May is one of the best times to visit Japan, especially for those who enjoy the breezy late spring weather. While your trip might coincide with Golden Week, a national holiday when many businesses take time off, there’s no need to worry. We’ve rounded up a dozen fun and exciting events to help you enjoy the very best of Osaka during this festive season!
Jazz band on the stage – Photo Credit: Takatsuki Jazz Street
Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival
Starting with the Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival, if you’re a music lover looking to explore both Osaka and Kyoto culture, Takatsuki is a must-visit city. During Golden Week, the entire town transforms into a vibrant stage filled with live jazz performances, local shops, and delicious street food. This 2-day Jazz celebration hosts more than 800 bands across 70 different venues. The festival brings music straight to the heart of the community, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re here to discover hidden spots or just want to relax and soak in the sounds, this event is not to be missed.
Admission: Free
Dates: May 3–4, 2025
Location: Various venues throughout Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Time: Performances from 10:00 AM to late night
Website: https://www.0726.info/
One Piece cosplayers – Photo Credit: Two-Wan
Osaka Comic Con 2025
Held annually only in Tokyo and Osaka, all the latest pop cultures in Japan are included at Osaka Comic Con 2025. Manga nerds are going to enjoy the fun and fascinating events related to Japanese anime, video games, movies, music, and TV shows. Cosplay is highly encouraged at this event, so if you want to cosplay any of your favorite characters, feel free to do so and be the star of the event. While this year’s celebrity lineup is yet to be announced, the event has a strong track record of attracting big names. Last year’s highlights included appearances by Norman Reedus, Tom Hiddleston, Mads Mikkelsen, Jason Momoa, and more.
Admission: Ticketed event (advance sales available)
Dates: May 2–4, 2025
Location: INTEX Osaka 1-5-102 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka 559-0034, Japan
Time:
- May 2 (Fri): 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- May 3 (Sat): 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- May 4 (Sun): 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Website: https://osakacomiccon.jp/
Photo Credit: Shin Okamoto
Koinobori Festival
Japan’s National Children’s Day is celebrated every year on May 5th. In Osaka, the Koinobori Festival is held to honor this special day, with vibrant carp flags displayed throughout the event to symbolize wishes for children’s health and happiness. These colorful flags typically feature a black father carp, a red mother carp, and a blue baby carp — representing the family. The festival is a perfect kid-friendly outing, offering fun activities like rafting, music performances, and more. Local food stalls and cheerful decorations add to the festive, heartwarming atmosphere, making it an event the whole family can enjoy.
Admission: Free
Dates: April 27 – May 5, 2025
Location: 12 Seifukujicho, Takatsuki, Osaka 569-1132, Japan
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Website: https://en.japantravel.com/osaka/koinobori-festa-1000/28526
Customers buying German craft beers – Photo Credit: Ten-shiba Frühlingsfest
Ten-shiba Frühlingsfest 2025
Want to experience German beer in Japan? Ten-shiba Frühlingsfest is inspired by the Oktoberfest. The world’s largest beer festival takes place every year in Munich, Germany. Ten-Shiba brings this festive experience closer to home, showcasing popular German beer brands from previous years as well as exciting new additions. The festival offers a wide variety of German beers, from rich and refreshing to mellow and sweet, alongside delicious beer cocktails and food pairings. Guests can enjoy a unique taste of authentic German beer while celebrating the arrival of spring in true Frühlingsfest fashion.
Admission: Free
Dates: April 25 – May 6, 2025
Location: Ten-Shiba, Tennoji Park, Osaka, Japan
Time: Weekdays: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Weekends & Holidays: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Website: https://en.japantravel.com/osaka/tenshiba-oktoberfest/28815
Osaka omiyage event poster – Photo Credit: Daimaru
Osaka Souvenir Fair
If you’re looking for the perfect souvenir, this Osaka Souvenir Fair is a must-visit destination. The fair offers a comprehensive taste of Kansai or southern Japan’s culture and cuisine. It features a wide array of local specialties and limited-edition items. Visitors can enjoy a variety of gourmet foods, ranging from traditional Osaka dishes to innovative treats. To enhance the shopping experience, the venue provides services such as luggage storage and tax-free procedures for international guests.
