible speed. About 400,000 people come from all over the world to see this scene every year. Please come and experience the passion and sense of presence that can only be felt on site! ● About Observation Seats For three days from September 12 (Friday) to 14 (Sunday) (trial pull, eve of the festival, and the main festival day), we will set up special observation seats on the mountain side and sea side where the “Kankanba” is located. There are various types of seats, including the "trial pull" where you can feel the tense atmosphere on the eve of the festival, the "departure ceremony (楊き出し)" where the cars of each town set off on the actual day, the "parade" where all the cars gather and appear, and the "afternoon session" where the festival atmosphere reaches its climax. This year, S seats will be added on the mountain side where you can watch up close, and tickets will be sold in three areas, A/B/C, during certain periods of time; and comfortable VIP sofa seats will be set up on the sea side. In addition, "group discount tickets" suitable for families or groups have been newly added. In the bustling and crowded Kishiwada Car Festival, you can enjoy the festival leisurely from your exclusive seats! ● Highlights of the Kishiwada Car Festival A car pulling team consists of about 500 to 1,000 people, including "pullers", "musicians", "craftsmen", "front shovels", and "back shovels". The sight of the team working together to operate the huge 4-ton tram with human power is a major attraction of the festival. In particular, the "Yarimawashi" turning at a right angle while running at high speed is a breathtaking climax. For this moment, the participants have been training for a long time, accumulating physical strength, cultivating tacit understanding, and tempering the courage to break through danger. Only when the team is perfectly synchronized can the challenge of "sharp turn" be completed. This power of regional unity is the foundation for the continuation of the Kishiwada Tramway Festival for 300 years. Although there have been regrettable accidents over the years, the enthusiasm of the citizens of Kishiwada for the Tramway Festival has never diminished. When they hear the festival music, they can't help but run to the streets, because the Tramway Festival is not only their pride, but also an emotional bond passed down from generation to generation. From parents to children, from children to grandchildren, the tradition of the Tramway Festival will continue to be passed on.

This is the first retrospective in 25 years of Naraju Koide (1887 – 1931), one of the leading modern Japanese Western-style painters. After graduating from Tokyo Fine Arts School, Naraju made his debut in the art world with his work “The Family of N” at the Nikaten Exhibition. He continued to pursue oil painting as a Japanese artist until his sudden death at the age of 43, leaving behind numerous masterpieces in still lifes and nudes. He was known as a master of nudes, and was nicknamed “Naraju the Nude.” In particular, in the works he created in the five years after moving to Ashiya in 1926, he elevated the naked bodies of Japanese women to a unique level of beauty through bold deformation and lustrous colors. This exhibition will trace Naraju’s career from his early years to his later years, along with his representative works from each period, and will once again explore the appeal of his oil paintings. It will also introduce his diverse talents in drawings, glass paintings, bookbinding, illustrations, essays, and more.

Celadon is a kind of ceramic that has a trace amount of iron in its glaze and turns green after high-temperature firing. Celadon has a long history. It was born in China in the 2nd century AD, and then continued to develop and spread to the Korean Peninsula, Japan, and even all over the world. Celadon occupies an important position in the history of East Asian ceramics. Its unique beauty is not only fascinating, but also a symbol of authority and wealth. The most fascinating thing about celadon is its beautiful glaze color, and its color will change subtly due to the different firing environment and the color of the body, making celadon present a rich and diverse appearance. This exhibition selects the treasures of Chinese and Korean celadon in the museum's collection, and also introduces Japanese and modern celadon works, allowing the audience to appreciate the dazzling charm of celadon in the history of East Asian ceramics. In addition to this exhibition, special exhibitions and collection exhibitions will be held to display representative works in the museum's collection. In each exhibition, works from the special project "Treasures of Osaka - Twenty Selections of MOCO" held in commemoration of the Osaka Kansai Expo will also be displayed.

Quo Vadis (1903-04, revised in 1920) is the oil painting that marked the finale of the Paris period of Alfons Mucha (1860-1939), a leading Czech artist. The large painting, measuring over two meters in length and width, depicts a scene from a novel in which a young girl kisses a marble statue in an ancient Roman villa. The person peering from behind does not appear in the original novel. Many things surrounding this work, such as its identity and the reason for choosing this scene, have remained shrouded in mystery. This exhibition will reveal the full picture of Quo Vadis, which was missing for a long time until it was discovered in 1979. It will also trace Mucha's creative path leading up to this painting through his representative prints, illustrations, drawings, oil paintings, and jewelry, and will fully introduce the charm of the museum's world-leading Mucha collection, which is one of the museum's prides. In addition, a nearly life-size tapestry woven using Sakai Dantsu, a hand-woven carpet technique handed down in Sakai City, will be on public display for the first time. This will be a new page in the history of the painting that was originally intended to be the original for a carpet, created in America in 1910.

"The Love of the Past" (1903-04, revised in 1920) is the finale of the paintings of the representative Czech artist Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) during his Paris period. This huge painting, more than two meters long and wide, depicts a scene from the novel: a girl kissing a marble statue in an ancient Roman villa. The figure peeking from behind the statue does not appear in the original novel. Many questions, such as the background of the work and the reason for choosing this scene, remain a mystery. This exhibition will reveal the full picture of "The Love of the Past", which was lost for a long time and was not discovered until 1979. It will also trace Mucha's creative process through his representative prints, illustrations, sketches, oil paintings, jewelry and other works, and fully introduce the charm of Mucha's world-class collection, which the museum is proud of. In addition, a tapestry woven in a near-life-size manner using the hand-woven carpet weaving technique "Sakai Dan-dori" passed down in Sakai City will also be exhibited for the first time. The painting was originally planned to be created in the United States in 1910 as an original for the carpet, which would open a new chapter in the history of the painting.

Osaka Museum of History will hold a special exhibition, "Unveiling New Acquisitions," from Wednesday, June 25, 2025 to Monday, September 1, 2025 in the special exhibition room on the 8th floor. Since its opening, Osaka Museum of History has made it its basic policy to introduce the history and culture of the Osaka region to the general public and deepen their understanding of it. Collecting materials in line with this basic policy is also the foundation of the museum's activities, and every year the museum stores various materials donated by citizens and uses them for research, exhibitions, etc. This exhibition will introduce approximately 25 items, mainly unpublished items, from the many donations that became new additions to the museum's collection in fiscal year 2024.

The Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum will be holding the second half of the exhibition "Koji Kinutani: Towards Peace" as a proposal for peace through the power of art and the arts. Currently, conflicts continue in many countries and regions, resulting in many casualties and refugees. In addition, environmental destruction has caused natural disasters in various places, making the road to peace a difficult one. The recognition that peace is the common wish of all humanity is shared by both East and West. Koji Kinutani has continued to create works that teach the folly of war while also feeling a reverence for nature, giving dreams and hope to many people. This exhibition will focus on works that strongly express the message of "Peace," and is held in the hope that a day of peace will come to people all over the world who are suffering from the ravages of war and disasters.

As part of their involvement in the World Expo Osaka 2025, Louis Vuitton has created this unique, immersive experience with the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka. Celebrating 170 years, the exhibit takes visitors on an amazing journey through multiple rooms inspired by savoir-faire, creation, and innovation. It’s a new and creative way to experience one of fashion’s biggest brands, making it a must-see whilst you’re in Osaka.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the original popular manga "Coji-Coji" by Momoko Sakura, the creator of the Japanese national anime Chibi Maruko-chan, we will be collaborating with artist YOSHIROTTEN. Cojicoji encounters the world of YOSHIROTTEN's SUN, creating a completely new exhibition that is bathed in UNIVERSE colors never seen before.

