Tenjin Matsuri (天神祭) is one of the most famous water and light festivals in Osaka and is also one of the three largest festivals in Japan. It takes place annually on July 24th and 25th. Tenjin is “god” and Matsuri is a festival in Japanese. Other festivals include the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo.
Osaka, also known as the City of Water and Light, has been the site of this festival for more than a thousand years. This festival began in 951 in honor of Sugarawa Michizane, the god of wisdom.
Come here and experience first hand how the Japanese celebrate their summer. Tenjin Matsuri is a mix of a river festival, a fireworks display with over 3000 shots and the Omikoshi parade. And of course, the bustling crowds in colorful yukata (summer kimonos) and geta (wooden sandals) are part of the annual summer event.
Start your exciting journey into the festival from Tenmangu Shrine. On the first morning, July 24, the Yomiya-sai (Eve Festival) begins early at 7:45 a.m. with rituals and prayers for the success of the festival.
At the start of the festival there is a Taiko Japanese drum performance accompanied by Danjiri dancers (Omikoshi accompanists) and a dragon dance. Don't miss the golden omikoshi on display at Tenmangu Shrine, which can be used during the festival.
At 11am, you can see people ready to accompany Omikoshis at Tenmangu Shrine. One of the famous stops you shouldn't miss is Midosuji Street to Tenjinbashi Bridge.
Music is of course an important part of every festival. At Tenjin Matsuri, you can watch young and old sweating profusely in the summer heat, singing loudly and playing traditional music while 20 to 30 danjiris scream in time to the music and they accompany the sacred omikoshis weighing up to hundreds of kilograms.
The parade on the Okawa River begins at 6 p.m. Try spending a moment with a Kabuki actor or a boat with Japanese puppets as you stroll along the riverside stalls.
On July 25, known as Honmiya – the actual festival day, the three main events are ground parades, river parades and night fireworks.
The highlight is the Hanabi fireworks display, which starts around 7:30 p.m. and attracts larger crowds. In Japan, a summer festival wouldn't be complete with Hanabi alone. Fireworks are truly a great end to a great festival.
The people, energy, music and colors of the Tenjin Festival are true experiences that visitors to Japan should not miss.
Go there
It's just a short walk from Osaka Tenmangu Station.
