Umeda Sky Building

Umeda Sky Building is one of my favorite observation spots in Osaka. The architecture is unique, and the experience of taking the escalator up between the two towers already feels special. The Kuchu Teien Observatory offers a wide, open-air view of the city that’s especially beautiful at sunset and at night. It does get crowded during peak times, but the space is large enough to move around comfortably. The walk on the rooftop deck can be a little windy, but the views make it completely worth it. A great place for photos and for seeing Osaka from above. I bought a ticket online from Klook and just scan the QR at the entrance, the process was fast and seamless. The only queue time would probably when taking the elevator going up or down.

Came here during a visit of Osaka, great views, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop, a must see if you're visiting Osaka, Japan. A striking 173-meter-tall landmark in Osaka's Kita district, famous for its futuristic design featuring two towers connected by a bridge at the top. Completed in 1993, it has gained international recognition for its "Floating Garden Observatory" and innovative construction. Original Vision: Architect Hiroshi Hara initially planned for a complex of four interconnected towers. Economic Impact: Due to the burst of the Japanese economic bubble in the early 1990s, the ambitious project was scaled down to the current two-tower structure. Global Recognition: In 2008, it was named one of the "Top 20 Buildings Around the World" by The Times, alongside landmarks like the Parthenon and the Taj Mahal. Kuchu Teien Observatory: An open-air rooftop circular deck providing 360-degree views of Osaka, the Yodo River, and as far as Awaji Island on clear days. Takimi-koji Gourmet Street: Located in the basement, this food court replicates the nostalgic atmosphere of an early Showa-era (early 20th-century) Japanese town. Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum: Found on the 27th floor of the West Tower, this museum showcases vibrant works by the eponymous artist through 3D and VR experiences. Lush Surroundings: The base of the tower includes the "Island Garden," a micro-forest with walking trails, waterfalls, and seasonal flora like cherry blossoms.

Nov 2024 experience: Excellent spot for panoramic evening views. Bit of a queue to go up the closer to evening time, but very wide and spacious on the viewing level. Can also go up another level to an outdoor area and get non-window restricted views. Personally I preferred this spot more than Tsutenkaku tower, which I went to on the same day but had a much smaller viewing area. Many tables and seats along the windows but they get taken up quickly. There’s also a cafe and toilets for those that might want to spend more time here and relax a bit. I came with Osaka Amazing pass but after 4pm so got 20% off the ticket (before 4pm would’ve been fully pass entry). Not sure if this rule has since changed. Defs worth a revisit

This is a must do in Osaka for the views alone. I pre booked my tickets on the Klook app, which I highly recommend. It was almost instant, and I just showed the QR code at the entrance. Even though it's a super famous tourist spot, the line was flowing and the staff were really efficient at moving everyone along. I timed my visit to arrive just before sunset, which was the perfect move. Just be prepared, it got packed very quickly around that time as everyone wants to see that golden hour glow. The view from the open air deck is absolutely stunning. You get an amazing 360 degree look at all of Osaka as the sun goes down and the city lights start to sparkle. It was awesome that you can stay up there as long as you want and just soak it all in. A quick tip: there's a cafe on the floor just below the top deck if you get hungry or want a drink. Also, just know that once you decide to leave and go down to the bottom floor, you can't go back up. When I visited, I also caught the German Christmas Market happening on the ground floor right below the building. It was such a nice surprise and a perfect way to end the evening, grabbing some festive treats after seeing the incredible city view. It made the whole experience even more magical.

Visit here if you enjoy city views or architecture. We bought our tickets on Klook, and redeeming them at the counter was quick and smooth. We visited around 7:30 pm, and it wasn’t crowded. It was quite windy, so we didn’t stay long at the top. There isn’t much to see apart from city lights and passing trains. If you’re a photographer, you’ll probably enjoy taking some shots. The elevator itself is very quiet and stable. Architecture students may find this place interesting, as the design concept and construction process are well explained. After that, there wasn’t much that stood out besides taking photos. I’d give it 4 stars, as I don’t think it’s a must-visit place.

Here is how you can enjoy the free experience. Take the escalator to 3F and follow the sign to the Kuchu Teien. Take the elevator to 39F and then board the famous glass-enclosed “see-through” escalator that connects the two towers. Once there, you can choose to pay for the entrance fee (¥2000 or KLook) to get to the 40F observatory deck (outdoor) or simply wander around the gift shop and the bar (opens at 5 p.m.). On your way out, go down to B1 to visit “Takimi-koji (滝見小路)”, it is also where the restaurants are.

