🗺️ Tsutenkaku通天閣

In 1912, a 75-meter tall tower resembling the Eiffel Tower was built above an architecture modeled after the Arc de Triomphe. The Confucian scholar Fujisawa Nankaku from the early Meiji period named it "Tsutenkaku," meaning "a tower that connects directly to the heavens." It was later dismantled due to a fire, but in 1956, it was rebuilt as the current second-generation Tsutenkaku at the strong request of the citizens. The second generation stands at 108 meters, which is 33 meters taller than the first generation. Tsutenkaku consists of five above-ground floors and one basement floor, with the fifth floor at a height of 87.5 meters featuring the "Golden Observation Deck," adorned with gold decorations, which houses the "Mr. Billiken," a deity said to bring good luck when touched on the soles of the feet. The current third-generation Mr. Billiken is characterized by his blonde hair. At the top, 94.5 meters above ground, there is an observation corridor with a diameter of 8.5 meters, known as "Tenmou Paradise." Additionally, there is a protruding hollow observation deck called "TIP THE TSUTENKAKU." In 2022, a new slide called "TOWER SLIDER" was introduced, spiraling around the eastern elevator tower from the middle observation deck at 22 meters above ground down to the basement level. The giant slide has a vertical height of 26.5 meters and a total length of about 60 meters, with a sliding time of only 10 seconds. The slide is tubular and made of transparent material, allowing visitors to enjoy the view of Tsutenkaku above while sliding down, making it an exhilarating experience. Furthermore, in 2024, a second experiential attraction called "DIVE & WALK" will be launched. This facility consists of two parts: "DIVE," where visitors leap about 14 meters downward from a height of approximately 40 meters, similar to bungee jumping, and "WALK," which takes place in an outer area at 26 meters above ground, where participants wear safety harnesses and circle around, experiencing thrilling high-altitude adventures. This allows for a full experience of the charm of Osaka's landmark—Tsutenkaku. In addition, there is a nighttime light display and a mirror ball that creates a disco-like atmosphere at the "Light Observation Deck," showcasing a three-dimensional model of the Shinsekai from about 100 years ago and photos from that time at the top floor "Jian Jian Machi." The basement level features the "Devil Muscle Man Special Exhibition Area," among other themed displays on each floor. Directly beneath Tsutenkaku is a "Reproduction Ceiling Painting" that recreates the original Tsutenkaku. The basement level also houses local specialty shops featuring food manufacturers from the Kansai region, where visitors can purchase limited edition products from companies like Morinaga Confectionery, Ezaki Glico, and Nissin Foods. When visiting Tsutenkaku, it is recommended to make reservations in advance through the official booking website. There are five ticket options available, including general observation deck tickets and special observation deck packages. Visitors can choose their visit date in advance and select entry times in 30-minute increments. Additionally, the official website accepts reservations up to the day before, making it easy to plan ahead or make last-minute decisions during the trip, ensuring a smoother journey.

From the observation deck on the 5th floor of the 103-meter-high tower, you can enjoy a view of the Osaka cityscape. The special outdoor observation deck at the top of Tsutenkaku is 94.5 meters above the ground and features a protruding viewing platform. The giant slide "TOWER SLIDER," which spirals around Tsutenkaku from 22 meters above the ground, is quite thrilling and fun. The "Mr. Billiken," a god that brings good luck when touched on the feet, is very popular. The specialty shops on the basement level gather various food manufacturers from the Kansai region.