A summer festival in Osaka illuminated by the boat procession and dedication fireworks
Tenjin Matsuri
The 2026 edition of Tenjin Matsuri has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/07/24 〜 2026/07/25Ended
- Season / frequency
- Held annually, mainly on July 24 and the 25th / Every year
- Location
- Centered around Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, along the Okawa River and throughout the surrounding area
- Area
- Osaka Prefecture・Osaka City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Official website / social media
- Official website
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Centered around Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Tenjin Matsuri features a land procession, a boat procession, and dedication fireworks. It is a festival that has been passed down through generations, with the evening-before festival and main festival set against the streets of Osaka and the Okawa River.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Mr.ちゅらさん File:2024 Tenjin Matsuri Festival Danjiri Bayashi Dance at Tenma Station.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Mr.ちゅらさん File:Fire Works of Tenjin Matsuri Festival 2024 3.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Mr.ちゅらさん File:Fire Works of Tenjin Matsuri Festival 2024 2.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Tenjin Matsuri
Tenjin Matsuri is a traditional festival held mainly in Kita-ku, Osaka, as a festival of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.
The festival dates back to the Heian period. Centered on the evening-before festival on July 24 and the main festival on the 25th, it features religious rites, processions through the city, and a boat procession.
Starting from Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, this is a festival characteristic of Osaka, the “City of Water,” with events along the Okawa River and in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Source: 天神祭｜大阪-大阪市中央エリア(大阪城/京橋) OSAKA-INFO EXPERIENCE / 天神祭2026 - 大阪中心 The Heart of Osaka Japan – 大阪市中央区オフィシャルサイト 地域情報ポータルサイト
Festival highlights
Major highlights include the land procession, in which people wearing historical costumes make their way through Osaka, and the boat procession, with about 100 boats traveling along the Okawa River.
Dedication fireworks are launched at night, creating a riverside scene where the boats’ bonfires and fireworks come together.
The Hoko-nagashi ritual on the evening-before festival and the Gal on July 23 are also featured as distinctive events during the festival period.
A summer festival in Osaka illuminated by the boat procession and dedication fireworks
What to expect
On the evening-before festival on July 24, events include the first drum performance, the evening-before festival rites, a dedication of the Shinko , and the Hoko-nagashi ritual.
On the main festival day, the 25th, the boat procession takes place on the Okawa River after the land procession, followed by dedication fireworks at night.
The Gal Mikoshi is reported to take place at Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street on the 23rd.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the land procession, boat procession, and dedication fireworks.
However, no information could be found confirming whether members of the public can take part in the religious rites or processions.
Special viewing seats on the riverbank for watching the dedication fireworks and boat procession are reported to be available by ticket.
Location and access
- Venue and address
The festival takes place around Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka), along the Okawa River, and throughout the surrounding area.
- Train and bus
Access is listed from Osaka Tenmangu Station on the JR Tozai Line, Minami-morimachi Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, and Temmabashi Station on the Keihan Main Line and Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line.
Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is about a 5-minute walk from Minami-morimachi Station.
- By car
Traffic restrictions are in place around the shrine on July 24 and the 25th.
Please do not come to the shrine by car.
- Parking
There is no parking or bicycle parking at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.
Source: 天神祭 | Osaka Metro NiNE / 本年(令和8年)天神祭の交通規制・安全について | 大阪天満宮
Address 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 festival information (the listed dates have passed)
In 2026, July 24 (Friday) is the evening-before festival, and July 25 (Saturday) is the main festival.
The Tenjin Matsuri Gal Mikoshi takes place at Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street on July 23 (Thursday).
Traffic restrictions are reported to be in place around the shrine on July 24 and the 25th.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Osaka Prefecture / Osaka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
Very large crowds are expected during the festival, so follow directions from police officers, firefighters, and security staff.
Children, pregnant people, and older adults should take extra care, and guardians are asked to keep young children in sight.
Near the dedication fireworks, watch out for falling debris and fragments, and do not touch unexploded fireworks.
Nearby attractions
難波八阪神社
大阪市にある神社
ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン
日本の大阪府大阪市此花区にあるテーマパーク
Sumiyoshi Taisha
大阪市住吉区の神社
国立国際美術館
大阪市北区中之島にある美術館
坐摩神社
大阪市中央区の神社
大阪ビジネスパーク
大阪市中央区にある超高層ビル群
大阪城公園
大阪市の公園
大阪天満宮
大阪市北区にある神社
大阪市立東洋陶磁美術館
大阪市北区中之島にある美術館
大阪市立科学館
大阪市北区中之島にある科学館
大阪市立美術館
大阪市天王寺区にある美術館
大阪歴史博物館
大阪府大阪市中央区にある博物館
Origins and History of Tenjin Matsuri
Tenjin Matsuri is described as a festival dating back to the Heian period, originating in rites to pacify the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane.
Today, as a festival of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, it features religious rites, processions, and a boat procession, centered on the evening-before festival and main festival.
This traditional Osaka event has a history of about 1,000 years and carries on processions on land and water.
Official information
Official information is provided on the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine website.
A link to the 2026 Tenjin Matsuri guide is posted, where you can also check traffic restrictions and safety information.
Details or changes may be announced as the festival dates approach, so please check announcements from Osaka Tenmangu Shrine before visiting.
Source: 令和8年 天神祭ガイドのWebサイト | 大阪天満宮
Tenjin Matsuri at a Glance
Tenjin Matsuri is a traditional Osaka festival centered around Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, with the evening-before festival on July 24 and the main festival on the 25th.
The main highlights are the land procession, the boat procession with about 100 boats, and dedication fireworks; the Gal Mikoshi also takes place on July 23.
The area around the venue gets crowded and is subject to traffic restrictions, so use public transportation and take care to stay safe.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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