10 Best Must-See Events in Osaka & Hyogo: January 2018 (w/Photos)
There are many major sight-seeing spots in “Kansai”. In particular Osaka and Hyogo are popular because there are plenty of places for amusements and gastronomy. Around this area you find various historical edifices and streets still retaining good old ambience. In this issue we introduce events in Osaka and Hyogo, which would make your trip more fruitful.
**Traditional Events **
1. “Hatsu-moude” at “Osaka Tenman-gu” Shrine: 1st-3rdJanuary, 2018 (“Hatsu-moude” means the first visit of the year to a shrine during the New Year.)
“Osaka Tenman-gu” located in “Tenman” area close to “Osaka” Station, is a shrine where a deity of academia and arts is enshrined, and is worshipped by local people and Osaka merchants. The locals familiarly call it “Tenma no Tenjin-san”. During the first 3 days of the New Year around 500 thousand people visit there for worship. In the New Year many people gather for “Shinshun Hatsu-Kagura Hono” (New Year dances dedicated to the deity) and “Shinshun Kakizome Taikai” (a New Year’s calligraphy) participated by children up to senior high students. Nearby there are “Osaka Museum of Housing and Living” which displays transitions of the streets and life-style of people in Osaka, and a shopping street called “Tenjin-bashi-suji Shotengai”, the longest shopping street in Japan and good for a 40 minutes stroll. You will have a quick glance at the local life.
Schedule
・Date & Hours
1st January – 3rd January, 2018
“Shinshun Hatsu-Kagura Hono”: 1st – 3rd January
“Shinshun Kakizome Taikai”: 10:00a.m. – 03:00p.m.
Access & Address
・Venue
“Osaka Tenman-gu” Shrine
・Direction from the nearest station
3 minutes walk from “Osaka Tenman-gu” Station, JR “Tozai” Line
・Travel time
15 minutes by train from “Osaka” Station via “Tozai” Line
・Address: 2-1-8 Tenjin-bashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
2. “Hatsu-moude” at “Sumiyoshi Taisha” Shrine: 1st – 3rd January, 2018
Source: おばあの旅日記
“Sumiyoshi Taisha” Shrine is the head quarters of the 2000 “Sumiyoshi” Shrines in Japan and one of the three major Sumiyoshis in Japan, along with the ones in “Shimonoseki” and “Hakata”. Here in Osaka it is familiarly called “Sumi Yossan”. The main buildings are designated as National Treasure Building. In the precinct there is a beautiful bridge commonly called “Taiko-bashi”. It is said that the bridge is designed to represent a rainbow bridge connecting the heaven and the earth. “Sumiyoshi-taisha” brings you good luck, warding off evil, happy marriage, success in business, easy childbirth, etc.
There are events during the New Year namely “Wakamizu-no-gi” (scooping holy water) early in the morning on the New Year, “Sumiyoshi Odori” (a dance of Sumiyoshi designated as Intangible Cultural Property) during 3 days in the New Year, “Toka Shinji” (a dance dedicated to a deity for abundant harvest) on the 4th January, “Ao-uma Shinji” (a ritual of a white horse), etc. It is a must-see event.
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
・From 1st January:
Visit for paying respect during the Year-end and the New Year
31st December 22:00 — 1st January 22:00
2nd & 3rd January: 6:00 – 21:00
After 4th January 6:30 – 17:00 (usual hours)
1st January, early in the morning: “Wakamizu-no-gi”
1st – 3rd January: “Smumiyoshi Odori” (Intangible Cultural Property)
4th January “Toka Shinji”
7th January “Ao-uma Shinji”
Access & Address
・Venue: “Sumiyoshi Taisha” Shrine
・Direction from the nearest station
3 minutes walk from “Sumiyoshi Taiosha” Station, Nankai Line, Nankai Tetsudo
5 minutes walk from “Sumiyoshi Higashi” Station, Nankai Koya Line, Nankai Tetsudo
・Travel time:
30 minutes by train from “Osaka” Station visa “Osaka Kanjo” Line or Nankai Honsen Line.
・Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
http://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/en/
3.”Toka Ebisu” at “Imamiya Ebisu Jinja” Shrine: 9th – 11th January, 2018
Source: 大阪・近畿を中心にした街の写真 ～ Scene of Osaka and Kinki ～
“Imamiya Ebisu Jinja” Shrine is located in “Osaka”, a city prospered as the center of commerce. There is an event at this shrine called “Toka Ebisu” where around one million people visit every year. They wish prosperous business and happiness for the year. In the morning on the 7th, Shinto rituals called “Mochi-tsuki” (pounding boiled rice into rice cakes) and “Mochi-maki” (scattering rice cakes to a crowd) are held. In the morning on the 10th there is a market to sell “Tai” fish (a sea bream, auspicious fish for Japanese people). Around the noon on the same day, you can see a parade called “Hoe Kago Gyoretsu” where celebrities ride on small carriages. The shrine is very crowded with visitors for “Hatsu-moude” praying for prosperity. They buy “Kodakara Kiccho” (lucky ornaments) decorated with bamboo leaves. In the neighborhood there is “Shin Sekai” district which includes “Tsutenkaku” Tower, a symbol of Osaka, “Jan-jan Yokocho” (shopping street), etc.
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
・9th – 11th January, 2018
All day long
7th : 10:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.: “Mochi-tsuki” & “Mochi-maki”
10th: 07:00a.m. – 08:00a.m. (Approx.): Morning market selling “Tai” fish
Approx. noon: “Hoe Kago Gyoretsu”
Access & Address
・Venue:
“Imamiya Ebisu Jinja” Shrine
・Direction from the nearest station
In the vicinity of “Imamiya Ebisu” Station, Nankai Koya Line
・Travel time
Approx. 20 minutes from “Osaka” Station, “Umeda” Station on foot and take “Midosuji” Line
・Address: 1-6-10 Ebisu-nishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
4. “Hatsu-moude” at “Ikuta Jinja” Shrine: 1st – 3rd January, 2018
Source: hagure cafe♪
“Ikuta Jinja” Shrine is located at “San-no-miya” area of Kobe. Though its location is in the middle of Kobe-city, the precinct is very greenery and looks like as oasis in the city. The shrine has a history of more than 1000 years. It is said that the name of “Kobe” derived from “Kanbe” meaning “a house protecting the god of “Ikuta”. The shrine brings you good health, happy marriage, and various other good things. During the first 3 days of the New Year, around 1.5 million people visit the shrine. “Ikuta” anciently meant a vivid place and therefore many athletes and artist visit there for blessings, as well.
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
・1st – 3rd January, 2018
2nd January: 10:00 – 10:30 (approx.) “Okina-men Kake shinji” (“Noh” dance dedicated to the god)
Access & Address
・Venue:
“Ikuta Jinja” Shrine
・Direction from the nearest station
10 minutes walk from “San-no-miya” Station, JR “Kobe” Line
10 minutes walk from “San-no-miya” Station, “Hanshin”, “Hankyu” or subway line
・Travel time
Approx. 10 minutes from “Kobe” Station via “Tokaido/Sanyo” Line
・Address: 1-2-1 Shimo Yamate-dori, Chu-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
5. ”Toka Ebisu” at “Nishinomiya Jinja” Shrine: 9th – 11th January, 2018
Source: 西宮神社
“Toka Ebisu” is a seasonal event for the New Year. It is a festive event to pray for good fortune visited by more than one million people. On the 8th a big tuna fish is dedicated to the deity by young venders with vigorous shouting. On the 9th “Kento-shiki” (dedication of hot spring water) by “Geisha” and “Yoimiya-sai” (an eve festival) are held. At midnight on the 10th, all the gates of the shrine will be closed. It is called “Igomori” where people purify their bodies and wait in silence for “Toka Ebisu Taisai” (a main festival) to commence at 4 o’clock in the morning. At 6:00a.m., the main gate of shrine will be open after the main festival and the annual ritual of “Kaimon Shinji Fuku-otoko Erabi” (a selection of the luckiest man for the year) commences. This event is so popular that it is aired on the TV every year. During the period from “Hon Ebisu” on the 10th to “Nokori-fuku” on the 11th, many people visit the shrine to make a wish for good fortune. In and around the precinct of 39,700m2, there are 600 shops and stalls for “Kiccho” (lucky ornaments) as well as other items. Why not enjoy the festivity?
