Things to see in Osaka: Umeda Sky Building (Kuchu Teien Observatory)

Located in the Kita district of Osaka, near Osaka and Umeda stations stands the Umeda Sky Building at over 170 meters tall. The building consists of two towers that are connected to each other by a “Floating sky garden” on the 39th floor.

Umeda Sky Building viewed from the ground looking up
The Umeda Sky Building. Towering over 173 meters in the air and connected by the distinctive floating sky garden.

The building is an easy 10 minute walk from the JR Osaka station. It isn’t too hard to find but do checkout the website directions for very detailed instructions to find the building.

Escalator up to the sky garden
The escalators up to the top of the sky building are not for the faint of heart. Built into the outside of the towers they offer an amazing view, so long as you are not worried by heights.

The building was completed in 1993 and the sky towers are mostly occupied by corporate occupants. I believe that Mazda has an office in the building. But the majority of visitors will be heading up to the 40th floor to the sky garden.

Looking outside the skydeck on the 39th floor
This is the view back to the escalators and to the surrounds of the Skydeck area.

At the top of the tower there are a number of options for you to enjoy a meal and some drinks. We ended up having a few drinks at the Cafe Sky 40 which had reasonably priced drinks and also amazing panoramic views of Osaka. It was the perfect place to sit and wait for sunset.

View of Osaka from the Skydeck Cafe
Looking back to the Yodo river from the Sky Building. You could sit here and enjoy the view all day (which is what we pretty much did)

Located in the basement of the Sky Building is a really funky little “Retro” shopping centre. Basically an indoor restaurant street that has been set up to mimic the shophouses of the Showa period. There are some really amazing restaurants in this little strip – and I swear most tourists don’t know it is there, we were probably the only people wandering around.

Sunset from the Umeda Sky Building
If you time your visit to coincide with Sunset (or just stay and have a few drinks while you wait) you will be rewarded with an amazing view like this.

Entrance to the Floating Garden Observatory is 1500Yen, they are open every day from 9:30am to 22:30pm. Obviously the open outdoor parts of the skydeck will be subject to weather. This is also a really popular spot so try and time your visit outside of peak periods. For more information be sure to visit the website.

Thanks for following along with today’s post just a short one today to show you the amazing Umeda Sky Building area. Have you been to Osaka? Let me know in the comments section below which was your favourite area.

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Category : Destinations, Japan, Travel
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