As we move into the penultimate month of the year, things in and around Osaka show no signs of slowing down. There is a veritable deluge of things to see and do in November, across the region. It is also one of the most diverse months of the year in terms of activities. What we’ve put together today is an eclectic list, with some very popular events as well as some lesser-known spectacles. We hope you will find something to pique your interest in Osaka this November. Here’s our top 10.
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Suminoe Art Beat, November 10th
Do you remember the giant rubber duck that captured hearts around the world a few years ago?
Well, he’s back in Osaka!
November 10th sees Osaka’s Suminoe Ward once again play host to its highly successful Suminoe Art Beat Festival. This unique event combines a variety of art installations and performances, offering something for all ages and tastes.
In addition to the aforementioned giant duck, there are also showcase events featuring local artists. If local social history is something you’re interested in, then there’s also the Shipyard Site tour. This guided tour of the former Namura Shipyard gives a fascinating insight into the history of Osaka as both an international port and a manufacturing powerhouse.
Finally, visitors can also enjoy the Osaka Girls Theater Festival. Here a series of all female groups perform short plays in a competition. Each play offers something different, with a diverse range of themes and performances contained therein. Local food and crafts are also on sale throughout the day.
Suminoe Art Beat takes place on November 10th at the Creative Center Osaka. The Center is a 10 minute walk from Kitakagaya Station on the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line. The event runs from 10am until 4pm. Admission is free.
Yakiimo Matsuri Osaka, November 8th to 17th
A collaborative event between Osaka and Tokyo, the Yakiimo (Sweet Potato) Festival has been highly successful since it debuted in 2022.
Roasted sweet potatoes are a beloved winter treat for many in Japan. Their soft texture, sweet taste and warmth are the perfect tonic to the increasingly harsh winter weather.
The Yakiimo Festival however, shows us that there’s far more to this root vegetable than just a roasted winter warmer.
Each year, around 30 different vendors descend on the event to showcase the versatility of sweet potatoes. From sweets such as crepes and ice cream, to fried savories and spicy treats, there’s a huge range of food on offer here.
The Yakiimo Matsuri takes place in Osaka Castle Park from November 8th to November 17th. The event runs daily from 11am to 7pm. Admission is free, however food and drinks cost extra.
Also, please note that since last 2023, the event has been cashless. So please bring a credit or debit card with you for buying food and drinks.
Mino Momiji Festival, The 2nd Saturday of November
One of the most common forms of festival in November in the Kansai Region is the Momiji Festival. Momiji refers to the change in color of the leaves on various trees as we transition from summer to winter. These leaves can take on a huge variety of colors. Red and brown are perhaps the most common, but it is not unusual to see yellow, orange, and even golden hues to some of the trees at this time. In any case, for Japan, this is one of nature’s most awesome spectacles. And Mino Park, with its gentle hiking trail and gorgeously picturesque waterfall provides the perfect backdrop for all this.
The total hike is only about 3km, and is a great way to spend a couple of hours at any time of the year.
However, in November, it takes on special significance. In addition to the Momiji leaves, both the Mino Falls and nearby Katsuoji Temple are illuminated in the evenings until 9.30pm. This provides another great photo op to add to your Osaka adventures collection!
Mino Park is a short walk from Mino Station. To reach Mino Station, take the Takarazuka Line from Hankyu Umeda Station. Change trains at Ishibashi Station to the Mino Line. The full trip takes around 30 minutes. Admission is free.
Hirakata Park Illuminations, from November 5th
Hirakata Park is a small amusement park by day. But at night, from November until January, the Park becomes an illuminated paradise. One of the most dazzling light shows in Osaka Prefecture, the Hirakata Park Illuminations have become something of an institution in recent years.
Hirakata is a little bit out of the way compared to the likes of Expo City or Universal Studios. However, this brings the added benefit of never feeling too cramped or crowded. Its an enjoyable, relaxing place for adults, that the kids will still have a great time visiting too. There’s also plenty of rides and other attractions to enjoy during the daytime too.
Hirakata Park is open daily from 10am to 8pm. The winter illuminations start from 5pm and run until closing time. Tickets are priced at 1800 yen for adults and 1000 yen for kids. This does not include rides, however an all-inclusive ticket, including ride access is available for 5100 yen for adults, 4300 yen for kids.
You can reach Hirakata Park within 5 minutes, walking from Hirakata Koen Station. Hirakata Koen Station is on the Keihan Line, departing from Kyobashi.
Osaka Bay Fireworks, The First Saturday in November
We’d normally associate massive, elaborate firework displays with Osaka’s summer festivals. However, the Osaka Bay firework show is an exception to the rule.
Based at Rinku Town, just a few minutes by train from Kansai Airport, this event gets bigger with each passing year. In recent times, the show has grown to incorporate not just fireworks, but also intricate, LED-powered drones. This makes for an even more spectacular and ever-evolving display.