Schedule
・Dates and Hours
9th – 11th January, 2018
9th January: “Yoi Ebisu”, “Arima Onsen Kentou-shiki”, “Yoimiya-sai”
10th January: “Non Ebisu”, “Toka Ebisu Taisai”, “Kaimon Shinji Fuku-otoko Erabi”
11th January: “Nokori-fuku” (a remaining fortune)
Access & Address
・Venue:
“Nishinomiya-jinja” Shrine
・Direction from the nearest station
5 minutes walk from “Nishinomiya” Station, Hanshin Line
・Travel time
Approx. 24 minutes from “Kobe” Station, via Tokaido/Sanyo Line
・Address: 1-17 Shake-cho, Nishinomiya-city, Hyogo
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission fee
Reservation not required
Official site
http://nishinomiya-ebisu.com/index.html
6. “Mondo Yakujin-no Hatsuyakujin (Yakuyoke Taisai)”: 18th – 19th January, 2018
Source: にしのみや観光協会
It is believed that “Yakujin Myoo” (a guarding deity) wards off all kinds of misfortune. This “Myoo” is enshrined at “Mondo Yakujin Toko-ji” Temple located in Nishinomiya-city, Hyogo, and is well known for the merits of warding off misfortunes. Not only in Hyogo and Osaka, but it is famous also in Kansai region citing “The warding off misfortune means ‘Mondo Yakujin’”. Though 19th day of every month is a day of fete of the temple, 18th and 19th January are the most important days for “Hatsu Yakujin” (the first warding for the year). It is the annual tradition of the New Year. A few thousand people visit to pray for a happy life without any misfortunes. There is a big crowd and many stalls to attract the visitors. Nearby there is also “Fukutokujin Nishinomiya Jinja” Shrine familiarly called “Nishinomiya-no Ebisu-san”. Why not visit both?
Schedule
・Dates %& Hours
18th & 19th January, 2018
Access & Address
・Venue: “Mondo Yakujin Toko-ji” Temple
・Direction from the nearest station
10 minutes walk from “Mndo Yakujin” Station, Hankyu Imazu Line
・Travel time
Approx. 32 minutes from “Kobe” Station, via “Kobe Kosoku” Line & “ Hankyu Imazu” Line including a walk
・Address: 2-26 Mondo Nishi-machi, Nihsinomiya-city, Hyogo
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
Events to Enjoy the Nature
7. “Hatsu Hinode” (the Sunrise on New Year’s Day) at “Ku-chu Teien”: 1st January, 2018
Source: アレってなんだっけ
“Umeda Sky Bldg” which is 173m high, is located in “Shin Umeda City”. A see-through elevator and escalator will take you to the observatory of “Ku-chu Teien” (the Hanging Garden). It is an open-air garden on top of the skyscraper where you can enjoy a fresh breeze and a spectacular panorama of 360 degree and you can see Osaka, Kobe and as far as “Awaji-shima” Island. Since it is listed on “the 100 best night views” and “the 100 best sun-set views in Japan”, it is a popular spot for local and foreign visitors. At the event “the Sunrise on New Year’s Day” at “Ku-chu Teien” you can see the sun rising out of Mt. Ikoma. A sunset which colors the sky scrapers in orange is breathtaking as well. Why not enjoy the dawn of first sunrise of the year at “Ku-chu Teien”? .
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
1st January, 2018
From 05:00a.m.
around 07:05a.m.
(Note: Because it is at very early hour, please check the time of the public transportations.)
Access & Address
・Venue: 39F, 40F and Roof garden, “Umeda Sky” Building
・Direction from the nearest station
7 minutes walk from Exit “Chuo Kita-guchi”, “Osaka” JR Station (towards North-West)
9 minutes walk from “Umeda” Station, “Hankyu” Line
13 minutes walk from “Umeda” Station, “Hanshin” Line
・Travel time
Approx. 7 minutes walk from “Osaka” Station
・Address: 1-1 Oyodonaka, Osaka-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Event admission free (Note: admission fee is required to enter the observatory)
<Admission fee for “Ku-chu Teien>: Adults: Yen1,000, Junior-high school: Yen700, Elementary school: Yen500, Senior (65 years or above): Yen800, Children (4 years or above): Yen200
Reservation not required
Official site
8. “Hatsu Hinode” (the sunrise on New Year’s Day) at the Observatory Hall, Kansai Airport: 1st January, 2018
Source: Marthaのトレンド．Com
You can reach the observation deck of “Sky View”, Kansai Airport in a few minutes by shuttle bus from the platform No.1 on the first floor in the passenger terminal building. The observation deck is on the 4th and 5th floor. You can watch take-offs and touch-down very closely. It is so close to the run-way that you feel as if the planes flying just overhead. The view is one of the best in Japan. You can also enjoy a spectacular night view because it is open till 10:00p.m. On the New Year’s Day the observatory is open at 04:00a.m. It will be a rare chance that you can watch the first sunrise of the year at Kansai Airport. There are facilities at the Sky Deck such as Sky Museum where you can experience the various aspects of the airport, a restaurant “Legend of Concord” where you can taste in-flight meals, and Sky Shop Town where you can buy items of airlines. Why not grab this chance?
