Tsutenkaku - Osaka

Tsutenkaku (通天閣) is a popular observation tower in the heart of Ebisuhigashi District. The tower also serves as a popular landmark of the district. It is located at 1 Chome-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward in Osaka City in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Tsutenkaku

Tsutenkaku details

The Kanji for Tsūtenkaku translates to "Tower Reaching Heaven." The tower, owned by Tsūtenkaku Kanko Co., Ltd., is a well-known landmark in Osaka, Japan, advertising Hitachi. It is located in the Shinsekai district of Naniwa-ku, Osaka, and has a total height of 103 meters (338 feet), with the main observation deck at 91 meters (299 feet).

Tsutenkaku - Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

The current tower is the second structure to stand on this site. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the original tower was constructed in 1912 and connected to the nearby Luna Park amusement park by an aerial cable car. It was the second-tallest building in Asia at 64 meters (210 feet) tall. It quickly became a popular attraction, drawing visitors from all over. However, a fire in 1943 severely damaged the original tower, and it was dismantled, with the steel repurposed for the war effort.

Photos of Tsutenkaku from Shinsekai

This beautiful peacock painting can be seen under the tower

After the war, locals campaigned to rebuild the beloved tower. The Tsūtenkaku Kanko Co. Ltd. was formed, and Tachū Naitō, known as Japan's "Father of Towers," was chosen to design the new structure. The new eight-sided tower opened in 1956.

The Billiken Statues inside Tsutenkaku

Billiken Statue inside Tsutenkaku

The other Billiken statues displayed in the observatory

Other Interesting Things to See in Tsutenkaku

Kinnikuman bust

More Kinnikuman-themed displays

Billiken Lucky Charms

Glicoman display inside Tsutenkaku

Miniature diorama of the 1980s or Showa period of Japan

A Golden Statue of Chopper from One Piece

More Billiken displays

The fifth-floor observation deck houses a statue of Billiken, the God of Happiness, also known as the "God of Things As They Ought to Be." Billiken, a popular American charm doll that arrived in Japan around 1910, was initially enshrined in Luna Park. When the park closed in 1923, the original statue went missing. In 1979, a replica was made from an old photograph and placed in the tower as part of the effort to revive the tower. Billiken has since become closely associated with the tower, symbolizing good luck. Thousands of visitors annually place coins in his donation box and rub the soles of his feet to make their wishes come true.

View from Tsutenkaku's Observatory

The eastern view from Tsutenkaku's Observatory

The northern view from Tsutenkaku's Observatory

The southern view from Tsutenkaku's Observatory

The western view from Tsutenkaku's Observatory

The tower is also renowned for its neon lights, which change every few years (they were turned off during the oil crisis of 1974-76). The neon lights have been replaced by LED lighting, displaying different colors every two months (e.g., pink for cherry blossoms in March/April). Hitachi has sponsored the tower since 1957, and the light designs typically feature Hitachi advertisements, though one side usually carries a public service announcement. The lights at the top of the tower serve as a weather beacon, indicating the next day's forecast through various color combinations.

Tsutenkaku has 7 main floors. These are the following:

B1 - WakuWaku Land Discover unique antenna shops from food manufacturers with deep roots in the Kansai region. Morinaga & Co.'s "Kyoro-chan's Strange Candy Shop" offers exclusive products, and you can meet "Kyoroken-san" in person. Ezaki Glico's "Glico-ya" features specialty items not found elsewhere. Nissin Foods' "Chicken Ramen Hiyoko-chan SHOP" sells exclusive Hiyoko-chan merchandise and instant noodles, including the famous Chicken Ramen.

1F - Reproduction of the Original Tsūtenkaku Ceiling Painting Start your visit by admiring the beautiful ceiling painting at the base of Tsūtenkaku. Nearby, you'll find the entrance to the Tsūtenkaku Observatory, accessible by elevator or stairs.