This particular event also allows visitors to observe it from a wide area around the bay, making this one of the less-crowded firework events in Osaka. However, perhaps the best spot to view proceedings is Osaka’s famous Marble Beach, one of Japan’s top rated beaches. Not only can you enjoy the fireworks, but if you get there early enough you’ll also be treated to, perhaps the most stunning sunset the Kansai region has to offer.
There are plenty of areas from which to view the display for free. However, if you want to make it a really special occasion, we recommend going for the reserved seating on Marble Beach. This costs 7,000 yen per person. The event gets underway at 7pm.
Himeji Castle Light Up, November 22nd to December 11th
Himeji Castle is one of western Japan’s best-known landmarks. As far as castles go, it is perhaps second only to Osaka Castle in terms of popularity. Each year, the castle hosts an illumination display with the theme changing annually. For 2024, the selected theme was “Flowers reflected in a mirror and the moon reflected on the surface of a pond”. In simplified terms, this means lots of lights and LED displays portraying flowers, water, and the reflection of the moon. As technology continues to advance, these light-up displays become more elaborate and impressive with each passing year. For a perfect blend of modern technology and traditional charm, the Himeji Castle Light Up Festival is hard to beat.
The light show takes place daily from November 22nd until December 11th with the areas open to the public from 5.45pm until 9.15pm. Admission is 1,000 yen per person.
Himeji Castle is a short walk from Himeji Station. You can reach Himeji Station by JR Sanyo Line from Osaka. It takes just under an hour.
Shinno-Sai Festival, November 22nd and 23rd
We head back to Osaka now for our next event, the Shinno-Sai Festival. This festival, held to honor the Shinto god of medicine, is, actually, the last official festival of the year on Osaka’s annual calendar. Sukunahikona Shrine is the venue for this unique event. The origins of this festival actually carry a multitude of meanings.
First of all, it honors Shinno, the Chinese God of Medicine, an important figure in both Chinese and Japanese mythology. The Shrine itself is named after Sukunahikona No Mikoto, The Japanese God of Medicine. There remains open debate among religious scholars as to whether these two deities are, in fact, the same being. Nonetheless, this shrine covers all the bases by honoring both in equal measure.
There is also the Emperor Shinno, who was best known for their teachings on agriculture and medicine. So, in effect, this festival and the temple that houses it manages to honor 3 different deities, and their perceived powers of medicine and healing.
On a side note, whilst visiting this festival, it is also worth checking out the adjacent museum of medicine. The museum provides further context for the festival and its origins.
Shichigosan Festival at Sumiyoshi Shrine, November 15th
Shichigosan or “7-5-3” is a festival that honors children as they pass through the various milestones on the way to adulthood.
Osaka’s best known version of this festival is that which takes place at Sumiyoshi Taisha. As the name suggests, its for children who turn 3, 5 or 7 years old this year. However, the colorful displays on show make this something that everyone should check out. Its one of Osaka’s most beloved autumn events, even if the target demographic is rather small. There are shichigosan themed displays at the shrine throughout the month of November, but the main dedication ceremony takes place on November 15th each year.
Admission to Sumiyoshi Taisha is free. However, there is the option of buying various charms and other tokens of your visit. It’s also good courtesy to make a small financial offering when you pray at the main shrine.
Season’s Eatings at Kuromon Ichiba, Throughout November and December
Of course, in November, things start to turn a little colder in Osaka. Thankfully though, this next entry offers a delicious winter warmer for you.
Kuromon Market is one of Japan’s best known markets for fresh seafood. However, starting in November each year, they offer one of the best winter soul foods you’ll find anywhere in Japan: Oden.
Oden is made from assorted vegetables, meat and other items boiled in water. This mix is then served in a watery broth. There are different types of Oden to suit all tastes. Personally, I’m a fan of the daikon (boiled radish), and the hamburger. However, my wife insists that nothing surpasses the egg oden and the steamed konyaku. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which of us is right.
Then again, you may find something else that really hits the spot with you. Despite its seeming simplicity, oden is one of Japan’s most diverse food types. It offers something for everyone.
Bar Festa Ibaraki, November 15th to 24th
After good food, a good drink is always welcome. So, we close out today’s list with one of Osaka’s best local food and drink festivals. Bar Festa Ibaraki is a collaborative event involving many different bars from in and around Ibaraki City, on the outskirts of Osaka.
In some ways, this event is similar to the typical “pub crawl”. Participating venues operate a passport system. Customers can use this passport to enjoy food and drinks at various locations, and at greatly discounted prices. This way, you’re encouraged to explore and try several different bars in a single day. The participating venues, and the pricing changes year by year, so we encourage you to consult the official event website for the latest information.
As always Osaka.com encourages all visitors to please drink responsibly.
In Conclusion
And so our November list draws to a close. We hope you found at least a few useful ideas for your November trip to Osaka. Got any further suggestions? Feel free to leave a comment, and let’s get the conversations started.
As always, whatever the time of year, life in and around Osaka is seldom dull!
