Tsutenkaku Tower

In short

An observation tower rising in Shinsekai, Osaka, whose name carries the meaning of "a tall building reaching heaven." The original tower was built in July 1912 (Meiji 45) as the symbol tower of the amusement park Luna Park, and in January 1943 (Showa 18), it suffered a fire and was dismantled. The second-generation tower, which opened in 1956 (Showa 31), is said to be a symbol of postwar Osaka's recovery, and it became a national registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007.

• ​Golden Observation Deck and Billiken​​: From the Golden Observation Deck on the 5th floor, 87.5 meters above ground, you can look out across the city of Osaka. Here is the third-generation Billiken with golden hair; it is said that good luck will visit you if you touch the soles of his feet
• ​Tembo Paradise​​: The special open-air observation deck at the very top, 94.5 meters above ground. With nothing around to obstruct the view, you can enjoy the Osaka scenery while feeling the breeze of the four seasons
• ​Tower Slider and Recreated Ceiling Mural​​: There is a slide that descends a total length of 60 meters, from 22 meters above ground to the 1st basement level, in about 10 seconds. On the 1st floor, the ceiling mural that was painted on the original Tsutenkaku Tower has been recreated

History and Highlights

​Tsutenkaku Tower​ is an observation tower rising in Shinsekai, Osaka, and a landmark of Osaka registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property. Its name carries the meaning of "a tall building reaching heaven."

The original Tsutenkaku Tower was built in July 1912 (Meiji 45) as the symbol tower of the amusement park Luna Park. It was constructed on the site of the 5th National Industrial Exhibition of 1903 (Meiji 36). Resembling an Eiffel Tower placed atop an Arc de Triomphe, it stood about 75 meters tall and is said to have boasted the greatest height in the Orient at that time. However, in January 1943 (Showa 18), it suffered a fire and was dismantled.

After the war, reconstruction proceeded through a campaign by local residents, and the second-generation Tsutenkaku Tower opened on October 28, 1956 (Showa 31). It was designed by Naito Tachu, who also worked on Tokyo Tower built around the same time. Rather than adopting a nostalgic shape recalling the original, its design emphasizes linear sharpness with a narrowed section below the observation deck and trusses projecting in all four directions, and it is said to be a symbol of post-war Osaka's recovery. It became a national registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2007, and in 2015, seismic isolation renovation work to prepare for earthquakes was completed without significantly changing its exterior. Its height is 108 meters including the lightning rod.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Golden Observation Deck and Billiken​​: From the Golden Observation Deck on the 5th floor, 87.5 meters above ground, you can look out across the city of Osaka. The third-generation Billiken with golden hair is located here, and it is said that good luck will visit you if you touch the soles of his feet.
• ​Tembo Paradise​​: The special open-air observation deck at the very top is 94.5 meters above ground, offering unobstructed views all around, allowing you to enjoy the Osaka scenery while feeling the breeze of the four seasons.
• ​Tower Slider and Recreated Ceiling Mural​​: There is a slide that descends from 22 meters above ground to the 1st basement level, spanning a total length of 60 meters in about 10 seconds. On the 1st floor, the ceiling mural originally painted on the first-generation Tsutenkaku Tower has been recreated, vividly depicting peacocks and seasonal flowers.

Strolling Tips

The nearest station is Exit 3 of Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, about a 3-minute walk away. It is about a 6-minute walk from the Tsutenkaku Exit of Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Loop Line or Exit 1 of Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. The weather forecast display at the top of the tower has conveyed the weather with lights since 1979, and looking up at it at night is another highlight. Visit it together with a stroll around Shinsekai, which spreads around the tower. About 290 meters to the south lies Janjan Yokocho, about 280 meters to the southeast is Tennoji Zoo, and about 470 meters to the northwest is Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine.