What's on in Osaka

Osaka events in January 2027

142 events in January 2027: 60 festivals, 32 performances, 21 exhibitions, 17 markets, 6 illuminations, 4 anime and games events, 1 garden and 1 food event, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 16 of them are annual events whose 2027 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.

The coldest weeks, with mornings averaging about 3°C. Imamiya Ebisu's Toka Ebisu runs from 9 to 11 January, Shitenno-ji holds Doyadoya on the 14th, and Osaka Tenmangu's Hatsu-Tenjin falls on 24 and 25 January. More on the season in Things to do in Osaka.

Map

Osaka weather in January

Average high: 10°C (49°F)
Average low: 3°C (37°F)
Rain: 47 mm
Rainy days: about 6

You'll want a warm coat, with a hat and gloves for evenings near 3°C (37°F).

Averages from the Japan Meteorological Agency normals for 1991 to 2020, Osaka station (rain table). Rainy days have at least 1 mm of rain.

Don't miss in January 2027

Black cube facade of the Nakanoshima Museum of Art beside the river in Osaka

Exhibition Nakka Kids Day 4 Jan · Nakanoshima and Juso Family day tied to the British Museum Japanese art exhibition. Free entry for the event, with a same-day exhibition ticket needed from elementary school age. Photo: Sakai Yayoi, CC0 1.0

Stone torii at the entrance of Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Shinsekai, Osaka

Festival Toka Ebisu 9 to 11 Jan · Shinsekai A three-day business luck festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine. The Hoekago parade walks from Tobori River Park to the shrine on 10 Jan. The shrine says details will be announced around 1 Nov. Photo: Yanajin33, CC BY-SA 3.0

Stone lantern lined path through the forest at Kasuga Taisha in Nara

Performance Bugaku Hajime-shiki at Kasuga Taisha 11 Jan · Nara On Coming of Age Day the shrine offers bugaku court dance, performed by the Nanto Gakuso, to pray for a year of safe performances. Starts at 13:30. Photo: Fredrik Rubensson, CC BY-SA 2.0

Five-storey pagoda and halls of Shitenno-ji behind a pond with flower beds

Festival Doyadoya and Tondo Bonfire 14 Jan · Tennoji The final day of Shitennoji's New Year service, 14 January, with the Doyadoya rite at the Rokuji Raisan-do hall and a bonfire at the Niomon gate running about 9:00 to 13:00. Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0

Cylindrical Osaka Science Museum building on Nakanoshima

Exhibition Science Book Festa 23 to 24 Jan · Nakanoshima and Kitahama A science book event in the first-floor exhibition hall, covered by exhibition hall admission (adults ¥400). Photo: Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0

Rows of lanterns above the stage of Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei in Osaka

Performance 6th Sandai-banashi-o Championship Final 29 Jan · Tenjinbashi The final of a contest in which ten rakugo performers each create a story from three given words (a person, a place and an object). The first round is on 23 November 2026 at Oyodo Community Center and the final is held at Hanjotei. The start time is to be announced. Photo: m-louis .®, CC BY-SA 2.0

Calendar

Day by day

Each event on its first day still ahead, regular markets on each of their days. Tap a day in the calendar for everything on that day and its gigs.

Fri 1 Jan 8 events · 1 gig

New Year Visit to the Daibutsuden at Todai-jiNara · Todai-ji, Daibutsuden · 1 Jan

Sumiyoshi Taisha New Year CeremoniesSumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 1 Jan

Wakamizu no Gi (New Year Water Rite)Sumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 1 Jan

Shushoe at KoyasanKoyasan · Danjo Garan Kondo and Okunoin, Koyasan · 1 to 3 JanUsual dates

Shushoe New Year Fire Rite at Toshodai-jiNara · Toshodai-ji, Raido · 1 to 3 Jan

Year-end Purification and Bonfire at Nara Gokoku ShrineNara · Nara Prefectural Gokoku Shrine · 31 Dec to 3 Jan

Afternoon Rakugo Show at HanjoteiTenjinbashi · Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei · also 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and more JanRegular market

Regular Shows at Namba Grand KagetsuNamba · Namba Grand Kagetsu · also 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and more JanRegular market

Sat 2 Jan 4 events

Koshiki Kyudo Archery Opening Ceremony at Mozu Hachiman ShrineSakai · Mozu Hachiman Shrine · 2 JanUsual dates

Osaka Bluteon vs Hokkaido Yellow StarsBay Area · Asue Arena Osaka (Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium) · 2 Jan

