During the "GARDEN FEST" held from spring to summer, visitors can leisurely stroll through the gardens adorned with blooming flowers such as mountain cherries, tulips, pot marigolds, and chamomiles. In mid-May, the "Rose Symphony Garden" showcases around 60 varieties of English roses in full bloom.

Additionally, there are experiential events like the elegant "Herb Marche," where you can savor the Herb Garden's original herb sausages, and the "Scent Quest," offering exhibitions and hands-on experiences with essential oils.

Event Overview
・Date: March 18th to July 2nd
・Admission Fee: Herb Garden & Ropeway Round-trip Fare - Adults (high school age and above): 1,800 yen, Children (7 years and above): 900 yen

This parade event takes place at Universal Studios Japan, where attractions from entertainment works around the world gather. With realistic performances by entertainers, the park is engulfed in an exhilarating street show.

Various parades featuring infectious songs and dances will make you want to join in, such as "Fiesta Latina," boasting rhythmic percussion and passionate Latin dances, and "Bubble Beat Block," where you can enjoy a show with soap bubbles synchronized to hip-hop music. These parades take place at various locations within the park.

Other highlights include "Universal Wonderland: Feel the Rhythm," where you can dance along with the characters from Universal Wonderland, and "Minions Fever Disco Greeting," where you can take photos with adorable Minions in disco outfits.

Event Overview
・Date: March 10th to July 2nd
・Parade Start Time: 14:00
・Special Viewing Area Ticket: 1,300 to 1,800 yen* (Varies depending on the date)

The "Thanks Love Month" event is currently being held with the concept of expressing gratitude to family and friends.

Various events are prepared to convey appreciation to your loved ones, including special greetings with park characters called "Thanks Love Greeting," distribution of "Thanks Love Stickers" that lead to special surprises when attached, and special background music (BGM) themed around "Thank You."

Event Overview
Date: May 11th (Thursday) to June 18th (Sunday)

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Located in Wakayama Prefecture, Mount Koya is an area surrounded by mountains reaching an elevation of 1,000 meters. It is renowned as a "religious city" with 117 temples lining its grounds. In commemoration of the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kukai, the monk who founded Mount Koya, related events are taking place in 2023.

One of these events is the special screening of the art film "LIFE® Inochi: Reliving the Experience of Birth" and the photo exhibition "Warmth I Remember," both held in the inner sanctuary of the prestigious temple, Kongobuji. The inner sanctuary is located at the center of the largest stone garden in Japan, called Banryutei, which is usually closed to the public.

With the concept of "The Connection between the Universe and Life," visitors can witness art installations utilizing cutting-edge technology amidst the magnificent nature and grand structures of Mount Koya.

Event Overview
・Date: May 14th to July 9th (*Not held on weekdays)
・Time slots: ①10:00 AM - 10:45 AM ②11:00 AM - 11:45 AM ③2:00 PM - 2:45 PM ④3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
・Admission: Free (*Separate admission fee required for Kongobuji Temple)

Every year, the botanical garden located in Osaka's Nagai Park holds the "Hydrangea Fair."

In the hydrangea garden, designed to resemble a secluded valley with a flowing stream, approximately 10,000 hydrangea plants, the largest collection in Osaka City, bloom magnificently. The hydrangeas, glistening with raindrops and morning dew, showcase the unique beauty of the rainy season.

Event Overview
・Date: May 27th to June 25th
・Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

A community-building event held in Chayamachi, the heart of Osaka's Umeda district. Local businesses, schools, and government organizations collaborate to promote a "walkable and enjoyable city."

This year, the event carries the theme of "Serendipity," symbolizing the joy of encountering and discovering wonderful things by chance. Candle art installations will be exhibited throughout the area, creating a captivating ambiance. In addition, the entire area, including the renowned department stores Hankyu Umeda Main Store and Hanshin Umeda Main Store, will be adorned with candlelight. Visitors can also enjoy Slow Live performances, where candlelight and music blend harmoniously, and the Candle Market held at Umeda Arts Theater Square. It promises to be a romantic evening.

Event Overview
・Date: June 2nd
・Time: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
・Admission: Free

From June 2nd to August 8th, the 17th Umeda Tanabata Festival will take place at Umeda Sky Building, one of Osaka's landmarks. The festival will be adorned with luxurious and vibrant Tanabata decorations received from the renowned Sendai Tanabata Festival, one of the three major festivals in Tohoku. One of the highlights is the massive Tanabata decoration known as "fukinagashi," displayed on the giant arch at the entrance of Shin Umeda City. Additionally, various sizes of Tanabata decorations will be showcased in Tower East Lobby and the underground 1st floor "Showa Retro Shopping Street Takimimachi."

