Umeda Sky Building in Osaka

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Facts & Figures

The Umeda Sky Building in Osaka is famous for its unique shape and views from the top, which makes it a major tourist attraction. The 173m high landmark building of Osaka's Kita Ward consists of two 40-story towers (Tower East and Tower West), which are connected by a circular observation platform at their two top floors. The platform is called The KUCHU TEIEN OBSERVATORY (Floating Garden Observatory). It offers you an amazing 360-degree view of Osaka City, Yodogawa River, and on a clear day Awaji Island, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge near Kobe, and Rokko Mountain. The building is currently ranked 21st of the highest skyscrapers in the city. It is mainly used as an office building but also offers a movie theatre, restaurants, cafes, and gardens. To reach the top you have to take first a glass elevator from the 3rd to the 35th floor from there a spectacular escalator will bring you to the 39th floor of the West Tower. Here you have to pay your entrance fee at the ticket office. Most signs you will see there include English translations. Come here after sunset and enjoy an ocean of lights to the horizon from the open-air deck. The sunset from this perspective was voted to be one of Japan's 100 best. <

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• Umeda Sky Building - KUCHU TEIEN OBSERVATORY:
• Opening Hours - daily, 9:30 am to 10:30 pm (last entry 10:00 pm)
• Admission Fee - 2000 yen (Adults), 1000 yen (Adults with disabilities), 500 yen (Children Age 4 - 12), 250 yen (Children with disabilities)

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History

The futuristic Umeda Sky Building, part of the Shin Umeda City project to revitalize the Kita district of Osaka, was designed by the renowned architect and author Hiroshi Hara (born in 1936). He also created the Kyoto Station. The construction was completed in 1993 at the end of Japan’s bubble economy times by the Takenaka Corporation. The original plan developed under the name - The City of Air - was even grander with four towers connected at the top. The Toshiba Corporation and the Nomura Real Estate Co. are the current owners of the building. In 2008 the Umeda Sky Building was included in a list of the Top 20 buildings in the world by the British publisher Dorling Kindersley (DK).

Sightseeing spots of the Umeda Sky Building

Top:

KUCHU TEIEN OBSERVATORY - Enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the Floating Garden Observatory. The KUCHU TEIEN OBSERVATORY connects the Tower East and the Tower West on the 39th and 40th floors. The 40th floor includes an amazing outdoor observation deck. It is my must-see recommendation for you in Osaka.

Lumi Deck - A place for lovers to have a romantic date at the KUCHU TEIEN OBSERVATORY. At night you will see here an illuminated path called Lumi Sky Walk.

40th floor - You will find here besides the outdoor observation deck a nice indoor cafe with the name Café Sky 40, which offers ice cream, delicious lattes, fruit sodas, and sweet tarts.

39th floor - On this floor there is the Sky Lounge Stardust, which is great for a luxurious dining experience, and an authentic Cantonese-style restaurant called Sangu.

3rd floor - A four-screen art-house movie theatre with the name Cine Libre is located here.

Fench of Vows - Heart-shaped locks can be purchased on the 39th floor. They will be attached to a fence/wall at the Lumi Deck and symbolize eternal love for couples.

Takimi-Koji Gourmet Street - It is located in the basement of the building. The place offers 20 different gourmet restaurants in an Osaka of the old days setting from the Showa era (1926 – 1989). Enjoy a wide range of local and international food options like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), French or Indian cuisine, and much more.

Chushizen-no-mori (The Island Garden Forest) - This little oasis with waterfalls and greenery at the base of the building is perfect for a relaxing moment.

New Satoyama - The 8000 square meter garden with rice plants, flowers, and trees on the north side of the Umeda Sky Building brings back the feeling of Japan’s countryside to downtown Osaka.

Wall of Hope (Kibou no Kabe) - Architect Tadao Ando (born in 1941) came up with the idea of a green plant wall. The wall has a length of 78m and a height of 9m.

Nearby:

Osaka Station - The biggest train hub in Osaka, the busiest station in western Japan, and the fourth-busiest railway station in the world — approximately 2.3 million people use this station daily. Read more >

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

July

Umeda Tanabata Festival (7th)
The festival will be celebrated at the Umeda Sky Building and the surrounding area. It is one of the most romantic and traditional festivals, also known as the Star Festival. Umeda Tanabata Festival comes originally from China and is based on the legend of the star-crossed lovers Hikoboshi and Orihime, who are only allowed to meet once a year on the seventh day in July. Visitors can write wishes on colorful tanzaku (wish cards) and witness cultural events like bamboo boat lantern displays and jazz performances. Traditional festival food stalls take care of the hungry visitors.

Tenjin Matsuri Festival (24th till 25th)
Osaka’s greatest traditional festival (over 1000 years old) and is ranked as one of the top 3 festivals in Japan. Enjoy spectacular processions on land and in the water, great fireworks, and a unique atmosphere created by the traditional costumes and music. It is my must-see recommendation for you.

November/December

Osaka German Christmas Market (18th Nov. till 25th Dec.)
Enjoy this unique event at the Umeda Sky Building. It offers specialties from Germany and you have to try out one Glühwein:)