Pros: • Stunning city views from the rooftop especially around sunset. • Unique architecture and a memorable skywalk at the top. • Good location near Umeda Station. Cons: • The main elevator line gets extremely long. • Staff offer an alternative route to the top that many people avoid because it does not include the glass elevator ride. In reality this option is much faster and not worse at all. I waited around five minutes instead of thirty and did not feel I missed anything because the rooftop is what matters most. You take the elevator down anyway so the experience is still complete. Overall: A great observation spot in Osaka and worth visiting if you choose the faster route offered by staff during busy hours.

A truly beautiful structure. Amazing architecture from top to bottom. As is with Japanese and Eastern architecture in general, the overall building serves a multitude of purposes. The ride to the top offers pristine views through the clear windows of elevator. Expect phenomenal scenery from the top floor and even clearer from the unexpected rooftop access. Slightly disappointed there weren't more view points from inside. Several windows allotted for patrons of the mini cafe. Overall, if you're an architecture, scenery, or photo fiend, this visit is will with the time.

We usually avoid touristy sights when traveling, but since the Umeda Sky Building was close to our hotel, and there was time before our dinner reservation, my spouse and I strolled over with few expectations. The line wasn't too bad in December, filled primarily with tourists from China. Once we got past the ordering and shouts to form two lines, our elevator took us to a high floor. It took a few moments to realize we were supposed to take the escalator to the viewing station, but once we arrived, the views were enthralling. The Umeda Sky Building is an architectural marvel and provides a worthwhile moment in time. It was a cool thing to do in Osaka.

We love a nice observation deck from a tall building so we made this one of our priorities. It is included in the Osaka Amazing Pass (until 3PM, which we didn't find out until after that time) too. If you go after 3PM, you can still get 10% off but try to go before. We were trying to hit a lot of places so we didn't get here until the last hour. We got pretty turned around trying to find the entrance to this place too. Theres two buildings so you have to really pay attention to the signs but eventually we found the escalator up to check in. It's kind of a long way to get up to the top but you really can't beat that view when you do get there. Pretty nice experience, not much else to do but take in the views but worth checking out.

Umeda Sky Building is an observatory desk at the Kuchu Tien Building in Osaka. We got the Have Fun in Kansai pass that was included when we booked another attraction on Klook and it provided tickets to the observation deck. However, you can also just book the attraction on Klook or you can book tickets when you arrive on-site. Follow the signs to the observation deck to floor 35 and you'll eventually make your way to the top. Unfortunately it was raining when we were here but that meant there weren't a lot of people. Another cool attraction at the observation deck was the heart lock where you can attach your own lock and "lock your love". Indoors and a couple floors below the top were a souvenir shop, a cafe, and an exhibit about the history of the building. Our experience was a little hampered due to the rain but I'm sure when it's sunny it's a nice view.

Umeda Sky is a tall building with a nice architecture design looks like a space ship on the top of the building . My friends and I decided to check it out since it was walking distance from our hotel . It's about 47 stories with an upper deck at 49 stories that you can walk around the building to get a Birds Eye view of the city of Osaka . I was chicken so I just stayed at the lower level where there's a gift shop and a fine dining Chinese restaurant that's only open in the evening. My friends decided to go up the next level as you can see in my video .

The location was great for night views of the city. The prices were fair and the place is clean I have zero complaints

I'm grading on a curve for the Umeda Sky deck, so far into my Japan trip this is the third sky level observation decks we've checked out, and first one that's an actual building instead of a tower. The thing I enjoyed the most about this deck is they have and indoor observation area with a restaurant, lounge, and cafeterias area that all have views of the city, and above that level is an outside desk with a 360° view of the city. We came during a weekday afternoon so there wasn't much of a line to get in. I bought tickets from the Klook app ahead of time, you're able to purchase for the day you want to visit. It's first come first serve so you aren't limited to a certain time that you have to show up for. One you get through the elevator line you show your QR code to the ticker desk and they give you your passes to go up. Also the ticket area has a gift shop where you're able to see part of the city from above so if you didn't want to pay the $13 or whatever amount the tickets cost to get to the top you can just visit the gift shop for free.

