12 Attractions in Osaka worth your time

Tsutenkaku is an Osaka landmark offering city views and unique attractions, reflecting the city's history.

What it is

• Osaka's well-known landmark tower, 103 meters high.
• Original tower built in 1912, current one in 1956.
• Symbol of hope and recovery after World War II.

What to see

• Restored frescoes under the tower.
• Waku Waku Land with snack brand stores in the basement.
• Tower Slider, a 60-meter luge-like ride.
• Kinniku-man area and souvenir store on the Underfloor.
• Open-air Tenbo Paradise viewing platform at 94.5 meters.
• Shrine to Billiken on the Golden Observation Platform.

When to go

• Tower Slider opened in 2022.

Address

大阪府大阪市浪速区恵美須東一丁目18番6号 Map

Official site

www.tsutenkaku.co.jp

Read more about Tsūtenkaku

Experience a thrilling Pteranodon-themed flying roller coaster at Universal Studios Japan.

What it is

• A roller coaster in Universal Studios Japan.
• Opened on March 31, 2016.
• Once the world's largest flying coaster.
• Currently the world's second longest flying coaster.

What to see

• Located in the Jurassic Park area.
• Course length is 1,124 meters.
• First drop height is 37.8 meters.
• Three train sets, each with a Pteranodon name.

When to go

• Expect long wait times, especially on busy days.

Read more about The Flying Dinosaur

Harukas 300 offers Osaka's highest views from its indoor and outdoor observation decks.

What it is

• An observation deck in Osaka, Japan.
• Located on the 58th to 60th floors of Abeno Harukas.

What to see

• Sky Garden, an outdoor plaza on the 58th floor.
• SHOP HARUKAS 300 on the 59th floor.
• Indoor corridor with glass walls on the 60th floor.
• Helipad on the rooftop at 300 meters.
• EDGE THE HARUKAS, a rooftop attraction.

When to go

• Open year-round.
• Operating hours are 9:00 to 22:00.

Official site

www.abenoharukas-300.jp

Read more about Harukas 300

The Tower of Life is a former observation tower, a symbol of the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition.

What it is

• An observation tower in Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park, Osaka.
• Symbol tower for the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition.
• Designed by Kiyoshi Kawasaki, reopened as an observation tower in 1992.
• Ceased observation tower operations on March 31, 2010.

What to see

• 90-meter high cylindrical tower.
• Represents the 'Tree of Life'.
• Observation room is 60 meters high.
• Tower has a diameter of 9 meters.

Read more about Tower of Life

HEP NAVIO is a large shopping and entertainment complex in Osaka, connected to major train stations.

What it is

• A large commercial complex in Osaka.
• Opened on October 24, 1980.
• Part of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group.
• Name means Hankyu Entertainment Park and 'large ship'.

What to see

• 10 floors above ground, 2 floors below ground.
• Hankyu Men's Department Store.
• TOHO Cinemas Umeda with 8 screens and 2270 seats.

Getting there

• Connected to several train stations by underground passages.

Read more about HEP NAVIO

Ride this giant Ferris wheel for panoramic views of Osaka and its surroundings.

What it is

• A large Ferris wheel in Osaka's Minato Ward.
• Opened in July 1997.
• Once the world's largest Ferris wheel.

What to see

• Views of Mount Ikoma and Akashi Kaikyō Bridge.
• Lighting changes based on the next day's weather.
• Four 'see-through cabins' for unique views.
• Three gondolas are wheelchair accessible.

When to go

• One rotation takes 15 minutes.

Official site

www.senyo.co.jp

Read more about Tempōzan Giant Ferris Wheel

HEP is a large entertainment complex in Osaka with shops, dining, and a rooftop Ferris wheel.

What it is

• A commercial complex in Osaka, Japan.
• Composed of HEP FIVE and HEP NAVIO.
• Name stands for Hankyu Entertainment Park.
• HEP FIVE opened in November 1998.

What to see

• Rooftop Ferris wheel with 52 gondolas.
• Art object of red whales by Tatsuya Ishii.
• HEP HALL on the 8th floor of HEP FIVE.
• Hankyu Men's Osaka in HEP NAVIO.
• TOHO Cinemas Umeda in HEP NAVIO.

Read more about HEP

Fushimi Building: a historic Osaka building, once a hotel, now a tenant building.

What it is

• A historic building completed in 1923.
• Originally named Sawano Building.
• Once used as a hotel.
• Now a tenant building.

What to see

• A building selected for Living Architecture Museum Osaka.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Kitahama Station (Sakaisuji Line).
• 5-minute walk from Kitahama Station (Keihan Main Line).

Read more about Fushimi Building

Japan's tallest Ferris wheel offers unique views from its transparent gondolas.

What it is

• A Ferris wheel in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.
• Opened on July 1, 2016.
• Total height is 123 meters.
• First in Japan with a seismic isolation structure.

What to see

• 72 gondolas.
• All gondolas have a see-through floor.
• Gondolas have air conditioning and air purifiers.

When to go

• One rotation takes 18 minutes.

Official site

osaka-wheel.com

Read more about Redhorse Osaka Wheel

HEP FIVE is an Osaka shopping mall with a rooftop Ferris wheel and unique art.

What it is

• Commercial complex in Osaka, Japan.
• Name stands for Hankyu Entertainment Park.
• Opened on December 3, 1971.

What to see

• Rooftop Ferris wheel with 52 gondolas.
• Ferris wheel is 75m in diameter.
• Art object of red whales at the entrance.
• HEP HALL on the 8th floor hosts events.

Official site

www.hepfive.jp

Read more about HEP FIVE

Experience Mario Kart in real life with AR technology at Universal Studios Japan.

What it is

• A ride attraction based on Nintendo's Mario Kart series.
• Located at Universal Studios Japan.
• Received a THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement.

What to see

• Exterior and queue area replicate Bowser's Castle.
• Guests wear a Mario hat-themed visor with AR goggles.

Read more about Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge

The Expo Tower was a 127-meter tall observation tower, a landmark of Expo 1970.

What it is

• A 127-meter tall observation tower.
• Built as a landmark for Expo 1970.
• Completed in February 1970.

What to see

• A three-pillar structure.
• Large and small cabins based on Metabolism theory.
• Two 30-person elevators in central pillars.

Read more about Expo Tower of Expo 1970