During the Edo period in Osaka, elaborate decorations called Tsukurimono were often made in the town on the occasions of shrine relocations and festivals. In the precincts of temples and shrines, arts were shown to visitors, and impromptu plays were performed in the town, and arts, skills, and ideas were displayed in non-permanent locations. These were valuable opportunities for people living in the town to come into contact with culture, and they brought vitality to the town. In the Meiji period, the Fifth Domestic Industrial Exposition in 1903, held in Osaka, became the largest international exposition of the Meiji period. Eye-catching monuments and vehicles were set up at the exposition to attract people's attention, and various arts were also actively performed as entertainment. Many expositions were held in Osaka after that, contributing to the spread of new technologies, the development of industry, and the raising of awareness. The town was developed in preparation for the exposition, and it can be said that the city had grown into an international city. This exhibition will explore the city's special "urban festivals" through displays of materials that represent them, ranging from reproductions of early modern structures to modern Osaka expositions, which have not received much attention until now, and expositions held since the 1970 World Expo.

This summer, Grand Front Osaka will host the 4th "castle event" "Osaka Castle Festival 2025". There are many castles across the country that were once important stages in history, and they attract the attention of castle lovers and history enthusiasts from all over the country. In recent years, many people have enjoyed visiting castles, and tourist events and local events have been held in various places. Their popularity has not stopped, and the world is truly experiencing an "unprecedented castle boom!"

The "Gongara Fire Festival" held on August 24th every year is a traditional fire festival representing northern Osaka (Kitasedo Inland Sea). It is said to have originated in 1644 during the Edo period and is held to pray for "safety at home" and "fire prevention and disaster avoidance." On the day of the festival, a huge bonfire was lit at Mayuyama, the symbol of Ikeda, like the farewell bonfire in Kyoto. A giant torch weighing 100 kilograms and 4 meters long paraded through the city, burning for a total of 3 kilometers. The grand parade attracts many tourists every year.

The Japanese boy group ONE OR EIGHT will hold their "SHŪKAI FINAL" fan meeting in Osaka and Tokyo. The Osaka event will take place on August 24, 2025, at Zepp Namba Osaka. ONE OR EIGHT is an eight-member boy group, comprised of Japanese members MIZUKI, NEO, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA, TAKERU, TSUBASA, and YUGA. The group’s name, ONE OR EIGHT, is inspired by a Japanese idiom meaning "All or Nothing," embodying their bold, fearless approach to both life and music. With the tagline “BET ON YOURSELF”, they are a team of passionate dreamers determined to leave an indelible mark on the global stage. Fusing hip-hop and pop, ONE OR EIGHT seamlessly bridges genres while celebrating their Japanese heritage through lyrics, choreography, and a distinctive streetwear aesthetic. Their first performance video “KAWASAKI” garnered over 10 million views on YouTube, showcasing their undeniable appeal and growing influence. The group officially announced their debut with the release of their single “Don’t Tell Nobody,” a high-energy track produced by Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, Adele, Jonas Brothers) and David Stewart (BTS), featuring rap lyrics by Lucien Parker (Kanye West x Ty Dolla $ign's “STARS”). The song quickly ascended to #1 on the Billboard Japan Heatseekers Songs chart, cementing their arrival on the scene. In December 2024, their collaboration “KAWASAKI (with Big Sean)” reached #5 on the U.S. iTunes chart, further solidifying their international presence. With each release, ONE OR EIGHT continues to captivate audiences worldwide, setting the stage for a groundbreaking career.

Dance your way to the Minami Mido Bon Odori at Namba Betsuin Temple (also known as Minami Mido) in Osaka! This is one of the largest Bon Odori festivals in Osaka. After many years, the Minami Mido Bon Odori returns to the historic Namba Betsuin Temple, showcasing traditional Japanese folk music and dance. Enjoy spectacular performances of folk songs and dances from across Japan. The festival takes place annually on August 27th and 28th. Festivities typically take place in the evening, typically starting at 6:00 PM and ending at 9:30 PM.