Osaka Tenjin Matsuri

Osaka Tenjin Matsuri is said to be one of the top 3 festivals in Japan (Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Sanno Festival in Tokyo being the other two). It’s a two-day festival taking place every year on the 24-25th of July around the Tenmangu shrine who is dedicated to the god of learning and is said to be dated back to 951.

The festival draws a huge crowd especially on the 25th. During that day there is big parade and 100 river boats decorated with lanterns drive up and down the river with traditional musicians on them. At night the they then have a big Firework.

I only was able to attend this matsuri in the evening of the 24th and unfortunately didn’t see much of the cultural side of this festival. I hope next year will be a better timing!

Transport: 5 minutes’ walk from Osaka Tenmangu Station. Osaka Tenmangu Station is about 30 minutes from JR Shin-Osaka Station on the JR Tozai Line. It’s OK to come by car on the 24th, but forget about it on the 25th!

Websites: Osaka-Info website hosts a superb flash-based website for this festival with heaps of information and videos.