Osaka Summer: A Local's Guide to Beating the Heat and Enjoying the Season
After living in Osaka for 10 years and spending every summer here, I've come to understand how to enjoy this city during the hot season.
It's true that Osaka's summers are hot and humid. However, this city offers plenty of fun activities that make you forget about the heat.
You can enjoy a cool aquarium experience at Kaiyukan, or find relief from the heat at the mist fountain in Nakanoshima Park. Major events like the Tenjin Festival and Yodogawa Fireworks Festival are precious opportunities for both locals and tourists to have fun together.
Personally, I look forward to enjoying cold shaved ice from street stalls on hot days and taking evening strolls in Nakanoshima Park every year.
In this article, I'll introduce recommended spots and events to comfortably spend the summer in Osaka, as well as some local tips. I hope you'll find hints to fully enjoy Osaka's summer!
If you'd like to learn more about the whole Osaka area in detail, make sure to also take a look at our Osaka Guide article.
Table of Contents
・Recommended Summer Tourist Spots in Osaka
・Summer Festivals, Fireworks Displays, and Events in Osaka
・Street Food to Taste in Osaka's Summer
・Tips for Enjoying Osaka's Summer
Recommended Summer Tourist Spots in Osaka
To enjoy Osaka's summer, I recommend places where you can stay cool or spots rich in nature. Here are some summer-perfect tourist spots that both locals and visitors can enjoy.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Kaiyukan is known as one of the world's largest aquariums. You can immerse yourself in the mystical world of sea creatures in a cool space that makes you forget about the summer heat.
During summer vacation, many events for children are held, making it a great spot for families.
The Tempozan area where Kaiyukan is located is by the sea, and it feels great to take a walk while feeling the sea breeze. From the nearby Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Osaka Bay.
If you ride at dusk, you can see a panoramic view of Osaka's cityscape along with the setting sun, which is very romantic.
We recommend reading our Guide to Kaiyukan as well.
Access:
Take the Osaka Metro Chuo Line to "Osakako Station" and walk for 5-10 minutes.
Nakanoshima Park
Nakanoshima Park is a lush, soothing spot in the heart of Osaka. I often stop by on my way home from work, and sitting on a bench by the river has become my daily routine.
One of the attractions is being able to appreciate Osaka's historic buildings, such as the Central Public Hall, while strolling through the park.
In the evening, you can encounter a fantastical landscape created by the sunset reflecting on the river surface and the city lights. It's also a popular date spot.
Please also read our Nakanoshima Guide.
Access:
It's a short walk from "Yodoyabashi Station," "Kitahama Station," or "Naniwabashi Station" on the Subway Midosuji Line or Keihan Railway. You can also walk from Umeda in about 15-20 minutes.
Tennoji Zoo Night Zoo
The Night Zoo at Tennoji Zoo is a special summer night experience. It's a rare opportunity to see the animals in a completely different state from daytime.
The zoo has a nighttime atmosphere, and you can feel a bit of adventure. It's also held in the evening and later when the heat subsides, so you can stay cool.
In 2024, it will be held on the following 12 days:
August 3 (Saturday), 4 (Sunday), 10 (Saturday), 11 (Sunday), 12 (Monday, holiday), 17 (Saturday), 18 (Sunday), 24 (Saturday), 25 (Sunday)
September 14 (Saturday), 15 (Sunday), 16 (Monday, holiday)
Access:
About a 10-minute walk from "Tennoji Station" on JR or Osaka Metro Midosuji Line/Tanimachi Line, or about a 5-minute walk from "Dobutsuen-mae Station" on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line/Sakaisuji Line. There are many restaurants around Tennoji Station, so I recommend enjoying a meal before or after the Night Zoo.
Minoh Park
Minoh Park is one of my favorite spots as a nature-rich summer retreat that's about 30 minutes away from central Osaka. Every summer, I invite friends and family to visit.
The highlight of the park is undoubtedly Minoh Waterfall. The water spray from the 33-meter high waterfall acts like natural air conditioning.