Osaka Marvelous vs Victorina HimejiBay Area · Asue Arena Osaka (Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium) · 2 Jan

Beicho Ichimon-kai, New Year RakugoUmeda · Sankei Hall Breeze · 2 to 3 Jan

Sun 3 Jan 1 event · 2 gigs

Shushoe at Shoryaku-jiNara · Shoryaku-ji · 3 to 5 Jan

Mon 4 Jan 3 events · 4 gigs

Nakka Kids DayNakanoshima and Juso · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka · 4 JanFree

Toka Shinji (Foot-Stomping Rite)Sumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 4 Jan

Endless SHOCK Memories -CONTINUE-Umeda · Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall · 4 to 10 Jan

Tue 5 Jan 2 events · 2 gigs

Hatsu-Ebisu at Minamiichi Ebisu ShrineNara (Naramachi) · Minamiichi Ebisu Shrine · 5 Jan

Shinshun Nomura Kyogen-zaUmeda · Sankei Hall Breeze · 5 Jan

Thu 7 Jan 3 events · 3 gigs

Hakuba Shinji (White Horse Rite)Sumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 7 Jan

Shichido Shushoe at Kanshin-jiKawachinagano · Kanshin-ji, Kondo · 7 JanUsual dates

Shushoe at Todai-jiNara · Todai-ji · 7 Jan

Fri 8 Jan 1 event · 8 gigs

Hatsu-Yakushi at Shin-Yakushi-jiNara · Shin-Yakushi-ji · 8 Jan

Sat 9 Jan 6 events · 11 gigs

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners vs Kawagoe Sayama Secom RuggutsHigashiosaka (Hanazono) · Higashiosaka City Hanazono Rugby Stadium · 9 Jan

The News Paper 2027Umeda · Sankei Hall Breeze · 9 Jan

Sumiyoshi no EbessanSumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 9 to 10 JanFree

Tenma Tenjin Ebisu FestivalTenma · Osaka Tenmangu · 9 to 11 JanFree

Toka EbisuShinsekai · Imamiya Ebisu Shrine · 9 to 11 Jan

Isshinji Monzen Rokyoku YoseTennoji · Isshinji · also 10, 11 JanRegular market

Sun 10 Jan 2 events · 18 gigs

SUPER COMIC CITY Kansai 2027Nanko (Suminoe) · Intex Osaka · 10 Jan

Toka Ebisu at Saraki Shrine, Kasuga TaishaNara · Kasuga Taisha, Saraki Shrine · 10 Jan

Mon 11 Jan 3 events · 13 gigs

Bugaku Hajime-shiki at Kasuga TaishaNara · Kasuga Taisha · 11 Jan

Harukas Walk: Hatachi no Challenge (13th)Tennoji · Abeno Harukas · 11 Jan

Swan Lake by the Moscow Classical BalletNakanoshima and Kitahama · Festival Hall · 11 Jan

Wed 13 Jan 2 events · 4 gigs

Hatsutatsu-mairi at Sumiyoshi Taisha (January)Sumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 13 JanFreeUsual dates

Mikechin Shinji (Archery Rite)Sumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 13 Jan

Thu 14 Jan 1 event · 1 gig

Doyadoya and Tondo BonfireTennoji · Shitennoji · 14 Jan

Fri 15 Jan 3 events · 6 gigs

Daihannya Sutra Reading at Toshodai-jiNara · Toshodai-ji, Raido · 15 Jan

Osaka Symphony Orchestra 292nd Subscription ConcertFukushima · The Symphony Hall · 15 Jan

Sumiyoshi Tondo FestivalSumiyoshi · Sumiyoshi Taisha · 15 JanFree

Sat 16 Jan 4 events · 9 gigs

Enma Mairi Service at Hakugo-jiNara · Hakugo-ji · 16 Jan

New Year First Tea Bowl Ceremony at Saidai-jiNara · Saidai-ji · 16 Jan

Osaka Marvelous vs Gunma GreenwingsBay Area · Ookini Arena Maishima · 16 Jan

Yumedono Shushoe at Horyu-jiIkaruga · Horyu-ji, Yumedono · 16 to 18 JanUsual dates

Sun 17 Jan 1 event · 5 gigs

Tsunahiki Shinji (Tug-of-War Rite)Namba · Namba Yasaka Shrine · 17 Jan

Tue 19 Jan 1 event · 1 gig

La Cage aux Folles (musical)Umeda · Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall · 19 to 24 Jan

