Major Events and Festivals
Planning holiday schedules with flights to Osaka should certainly include taking part in one of the city’s famed festivals. Plan to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) in late July to witness one of Japan’s most famed festivals: Tenjin Matsuri. The festival begins at Tenmangu Shrine to honour the deity Sugawara Michizane. Afterwards, celebrations include one of the longest boat parades in the world. Pack party shoes before departing on flights to Osaka to dance through the streets with some of the local festival-goers dressed in traditional costumes. You’ll also see extravagantly decorated floats, drummers and dancers. Fill up on delicious street foods as you watch a mini sumo tournament or karaoke contest. The festival ends with an evening procession of brightly lit boats making their way toward Tenmangu Shrine as fireworks light up the sky. Anyone on flights to Osaka between late March through early May will enjoy the blooming city that awaits their arrival. The cherry blossoms, or sakura, bloom this time of year (note that exact times change year to year) and is truly a spectacle for locals and visitors. Be sure to carve a bit of time to enjoy a customary hanami with friends before the festival is over. There’s no better way to enjoy a winter airfare to Osaka than watching the city come to life during the Osaka Festival of the Lights. The Osaka Hikari Renaissance is an annual event that drapes the area between city hall and Nakanoshima Park in thousands of lights. Osaka City Hall also hosts an incredible nightly light show set to music. The two over-the-top illumination events stretch for more than four kilometres and have combined to create what is referred to as the Osaka Festival of the Lights. If you enjoy rock music, book tickets to Osaka for late August travel. The summertime Osaka Music Festival features major musical acts from Japan and abroad.
Landmarks and Monuments You Can’t Miss
Snap up deals on cheap flights to Osaka then fill your holiday visiting some of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Osaka-jo, also referred to as Osaka Castle, is one of the most popular attractions for visitors on incoming flights to Osaka. While the building that is perched in the centre of a verdant park is not the original, it does contain all the elements of the first castle built in 1583. Learn the history of the castle, built by more than 100,000 Japanese workers, as you tour its impressive galleries, weaponry, and the encircling moat. From there, pay homage to one of the oldest Shinto shrines in all of Japan at the Sumiyoshi Shrine. If it’s your first time travelling on return flights to Osaka or visiting the shrine, you’ll soon discover why this building has been called one of the prettiest of all Shinto shrines. Bring your camera to capture the exquisite designs and architectural intricacies that have welcomed visitor for more than 1,800 years. For a more modern element to include with your tickets to Osaka, pay a visit to the Umeda Sky Building. This 173-metre tall building can be spotted from almost anywhere in the city. It features one of Japan’s premier floating gardens known as the Garden Observatory. Spend a little time on the 39th floor where the hanging garden is filled with colourful flowers and plants. Save money on cheap flights to Osaka with Webjet then splurge on the wonders found in the Shinsaibashi shopping district. The area is filled with various arcades which makes it the perfect place to spend a rainy day. No matter when you make your way to this premier shopping destination, you’ll find handicrafts, boutique style clothing, homegoods and unique souvenirs.
Travelling with Children
Booking return flights to Osaka for you and your children can create wonderful opportunities to learn about Japanese customs in a fun and engaging way. If you’re planning flights to Osaka in March, you can watch the Sumo Spring Grand Tournament. This event is the perfect trifecta of culture, history and fun. If you’re into quirky museums or food history, leave room in your schedule to visit the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. The museum hosts an oversized statue of a Cup of Noodles, as well as a sculpture of the instant noodle inventor, Momofuku Ando. You can also make and taste your own version of the iconic Japanese cuisine. There aren’t many photos of the Osaka skyline that don’t include the Tempozan Ferris Wheel. If you and your children need to stretch your legs after long flights to Osaka, head over to the scenic Osaka Bay to ride the Ferris wheel. If you arrive at Osaka International Airport (ITM) at night, you’ll be able to see the spectacle of the Tempozan Ferris wheel completely illuminated. After the Ferris wheel, you can head to the Osaka Aquarium which is located near the Tempozan Harbour Village. This is a favourite among younger travellers on return flights to Osaka as it has eight floors to explore. You can see sharks, dolphins, turtles, colourful fish, and other marine life on every floor of this expansive aquatic museum. Start your search for cheap flights to Osaka well in advance then use the savings on tickets to Universal Studios Japan for the entire family. The theme park boasts wild roller coasters, exciting shows, and water features. While most of the park includes major characters from across the world, you will find a variety of locally based characters throughout the park as well.
