The “Tenjin Festival” will be held in Osaka in July, one of three major festivals in Japan. This festival is said to have over 1,000 years of history. The Halberd Float ritual is held on July 24, marking the beginning of the festival. Drum performers and dragon dancers parade around the town. Held on the 25th are Rikutogyo with 3,000 parading around the town in traditional attire, and Funatogyo with countless numbers of boats cruising the Okawa river. Also 5,000 fireworks will be set off.
Tenjin Matsuri Festival
Place：Osaka Tenmangu Shrine、Around the Okawa River
Date：July 24 - 25
Inquiries：06-6353-0025（Osaka Tenmangu Shrine）
In Japan, it's customary to clap hands to a certain rhythm in celebrations such as festivals. Osaka has a different hand clapping custom from those in Tokyo. In Osaka, after a call of "Let's clap", two claps. "One more" and two claps. Then "Celebrate three", 3 claps faster than the first two.
The Moyooshi Daiko drum leads the procession. A heroic performance, shaking the drum stand while playing. Very spectacular when you watch it live. This unique method of playing is designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Osaka City.
At Funatogyo (Boat Procession), the climax of the festival, the gods also ride on a boat. The vessel is called the Gohoren Hoan Boat. The center of overpass has the view concealed so that spectators cannot look down upon the gods.
The main event of the Tenjin Festival is held on the 25th. There is a legend related to Lord Michizane Sugawara. He was born on June 25, and died on February 25. He was banished to Dazaifu on January 25. This curious coincidence of dates meant that "25" was designated as the day of Tenjin gods.
Pike conger is a traditional summer delicacy in Osaka. It has been called the "festival fish" for the Tenjin Festival since olden times, and is often served at this season of this year. We recommend you to try pike conger when you visit Osaka.
Temmangu is a shrine dedicated to Lord Michizane Sugawara. He was active as a scholar and politician in the Heian era. Since he had great wisdom, Temmangu still attracts the prayers of many Japanese as a god of study and learning.
