Where to See the Best Christmas Illuminations at Umeda Sky Building + Takimi Koji Lane
Christmas time at Umeda Sky Building is now a full-on winter tradition. Especially as it rings in its 30th anniversary this year, expect to see this spot decked out and all alight with state-of-the-art LED illuminations and even an all-new tree. Swing by this Christmas for an evening of spell-binding romance, gazing out over the breathtaking nightscape from the Floating Garden Observatory inside.
An Iconic Landmark in Umeda: the Umeda Sky Buliding
The skies in Umeda are dotted with towering high rises, but one you’re sure not to miss is Umeda Sky Building, the eye-catching landmark made with Tower East and Tower West connected at the top. Chosen alongside Spain's Sagrada Família and Rome's Colosseum as one of the "Top 20 Architectural Wonders of the World" by a British magazine, this globally acclaimed architecural feat draws countless tourists from around the world.
What to Expect from the 2023 Christmas Illuminations
Catch “Wonder Square”, the first floor event held this year to celebrate 30 years since the opening of Sky Building. Inside you’ll find an all-new LED mapping tree, towering at some 25 meters tall with all the trappings of about 130,000 LED lights, the first and largest of its kind in Japan. Don’t miss the show of light and sound, made with all the vibes of a full on musical that’s all its own.
Details
- Event Name
- UMEDA SKY BUILDING Christmas 2023 ～Sound and Light's Rainbow Fantasia～
- Event Duration
- December 1st (Fri) – 25th (Mon), 2023
- Location
- Umeda Sky Building 1F Plaza - Wonder Square
- Illumination Hours
- Daily from 12:00pm to 11:00pm (Music & stalls until 10:00pm)
- Organized by
- Umeda Sky Building Christmas Committee (Umeda Sky Building Shopping District/Aerial Garden Observatory)
Retro district Street Eats to Check Before or After the Illuminations!
If you drum up an appetite before or after checking the illuminations, swing by Takimi Koji, located inside Umeda Sky Building. This retro alleyway, reminiscent of the Showa era, is where you’ll find a full lineup of delicious eats. Spots to note include Niitaka, serving up anything from wallet-friendly bites to luxe sukiyaki and shabu-shabu made with premium cuts of Wagyu and/or Kobe Beef. There’s also Katsudon, a specialty shop serving up perfect bowls of hot pork cutlets served over a bed of rice and Dashiya Namian, a noodle joint loved for its lick-smackingly good broth and thin noodles freshly hand-cut each morning. There’s this and so many more little eateries to see, with all the best of Osaka favorites like okonomiyaki and kushikatsu skewers, Western and local fare, sweets and more.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- しゃぶしゃぶ・すき焼き にいたか
- Telephone
- 06-6440-5912
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
- Hours
- 11:30am - 2:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm (L.O. 9:30)
- Credit Card
- Accepted
Details
- Name in Japanese
- かつどん専門店 喝鈍
- Telephone
- 06-6440-5933
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
- Hours
- 11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 9:00pm (L.O. 8:30pm)
- Credit Card
- Not accepted
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 出汁屋浪庵
- Telephone
- 06-4798-0248
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
- Hours
- 11:00am - 3:00pm (L.O. 2:30pm), 5:00pm - 10:00pm (L.O. 9:30pm)
- Credit Card
- Accepted
Bask in the view of Osaka’s nighttime cityscape from up top at Kuchu Teien Observatory.
The rooftop Floating Garden Observatory is a coveted destination, offering full panoramic view from atop the circular “Sky Walk” walkway. From here, visitors are treated to a 360° view of the buildings in Kita and Minami, the Yodo River, and even the distant mountains. This spot is open until 10:30pm in the evening (last admission at 10:00pm), allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning nighttime cityscape of Osaka. The "Sky Walk" itself is illuminated, making the entire setting truly enchanting.
Summary
Experience a Christmas at Sky Building like no other, featuring Japan's first and largest LED mapping tree—a luminous display packed with enthralling overtures and the glittering hopes and dreams for the future. Head up for the chance to indulge in sprawling, panoramic views in the evening from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then, top it all off with a trip down Takimi-Koji, a food alley that’s wall-to-wall with Showa-era retro vibes in an all-around, special day in time that you’re sure to never forget.