Date and Time: August 1, 2026, 1:00 PM–6:00 PM (Doors open at 12:00 PM)
Venue: “Namba Plaza” in front of the Edion Namba Main Store (5-1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture)
Fee: Free
*A “Special Viewing Area Admission Ticket” (awarded by lottery) is required for entry to the Special Viewing Area.
Special Viewing Area Invitation Campaign
Application Period: June 17, 2026 – July 12, 2026, at 1:59 p.m.
Eligibility Requirements: Make a purchase of 3,000 yen or more at any Edion store or online store (excluding some Family Shops) during the campaign period, and enter the contest via the Edion app.
Number of winners: 300 pairs (600 people) in total
At the start of the press conference, Masato Sasaki of Edion’s Marketing Department explained the background behind the decision to hold this event.
Mr. Sasaki argued, “The challenge is to ensure that the ‘enthusiasm for the Osaka-Kansai region’—which was heightened by last year’s highly successful Osaka-Kansai Expo—does not fade away as a passing trend, but rather leads to continued vitality in the city and sustainable growth for the Kansai economy.”
In addition, Edion, a major electronics retailer, is facing increasing competition from home goods stores and e-commerce sites. The company recognizes that going forward, it will be even more important to focus not just on expanding its product lineup, but also on the “value of the brand experience”—that is, which company customers prefer to buy from.
With that in mind, the company is launching this initiative as the “Brown (Brand × Town) Festival”—an event where companies, rather than local governments, take the lead in revitalizing the city—with the goal of generating a “new wave of excitement” that will serve as a symbol of the “post-Expo” era and create opportunities to revitalize the city and region while fostering brand experiences.
Next, Diane Kitaya of Edion’s Marketing Department discussed the specific details of the “Namba Genki Festival.”
There are three main events. The first is Universal Studios Japan’s 25th-anniversary special stage show, “Summer Matsuri: Discover U!!!.”
Woody Woodpecker, Winnie Woodpecker, Elmo, and the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street will take the stage alongside Ayako Ayakoji, General Manager of “Shabekuri,” and other entertainers to deliver a special performance that will engage the entire venue. It promises to be a powerful and energetic stage show unique to the “Namba Genki Festival,” where visitors can experience the excitement of the park right in the heart of the city.
The second event is a special talk show featuring former Gamba Osaka players.
With interest in soccer surging across Japan thanks to the “FIFA World Cup,” which kicked off in early June, Ryo Kaji and Rida Yasuda—both former members of the Japanese national team—will be appearing on the show. The discussion will cover topics such as their impressions of this World Cup and behind-the-scenes stories only former players can share—content you can only hear here.
In addition, the team mascot “Mofrem” and the official cheerleading team “Gamba Cheer” will make appearances, helping to energize Namba Square with the excitement of the World Cup year and the power of sports.
The third event is a special stage presented by the supporting TV and radio stations. Seven TV and radio stations from the Kansai region will help liven up the venue even more. Through unique programs and performances specific to each station, they plan to add a variety of entertainment to Namba Square.
© Source travel watch