Osaka Golden Week Event Highlights
Where to go during Golden Week in Osaka? Here are many very interesting events! 👇
🏝 Hawaii Festival in OSAKA 2026
✨ Minatomachi RIVER PLACE transforms into Hawaii for 3 days
📍 Location: Minatomachi RIVER PLACE Plaza 3
📅 Dates: May 2 (Sat) to May 4 (Mon), 2026 – event times may vary depending on the number of performances
This is the 19th edition! Namba Minatomachi RIVER PLACE will turn into Hawaii for three days. Enjoy the tropical atmosphere with hula dancing, music, and food! Performers and vendors are also being recruited to help liven up the event.
🛶 Nakanoshima River Festa 2026 "Water Walking Experience"
✨ Experience water walking at Nakanoshima River Festa during Golden Week!
📍 Location: Nakanoshima BANKS
📅 Date: May 5 (Tue), 2026
The 8th "Nakanoshima River Festa 2026" will be held again on Children's Day, May 5. There will be riverside markets, workshops, performance stages, and many activities suitable for both adults and children! You can also try the popular "Water Walking Experience." Why not go with family or like-minded friends?
🏯 Thirty-Three Kannon Festival & Sand Treading Blessing
✨ Paper twisting sutra copying and Thirty-Three Kannon sand treading blessing
📍 Location: Toko-in Hagino Temple
📅 Dates: May 3 (Sun) to May 5 (Tue), 2026 – Open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The temple enshrines the Thirty-Three Kannon and the local deity of the old Osaka Toshogu Shrine, the Yakushi Nyorai for warding off evil. Completing a pilgrimage around the temple grants merits equivalent to visiting all pilgrimage sites. During the event, the secret Buddha statue of the Eleven-Faced Kannon, a cherished Buddha of Emperor Go-Daigo, will be displayed in a special annual unveiling, attracting many worshippers.
🪻 BASARA Banquet 2026 Night Dance Festival
✨ Enjoy night dances at the scenic Ikeda Castle Ruins Park
📍 Location: Ikeda Castle Ruins Park
📅 Date: May 9 (Sat), 2026 – postponed to the next day if it rains
The 4th installment of the spring event "BASARA Banquet" at Ikeda Castle Ruins Park! Located at the foot of Mt. Mayu, the park features a Japanese garden-style lawn plaza for spectators. From the iconic Ikeda Castle observation pavilion, you can enjoy views stretching from Osaka to Kobe. On the day, many night dance groups centered in Ikeda, including "Wa," will perform. Experience passionate performances amid birdsong and refreshing spring breezes!
🐶 Everyone Loves It!! Pet Kingdom 2026
✨ The largest pet event in Kansai
📍 Location: Osaka Kyocera Dome
📅 Dates: May 2 (Sat) and May 3 (Holiday), 2026
The venue offers five main areas: viewing, experiencing, interacting, making, and learning, ensuring fun for all animal lovers. Besides exhibits featuring dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles, insects, ornamental fish, and birds, there are areas for close contact with animals, pet product introductions, sample giveaways, and a pet supplies outlet. Pets are welcome to enter with their owners.
🍷 Tennoji Spring Festival 2026 feat. World Wine Festival
✨ Spring German Beer Festival
📍 Location: Tennoji Park entrance area "Ten-Shiba"
📅 Dates: April 24 (Fri) to May 6 (make-up holiday), 2026
The spring German beer festival held at Ten-Shiba. In 2026, authentic German draft beers imported directly from Germany will return, ranging from rich yet refreshing to mellow and sweet flavors. For those who don’t prefer beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are also available. The "World Wine Festival," where you can taste wines from various European countries, will be held simultaneously.
🥩 THE MEAT OSAKA 2026
✨ A rich variety of meat dishes gathered
📍 Location: Nagai Park
📅 Dates: April 29 (Holiday) to May 6 (make-up holiday), 2026
A food event centered on meat dishes. Along with beef steak, thick-sliced beef tongue, and medium-rare fried beef steak, there are 29 different meat dishes including fried chicken, chicken nuggets, grilled skewers, and sausages. Enjoy pairing them with craft beer, wine, or your favorite drinks. Desserts like ice cream and shaved ice are also available. The "THE CHALLENGE" area offers interactive music and sports experiences for attendees.
🏪 Smaregi presents Hungry Circus
✨ Over 50 unique food vendors gathered
📍 Location: Expo ’70 Commemorative Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi
📅 Dates: May 1 (Fri) to May 5 (Holiday), 2026
A large-scale food festival held annually during Golden Week. Based on independent staff surveys, it gathers over 50 highly acclaimed restaurants from Kansai. From ramen and rice bowls to beef, chicken, lamb dishes, snacks, fried foods, and desserts, there’s a wide variety of foods to try. On the event stage, MBS announcers serve as MCs, hosting talk shows, singing, dancing, and audience participation activities daily.
🎠 The 53rd Nakanoshima Festival
✨ Japan’s largest citizen festival
📍 Location: Nakanoshima Park
📅 Dates: May 3 (Holiday) to May 5 (Holiday), 2026
The 53rd edition of Japan’s largest citizen festival. The 2026 theme is "Play for Real! Everyone’s Classic Keep Going!!" Participating groups and individuals form the executive committee, handling everything from planning and preparation to event day operations. Besides food stalls selling various delicacies, there will be music, dance, political discussions, a flea market, and the Nakanoshima Film Festival screening independent films.