OSAKA EVENTS
✤ OSAKA COMIC CON 2023
Following the popularity of Tokyo Comic Con, Osaka Comic Con was announced for the comic and celebrity fans of West Japan. While the Tokyo event happens in early Winter, the Osaka version was announced at the end of Tokyo Comic Con 2022 for spring 2023 at Intex Osaka. Osaka Comic Con will take place from May 5-7, 2023. Comic-Con has not only been held in Japan but also in the U.S., France, the U.K., India and Taiwan, and has become a worldwide phenomenon.
✤ AIZEN FESTIVAL
The Aizen Festival is known to be the first major summer festival in Osaka of the year. Along with the Tenjin Festival and the Sumiyoshi Festival, it’s also known as one of the three big Osaka festivals. Known colloquially as “Aizen-san” (the other two big festivals get the same treatment) Aizen festival takes place in and around the temple, Aizendo. One of the big draws of the festival is the Hoekago Parade in which a “geisha” is carried aloft in a basket. “Hoekago” literally means “blessed treasure basket.” Parade participants chant “ho-e-ka-go” while carrying the young woman aloft. The parade will be held on the first day of the festival. The festival dates this year are June 30-July 2,2023.
✤ EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN
The World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai aims to be a participatory, experiential, solutions-oriented exposition based on the concept of a “People's Living Lab,” where experiences provide a starting point for people to live their lives more fully, enjoyably and healthily. It will take place for six months in 2025, opening on April 13, 2025, and closing on October 13, 2025. This will be the third time Osaka hosts a World Expo, having previously hosted Expo 1970 and Expo 1990.
✤ OSAKA ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2023
The Osaka Asian Film Festival is held annually under the theme of “From Osaka to All of Asia!” and this is the 18th edition of the festival. Films of various genres and from 19 countries and regions, including China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Bhutan, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Qatar, Greece, France, the Netherlands, the USA and Japan will be screened. The festival will take place from March 10-19, 2023.