Osaka in February 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals

In February, Osaka's temperature ranges around 10°C at its highest, dropping to around 5°C on cold days. While snowfall is rare in Osaka, most people in the city wear coats or jackets along with scarves and gloves for protection against the cold.

Osaka is Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo, the capital. The city boasts numerous tourist attractions, including Osaka Castle and the internationally popular Universal Studios Japan. It's also a culinary paradise known for its unique food culture, featuring local specialties like Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.

The city is home to many historical spots including shrines, and February in Osaka features numerous events related to "Setsubun," a traditional Japanese celebration. This article introduces the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access details for these events.

Traditional Events in Osaka - February 2025

Setsubun

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese celebration held around February 3rd each year to ward off evil spirits and pray for good health throughout the year. During Setsubun, there's a custom of throwing beans at demons (Oni), while chanting "Oni wa soto, Fuku wa uchi" (Demons out, Fortune in).

Another Setsubun tradition involves eating Ehomaki (a type of makisushi/sushi roll) whole while facing the lucky direction of the year to invite good fortune.

Originally a purification ritual performed at shrines, various Setsubun festivals (Setsubun Sai) are still held primarily at shrines during this season.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Setsubun Festival

Source: Official website

Sumiyoshi Taisha is a prestigious shrine with over 1,800 years of history. It's popular among visitors for its numerous attractions, including four main halls (Honden) designated as nationally protected buildings and a camphor tree (Kusunoki) over 1,000 years old.

The highlight of the annual "Sumiyoshi Taisha Setsubun Festival" is the Tsuinahosha Shiki ceremony, where archers shoot arrows at wooden boards marked with the character for "oni" (demon) to ward off evil spirits. The ceremony is performed by archery masters dressed in traditional kimono and headwear from Japan's samurai era. Visitors are captivated by the graceful archery movements performed according to traditional etiquette.

This event is highly recommended for those who want to experience a solemn Setsubun celebration that honors Japanese traditions.

Information
- Date: February 3, 2025
- Access:
  - 3-minute walk from Sumiyoshitaisha Station on the Nankai Main Line
  - 5-minute walk from Sumiyoshi Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line
  - Right in front of Sumiyoshi Toriimae Station on the Hankai Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/

If you are interested in Sumiyoshi Taisha, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.

Tsutenkaku Setsubun Bean Throwing Festival

Source: Abeno Keizai Shimbun

Tsutenkaku, famous as Osaka's landmark, holds an annual "Tsutenkaku Setsubun Bean Throwing Festival" (Tsutenkaku Setsubun Fukumame Maki). This traditional event, which has continued since 1957, is held to pray for the prosperity and happiness of the local Osaka people.

At the "Tsutenkaku Setsubun Bean Throwing Festival," lucky beans (fortune-bringing beans used in Setsubun) are thrown to participants in front of Tsutenkaku's entrance. Every year, the event attracts crowds as celebrities from various fields, including stage actors from popular anime and Olympic athletes, participate.

It's a lively event at Tsutenkaku, representing Osaka's vibrant cityscape, where the chant "Demons out, Fortune in" echoes throughout. When I participated, the energetic atmosphere that drove away the winter cold left a lasting impression. If you want to experience a bustling Setsubun festival, please join in.

<Information>
Date: Around February 1, 2025
Access:
- 3 minutes walk from Exit 3 of Ebisucho Station on Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line
- 3 minutes walk from Ebisucho Station on Hankai Tramway Hankai Line
- 6 minutes walk from Exit 1 of Dobutsuen-mae Station on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
- 6 minutes walk from East Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station on JR Loop Line
- 10 minutes walk from West Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station on Nankai Main Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tsutenkaku.co.jp/

Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine Setsubun Festival

Source: Official website

Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine is particularly known for its blessings in healing swellings and health-related matters. It's also famous for the "Ohyakudomairi" practice, where worshippers repeat a 100-time ritual of praying at the main shrine, returning to the Hyakudoishi (hundred-time stone), and back again. The shrine attracts many visitors from across Japan.

During the annual "Setsubun Festival" at Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine, lucky beans and Fuku Mochi (fortune-bringing rice cakes) are thrown from the second floor of the Ema-den (building where wooden prayer plaques are offered). The sight of many worshippers crowding to catch the thrown beans and mochi has become a trademark of the "Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine Setsubun Festival."

Some Fuku Mochi contain prize exchange tickets or lottery tickets. Why not try your luck at winning luxurious prizes while receiving the shrine's blessings?

