Osaka · Osaka
Tenjin Matsuri
天神祭
Osaka Tenmangū's rite, with a river procession of boats and fireworks over the water.
Next
24–25 July 2027
274 days away
Every year, 24 July, for 2 days
Future dates: 24 July 2027 · 24 July 2028 · 24 July 2029
Origin
It honours Sugawara no Michizane, and begins with the hoko-nagashi rite: a halberd floated downstream to purify the spot where the palanquin will be received. Grown in a city of water, its centre of gravity is the river rather than the land.
What to look for
The boat procession on the evening of the 25th: close to a hundred craft moving past each other with fireworks overhead. From a bridge you get three layers at once — boat lanterns, the fireworks, and both again on the water.
How to watch
Some bridges prohibit stopping, so research your viewing spot in advance. The riverbanks are extremely crowded; do not fight the direction of flow.
Where
Osaka Tenmangū
Osaka, Osaka
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