Every summer, Universal Studios Japan hosts the wildly popular splash parade where guests get soaked from head to toe! Join Mario and friends, water-themed Pokémon, Hello Kitty, Peanuts characters, Minions, and the Sesame Street crew as they parade through the park, spraying crowds with water guns and buckets. Expect water cannons, splash zones, and performers with floaties, parasols, and hula hoops—pure summer fun!

For the ultimate experience, step into the 360° Super Soaked Splash Area (admission 1,700–2,100 yen depending on the date), where water showers down from all directions and parade floats drench the entire crowd. Wear water-friendly clothes and bring a towel or poncho to enjoy every drop!

Event Details
・Location: Universal Studios Japan
・Dates: July 1 – August 31, 2025 (subject to change)
・360° Splash Area available through August 20, 2025
・Time: Starts around 11 AM; approx. 40 minutes
・Admission: Parade is free with park entry (ticket prices vary by date)
・Info Line: 0570-20-0606

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From June 1 to August 8, one of Osaka’s iconic landmarks, the Umeda Sky Building, hosts the 19th Umeda Tanabata Festival. Inspired by the famous Sendai Tanabata Festival, colorful streamers called fukinagashi hang from the grand arch at the entrance of Shin Umeda City, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere. Inside Tower East’s 1st floor and the nostalgic Takimi Koji alleyway on B1, you’ll find even more intricate Tanabata decorations.

During the festival, diners at Takimi Koji restaurants receive a tanzaku wish tag to write their wishes and hang them inside the venue. Other highlights include paper Sasa-bune lantern boats, a retro summer market, and live jazz performances, all bringing authentic Sendai Tanabata vibes to Osaka.

Event Details
・Dates: June 1 – August 8, 2025
・Tanzaku Wishes: June 1 – July 7, 2025
・Sasa-bune Lantern Boats: July 5–7, 2025
・Retro Summer Market & Jazz Concerts: July 5–7, 2025
・Time: Varies by event
・Admission: Free (observation deck requires separate ticket)

Held at Aizendo Shomanin, a 1,400-year-old temple affectionately known as Aizen-san, the Aizen Festival is one of Osaka’s oldest summer festivals. Located just a 3-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station, this beloved local event features food stalls, festival games, and parades through surrounding areas like Ten-Shiba.

During the festival, rare public viewings of the temple’s deities are offered—including Aizen Myo-o, believed to bless romantic relationships and business, and Dainichi Daisho Kongozon, a guardian of good fortune and success. Popular red-and-white protective charms (1,000 yen per set) are also sold—red for women, white for men—making them a favorite among couples and hopeful romantics alike.

Event Details
・Location: Aizendo Shomanin Temple
・Dates: June 30 – July 2, 2025
・Time: 10 AM to 9 PM
・Admission: Free

Known as the “Rain Summoning Shrine,” Kifune Shrine celebrates its deep connection to Tanabata with a romantic light-up event. The shrine, dedicated to the god of water, draws inspiration from the Tanabata legend, where the Milky Way resembles a dragon said to bring rainfall and abundant water.

From July 1 to August 15, around seven bamboo displays decorated with tanzaku (wish tags) will be softly illuminated alongside the shrine buildings, creating a serene and magical evening atmosphere. Usually closing at 6 PM, the grounds will stay open until 8 PM during the event. Visitors can purchase tanzaku for 100 yen to write their wishes and hang them on the glowing bamboo. As twilight falls, the dreamy interplay of lights and greenery, including the shrine’s lush maple trees, is truly breathtaking.

Event Details
・Location: Kifune Shrine
・Dates: July 1 – August 15, 2025
・Time: From dusk to 8 PM (goshuin counter open until around 7 PM)
・Admission: Free

With over a thousand years of history, Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s three great festivals. Centered around Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto’s Gion district, the celebration transforms the city throughout July—from the opening ritual on July 1 to the closing Nagoshi-sai on July 31.

The highlight is the Yamahoko Junko (float processions), where towering, artfully crafted floats modeled after mountains and spears parade through the streets. The grandest events are the Saki Matsuri (July 17) and Ato Matsuri (July 24), drawing huge crowds from around the world to Kyoto’s city center for an unforgettable summer spectacle.

Event Details
・Location: Various locations throughout Kyoto
・Dates: July 1 – 31, 2025
・Float Processions: Saki Matsuri on July 17, Ato Matsuri on July 24
・Admission: Free (paid seating available for the processions)

Held at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, the Tenjin Matsuri dates back to 951 AD and is considered one of Japan’s three great festivals, alongside Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Tokyo’s Kanda Matsuri. While Tenjin festivals are held across Japan, Osaka’s version is the most renowned.

Running from late June to July 25, the festival peaks on July 24 and 25 with the Yomiya-sai and Honmiya-sai, featuring fireworks and a grand procession of illuminated boats. On July 7, the Tanabata Festival invites visitors to write wishes on tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches.

The grand finale is the Tenjin Matsuri Fireworks Display—around 3,000 fireworks light up the night sky as nearly 100 glowing boats glide along the river. Prime viewing spots include Sakuranomiya Park and Osaka Fureai no Mizube, with paid seating available for a more relaxed experience.

Event Details
・Location: Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
・Dates: July 24–25, 2025
・Times:
July 24 – Yomiya-sai starts at 7:45 AM; Hokonagashi Ritual at 8:50 AM; events continue throughout the day
July 25 – Honmiya-sai begins at 1 PM; parade at 3:30 PM; boat procession from around 6 PM
・Admission: Free

Tenjin Matsuri Fireworks
・Date: July 25, 2025
・Time: From sunset to around 9 PM
・Viewing: Free (reserved seating available for a fee)

Just a 3-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Taisha Station on the Nankai Main Line, Sumiyoshi Taisha—one of Osaka’s most powerful spiritual sites—hosts the Sumiyoshi Festival, ranked alongside Ikutama and Tenjin Matsuri as one of Osaka’s three major summer festivals.