We went up to the observation deck and it was cool to see the Osaka at night. It was only about $12 so it was worth the price. Great views of the city lights at night. The two escalators that cross between the towers way above the ground are kinda thrilling.

Open air view spot in Umeda Sky Building. It's super cool. The views are amazing. But the lines are long and there's no AC waiting in line, and since it's glass you will bake. There's 1 elevator that brings you up. No strollers allow. There's a cafe and some cafe food if you are hungry. Something you must see!

Beautiful view of the Osaka Skyline. We were lucky that the day we went the sky was clear. We bought our tickets 15 mins before opening via Klook. Try to go early because it got crowded with tour groups.

Umeda Sky Building...If you're in Osaka, this is definitely worth checking out for the spectacular aerial view of the city as well as, this unique facility. Note, it is a bit of a walk from the train station passing some older neighborhoods. Jowevdr, I never felt unsafe. There is just one cafe inside with limited offerings so plan accordingly.

First off, if you find yourself in Osaka, you NEED to get the Osaka Amazing Pass. It's ¥3,600 for a 2-day pass, which works out to around $24USD. And includes admission to quite a few attractions throughout Osaka, including the observatory above the Umeda Sky Building. The Umeda Sky Building is a beautiful architectural feat, and a beautiful building to admire within the Osaka skyline. Originally conceived as 4 major interconnecting buildings, due to Japan's economic in the 1980's, the plan was eventually downsized to 2 towers connected by a rooftop observatory. Admission to the tower costs ¥1,500/adult without the Osaka Amazing Pass. And this site is easily reachable via the JR station; although there is a ~10min walk from the station to the building. At the time of this visit, there were still a lot of construction happening between the JR station and the Sky Building, so I anticipate there to be much more shopping and activities to do once all the work is completed. But for now, there's not a whole lot to see in-between. Aside from the paths leading to the various office buildings, the ground floor leading to the observatory entrance has a few shops, most of which were either closed or under construction. After a quick elevator trip up to the 35th floor, there is a beautiful escalator with transparent 360 degree windows that allow you a spectacular view as you travel up to the 39th floor. Although this trip up is a really great spot to snap some pics, don't be despaired if you forget to do so, as you'll have another chance on your escalator ride back down. The 39th and 40th floor affords some incredible 360 view of Osaka. And there's a (not surprisingly) overpriced cafe on the 40th if you want some light snacks or drinks to enjoy while soaking up the spectacular sights. For an additional ¥1,100, you can personalize a heart-shaped padlock to either take back with you as a souvenir, or lock them along with everyone else's locks at the skydeck observatory.

This was a top tourist attraction and a 15 minute walk from our hotel, but to be honest we could have lived without it. The building itself was really cool architecture, but the view wasn't anything special. I do want to mention that we came in the morning and maybe nighttime would have been more exciting. They have souvenir stores inside, as well as, food and drinks. It's a short experience, you probably won't spend more than 2 hours there, and you can spend as little as 30 minutes. I definitely recommend going in the evening to enjoy the time and experience.

Walking past the Grand Front you get to walk to the Umeda Sky building and if you came across a tunnel along your way , you sure are on the right track. Once you get in , get to the third floor using the escalator and eventually it leads to a swarm of people arranged in supposedly 4 files. This would be for the entrance to the elevator ( entrance to the observatory before 4 PM is free ). We did buy our tickets online ( from Klook) which meant we needed to see the reception counter to get the tickets printed. Once we got the tickets we went past the ticket check and up the escalator into the tour area ( Kuchu Tien) and a few flights of stairs from there into the skywalk area. The views were breathtaking and it should definitely be on your list to do. Some of the tourists were also putting up locks on the space available down in the skywalk area stamping their presence ( you get to buy the lock from the gallery shop before entering the ticket area towards the right hand side). Great experience which I definitely recommend!!