The hiking course along the valley is also attractive. You need to be careful of wild monkeys you might encounter along the way, but it's a valuable experience to feel nature up close.
Please also read our article about hiking spots in Osaka.
Access:
From Osaka-Umeda Station on the Hankyu Line, take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line and change to the Hankyu Minoh Line at "Ishibashi-Handai-mae Station", then get off at "Minoh Station". It's about a 20-minute walk from the station, but you can enjoy nature while walking leisurely, so it doesn't feel too far.
Summer Festivals, Fireworks Displays, and Events in Osaka
Osaka's summer is adorned with vibrant festivals and grand fireworks displays. Here are some summer events unique to Osaka that you can enjoy together with the locals.
Osaka Amanogawa Legend
The Osaka Amanogawa Legend is a summer tradition in Osaka held every year on the night of July 7th, Tanabata (Star Festival).
It's a grand project where participants release LED light balls with their wishes into the Okawa River (former Yodogawa River), recreating the Milky Way on the river surface.
The sight of thousands of light balls slowly flowing on the river surface is just like the real Milky Way. The fantastical scene is breathtakingly beautiful.
The highlight is standing on the bridge or by the riverside, watching the flowing lights and making wishes. It has become my annual tradition to participate with my loved ones and share our aspirations for the year.
Advance tickets are 1,500 yen, and same-day tickets are 1,800 yen. It's held around Okawa River, from Tenmabashi to Tenjinbashi, so access is convenient.
Tenjin Festival
The Tenjin Festival is one of Japan's three major festivals, with over 1000 years of history and is Osaka's largest summer festival. When I first moved to Osaka and participated, I was overwhelmed by its scale and energy.
Held annually on July 24th and 25th, this festival envelops the entire city of Osaka in a festive mood.
On the 24th, the eve of the festival, boat rituals and traditional parades are held, and the whole city is filled with excitement. One of the attractions is the many food stalls where you can enjoy delicious Osaka street food.
The climax of the festival is on the night of the 25th. About 5,000 fireworks are launched, and the competition of lights reflecting on the surface of the Okawa River is breathtakingly beautiful. Every year, I secure a spot along the river with my friends to enjoy the fireworks.
It's a precious opportunity to experience Osaka's traditional culture firsthand, seeing locals participating in their finest attire and hearing the energetic chants of those carrying the portable shrines. I highly recommend experiencing it.
Check out our article on Osaka's traditional festivals.
Yodogawa Fireworks Festival
The Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is the largest fireworks display in the Kansai region, held in early August every year. In 2024, it was held on August 3rd. The sight of about 7,000 large flowers coloring the night sky is truly spectacular.
What I particularly like is that the launch site is close to the spectators. You can feel the power of the fireworks up close, almost as if you're enveloped by them.
There are various ways to view the fireworks, from paid seats to free areas on the riverbank. My recommendation is viewing from the riverbank.
You can enjoy it in a picnic-like atmosphere by spreading out your own sheet in the spacious area. Gathering drinks and light snacks with friends and waiting for the fireworks to start becomes a fun memory in itself.
However, as it's a popular fireworks festival, arriving early is key to securing a good spot. I always arrive at the site around 3:00 PM and leisurely start preparing.
After the fireworks festival, the trains back are very crowded. It's necessary to be prepared to return home slowly without rushing, but in return, you can fully enjoy the summer night in Osaka.
Street Food to Taste in Osaka's Summer
Street food is an essential part of summer festivals and fireworks displays in Osaka. Street food that allows you to enjoy local flavors enhances the festive atmosphere even more. Here, I'll introduce some street foods that I particularly love.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki is a Takoyaki is a street food that could be called the soul of Osaka. These bite-sized balls are made by cooking wheat flour batter in a special takoyaki pan with small pieces of octopus inside. The result is a delicious snack with a crispy exterior and a gooey interior.
Walking around and eating freshly made takoyaki from a festival stall is one of the true pleasures of summer in Osaka. Just be careful when eating them as they can be very hot!
Don't miss our article featuring Osaka's top takoyaki shops.