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
1st January, 2018
Open 04:00 – 22:00
(Note: Because the sunrise is at very early hour, please check the time of the public transportations.)
Access & Address
・Venue
“Sky View”, Exhibition Hall, Kansai Airport
・Direction from the nearest station
5 minutes by shuttle bus (free) from “Kansai Kuko” Station, JR “Kansai Kuko” Line or “Nankai Kuko” Line. Take the bus for “Tenbo Hall” and get off at “Tenbo Hall”.
・Travel time
5 minutes by shuttle bus (free) from “Kansai Kuko” Station, JR “Kansai Kuko” Line
・Address: 1 Senshu Kuko Kita, Izumi Sano-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Admission free
Reservation not required
Official site
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/skyview/skyview.htm
9. “Hatsu Hinode” (the sunrise on New Year’s Day) at “Kobe Port Tower”: 1st January, 2018
Source: 神戸ポートタワー
The “Kobe Port Tower” has a history of more than 50 years and is a landmark of the Port City “Kobe”. Because of its elegant shape the tower is familiarly called “Steel Tower Beauty” and loved by the locals and tourists as well. During the daytime its red painted color and at night colorful illuminations accentuate in Kobe. It has 5 layers of observatory on top and 3 stories on the ground. There are an entry-free area and paid area. On the New Year day, an event to view the first sunrise is held. The tower is open at 6:30a.m. The first 150 visitors will receive some souvenir. Since there are a sky lounge, restaurant and souvenir shop, families and couples can have a good time in the tower. Why not enjoy the first sunrise on the New Year Day?
Schedule
・Date & Hours:
1st January, 2018
Hours: 06:30 – 17:00 (last admission 16:30)
<Expected sunrise at around 07:06>
Access & Address
・Venue:
The Kobe Port Tower
・Direction from the nearest station
15 minutes walk from “Motomachi” Station, JR Kobe Line
・Travel time
14 minutes walk from “Kobe” Station
・Address 5-5 Hatoba-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-city, Hyogo
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Adults (Senior high school or above): Yen700, Junior high & Elementary school: Yen300
Reservation not required
Official site
http://www.kobe-port-tower.com/
Sport Events
**10. The 37th Osaka International Women’s Marathon: 28th January, 2018 **
Source: 大阪国際女子マラソン
The Osaka International Women’s marathon starts and finishes at Yanmar Nagai Stadium and runs through the most scenic and historic areas of Osaka such as “Osaka-jo Koen” Park and “Modosuji” Street. The course is authorized by IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) and this race is a part of the Marathon Grand Championship Series where runners for the Olympic in Tokyo in 2020 will be selected. Promising runners will compete in a thrilling race. Unfortunately the entry for the race is closed, but you can still watch the race. Since there are many scenic spots in the course, it will be nice to cheer the runners while sight-seeing. Not only your cheering would give them a big boost to the runners but you will also be watching the future Olympic runners closely. Isn’t it nice?
Schedule
・Dates & Hours
28th January, 2018
Starting at 12:10
Access & Address
・Venue
Yanmar Nagai Statium (start & finish)
・Direction from the nearest station
5 minutes walk from “Tsuruga-oka” Station, JR “Hanwa” Line
10 minute walk from Exit 3 at “Nagai” Station, “Midosuji” Subway Line
・Travel time
Approx.33 minutes walk from “Osaka” Station to “Umeda” Station and by train via “Midosuji” Line
・Address: “Nagai Koen” Park, 1-1 Nagai Koen, Higashi Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-city, Osaka
・Map
Admission fee & Reservation
Free for watching the race
Reservation not required
Official site
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