During the festival, visitors who dine at the restaurants in Takimimachi will receive Tanabata paper strips as gifts. These paper strips can be used to write wishes and hang them in Takimimachi. Other attractions include Sasabune lanterns, jazz live performances, and a children's traditional festival experience. Come and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Sendai's Tanabata in Osaka.

Event Overview
・Date: June 2nd to August 8th

The "Osaka Asian Gourmet Festival #KoishiteAsia" will take place at Osaka South Bay ATC, facing Osaka Bay, featuring around 40 gourmet and retail booths. This event offers the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of an Asian trip while in Osaka, with participating vendors offering selected cuisines from countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and India.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of Asian dishes, including cuisine rich in spices, visually appealing desserts, and vendors selling imported goods directly from the respective countries. The event will also feature stage performances and photo spots.

Event Overview
・Date: June 3rd - 4th
・Time: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
・Admission fee to the Pergola Plaza: 300 yen

The MOTOR CAMP EXPO 2023, an event focused on outdoor activities and automobiles, will take place at Osaka's Expo '70 Commemorative Park, with the iconic "Tower of the Sun" as its symbol.

The event will feature exhibits of camping, outdoor, and car-camping gear, offering a wide range of discounted and unique items available for purchase. There will also be a camping car and outdoor vehicle trade show.

Moreover, a special course will be set up at the venue, allowing visitors to test ride road bikes from various manufacturers. Additionally, an area with an array of gourmet burger shops, offering mouth-watering delights, will be available, making this event highly recommended for both outdoor enthusiasts and food lovers.

Event Overview
・Date: June 10th - 11th
・Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
・Admission Fee: 500 yen (*Separate admission fee required for Expo '70 Commemorative Park)

This exhibition showcases "Suzume," a film directed by Makoto Shinkai, the acclaimed anime director known for works like "Your Name" and "Weathering with You," which was released in 2022.

As expected from the exhibition of this highly anticipated film that surpassed 14 billion yen in box office revenue, the previously held exhibition in Tokyo received great acclaim. The exhibition will feature valuable production materials such as animation drawings, storyboards, and art backgrounds, as well as set-ups of memorable scenes and photo spots.

Original merchandise including posters and acrylic key folders will also be available for purchase, making it a must-visit for fans of the film and Makoto Shinkai's works.

Event Overview
・Date: June 22nd to July 16th
・Time: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
・Same-day Ticket Prices: Adults 1,300 yen, High School Students 900 yen, Junior High School Students 700 yen, Elementary School Students 500 yen
(*Subject to change)

Hana Kannonji Temple, located in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto, is renowned as the oldest hydrangea temple in the Kansai region and is often referred to as the "Tamba Hydrangea Temple."

This temple, dedicated to the goddess Kannon, has long been known for its legend of being effective against eye diseases. According to the legend, a visitor planted a multi-colored hydrangea as an offering of gratitude for their healed eyes, which led to the temple's reputation as a hydrangea temple. Visitors can enjoy vibrant white, blue, purple, and pink hydrangeas, creating a splendid and picturesque display known as the "Flower Pure Land."

Event Overview
・Date: June 25th (*Subject to change)
・Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The Tenjin Festival, held at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in the Temma area of Osaka City, is said to have originated in 951 AD, just two years after the establishment of the shrine. While the Tenjin Festival is celebrated throughout Japan, the one held at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is particularly famous and is known as one of Japan's three major festivals, alongside Kyoto's Gion Festival and Tokyo's Kanda Festival.

The Tenjin Festival takes place annually from late June to late July. The highlight of the festival occurs on July 24th and 25th, known as the "Yoiyama" and "Honmiya" respectively, featuring fireworks displays and a grand procession of large riverboats. In late June, the festival kicks off with the ceremonial "Shozoku Shikishi" where participants receive their festival attire in preparation for the Yoiyama and Honmiya events. Additionally, on July 7th, the Tenma Tenjin Tanabata Festival is held, where wishes are written on bamboo leaves and displayed on bamboo branches called "sasa." The Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is a place to look out for in June and July.

Event Overview
・Duration: Late June to Late July

In Japan, the month of June brings forth a variety of events unique to this time of year, such as the "Hydrangea Festivals" where you can enjoy the beautiful blooming hydrangeas at their peak, and rituals leading up to the midsummer festivals. This season offers the opportunity to experience the charm of early summer's coolness and the beauty that perfectly matches the rain. Why not incorporate some of these events into your travel plans?

*The information in this article is based on the May 2023 publication. Please check the official websites or other reliable sources for the latest updates.