When discussing the captivating landscapes of Osaka, one cannot overlook Tsutenkaku Tower. Initially constructed as a symbol for the Luna Park amusement park, the tower stands as its second iteration. Additionally, the vibrant commercial district surrounding it, known as Shinsekai, enjoys equal fame as a popular tourist destination alongside the tower.

The ambiance of this area is so profound that it often elicits astonishment from first-time visitors. As dusk descends and the tower and shops illuminate, its allure grows even more splendid.

Tsutenkaku Tower boasts a total height of 108 meters, encompassing one basement floor and five stories. The entrance, located underground, offers access to various souvenir shops as well as the captivating Sarumawashi Theater.

Upon purchasing your observation deck ticket and approaching the elevator for the second floor, you may encounter a queue.

Since there is only one elevator, lines tend to form during peak hours. The busiest period typically spans from 11 AM to 2 PM, so it might be worthwhile to engage in some leisurely activities such as dining or shopping to pass the time.

Once you transition to the second floor and switch elevators, make your way toward the observatory on the fifth floor. After we reach the top floor by elevator, let’s explore each floor going downward.

Usually, you want to look outside when you’re in an observation tower, but Tsutenkaku Tower’s insides are worth a look, too. The entire floor is sparkling gold, living up to its name “Golden Observation Platform”! Even the trash cans are gold-colored.

Billiken-san sits in the center of Tsutenkaku’s famous spot. This charming and whimsical statue is believed to bring good luck and happiness to those who encounter it, be they for business success, passing a test, or good relationships. The trick to getting him to answer your prayers is to rub his feet.

You can get a great view from the tower, but if you pay 500 yen, you can gain access to Tembo Paradise, an observation deck even higher up. From here, you can get a full view of Osaka with the wind at your face. If the weather permits, you can even see out to Awaji Island and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge!

Leaving the fifth floor or roof, you’ll come down to the Light Observational Platform down on the fourth floor. Mirror balls spin around in this room during the day, and at night, it gets lit up like a dance hall, feeling as lively as Osaka itself.

When you get down to the third floor, you’ll find an exhibition room that expresses Tsutenkaku’s history through film, photos, and dioramas. Tsutenkaku Tower is actually a historical landmark. If you have any interest in what Osaka looked like 100 years ago, check it out!

Tsukakuten is also a great place to do some shopping. Take Glico’s shop on the third floor, Glico-ya. It has popular items available, such as Pocky, Pretz, matcha, and other local treats you can’t buy in a supermarket. There are also exclusive exhibits that show the history of Pocky and Tsutenkaku Tower for your viewing pleasure.

There’s also an eating booth inside, where you can see people immediately dig into what they’ve bought. They also sell soft-serve ice cream, light meals, sweets, and Osaka-exclusive mixed juice. The menus are available in English, Chinese, and Korean, so accommodations are in place for overseas guests.

The official Tsutenkaku Tower shop on the second floor has plenty of souvenirs filled with Osakan flavor. The most popular item is the Tsutenkaku Crispy Chocolate, followed by the Osaka Banana no Koibito.

On the second floor, there’s also a life-sized model of Kinniku Man, a manga character created by an Osakan artist, perfectly placed for photographing. There’s lots of fun tricks and jokes to find, so every little nook and cranny is fun to explore!

You’ll find Wakuwaku Land, an antenna shop of one of Kansai’s biggest food manufacturers, on the basement floor. Here, you can get plenty of gummies and other candies at reasonable prices. They’ll even have rare goods on sale from time to time. All this, and no need for an observation platform ticket to enter.

Lastly, let's discuss the directions for reaching Tsutenkaku Tower. We suggest utilizing a convenient pass that grants unlimited access to the metro and bus services, such as the Enjoy Eco Card or the OSAKA 1-Day pass, which are specifically tailored for foreign tourists and also offer discounts at shopping malls, including Tsutenkaku Tower.

To get to Tsutenkaku Tower from Umeda Station, board the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and get off at Dobutsuen-Mae Station. Go out Exit 5 and head north along Sakai-suji Road. Take a right at the first light and walk about two blocks east. Look left, and you'll see Tsutenkaku Tower ahead of you.

If you’re using JR lines, Shinimamiya Station is closest. We recommend taking the Tsutenkaku Exit, then walking along the tracks, passing through the Jan-Jan Yokocho street by the Don Quijote and Super World.

Janjan Yokocho is a street famous for its Osakan cuisine, and it’s packed with kushikatsu places, doteyaki restaurants with boiled beef tendon, takoyaki stands, and sushi establishments.

Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku are very crowded, and have generally cramped roads. If you have large luggage with you, try storing them at your hotel or the coin lockers in the station beforehand.

Text by:kurashisa