Things to do in Osaka in May

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

May is a great time to visit Osaka. The weather is usually mildly cool with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 55—73°F (13—23°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Osaka during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, take a boat tour of the Okawa River, explore the Minoo Park Waterfall, and more!

Osaka has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to Osaka. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Osaka in May. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout May, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Osaka? See our Osaka Trip Planner.
I'll never travel to Osaka without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Best events and things to do in Osaka in May

Top experiences in May
Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
In May, the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of marine life, including whale sharks, in a stunning underwater environment. The aquarium's special events and exhibits in May make it an exciting and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Take a boat tour of the Okawa River
In May, the Okawa River is lined with stunning cherry blossoms, creating a picturesque setting for a leisurely boat tour. This relaxing and scenic experience offers a different perspective of Osaka's beauty and is a perfect way to unwind and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Explore the Minoo Park Waterfall
In May, the Minoo Park Waterfall is at its most impressive, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming wildflowers. The hike to the waterfall offers a peaceful escape from the city and a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Osaka Prefecture.
Explore the Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Tunnel
In May, the cherry blossoms at the Osaka Mint Bureau are in full bloom, creating a breathtaking tunnel of pink and white flowers. Strolling through this enchanting tunnel is a must-do experience for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Attend the Hattori Ryokuchi Park Rose Festival
In May, Hattori Ryokuchi Park hosts a beautiful rose festival, showcasing a stunning display of colorful roses in full bloom. The festival offers a delightful sensory experience and a chance to enjoy the park's tranquil atmosphere.
I'll never travel to Osaka without this trip planner again
Learn more
Holidays in Osaka in May
May
  • Constitution Memorial Day (May 3)
  • Greenery Day (May 4)
  • Children's Day (May 56)
  • Mother's Day (May 12)
Other notable holidays
I'll never travel to Osaka without this trip planner again
Learn more

Weather in Osaka in May

Temperatures on an average day in Osaka in May

The average temperature in Osaka in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 73°F (23°C) to a low of 55°F (13°C). Some would describe it as mildly cool with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Osaka, August, has days with highs of 87°F (31°C) and lows of 73°F (23°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 44°F (7°C) and lows of 32°F (-0°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Osaka in May based on historical data.

Visiting Osaka? See our Osaka Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in May
73°F
highs
55°F
lows

General weather summary

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze
Feels like
31%
Chance of rain
0.230 in
Amount
11.3 mph
Wind speed
72%
Humidity
13.9 hrs
Daylight length
4:56 AM
Sunrise
6:52 PM
Sunset
45%
Cloud cover
T-shirt
What to wear
What to wear in May
With an average high of 73°F (23°C) and a low of 55°F (13°C), it generally feels mildly cool with a gentle breeze. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something light like your favorite t-shirt
I'll never travel to Osaka without this trip planner again
Learn more

Best attractions for Osaka in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Osaka has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Osaka that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Osaka for May.
Dotonbori
1. Dotonbori
4.4
(68008)
Neighborhoods
Lively entertainment district known for its soaring illuminated billboards, restaurants & theaters.
Universal Studios Japan
2. Universal Studios Japan
4.5
(115095)
Theme park
Water & Amusement Parks
This sprawling theme park dedicated to popular American movies features rides & live entertainment.
Osaka Castle
3. Osaka Castle
4.4
(69128)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Revered castle dating to 1597 & since rebuilt, featuring gardens & a museum with varied exhibits.
Osaka Castle Park
4. Osaka Castle Park
4.3
(39818)
Park
Nature & Parks
Vast green space offering gardens with cherry blossoms, athletic fields, open-air theaters & more.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
5. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
4.4
(42824)
Aquarium
Nature & Parks
One of the world's biggest aquariums, with exhibits ranging from Arctic to tropical marine life.
Shinsaibashisuji
6. Shinsaibashisuji
Neighborhoods
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Urban arcade with a wide variety of stores amid bright advertising signage & pedestrian crowds.
Kuchu Teien Observatory
7. Kuchu Teien Observatory
4.4
(11596)
Observation deck
Sights & Landmarks
Contemporary indoor/outdoor observation deck with panoramic city views, an eatery, cafe & gift shop.
Kuromon Ichiba Market
8. Kuromon Ichiba Market
4.1
(17080)
Market
Sights & Landmarks
Spacious market with vendors selling street food, fresh produce & shellfish, plus souvenirs.
Teppanyaki Minami
9. Teppanyaki Minami
4.2
(116)
Restaurant
Neighborhoods
Tsūtenkaku
10. Tsūtenkaku
4.0
(30622)
Observation deck
Sights & Landmarks
Famous for its neon lights, this landmark features an observation deck open to the public.
Abeno Harukas
11. Abeno Harukas
4.2
(47602)
Business park
Sights & Landmarks
Osaka's tallest building features an observation deck, a department store, an art museum & a hotel.
Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
12. Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
4.4
(8541)
Ferris wheel
Sights & Landmarks
This 112.5m Ferris wheel holds 480 passengers & offers panoramic views plus illumination shows.
Shinsekai Gate
13. Shinsekai Gate
Building
Sights & Landmarks
Hep Five Ferris wheel
14. Hep Five Ferris wheel
4.4
(4134)
Ferris wheel
Sights & Landmarks
Red 75-m. ferris wheel on the roof of HEP Five shopping complex, offering panoramic views.
Shitennoji
15. Shitennoji
4.3
(10294)
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
Restored Buddhist temple first built in 593 with a 5-story pagoda, statues & ponds with turtles.
Umeda Sky Building
16. Umeda Sky Building
4.3
(28957)
Cultural landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Connected skyscrapers with a rooftop garden observatory, plus a restaurant & lounge with city views.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Osaka?

Get inspired for your trip to Osaka with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

Planning a trip to Osaka?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play