HANSHIN Summer Festival: Let's Play! Let's Learn! 2026

The HANSHIN Summer Festival: Let's Play! Let's Learn! 2026 is an engaging family-friendly event hosted at the Hanshin Umeda Main Store in Osaka, Japan. Running from July 22nd to August 18th, 2026, this summer festival transforms the department store into a destination for entertainment and educational experiences, allowing families to escape the heat while enjoying a range of activities.

Sesame Street characters are a central theme of the festival, with visitors able to enjoy exclusive merchandise, themed food, and interactive character experiences. A major highlight is the special chartered Elmo train experience on August 1st, where families can ride a dedicated Sesame Street-themed train, meet Elmo and friends for photo opportunities, and participate in a workshop to decorate miniature trains. The sixth-floor Sesame Street Market will also offer character-themed shaved ice, including exclusive flavors.

Beyond Sesame Street, the festival includes the Children's College program, offering dozens of hands-on experiences. These range from cooking classes and craft workshops to Mini 4WD racing, baseball glove making with Mizuno, and even one-day store manager experiences for older children. Many activities within the festival may require advance reservations, though some demonstration booths will also be available.