A steel tower which looks like the Eiffel Tower and 75 meters high was built In 1912, on top of a building which was the motif of the Arc de Triomphe, and named “Tsutenkaku” meaning “A building reaching the heaven'' by Nangaku Fujisawa, a Confucian in the early Meiji period. After being broken down due to a fire, citizens lobbied for rebuilding and the current 2nd Tsutenkaku was built in 1956. The 2nd building is 108 meters high, which is higher than the 1st building by 33 meters.
“Tsutenkaku” is comprised of a special outdoors observation platform, 5 stories above the ground, and 1 story below the ground, and there are “Golden Observation Platform” decorated by gold color and “Billiken-san”, the sitting God which is said to bring fortunes when you pass your hand over his sole of the foot, on the 5th floor at 87.5 meters above the ground. “Billiken-san” is the 3rd generation with his characteristic blond hair.
A special outdoors observation platform ‟Tembo Paradise” is on the highest floor at 94.5 meters high above the ground and the observation corridor is 8.5 meters in diameter, and “TIP THE TSUTENKAKU” is an overhanging deck surrounded by transparent walls and floor at its tip.
In 2022, the "TOWER SLIDER" was introduced, takes you around from the 22-meter high mid-level observation deck down around a full turn and half before suddenly sliding down one level beneath the earth. Slide the full 60-meter track in just 10 seconds! With views out of the transparent tunnel ceiling, this sought-after ride gives you the feeling of flight as you make your way down.
In 2024, a new experiential attraction, "DIVE & WALK," was introduced as the second installment of interactive activities at the tower. The "DIVE" experience lets visitors leap 14 meters downward from a height of approximately 40 meters, mimicking a bungee jump. Meanwhile, the "WALK" experience takes thrill-seekers on an adventurous course around the tower’s outer perimeter at 26 meters above ground, with participants secured by a harness.
With these exhilarating additions, visitors can now fully immerse themselves in the excitement of Tsutenkaku, Osaka’s beloved symbol.
“Light Observation Platform” on the 4th-floor changes to look like a “Disco” with sparky lighting and mirror balls at night. “Top Floor” on the 3rd floor displays dioramas, videos, and pictures of old Shinsekai about 100 years ago. “Underfloor” on the 2nd floor has “Muscle Man Project Archives Corner” and a recreated- “JAN JAN TOWN”, so you will enjoy various exhibitions on different themes on each floor. You will also completely enjoy looking at a recreated “TSUTENKAKUʼs first-ever ceiling mural” shown on the 1st floor.
Antenna shops of food manufacturers related to the Kansai region such as Morinaga, Glico, Nissin Food Products Co., Ⅼtd gather on the B1 floor and sell their limited products and goods sold only there.
When visiting Tsutenkaku Tower, it’s highly convenient to book your tickets in advance through the official reservation site! Visitors can choose from five different ticket options, ranging from general observation deck access to combo tickets including the special observation deck.
Reservations allow for date and time selection in 30-minute slots, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free visit. Plus, advance bookings are available until the day before your visit, making it easy to plan ahead before your trip or even while traveling.
Highlights
-
It is a steel tower of 103 meters high, you will get a full view of Osaka city from the observation deck on the 5th floor.
-
At the top of the tower, there are a special outdoor observation platform and an overhanging deck 94.5 meters high above the ground.
-
Now home to the TOWER SLIDER, a one-stop ride that takes you from the mid-level observation deck to the basement 1st floor in an instant.
-
‟Billiken-san” is popular, which is said to bring fortunes when you pass your hand over the sole of the foot.
-
Antenna shops of food manufacturers related to the Kansai region gather on the B1 floor.
![[Shinsekai Travel Guide] Enjoy Tsutenkaku and the Bustling Shopping Streets!](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/21000/20420/20250223_225252_1fa158f7_w640.webp)
![[Tsutenkaku Travel Guide] Enjoy Osaka’s Iconic Tower](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/21000/20340/20230721_161251_3e1c08a0_w640.webp)
![[Shitennoji Temple Travel Guide] Experience Culture and History at Japan’s Oldest Temple](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/21000/20673/20260328_074501_a017ecb3_w640.webp)
![[19 Best Date Spots in Osaka] Make Special Memories Together](https://static.gltjp.com/glt/data/article/21000/20926/20250213_162515_f8bdd0b0_w640.webp)