Admission: April 9 – May 6, 2025
Dates: Open year-round
Location: 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, 530-8202
Time: 10:00-20:00
Website: Event Detail & Souvenir List
Japanese girl with USJ’s characters – Photo Credit: Universal Studios Japan
Universal Easter Celebration
Universal Studios Osaka is often on tourists’ go-to list for theme parks, but it’s even better if you visit in May. Currently, there’s an Easter Egg Celebration for everyone to enjoy. The marching parade will feature your favorite USJ characters dressed up in a kawaii Easter theme and will have Minions Mecha-Cawa Easter as the highlight of the show, greeting you along with the festive decorations. Moreover, there are dozens of Easter-themed food options for you to enjoy, from desserts, drinks, and savory treats in Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Minions themes. It is the perfect moment to be captured in limited edition merch and freshen the festive spirit of your visit.
Admission:
Adults (age 12 and over) – Approximately ¥8,400
Children (age 4–11) – Approximately ¥5,400
Dates: Universal Studios – Open year-round. Easter Celebration – March 7 to June 29
Location: Universal Studios Japan, 2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0031, Japan
Time: Varies by date (typically 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM)
Website:https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us/events/spring-2025/universal-easter-celebration-2025
Chorsingspiel exhibition – Photo Credit: Jérémie Souteyrat / Louis Vuitton
Ulla Von Brandenburg “Chorsingspiel”
The Espace Louis Vuitton Osaka, a space dedicated to contemporary art, is currently showcasing Chorsingspiel, an exhibition featuring the captivating works of German artist Ulla von Brandenburg. Known for her theatrical approach to art, Ulla blends film, drawing, textiles, and installations—often incorporating elements like curtains and colorful quilt-like stage settings. For the first time in Japan, her two silent films, Singspiel (2009) and Chorspiel (2010), are being presented together, offering a dreamy and mystical glimpse into her unique artistic world. If you’re visiting Osaka this May, this immersive and imaginative exhibition is a must-see.
Admission: Free
Dates: November 27, 2024 – May 11, 2025
Location: Espace Louis Vuitton Osaka
5F Louis Vuitton Maison Osaka Midosuji
2-8-16 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085, Japan
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (daily)
Website: Espace Louis Vuitton Osaka
Folon exhibition – Photo Credit: Chunichi Shimbun Co, Ltd.
Jean-Michel Folon “Agency of Imaginary Journeys”
Another top-pick exhibition for every art lover, Folon’s Agency of Imaginary Journeys exhibit is traveling through Japan, with stops in Tokyo, Nagoya, and currently in Osaka. Jean-Michel Folon, a Belgian artist, created colorful and dreamy artwork featuring a little man in a hat who explores mysterious places, like cities with winding paths and skies filled with floating objects. This special exhibition showcases over 300 of Folon’s creations, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings. You will feel like going on an imaginary journey where art helps explore deep ideas in a way that’s both lighthearted and reflective.
Admission: Adults: ¥1,500; High school & university students: ¥1,300; Junior high school students & younger: Free
Dates: April 5 – June 22, 2025
Time: Tuesdays–Fridays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays & holidays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Website: www.ktv.jp/event/folon
While Osaka has plenty of famous tourist spots, these are our handpicked recommendations to add a little extra flavor to your trip as there’s always something magical about the city this time of year. If you’re looking for a more personalized adventure, let Arigato Travel customize your itinerary, and reach out to us at concierge@arigatojapan.co.jp for any questions or requests!
Featured Photo Credit: Satoshi Hirayama
Want to have more fun on your trip to Osaka? Join our Umeda Craft Beer Tour and discover the city as a local!
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