Grilled Squid (Ikayaki)
Grilled squid (Ikayaki) is a street food unique to Osaka and one of my favorites. It's made by grilling squid sandwiched between thinly stretched dough. The enticing aroma often makes me stop in my tracks.
I recommend eating the grilled squid piping hot as soon as you get it from the stall. There's something special about enjoying grilled squid while feeling the summer night breeze.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is one of Osaka's representative dishes and a popular menu item at street stalls. It's often called "Osaka's pancake," made by mixing flour and cabbage, and adding various ingredients like pork, seafood, and cheese.
You can choose your favorite ingredients, but I recommend the "mix" option. It includes various ingredients like squid, shrimp, and pork, allowing you to enjoy a variety of Osaka flavors in one go. It's quite filling, so one serving is usually enough to satisfy your hunger.
Check out our article on recommended okonomiyaki restaurants in Osaka.
Shaved Ice
Shaved ice is an indispensable street food for the hot Osaka summer. It's a simple dessert of finely shaved ice topped with flavored syrup or condensed milk, but its refreshing quality is exceptional.
My standard way of enjoying it is to buy shaved ice from a festival stall, then find a quiet spot away from the crowd to eat it. Rushing to eat it before the ice melts might also be a unique way to enjoy the summer festival atmosphere.
When you're feeling overwhelmed by the heat, I recommend taking a break with some shaved ice.
We recommend reading our feature article about Osaka street food.
Tips for Enjoying Osaka's Summer
To fully enjoy Osaka's summer, there are some local tips. I'll share the tricks I've learned over my 10 years of living in Osaka for comfortably spending the summer.
Don't Schedule Anything Before or After Fireworks Displays
While Osaka's fireworks displays are wonderful experiences, they're also inevitably crowded due to their popularity. When I first went to the Yodogawa Fireworks Festival, I was surprised by the crowds on the way back.
On the day of a fireworks display, trains and roads are extremely crowded. To secure a good spot, you need to arrive at the venue early. I always head to the site 3-4 hours before the fireworks start.
Also, it takes quite a while to reach the nearest station on the way back. Once, I had made dinner plans with a friend after a fireworks display, but we were significantly late for our reservation because it took so long to reach the station.
Therefore, it's better not to pack your schedule too tightly before or after a fireworks display.
To truly enjoy the fireworks display, it's important to allow plenty of time. I recommend planning to use the entire day for the fireworks display.
Leave Large Luggage at Your Hotel or in a Coin Locker
Due to the large crowds at fireworks displays and festivals, you can't bring large luggage like suitcases. In the worst case, you might not be allowed to enter the venue.
Also, carrying large luggage through crowds can be uncomfortable for both you and those around you.
Therefore, I recommend leaving large luggage at your hotel or in a coin locker. Large coin lockers are available at major stations in Osaka, which are convenient to use.
By leaving your luggage, you can move around more freely and enjoy the festival or fireworks display more fully. Carrying only the minimum necessary items allows you to navigate crowded places with less stress.
Carry Barley Tea
Osaka's summers are extremely hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching close to 40°C (104°F). When I first moved to Osaka, I struggled to get used to this heat.
Moreover, the humidity is also high, making the perceived temperature feel even higher. In such an environment, frequent hydration is essential. It's important not only to prevent dehydration but also to prevent heat stroke.
In this situation, I recommend "barley tea". Barley tea is easy to drink and doesn't contain sugar, making it a healthy choice. It's also caffeine-free, so it's safe for everyone from children to adults to drink.
It's also convenient that you can buy bottled barley tea at convenience stores and supermarkets everywhere.
However, alcoholic beverages and drinks high in sugar are not suitable for hydration. They might actually promote dehydration, so be careful. It's better to choose barley tea, water, or sports drinks.
While Osaka's summer is certainly hot, there are countless enjoyments to be found. As I've experienced over my 10 years of living in Osaka, the city's summer is filled with attractive experiences, from cool tourist spots to exciting summer festivals and delicious street food.
I hope you'll create your own summer memories in Osaka, referring to the places, events, food, and tips introduced in this article!