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025 (planned)
Access:
- 7 minutes walk from Shin-Ishikiri Station on Kintetsu Railway Keihanna Line
- 15 minutes walk from Ishikiri Station on Kintetsu Nara Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.ishikiri.or.jp/

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Osaka Tenmangu Shrine Setsubun Evil-Warding Grand Festival

Source: Official website

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Michizane Sugawara, known as the deity of education. The main shrine building, where worship takes place, is a historic structure rebuilt in 1843 after surviving multiple fires.

Another attractive point of Osaka Tenmangu is that it has many buildings designated as particularly important for cultural inheritance by the nation, including the Baikaden, which stores the shrine's treasures.

At the "Setsubun Evil-Warding Grand Festival" (Setsubun Yakuyoke Taisai) held at Osaka Tenmangu, people in their unlucky years (Yakudoshi) receive special prayers to ward off misfortune and invite good luck.

A must-try experience at the "Osaka Tenmangu Setsubun Evil-Warding Grand Festival" is the "1,000 People Sushi Roll Eating" (Makisushi 1,000 people Marukaburi). You can participate in this special Setsubun experience where everyone simultaneously bites into free sushi rolls. As sushi rolls are available only for the first 1,000 people, make sure to get your numbered ticket distributed in the morning if you want to participate.

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025
Access:
- 3 minutes walk from Exit 7 of Osaka Tenmangu Station on JR Tozai Line
- 5 minutes walk from Exit 4 of Minamimorimachi Station on Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and Sakaisuji Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://osakatemmangu.or.jp/

If you are interested in Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.

Ichiya Kannyo Festival

Source: Nikkei.com

The "Ichiya Kannyo Festival" is a traditional event held annually on February 20th at Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine. The festival originated from a custom where safety for the area was prayed for by offering a young girl to the deity, due to frequent flooding from the river flowing through the Nozato Area.

While legends of human sacrifices (Hitomigoku) to deities exist throughout Japan, it is extremely rare for such traditions to be preserved as festivals. Due to its uniqueness and over 300-year history, the Ichiya Kannyo Festival has been designated by Osaka Prefecture as a particularly important cultural heritage that must be preserved.

The highlight of the Ichiya Kannyo Festival is the procession where selected young girls each year walk to the shrine wearing traditional costumes. We invite you to witness this solemn and quiet festival that expresses the poignant legend of the region.

<Information>
Date: February 20, 2025
Access:
- 10-minute walk from JR Tsukamoto Station West Exit
- 12-minute walk from Hanshin Electric Railway Himejima Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.osaka-jinjacho.jp/funai_jinja/dai5shibu/nishiyodogawa-ku/05021sumiyoshijinja.html

If you are interested in temples and shrines in Osaka, check the article below! I summarized temples and shrines I recommend and how I felt each spot.

Special February Experiences in Osaka

Osaka Marathon EXPO 2025

Source: Official website

The "Osaka Marathon EXPO 2025" is a charity and gourmet event held over two days before the Osaka Marathon. In 2025, visitors can enjoy a special festive atmosphere as Osaka hosts the International Exposition.

At the Osaka Marathon EXPO 2025, you can experience Osaka's food culture at the food court in this city known as "Kuidaore no machi" (the city of extravagant food), and enjoy Osaka's comedy culture through stage performances in this "Warai no machi" (city of laughter).

With increasing international runner participation, the venue features English signage, making it accessible for non-Japanese speakers. Experience Osaka's cuisine and culture at this special Osaka Marathon EXPO 2025 during the International Exposition year.

<Information>
Date: February 22-23, 2025
Access:
- 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro New Tram Nakafuto Station
- 8-minute walk from Trade Center mae Station
- 9-minute walk from Osaka Metro Chuo Line Cosmo Square Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.osaka-marathon.com/2025/expo/outline/

If you are interested in Osaka Expo 2025, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt about it.

Plum Blossoms (Osaka Castle Park)

Source: Official website

The plum grove (Bairin) in Osaka Castle Park, home to Osaka's symbolic Osaka Castle, reaches full bloom in February. Visitors can enjoy over 100 varieties of plum blossoms in pink, white, yellow, and other colors.

The highlight is viewing the emerald green Osaka Castle through the colorful plum blossoms. Even amateur photographers can capture professional-looking photos of Osaka Castle with the plum blossoms in the foreground.

As Osaka winters are cold, I recommend enjoying the plum blossoms while taking a leisurely walk with a hot drink from the park's café. Experience not only the visual beauty but also the sweet fragrance of the plum blossoms.

<Information>
Date: January to March 2025
Access:
- 9-minute walk from Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line Osaka Business Park Station
- 12-minute walk from JR Kanjo Line Osakajokoen Station
- 13-minute walk from JR Kanjo Line/Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi Ryokuchi Line Morinomiya Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.osakacastlepark.jp/flower/plum_grove.html

If you are interested in Osaka Castle, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.