Thu 21 Jan 2 events · 2 gigs

Eric Lu Piano RecitalFukushima · The Symphony Hall · 21 Jan

Osaka Philharmonic 604th Subscription ConcertNakanoshima and Kitahama · Festival Hall · 21 to 22 Jan

Fri 22 Jan 1 event · 5 gigs

Taiman-ku and Secret Image Opening at Shitenno-jiTennoji · Shitenno-ji · 22 Jan

Sat 23 Jan 6 events · 3 gigs

Big Bonfire at Tobihino, Kasuga TaishaNara · Tobihino, Kasuga Taisha grounds · 23 Jan

Cancer-warding Bamboo Sake Festival at Daian-jiNara · Daian-ji · 23 Jan

Red Hurricanes Osaka vs Kawagoe Sayama Secom RuggutsNagai Park · Yanmar Hanasaka Stadium · 23 Jan

Suntory Sunbirds Osaka vs Shinshu Matsumoto TridentsBay Area · Asue Arena Osaka (Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium) · 23 Jan

Wakakusa Yamayaki (Mountain Burning)Nara · Wakakusayama · 23 JanUsual dates

Science Book FestaNakanoshima and Kitahama · Osaka Science Museum · 23 to 24 Jan

Sun 24 Jan 2 events · 7 gigs

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners vs Skyactivs HiroshimaHigashiosaka (Hanazono) · Higashiosaka City Hanazono Rugby Stadium · 24 Jan

Hatsu-Tenjin Baika-sai (Plum Festival)Tenma · Osaka Tenmangu · 24 to 25 Jan

Wed 27 Jan 1 event · 2 gigs

Osaka Evessa vs Yokohama B-CorsairsBay Area · Ookini Arena Maishima · 27 Jan

Fri 29 Jan 3 events · 4 gigs

6th Sandai-banashi-o Championship FinalTenjinbashi · Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei · 29 Jan

Musical TARAE: Unmei no SenritsuUmeda · Sankei Hall Breeze · 29 to 31 Jan

OSAKA INTERNATIONAL ART 2027Nakanoshima and Kitahama · Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka) · 29 to 31 Jan

Sat 30 Jan 3 events · 7 gigs

Kumiodori Shushin Kane-iri and Ryukyuan DanceNipponbashi · National Bunraku Theatre · 30 Jan

Nanairo Practice Session Vol.9: Final 20 km RunUmeda · Yodogawa Riverside Park, Nishinakajima area · 30 Jan

Osaka Evessa vs Nagasaki VelcaBay Area · Ookini Arena Maishima · 30 Jan

Sun 31 Jan 3 events · 4 gigs

46th Osaka International Women's MarathonNagai · Yanmar Stadium Nagai · 31 Jan

Osaka Half Marathon 2027Nagai · Osaka Castle Park (start) to Yanmar Stadium Nagai (finish) · 31 Jan

Science Experiment Convention 2027Nakanoshima and Kitahama · Osaka Science Museum · 31 Jan

On for weeks

26 long runs, such as exhibitions and illuminations: on for more than a week, so shown once instead of every day.

EXPO'70 Pavilion Exhibition: 1970 Expo Before and AfterSuita (Expo Park) · EXPO'70 Pavilion, Expo Commemorative Park · 14 Mar to 28 Feb

Super Spacetime Theater Touring ExhibitionSuita (Expo Park) · EXPO'70 Pavilion, Expo Commemorative Park · 29 Aug to 28 Feb

Wolf Bench Comes to the MuseumNakanoshima and Kitahama · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, 2F Passage · 10 Oct to 5 Jan

ALL OF EVANGELION: 30th Anniversary ExhibitionHirakata · Hirakata Park Event Hall · 18 Oct to 11 Jan

Hirakata Park Light Amusement Park IlluminationHirakata · Hirakata Park · 31 Oct to 4 Apr

British Museum Japanese Art Collection: Edo Paintings Across the SeaNakanoshima and Kitahama · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka · 31 Oct to 31 Jan

Kagaku no Mikata: Everyday Things Are Full of SurprisesNakanoshima and Kitahama · Osaka Science Museum · 7 Nov to 17 Jan

Osaka Castle Illuminage 2026-2027Osaka Castle · 20 Nov to 14 Feb

Himeji Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle IlluminationHimeji · Himeji Station front, Otemae-dori and Himeji Castle · 20 Nov to 11 Jan

AI x Python Workshop: Making a Science Museum ExhibitNakanoshima and Juso · Osaka Science Museum · 21 Nov to 6 MarFree

