With the winter cold in the air and the city decorated for the season, December is a wonderful time to visit Osaka. Since Osaka doesn’t get snow as often, you don’t have to worry about your trip being too cold, but still expect chilly weather around this time of year, and bring proper coats, gloves, scarves, etc!
In December, Osaka comes alive to celebrate the holidays and the magical winter season by having night illuminations paint the streets, cozy Christmas markets, and plenty of food to keep you warm during this chilly time. Whether you like the holiday season or simply prefer winter trips, this blog will introduce everything to do in Osaka during this December.
Midosuji Illuminations – Photo Credit: flickr
Take a Walk Through the Magical Colored Street of Midosuji
Celebrate the holiday season by taking a stroll or a drive through the colorful street that is Midosuji, a popular street in Osaka. With a 4-kilometer stretch of trees illuminated with all sorts of colors, it not only paints the streets a mix of beautiful shiny colors but also makes the perfect atmosphere for this winter holiday season.
It’s a free event and goes from 5 PM until 11 PM, and has easy access across several stations. If you are looking for something magical this winter season, Midosuji should be a quick trip on your itinerary, whether you go for a few minutes for a quick stroll or stay around enjoying the sights for an hour or so in the early evening or late at night.
Dates: November 3rd – December 31st
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JCKExSMQ1C5jvGm16
Website: https://www.hikari-kyoen.com/en/midosuji/
Osaka Castle Illumination – Photo Credit: metronine.osaka
Experience Colorful Recreations of Famous Architecture at Osaka Castle
At Osaka Castle Park, you can experience another illumination experience, showcasing Osaka’s history, reproductions of famous spots, and also activities for those who want to have a little fun during this event, all with Osaka Castle lit up in the background. Additionally, with the attraction being in Osaka’s Castle Park, you can enjoy two amazing spots at once.
With illuminations of the Nio Guardians from Asakusa, women in kimonos, a reproduction of Dotonbori street, and so much more, you can take a good stroll around the park and enjoy every illuminated creation, having fun recognizing places or things you know, but also admiring illuminations of things you have never seen before. Additionally, even the trees and long stretches of area are illuminated, and these lights are also reflected on the water, so the whole park becomes lit up, making an amazing, bright experience.
There are even lit-up see-saws, so if you want to have a quick moment for some illuminated entertainment, Osaka Castle provides! There are also some opportunities for hot-pot and food trucks in the area if you want some warm food this chilly time of year.
Dates: November 22nd – February 25th
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gduCXLg1BdTtNPsa9
Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/en
Ramen Expo – Photo Credit: cubiclethrowdown
TryRamen from all over Japan at the 2024 Ramen Expo
Looking for something warm to eat during this cold weather? Perhaps a hot bowl of ramen? Lucky for you, in Osaka’s Banpakukoen Expo Commemoration Park, there is a Ramen Expo that invites around 10 vendors selling different types of ramen every December. This food festival is held every weekend from late November to late December, with ten new vendors each weekend.
Once you pay the park’s entrance fee, you will get a poster introducing all the different types of ramen available to try at this expo. With some options being from different parts of Japan, you can experience different flavors across the country from one spot. Whether you’re searching for a hearty pork ramen from Tokyo, a thick broth tonkotsu ramen from Osaka, or even a bowl or two from Hokkaido and Fukushima, a couple of hours spent at the ramen expo is a must this December.
Typically, instead of buying ramen directly, you buy vendor tickets that are usually at a fixed price. As prices tend to change each year, expect a ticket to be at most about 1000 yen each, as some years have seen prices of 650-700 yen, and it’s always best to be prepared!
Dates: November 23rd – December 30th (Weekends only and some Fridays)
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UHKEEhKzYVVLc5ZR9
Website: https://ramen-expo.com/
Umeda Tsurun Tsurun Ice Skating Rink – Photo Credit: tokk
Have Some Fun by Ice Skating at Umekita Square
Looking for a way to stay active on your trip? Right on Umekita Square is Osaka’s Tsurun Tsurun ice rink. This ice rink is a must-visit whether you want to exercise or have fun skating with friends or family! With hours from around 11-12 to 8:30 PM, you can have lots of time to fit this activity into your schedule.
As gloves are necessary for this rink, make sure to bring some, or you can buy some for cheap at the rink!
Dates: November 24th – February 25th
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B4NHEKvUujiEuiRA9
Website: https://www.mbs.jp/skate-rink/
Osaka’s German Christmas Market – Photo Credit: kansaifinder
Feel the Christmas Spirit at Osaka’s Christmas Market
At Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building, you can experience the holiday season firsthand within their German-inspired Christmas market. It is full of different shops, stalls for food, huge light decorations, a merry-go-round, and even a nativity scene. Being at the Sky Building allows you to witness Osaka’s winter scene from above with beautiful views.
With Umeda Sky Building being so large, there are plenty of activities this time of year. Whether you want to stay at the market and purchase vintage-looking cookie tins, get some hot chocolate, eat German food like sausages, or enjoy German beer and/or wine, you can also find that this area has Christmas dinner activities. Unlike the Umeda Sky Building, admission is free, and the dinner courses have set prices that depend on each course, so make sure to check the website!
There are also ceremonies such as lighting up the tree ceremony for the festivities, so if you happen to be in Osaka during that time, make sure to drop by for that wonderful event!
Dates: November 26th – December 25th
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rcCy6Ry7t2cJbZcZA
Website: https://www.skybldg.co.jp/event/xmas/
Firewalking at Yassai Hossai Festival – Photo Credit: kansaifinder
Yassai Hossai Festival at Iwatsuta Shrine
While this festival only occurs once in December, if your trip manages to fall around mid-December, especially the 14th, you won’t want to miss this spectacular opportunity to experience local Japanese culture at a beautiful shrine location.
Based on an old local legend from the area, where villagers found the sea god named Ebisu stranded and warmed him by fire, this festival is now celebrated by praying for a bountiful harvest and catch for fishermen, but also by recreating the legend, carrying a man dressed as Ebisu across burning firewood while chanting “yassai, hossai!”
There are even sayings that bringing home the firewood used in this festival can bring good luck, so upon your visit, if you’re able to, try taking a little piece or two home with you after it has cooled off, of course!
Date: December 14th
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/psNvEEiC3w2z6QyQ7
Website: 石津太神社のやっさいほっさい 堺市
Osaka, this time of year, is a beautiful and magical place that comes alive with color, lights, and, of course, holiday spirit. Thus, if the weather isn’t an issue, December makes a great month to visit Osaka, whether you wish to experience festive markets and enjoy some hot food and drink or walk through and look with wonder at all of the decorative and creative illuminations Osaka hosts each December.
If you are looking for something unique to Osaka this time of year, go see the festival that only occurs on one day of the year in December, the Yassai Hossai festival at one of the area’s beautiful shrines. This time of year even accommodates those who want a way to get their body moving and stay active, an ice rink for people of any age to enjoy, and a way to get everyone involved on one’s trip.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a place to spend your lunch or dinner to keep warm, Osaka’s Banpakukoen has a ramen expo for you to get a hot meal in between your travels while also experiencing ramen flavors across the country. In short, if you like the cozy feeling of a city in the cold, great sights and events, and even activities, Osaka should be on your travel plans for this year’s December.
Featured Photo Credit: flickr
