Japan · month by month
Osaka food calendar
What is in season in Osaka, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Osaka
Shoulder seasonThe best of January: Osechi, Kanburi yellowtail and Toka Ebisu.
In season
- Kanburi yellowtail
- Fugu (blowfish)
Osaka eats more fugu than anywhere: tessa sashimi and tecchiri hot pot.
Nov–Feb - Snow crab (zuwaigani)Nov–Feb
- Oysters (Hiroshima kaki)Nov–Feb
- Naniwa negi (Osaka leeks)Nov–Feb
- Kani and oden weather
Winter crab and oden stands.
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- OsechiNew Year
New Year food boxes.
On the calendar
- Toka Ebisu9-11 January
The merchants' festival at Imamiya Ebisu, with stalls.
Plan around
- New Year closures1-3 January
Many small places close.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Osaka
Shoulder seasonThe best of February: Ehomaki and Fugu.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish)
Osaka eats more fugu than anywhere: tessa sashimi and tecchiri hot pot.
Nov–Feb - Snow crab (zuwaigani)Nov–Feb
- Oysters (Hiroshima kaki)Nov–Feb
- Naniwa negi (Osaka leeks)Nov–Feb
- Kani and oden weather
Winter crab and oden stands.
Oct–Feb
Eat it now
- EhomakiSetsubun
Uncut sushi rolls eaten facing the year's lucky direction; an Osaka custom gone national.
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Osaka
Peak seasonThe best of March: Takenoko.
In season
- Takenoko (bamboo shoots)Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Osaka
Peak seasonThe best of April: Takenoko.
In season
- Takenoko (bamboo shoots)Mar–Apr
Plan around
- Golden Week crowdsGolden Week
Book ahead.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Osaka
Shoulder seasonThe best of May: Naniwa nasu.
In season
- Naniwa nasu (Osaka eggplant)May–Jun
Plan around
- Golden Week crowdsGolden Week
Book ahead.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Osaka
A hard monthThe best of June: Naniwa nasu, Ayu and Aizen Matsuri.
In season
- Naniwa nasu (Osaka eggplant)May–Jun
- Ayu (sweetfish)Jun–Jul
- Hamo
Summer pike conger, as in Kyoto.
Jun–Aug
On the calendar
- Aizen Matsuri
30 Jun-2 Jul 2027, 3 days, not marked expected; no price listed
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Osaka
A hard monthThe best of July: Ayu, Hamo and Tenjin Matsuri.
In season
- Ayu (sweetfish)Jun–Jul
- Hamo
Summer pike conger, as in Kyoto.
Jun–Aug
On the calendar
- Tenjin Matsuri24-25 July
One of Japan's three great festivals; river boats, fireworks and street food.
- Sumiyoshi Matsuri
Expected 29-31 Jul 2027
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in Osaka
A hard monthThe best of August: Hamo.
In season
- Hamo
Summer pike conger, as in Kyoto.
Jun–Aug
Plan around
- Closures
Obon (~13-16 Aug): Tokyo and Osaka tend to empty out; restaurants may be easier to book; 2027 dates unannounced (watabi.org)
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Osaka
A hard monthThe best of September: TV Osaka YATAI Fes.
On the calendar
- TV Osaka YATAI Fes
Expected 18-23 Sep 2027, 6 days, free entry
- Kishiwada DanjiriSeptember to October
The cart-pulling festival south of the city.
Sep–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Osaka
Shoulder seasonThe best of October: Matsutake, Kani and oden weather, Kishiwada Danjiri.
In season
- Matsutake
- Kani and oden weather
Winter crab and oden stands.
Oct–Feb
On the calendar
- Kishiwada DanjiriSeptember to October
The cart-pulling festival south of the city.
Sep–Oct
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Osaka
Peak seasonThe best of November: Fugu and Snow crab.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish)
Osaka eats more fugu than anywhere: tessa sashimi and tecchiri hot pot.
Nov–Feb - Snow crab (zuwaigani)Nov–Feb
- Oysters (Hiroshima kaki)Nov–Feb
- Naniwa negi (Osaka leeks)Nov–Feb
- Kani and oden weather
Winter crab and oden stands.
Oct–Feb
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Osaka
The best of December: Fugu and Snow crab.
In season
- Fugu (blowfish)
Osaka eats more fugu than anywhere: tessa sashimi and tecchiri hot pot.
Nov–Feb - Snow crab (zuwaigani)Nov–Feb
- Oysters (Hiroshima kaki)Nov–Feb
- Naniwa negi (Osaka leeks)Nov–Feb
- Kani and oden weather
Winter crab and oden stands.
Oct–Feb
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.