Traditionally held to purify the entire city of Osaka, the festival is said to cleanse the soul just by participating. The lively grounds fill with food stalls, drawing crowds with festive energy. On the final day, August 1, the mikoshi (portable shrine) carrying the deity is paraded through the local streets in a grand procession.

Event Details
・Location: Sumiyoshi Taisha
・Dates: July 30 – August 1, 2025
・Admission: Free

Enjoy retro eats and sky-high views at the Beer Garden 2025 – Showa 100 event, held on the 28th floor of SiS STARGATE HOTEL KANSAI AIRPORT. Located just across from Kansai International Airport, this outdoor beer garden sits 130 meters above ground—perfect for watching planes take off while soaking in the sea breeze. Held on select nights from June to August, the event features all-you-can-eat Showa-era comfort foods and free-flowing beer and drinks.

Event Details
・Location: Rooftop Beer Garden, 28F, SiS STARGATE HOTEL KANSAI AIRPORT
・Dates: June 6 – August 31, 2025
・Time: July–August: Wed & Thu from 6 PM to 10 PM; Fri–Sun & holidays from 5:30 PM to 10 PM (120-minute time limit in July–August; last order 30 minutes before closing)
・Admission: 6,500 yen (Wed, Thu, Sun & holidays in July–Aug), 7,000 yen (Fri & Sat); July 20 & August 10 follow Fri & Sat pricing; Children: Elementary school 3,000 yen; Ages 4–6: 1,000 yen; Ages 3 & under: Free (Middle school students and up charged adult price)

Inspired by lantern traditions in Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan, the Sennan Beach Lantern Festival Vol.6 invites visitors to release sky lanterns as a way to let go of burdens and welcome new beginnings. Held at Tarui Southern Beach in Sennan City, this magical event features a shared lantern release, where dreams are sent skyward in hopes they’ll reach the heavens.

Beyond the lanterns, enjoy live performances, a lively market, inflatable play zones for kids, and the World Gourmet Expo, a food fair celebrating global cuisine in honor of Expo 2025. It's a joyful event with something for the whole family.

Event Details
・Location: SENNAN LONG PARK, Tarui Southern Beach
・Dates: July 5–6, 2025
・Time: 5 PM to 9 PM (lantern release scheduled for 7:30 PM)
・Admission: Free
・Lantern: 4,500 yen (advance ticket only)
・Family seating: 4,000 yen (up to 4 people, includes 4 drink tickets)
・Pair seating: 2,000 yen (for 2 people, includes 2 drink tickets)
・Sofa seating: 25,000 yen per set (up to 4 people, includes 1 lantern + 5,000 yen festival voucher)

Held at Kobe Harborland, the Kushi Festival (KushiFes) celebrates Japan’s love for skewered delights. Just a 10-minute walk from JR Kobe Station, this waterfront event features stalls offering pork, beef, seafood, and more, grilled to perfection on bamboo skewers.

Enjoy stage performances and hands-on workshops while taking in views of the illuminated Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of Hyogo’s most iconic landmarks. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening in Kansai.

Event Details
・Location: Kobe Harborland
・Dates: September 13–15, 2025 (held rain or shine)
・Time: 3 PM to 9 PM
・Admission: Free

Set against the upscale coastal backdrop of Ashiya’s Shio-Ashiya Beach, the Ashiya Summer Carnival dazzles with its signature fireworks display. Launched from the southern tip of the beach and synchronized to music using cutting-edge tech, the 45-minute show is a breathtaking summer spectacle.

Admission is ticketed, with various seat options available, including couple seats, reserved chairs, and all-you-can-drink packages. The daytime program features performances by professionals and local groups, along with an open-air market. Advance tickets are required for viewing areas and access to the Civic Plaza; availability is limited, so early purchase is recommended.

Event Details
・Date: July 26, 2025
・Time: 1 PM to 9 PM (fireworks from 7:45 PM for approx. 45 minutes)
・Admission: Civic Plaza entry is free for residents; 500 yen for non-residents
・Seating: Multiple ticket options available; see official website for details

This summer, the World Heritage Site Nijo Castle transforms into a glowing celebration of Japanese noryo (cooling) culture with NAKED meets Nijo Castle 2025: Summer Light Illumination. Held from late July to August, the event blends cutting-edge art with historical ambiance, reimagining the summer pastimes once enjoyed by shoguns.

Enjoy light installations featuring fans, summer flowers, and interactive art along castle corridors. Traditional festival vibes come alive with games like ring toss and candle scooping for a playful summer evening.

Event Details
・Dates: July 25 – August 24, 2025
・Time: 6:30 PM to 10 PM (last entry at 9:20 PM)
・Admission: Advance – Jr. high & up: 1,400 yen (1,800 yen on Fri/weekends/holidays), Elementary: 600 yen (1,000 yen on Fri/weekends/holidays); Same-day – Jr. high & up: 1,800 yen (2,200 yen on Fri/weekends/holidays), Elementary: 1,000 yen (1,400 yen on Fri/weekends/holidays)

Whether it’s high-energy festivals, romantic Tanabata night light-ups, or splash-filled fun at popular theme parks, Kansai in July is bursting with summer spirit. Kyoto summers can be especially humid, so be sure to stay cool and hydrated while enjoying the festivities.

(Information is current as of June 2025. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)