Hello, this is Robert from the ATC Management Strategy Office. In this series, I'll be stepping forward a bit to share what I've seen and felt firsthand. In Polish, there's a word, "upał," which means intense heat. To me, it evokes not just the simple feeling of "hot," but the oppressive heat of midsummer that clings to your skin. This word perfectly describes July in Osaka.

My health has finally started to improve since the beginning of July.

Last week's article introduced the "SUNSET CHILL LOUNGE" lottery. I wasn't able to be there myself on the day, but some of those who won tickets to "Detective Precure!" or "Reptiles Fever" may have already enjoyed the event. "Reptiles Fever," which was held last weekend, also concluded successfully.

Osaka's summer is only just beginning to feel cool and comfortable. The temperature and the events at ATC are about to get serious.

So, starting today, we'll be bringing you a series of articles about ATC this summer. This is the first installment. We'll be introducing this month's pop culture event, the "Ghibli Park Exhibition" which begins on July 18th, and how to spend your time at ATC after the exhibition.

Serial Feature | ATC, Summer is in Full Swing. Part 1

Summer is a dream come true for pop culture lovers, and the next one is on July 25th.

Looking at the official social media accounts, there were lots of photos of visitors enjoying the "Detective Precure!" video and the ATC Pop Culture Academy stage. The sight of so many people filling the area around the seaside stage is spectacular no matter how many times you see it.

The next event to bring the seaside stage to life is "ATC Pop Culture Academy #16," held on Saturday, July 25th, starting at 4 PM. In addition to the three acts Mikeneko Girls, Shinsekai Hero, and tune time capsule, the Osaka University of Arts Junior College Popular Music Course "Geitan Teikoku" will be appearing as a guest. Admission is free. It promises to be a summery evening where you can immerse yourself in live music while gazing at the sea. You can also see highlights from past events on ATC's official X page .

The star attraction of this summer at ATC: the Ghibli Park Exhibition

Of all the events this summer, the one I'm most interested in is the "Ghibli Park Exhibition." It will be held at the ATC Gallery (ITM Building 2F) from July 18th (Saturday) to September 26th (Saturday).

Ghibli Park isn't coming to Osaka exactly as it was. Ghibli Park, which opened in Aichi Prefecture in 2022 and continues to attract many visitors from both Japan and abroad, has had its fun condensed into an interactive exhibition. Whether you've been to Ghibli Park before or are planning to go, there are likely to be new and exciting things to discover at the venue.

The event will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM. Tickets with a specified date and time are priced at 1,900 yen for adults, 1,600 yen for junior and senior high school students, and 1,000 yen for children aged 4 to elementary school age. All prices include tax. Please check the official website for ticket details and purchase information.

From the nearest station, Trade Center-mae on the Osaka Metro Nanko Port Town Line (New Tram), you can access the 2nd floor of the ITM building via a covered pedestrian bridge. Being able to get there without an umbrella, even on rainy days, is a welcome feature. The ATC Gallery, the venue for the event, is also located on the 2nd floor of the same ITM building.

After the exhibition, I made a little detour to ATC.

After finishing your visit to the Ghibli Park exhibition, it would be a shame to just head home. The O's building, facing the sea, is lined with shops where you can find Osaka-style souvenirs and restaurants where you can enjoy a meal while overlooking the ocean. The ITM building has shops selling outdoor wear, sea-related goods, traditional crafts such as wooden bowls and lacquerware, as well as a floor with showrooms for interior design. Even if you wander around without a specific destination in mind, you're sure to make some new discoveries.

As I mentioned in an article I wrote on the last weekend of June , the seaside area of ​​ATC changes its appearance with each season. From mid-July, when the Ghibli Park exhibition begins, ATC is likely to become even more lively this summer.

From the Ghibli Park Exhibition to many other things, there's still so much more we want to tell you about at ATC this summer. This summer, we'll be bringing you the latest information on ATC under the title "ATC, Summer is in Full Swing." Please join us again next time.

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