2F - Underfloor (18m) Take the circular elevator to the second floor and then the observation elevator to the observation deck. Explore "Jyanjan Town," filled with interesting exhibits, and visit the "Kinnikuman Project Archive Corner," created in collaboration with Yudetamago, the Osaka-born creator of "Kinnikuman," to revitalize Shinsekai.

2F – 3F - "TOWER SLIDER" (22m) Climb the spiral staircase from the second to the third floor to experience the "TOWER SLIDER." This thrilling 60-meter slide descends from 22 meters above ground to the first basement floor, encircling the elevator tower in just about 10 seconds with a 30-degree slope. The slide features a transparent, heat-insulating polycarbonate ceiling within a weather-resistant stainless steel tube.

3F - Top Floor (22m) Explore dioramas, videos, and photos depicting the "New World" from around 100 years ago. Enjoy a drink from "Café de Luna Park" while soaking in the historical ambiance.

4F - Light Observatory (84m) At night, the fourth-floor light observation deck transforms into a lively disco with flashy lights and a mirror ball, reflecting Osaka's love for "shiny things."

5F - Golden Observatory (87.5m) The golden observation deck, inspired by Hideyoshi's golden teahouse, offers a stunning panoramic view of Osaka. Known as an "oasis in the sky," it also features a unique blonde-haired Billiken statue worth seeing.

RF - Special Outdoor Observation Deck "Tembo Paradise" / Protruding Observation Deck "TIP THE TSUTENKAKU" (94.5m) Check-in at the information counter on the fifth floor (500 yen for ages 5 and up) and ascend the stairs to the outdoor observation area. Enjoy breathtaking, seasonal views and the thrilling experience of being high above the city, feeling the wind, and admiring the sky.

Team Nicerio visits Tsutenkaku

My daughter and I visited Tsutenkaku during our Father and Daughter Backpacking Trip around Osaka last January 5, 2023, which was my 430th day here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. My daughter and I didn’t miss the opportunity to visit Tsutenkaku after exploring the Tennoji Zoo. The tower was an amazing place to see the panoramic view of the city. We stayed in the tower to watch the beautiful sunset before heading back to Mr. Toshi’s house in Kumatori. Sadly, Tsutenkaku was under renovation during our visit so its body was mostly covered with scaffolding. Hopefully, we get to revisit it shortly to finally see it in its whole form. 

Tsutenkaku Admission Fee:

Tsutenkaku Admission Fee

We got our tickets to go to the observatory of Tsutenkaku

To enter the observation deck of Tsutenkaku, visitors need to pay:

Adults: 1000 yen 

Children: 500 yen

However, according to its official website, the admission fee will increase starting April 1, 2025.

Adults: 1,200 yen

Children: 600 yen

Tsutenkaku Operating Hours:

Public Observatory: Open 10:00-20:00 (last entrance at 19:30)

Special Outdoor Observatory: Open 10:00-19:50 (last entrance at 19:30)

Café de Luna Park (3rd-floor cafe): Closed

Official Shop (2nd floor): Open 10:00-19:30

WakuWaku Land (underground store): Open 10:00-19:30

Why visit Tsutenkaku?

Tsūtenkaku is one of the most iconic towers in Japan, attracting visitors from all over the country. Located in Osaka, it offers stunning panoramic views of the city. In addition to the breathtaking vistas, visitors can explore various shops within the tower to purchase unique souvenirs.

Getting to Tsutenkaku

 

There are several ways to reach Tsutenkaku. 

The most common is by train. Here’s how:

Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line: Ebisucho Station, Exit 3 (3-minute walk)

Hankai Tramway Hankai Line: Ebisucho Station, Exit (3-minute walk)

Osaka Metro Midosuji Line: Dobutsuen-mae Station, Exit 1 (6-minute walk)

JR Loop Line: Shin-Imamiya Station, Tsutenkaku Exit (East Exit) (6-minute walk)

Nankai Railway Nankai Main Line: Shin-Imamiya Station, West Exit (10-minute walk)

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