Osaka Temmangu Shrine & Surroundings, Osaka

The Tenjin Matsuri is one of the largest and most colorful festivals in Japan, drawing a million festival-goers every year. The premiere Osaka summer festival starts on July 24th with solemn rituals taking place at Temmangu shrine. On the 25th, things pick up with lively music setting the tone as portable shrines are paraded through the streets in a grand procession around the neighborhood near Temmangu shrine. The highlight comes as over 100 boats sail up and down the Okawa River and in the evening when 6,000 fireworks light up the night sky.