Things to do in and around Osaka today

Studio Ghibli has such an enduring appeal that anything bearing its name is bound to succeed. Ghibli Park is a prime example. This immersive attraction is easily the studio’s crown jewel, as it brings the anime house’s beloved universe and heartfelt storytelling to life. Back in 2022, to coincide with the park’s highly anticipated opening, the ‘Ghibli Park and Ghibli Exhibition’ toured ten venues across Japan, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the park’s concept and creation. The travelling exhibition was a massive hit, drawing approximately 1.7 million visitors at the end of its run in 2025. Now, more than three years after the park’s debut, a new exhibition is set to tour Japan, this time highlighting the park’s current state. The best part is, the new exhibition will kick off in Osaka this July before travelling to other prefectures. This new Ghibli Park Exhibition will have 'play' as its theme, with a majority of the showcases designed to be interactive and experiential. One key exhibit is the Mini Ghibli Park, where all five zones of the Aichi attraction are recreated as a board game experience. The squares on the floor are styled after Ghibli Park posters, and there will be plenty of games and photo opportunities. Moreover, visitors get to enjoy two of Ghibli Park's most popular features here in Osaka. One is the revised and expanded edition of the 'Delicious! Animating Memorable Meals' exhibition, which explores the important role of food in Ghibli films...

Jeff Koons occupies a singular position in contemporary art. Known for his polished surfaces, bold iconography and unapologetic embrace of popular imagery, the American artist has continually blurred the boundaries between high culture and mass consumption. By elevating everyday objects – vacuum cleaners, basketballs, cartoon figures – into the realm of fine art, Koons interrogates value, desire and collective memory. Held in major museum collections worldwide, his works function as both mirrors and provocations, reflecting the aspirations and contradictions of contemporary society. This exhibition at Espace Louis Vuitton Osaka is organised as part of the Fondation Louis Vuitton’s ‘Hors-les-murs’ program and brings together seven significant sculptures and paintings drawn from the foundation’s collection, tracing the evolution of Koons’s practice from the 1980s onward. Early works such as Three Ball 50/50 Tank exemplify his strategy of reframing industrial commodities as icons of the American Dream. The celebrated 1988 Banality series, including Woman in Tub and Wild Boy and Puppy, merges pop imagery and personal memory in technically virtuosic sculptures that challenge conventional taste. In later large-scale paintings, such as those from the Hulk Elvis series, dense layers of visual elements evoke a world saturated with images. Through collage, exaggeration and seductive reflective surfaces, Koons transforms the ordinary into a site of contemplation and delight, inviting...

Beer garden weather is here, and the annual Suntory Building Rooftop Beer Garden is open to ring in the sunny days. Running until September 26, the lofty spot lets you choose from a range of barbecue packages, with the signature Beef Loin BBQ and Beef Loin & Seafood BBQ courses available throughout. There are also seasonal options like the Herb Chicken & Thick-Cut Bacon BBQ Course (available April to June, and September), the Hokkaido Lamb Jingisukan BBQ Course (April to June) and the Okinawa Nakaochi Kalbi Ryukyu BBQ Course (July to September). Barbecue deals start at ¥5,000 and come with an all-you-can-drink plan that includes Suntory’s signature offerings like Premium Malts draft beers, Sui Gin cocktails and All-Free (non-alcoholic beer). Kids meals and various add-ons like sausages, seafood skewers and steak are also available, if you’re looking to make your meal a little more substantial. Walk-ins are possible, but we strongly recommend making a reservation. Note that as this is an outdoor event, the beer garden may be closed in the case of heavy rain or inclement weather.

In Japan, summer is for fireworks – and kakigori, as the lip-smacking shaved ice dessert is the ultimate remedy for the punishing heat. This season, Sesame Street Market, the franchise’s official merchandise store and café in Hanshin Umeda Main Store, is turning our childhood nostalgia into adorable icy cool treats. The lineup features seven beloved Sesame Street characters – Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar, Abby, Ernie and Bert – plus a special rainbow version. Each kakigori is made with natural spring water ice and syrups free of artificial colouring, plus a variety of toppings including fresh fruit, ice cream, sorbet, red beans, rice cakes and coconut. You can expect a vibrant mix of colours and textures. Highlights include Ernie (chestnut and hojicha roasted green tea), Oscar (matcha and milk), Big Bird (mango and coconut), Elmo (strawberry and milk) and Bert (custard pudding syrup and caramel sauce). Note that the first release (June 25–August 31) and the second release (September 1–30) will each feature a different set of characters. Prices range from ¥1,480 to ¥1,980.

The Hankyu Umeda Department Store has opened its lush rooftop once again to ring in the warm weather with summery food and copious amounts of beer. Seatings run for 120 minutes and include a buffet and an all-you-can-drink deal. You get to choose from a spread of 30 different dishes, including deli items, salads, fritters, curry, pizza and shaved ice desserts. 120 kinds of drinks are available, with a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Travel-themed booths featuring the cuisines of different countries also run for a limited time. The current special, Asian Table, is on until July 7 and serves up a range of Asian dishes alongside beverages like sake and shochu. You’ll get to enjoy eats and drinks from North and South America from July 8 to August 25, while a European wine market takes over from August 26 to October 12. Standard plans cost ¥5,000 per person (¥1,800 for children in elementary school). In addition to the buffet, each diner can choose one item from three options: a barbecued chicken leg, popcorn shrimp or soft-serve ice cream. For an additional ¥1,000, you can upgrade to the premium plan, which includes the buffet and a platter of barbecued chicken, steak and sausages. While walk-ins are possible, we recommend making reservations in advance online.

Summers are for grilling up meals around the barbecue and beating the heat with icy cold beers, and the ‘R’ Riverside Grill & Beer Garden at Nakanoshima Park is one of the best spots in Osaka to do just that. Open throughout summer and all the way to December 25, it offers 120-minute seatings that come with an all-you-can-drink deal featuring an extensive line-up of alcohol and soft drinks, plus a choice of three multicourse menus.  The Casual BBQ Course (¥4,500) highlights wagyu beef, pork chops in a lemon marinade and jerk chicken, while the Standard BBQ Course (¥5,500) gets you all of the above plus an additional plate of Indonesian-style lamb skewers and an assorted seafood platter. For the full monty, choose the Premium Course (¥6,500), which includes everything in the Casual and Standard offerings, an additional platter of Japanese Black wagyu steak, and a cut of tuna cheek. All three ‘courses’ also include assorted vegetables, shrimp crackers, Javanese chilli fries and spicy fried noodles. Lunchtime deals featuring the Casual BBQ Course are available on weekends and public holidays. While walk-ins are possible, we recommend making a reservation online in advance.