HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel

In short

A bright red, 75-meter-diameter giant ferris wheel mounted as if embedded into the upper section of "HEP FIVE," a commercial complex in Umeda, Osaka. It has been in operation since HEP FIVE was born in 1998, and is widely loved as one of Umeda's landmarks.

• ​Building-Integrated Ferris Wheel​​: The boarding area is located on the 7th floor of the building, and the gondolas rise through the rooftop to reach a height of 106 meters above the ground
• ​52 Red Gondolas​​: The four-person gondolas are equipped with heating and air conditioning, and one revolution takes approximately 15 minutes. On clear days, you can see as far as Osaka Castle, Mount Ikoma, and even the distant Akashi Strait
• ​Night Illumination​​: At night, the ferris wheel is illuminated by computer-controlled floodlights, presenting a different appearance from the daytime

History and Highlights

The ​HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel​ is a bright red, 75-meter-diameter giant ferris wheel mounted as if embedded into the upper section of "HEP FIVE," a commercial complex in Umeda, Osaka. Serving as the facility's symbol, it is widely loved as one of Umeda's landmarks. Both the wheel structure and the gondolas are uniform in red, the signature color of HEP FIVE.

HEP FIVE opened on November 28, 1998, and the ferris wheel has been in operation since the opening. In a survey conducted by an informational magazine published by its predecessor, Hankyu Five, the number one answer among both men and women to the question "What is not in Umeda that you wish was there?" was an "amusement park." This ferris wheel was born from that result. At the time, a building-integrated ferris wheel was rare worldwide, and it became a major topic of conversation as "Japan's first air-conditioned and heated giant ferris wheel installed on a building rooftop." It is said that at the time of opening, some people began lining up from 3:00 a.m., creating queues that stretched outside the building.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​From the 7th Floor to Above the Rooftop​​: The boarding area is located on the 7th floor of the building, and the gondolas rise through the rooftop to reach a height of 106 meters above the ground. The appeal unique to a building-integrated wheel is that the high-altitude view begins from the very moment you board.
• ​52 Red Gondolas​​: There are 52 four-person gondolas equipped with heating and air conditioning, with music playing inside. One revolution takes approximately 15 minutes, offering panoramic views of downtown Osaka, and on clear days, views stretching to Osaka Castle, Mount Ikoma, and even as far as the Akashi Strait.
• ​Night Illumination​​: At night, the ferris wheel is illuminated by computer-controlled floodlights, presenting a different appearance from the daytime. The pathway leading back into the building also allows visitors to get close to the gondolas, making it a gathering spot for people taking photos.

Walking Tips

It is about a 3-minute walk east from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station and about a 4-minute walk east from the Midosuji Exit of JR Osaka Station. Grand Front Osaka is located about 490 meters to the west, and the Umeda Sky Building is about 890 meters to the west, so comparing the views from these different high vantage points can be an enjoyable experience. Together with Tsuyu-no-Tenjin-sha Shrine (Ohatsu Tenjin), located about 550 meters to the south, it can be visited while taking a stroll through the Umeda area.