From dazzling fireworks and festivals to music showcases and art exhibitions, Osaka comes alive in August like no other time of the year. If you’re looking for a burst of color and excitement this summer, there is no shortage this month. In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the must-see events, local festivals, and limited-time experiences that you can experience in Osaka this August.
Photo Credit: Osaka Info
Osaka Castle Festival
This summer, Grand Front Osaka hosts the fourth Osaka Castle Festival, celebrating Japan’s rich legacy of royal architecture and timeless strongholds. This event invites both enthusiasts and those curious to explore the hidden stories and beauty of Japan’s most iconic and historical landmarks. Filled with engaging exhibits and interactive experiences, this is a perfect chance to dive into Japan’s rock-solid cultural history.
Date: 8/9 – 8/10, 9:30 – 17:30
Location: Congres Convention Center
Website: https://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/event/shirofes/
Official poster for the Japan Fireworks Expo – Credit: Osaka Expo Official Website
Osaka Kansai Expo Fireworks
We mentioned it last month as well, but just in case you missed it, there’s another chance to catch the fireworks! This year, at Expo 2025, prepare to be amazed at the work of Japan’s top pyrotechnics at Japan Fireworks Expo, a powerful showcase of light, tradition, and craftsmanship. Each show highlights unique regional styles and the emotional roots of Japanese fireworks. Taking place on select evenings from April to October, the fireworks show is a rare treat, so if you’re visiting Osaka in August, be sure to mark the 23rd, the only night fireworks will light up the sky that month.
Dates: 8/23
Location: Japan, 〒532-0011 Osaka, Yodogawa Ward, Nishinakajima, 5 Chome−16−1 JR 新大阪駅
Website: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/news/news-20240909-03/
Photo Credit: Osaka.com
Gangara Fire Festival
Ready to feel the heat? Step into the flames of tradition at this blazing festival! Held annually in August in the town of Ikeda, just north of Osaka, the Gangara Fire Festival lights up the night with a stunning display of flames. The event starts with the dramatic lighting of the characters 大 (Dai) and 大一 (Daiichi) on the side of Satsuki Mountain. This is followed by a procession of massive 4-meter torches, weighing 100 kilograms each, carried 3 kilometers through the city streets. The festival is rooted in the worship of Atago, the deity believed to protect against fire, a tradition that dates back to the Edo period. With its giant torches, mountain fire symbols, and dramatic procession, the Gangara Fire Festival is a powerful and must-see celebration of Ikeda’s history.
Date: 8/24 19:30 – 22:00
Location: Ikeda Station
Website: https://www.city.ikeda.osaka.jp/soshiki/siminseikatsu/citypro/event/14221.html
Photo Credit: Immersive Museum
Immersive Museum OSAKA 2025
What do Van Gogh and Hokusai have in common? Learn more about how Japanese ukiyo-e prints helped ignite Impressionism in Europe at Immersive Museum Osaka. Artists like Hokusai, Hiroshige, and Kuniyoshi depicted everyday life and nature through bold compositions, dynamic perspectives, and in vivid color that struck a chord among artists in 19th-century Parisians, sparking Japonisme in France. Western painters like Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh absorbed Japanese aesthetics found in ukiyo-e, transforming their own styles and reshaping modern art.
In a time before quick global connectivity, these two artistic traditions connected and influenced each other across vast distances. Now, you can step into that shared story, one that transcends continents and centuries, at Immersive Museum Osaka.
Date: 5/31 – 9/5
Location: Dojima River Forum
Website: https://immersive-museum-osaka.jp/
Photo Credit: Summer Sonic
Summer Sonic Osaka
Held each summer since its debut in 2000, Summer Sonic has become one of Asia’s most iconic music festivals, bringing together established superstars with rising talents in both Tokyo and Osaka. In 2025, Summer Sonic Osaka returns to its venue at Expo ‘70 Commemorative Park. With a reputation for high-energy performances and world-class productions, the festival continues to be a premier live music experience in Japan.
Summer Sonic Osaka 2025 includes a powerhouse lineup, including Alicia Keys, Fall Out Boy, Camila Cabello, Official髭男dism, NiziU, and i-dle. Whether you are there to hear the chart toppers or to discover a new underground sound, this is your chance to be a part of a cultural event that shapes the global music scene.
Date: 8/16 – 8/17
Location: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
Website: https://www.summersonic.com/
Photo Credit: Tenjin Tenma Awa Odori
Tenjin Tenma Awa Odori
Feel the rhythm and join the celebration as Tenjinbashi-suji, Japan’s longest shopping street, bursts into motion with the Tenjin Tenma Awa Odori this August. Inspired by the centuries-old Awa Odori from Tokushima, this local version transforms the streets into a festive blur of music and dance. Locals and visitors alike join the celebrations, showcasing community spirit that you have to experience for yourself.
Date: 8/17, 8/29
Location: Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street & Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
Website: https://www.tenjintenma-awaodori.com/
Photo Credit: Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025
Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025
Running from the spring through fall, the Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025 transforms Taiyo no Hiroba at Osaka Castle Park into a food lover’s dream. With 30 restaurants, including rotating stalls and food trucks, you’ll have a new experience, even if you visit again. Alongside a menu that includes yakisoba, bahn mi, and gourmet soft serve, you’ll find live music and entertainment. If you’re looking for an international dining experience, heading to Osaka Gourmet Expo 2025 is the perfect move.
Date: 4/12 – 10/13
Location: Sun Square
Website: https://osaka-gourmet-expo-com-e.athp.transer.com/
From blazing torch festivals and seasonal festivals to immersive arts shows and fireworks over the bay, there is no shortage of must-try activities to do in Osaka this month. Whether you’re interested in living historic traditions or discovering the latest music trends, August is the perfect time to experience all that Osaka has to offer!
Featured Photo Credit: David Dibert
Ready for more Osaka fun to be found all year round? Check out our full list of Osaka Tours for more culinary adventures in this amazing part of Japan!
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