Okuda Benjiro, Showman of SennichimaeOsaka Castle · Osaka Museum of History · 25 Nov to 1 Feb

Collection 2: Historicising the Contemporary (50th anniversary pre-event)Nakanoshima and Kitahama · National Museum of Art, Osaka · 1 Dec to 22 Mar

Where Words Overlap (working English title)Nakanoshima and Kitahama · National Museum of Art, Osaka · 1 Dec to 14 Mar

Fullmetal Alchemist x Yomi no Tsugai ExhibitionUmeda · Hankyu Umeda Main Store, 9F Hankyu Umeda Gallery and Art Stage · 16 Dec to 10 Jan

Osaka Directory 14: Sako TeppeiNakanoshima and Kitahama · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka · 19 Dec to 17 JanFree

Lucie Rie: Elegant Vessels Linking East and WestTennoji · Abeno Harukas Art Museum · 26 Dec to 7 Mar

Odekake Kozame 5th Anniversary Exhibition: Omotenashi TourUmeda · Hanshin Umeda Main Store, 8F Event Hall · 27 Dec to 18 Jan

Shoshun Bunraku Performance, New Year 2027Nipponbashi · National Bunraku Theatre · 3 to 24 Jan

Vietnam and the Sea: Blue-and-White Ceramics and Maritime TradeTennoji · Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts · 9 Jan to 11 Apr

A Century of Women Who Make (working English title)Nakanoshima and Kitahama · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka · 9 Jan to 22 Mar

Kotobuki Hatsuharu Kabuki Special PerformanceTennoji (Uehonmachi) · Shin-Kabukiza · 9 to 24 Jan

Osaka Directory 15: Inui MayukoNakanoshima and Kitahama · Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka · 23 Jan to 21 FebFree

Osaka Theater Festival 2027Umeda · HEP HALL (HEP FIVE 8F) · 23 to 31 Jan

Osaka Castle Plum GroveOsaka Castle · Osaka Castle Park · 25 Jan to 14 MarUsual dates

32nd Kobe LuminarieKobe · Meriken Park, Higashi-Yuenchi and the former foreign settlement · 29 Jan to 7 Feb

Me and My Girl (musical)Umeda · Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall · 31 Jan to 8 Feb

Planning a trip in January

National holidays in January 2027:

Friday 1 January New Year's Day (元日)
Monday 11 January Coming of Age Day (成人の日)

Holidays from the Cabinet Office's list of national holidays.

The calendar above lists 142 events in January 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Osaka compares the main areas.

More things to do in Osaka in January

Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover January.

Also worth a look

132 gigs are listed for January: See the live music listings
Free Things to Do in Osaka

Good to know

What is on in Osaka in January 2027?

There are 142 events listed for January 2027 (60 festivals, 32 performances, 21 exhibitions, 17 markets, 6 illuminations, 4 anime and games events, 1 garden and 1 food event). The big dates are Nakka Kids Day (4 Jan), Toka Ebisu (9 to 11 Jan), Bugaku Hajime-shiki at Kasuga Taisha (11 Jan), Doyadoya and Tondo Bonfire (14 Jan), Science Book Festa (23 to 24 Jan) and 6th Sandai-banashi-o Championship Final (29 Jan). 126 have confirmed dates and 16 are annual events whose exact 2027 dates are still to be announced, shown with the usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.

What's the weather like in Osaka in January?

In January Osaka averages a high of 10°C (49°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F), with 47 mm of rain on about 6 days. Those are the Japan Meteorological Agency's averages for 1991 to 2020 at its Osaka station, counting days with at least 1 mm of rain.

What festivals are on in Osaka in January 2027?

36 festivals are listed for January 2027, among them Shushoe at Todai-ji (7 Jan), Toka Ebisu (9 to 11 Jan), Toka Ebisu at Saraki Shrine, Kasuga Taisha (10 Jan), Doyadoya and Tondo Bonfire (14 Jan) and Hatsu-Tenjin Baika-sai (Plum Festival) (24 to 25 Jan). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.

Are there free events in Osaka in January 2027?

Yes. 19 of the 142 events listed for January 2027 are free to attend, including Osaka Directory 14: Sako Teppei (19 Dec to 17 Jan), Nakka Kids Day (4 Jan) and Tenma Tenjin Ebisu Festival (9 to 11 Jan).

Is January a good time to visit Osaka?

How current is this list?

Dated events are checked against the organiser's own page, and finished events drop off the page on their own. Annual events further out carry their usual dates until the official ones are published.

Running an event? Add your event and it's checked for the next weekly update.