Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel

In short

A giant Ferris wheel, 100 meters in diameter and 112.5 meters high above ground, towering right beside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. It opened on July 12, 1997, as one of the core facilities of Tempozan Harbor Village, and it was once the largest Ferris wheel in the world.

• ​A Sky Journey of About 15 Minutes​​: One rotation takes about 15 minutes. On clear days, you can gaze out as far as the Ikoma Mountains, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kansai International Airport, and the Rokko Mountains, with Universal Studios Japan on the opposite shore also spreading out below
• ​Choice of Cabins​​: There are 60 eight-person cabins, three of which are barrier-free models accessible directly in a wheelchair. There are also see-through gondolas that are transparent down to the floor
• ​Light Displays and Weather Forecasts​​: The effect linking two types of LED lighting is said to be the world's first such technique for Ferris wheel illumination. The LED lighting also indicates the next day's weather forecast

History and Highlights

The ​Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel​ is a massive Ferris wheel with a diameter of 100 meters and a height of 112.5 meters above ground, towering right beside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. It opened on July 12, 1997. Built as one of the core facilities of "Tempozan Harbor Village," a waterfront redevelopment of the Port of Osaka, alongside Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, it was once the largest Ferris wheel in the world. Even today, it is operated by Kaiyukan Co., Ltd., the company that runs Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

Its nighttime appearance is another major attraction of this Ferris wheel. For a long time after its opening, it was illuminated by mercury lamps and neon tubes, but through two renovations in December 2014 and in 2015, these were replaced with LED lighting. Combining indirect lighting in soft colors that illuminate the arms with direct lighting that draws vivid illustrations such as fireworks and kaleidoscopes, it displays various artworks across a large canvas roughly 100 meters in diameter. This effect linking two types of LED lighting is said to be the world's first such technique for Ferris wheel illumination, and began on April 8, 2015. The colorful lights that illuminate the Port of Osaka are now one of the city's nighttime specialties.

Viewing and Experience Tips

• ​A Sky Journey of About 15 Minutes​​: One rotation takes about 15 minutes. On clear days, you can gaze out across the Ikoma Mountains to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and the Rokko Mountains to the north, with Universal Studios Japan on the opposite shore also spreading out below. During the ride, commentary is played inside the cabin in Japanese and English.
• ​Choice of Cabins​​: There are 60 eight-person cabins, three of which are barrier-free models accessible directly in a wheelchair. There are also see-through gondolas with transparent floors, offering a 360-degree view of Osaka's scenery.
• ​Light Displays and Weather Forecasts​​: The nighttime illumination is as beautiful as launching fireworks. The diverse LED lighting also indicates the next day's weather forecast. In the 2015 renovation, displays depicting the weather with illustrations of the sun and umbrellas were added.

Walking Tips

It is about a 5-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. You can tour it alongside Tempozan Marketplace, located about 70 meters to the west, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, about 190 meters to the southwest, and Tempozan Park, about 210 meters to the northeast. If you wish to watch the sunset, the Central Jetty (Chuo Tottei) at the western end of the Chikko area is also recommended. The beauty of the sunset seen from here is exceptional, and it is also known by the alternate name "Diamond Point."