Osaka is a city that changes with the seasons. It is loud, generous and unpretentious – the kind of place where food stalls vie for space beside department stores. Yet beyond its reputation as “Japan’s kitchen”, it is also a city of seasons, each adjusting its rhythm and feel.
To experience Osaka in winter and summer is to see two entirely different cities. While both are bright and colourful, where those colours come from and how they make you feel shift with the months. Whether it is the light of a sunny day or from the neon sign of a Ramen stall, Osaka’s seasonal differences make it a must-visit city all year round.
Summer: Heat, festivals and energy
From June to August, Osaka swelters. Humidity wraps around the streets like a heavy blanket and the gleaming glass towers in the Umeda district seem to shimmer in the heat. Yet this is also when the city feels most alive.
The season begins with the Tenjin Matsuri, one of Japan’s major festivals, in late July. Boats glide along the Okawa River carrying dancers, drummers and priests dressed in Heian-era robes.
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.