Tower of the Sun (Expo '70 Commemorative Park)

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Tower of the Sun (Expo '70 Commemorative Park)

Designed by Taro Okamoto as a symbol of the Expo Theme Pavilion. Interior open to the public since 2018! (Priority to reservation)

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This symbolic art installation for the Theme Pavilion in Japan’s first Expo '70 (Osaka Expo) was designed by the artist Taro Okamoto. It is approximately 70m tall. Currently, the tower is a symbol of Osaka’s Expo '70 Commemorative Park.

The Osaka Expo boasted approximately 64.21 million visitors. The Theme Pavilion had approximately 9 million visitors, becoming a popular pavilion. Contrary to its initial proposal, the tower was decided to be preserved after the Osaka Expo. For a while, the interior was closed to the public, but after various refurbishments, repairs, preservation efforts, and earthquake protection, the tower has been open to the public since March 19th, 2018. In August 2020, the tower became a National Tangible Current Asset.

The tower is composed of the top the “Golden Mask” which represents the future, the front the “Face of the Sun” which represents the present, and the past is represented by “The Black Sun” at the back. In the basement floor, the “Underground Sun” represents the birth of the human race. Inside is the “Tree of Life'' installation that illustrates 4 billion years of the evolution of mankind.

The “Underground Sun” is currently missing after being gifted to an unknown entity after the expo. As such, a replica was constructed alongside the refurbishment of the tower, and is currently on display. Admission prioritizes those who reserved their spot, and reservations are available from a day before to 120 days. Register on their official website, and make your reservation.

Highlights

  • Taro Okamoto’s magnum opus.
  • 4 faces adorned on the tower including the top “Golden Mask”.
  • The “Underground Sun” installation inside is still missing.
  • Open to the public since March 2018 after refurbishments.
  • Admission prioritizes reservations, and are available 120 days before.

Photos

  • Tower of the Sun
Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

    Tower of the Sun Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

  • The “Black Sun” is drawn on the back.
Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

    The “Black Sun” is drawn on the back. Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

  • The 41m tall “Tree of Life”.
Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

    The 41m tall “Tree of Life”. Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

  • The tower’s right side from the interior.
Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

    The tower’s right side from the interior. Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

  • The refurbished “Underground Sun” on display.
Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

    The refurbished “Underground Sun” on display. Photo courtesy:Osaka Prefectural Government

Reviews

2
  • 高朗

    沒有預約就不能進入,而且還需要付費!

  • 宋美溫

    大阪萬博紀念象徵,同時也代表1970年代日本國的榮耀,進入場內參觀必須要先上網預約。

Details

Name in Japanese
太陽の塔(万博記念公園内)
Postal Code
565-0826
Address
Senri Bampaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka
Telephone
0120-1970-89/06-6877-7387 (Expo Park Call Center)
Closed
Wednesday (Dependent on Expo Commemoration Park hours)
Business Hours
10:00am-5:00pm (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
Admission
Adults 720 yen, Elementary / Middle-School Students 310 yen
※Visitors must pay Adults 260 yen, Elementary / Middle-School Students 80 yen (Nature Cultural Park and Japan Garden entry price)
Directions
10 minute walk from Osaka Monorail Banpaku-Kinen-Koen Station
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website (English)