Before coming here, I did some research on things to do in Osaka and this seemed like a cool thing to do. I wasnt sure what to expect. I dont think I expected this to be what it was, but that's ok. You go into the building, take an elevator up to the 39th floor, then take an escalator up another floor. At that point, you are over the gap between the two buildings. You can walk around and look out the windows in all directions. On a good day, you can see pretty far. You're on the edge of downtown, so for example, you can't see Osaka Castle because its behind all the tall buildings, but you can see other things. In addition to that, there's a cafe and gift shop on this level. There's also signs explaining how the building's design is inspired by lots of famous buildings around the world throughout history. I wasn't clear on this, but it seems they also envision using the design for this building in the future as mankind moves out into space and even on the moon (maybe). Anyway, you can also go upstairs, at which point you are outside. You can even go if you're afraid of heights - the top deck is only 1 story above the one below it but also a good 10-15 feet in from the edge of the building, so if you look down from the outdoor deck, youre only looking at something 10 feet below you (of course, down from there is a good 40 stories). Overall, I thought it was cool. I enjoyed it and would go again. Pro tip: you can get an engraved lock to put on the building, but you have to reserve it through Klook ahead of time.

This place hasn't changed in forever but getting to it this time had a lot of construction causing a much longer walk than usually. If you want a beautiful aerial view of Osaka you must come here! I would recommend buying tickets in advance if your going during a popular time or day. I was slightly bummed they removed from of the gimmicky couple photo spots they once had many years ago but hey they did modernize so pros and cons. Otherwise a must do while your in Osaka!

There's a cafe on the very top. The sweets was good. Service is magnificent always when you're in Japan. Overlooking the river it's truly amazing views.

Awesome attraction to catch the sunset in Osaka. The city is changing and this building is evidence of where its headed, more of a Tokyo kinda vibe. So different from the Dotonburi side of town and arcade shopping plazas. It's worth it to go up to the roof and take a look during sunset, but if you have the Osaka Amazing Pass - it's included in your ticket so keep that in mind. After you snap your photos in the observatory and on the roof, you can go to their cafeteria and there is beer and food options. During my visit they had beer and food from around the world, including beers from the U.S.A. I've never heard of (let's get some Cigar City in Japan y'all). I went for a Belgian framboise lambic and tortilla chips becaus why not. It was chill. Most of the people there are high schoolers and college kids. Probably will change in the future once the spot isn't "trendy" anymore, but still pretty cool. Recommend!

02/09/20 - Umeda Sky Building. There were several things I really wanted to see while I was in Osaka. After spending several hours visiting Osaka Castle we went to The Shin City Umeda Sky Building. This building is a spectacular piece of modern architecture. The building is made up of twin towers that are aesthetically beautiful. They are connected at the 40th level by a large floating garden observatory that was raised to the top as a single piece tying the 2 buildings together. To gain access to the observatory on the 40th level you take an elevator to the 35th floor. At the 35th floor there are 2 escalators. One goes up to the 39th floor & the other that comes down from the 39th floor to the 35th floor. The cool thing is these escalators are supported in the air 35-39 floors up in the air where you can see all the way to the ground below. At the 39th floor you have to buy a ticket for 1,500 yen or approximately $14.00 US to go up one more floor to the 40th floor where you can get a great view of the city of Osaka along w/the mountain range and ocean beyond. When the building was under construction the entire Floating Garden Observatory was raised up to the 39-40 level & connected to the 2 towers. There is also an outdoor rooftop observation area on the 41st that you can get some awesome views. For me it was worth the trip.

Umeda Sky Building is a signature architecture for it's beautiful city view from the observatory desk in Shin Umeda City. The route from the top level to the observatory desk was kind of confusing but the staff was friendly and helpful. The escalators covered with transparent windows were famous but super scary. There is a Japanese traditional garden located on lower level which is surprisingly nice to me.

The Umeda landmark building where you get access to the Kuchuteien Observatory on the top. It's about ten minutes walk from Umeda station.

Pricey place $15 and it was raining! No view to enjoy due to rain! I suggest you visit in a sunny day

Shin Umeda City Umeda Sky Building was super lovely! They have different floors for different things to do. There is one floor with tons of restaurants and places for you to eat at. Totally awesome! Near the top floor is the sky view of the city (where you purchase your tickets). On one floor, we created our "Love Locket". The "Love Locket" only took about 10 minutes to engrave. Super fast! Loved it! Afterwards, we headed over to the lovers area where we locked our love away forever. We also took some cute coupley pictures as well. Make sure to bundle up because it can get super cold up at the top!

The "World's Tallest Escalator" just means that it's up high, but not *long*. The escalator to the city view hub was actually pretty short and lackluster at best. I thought it would be like a sky walk but it's not quite that. The elevator going up to the ticket office was more The hub to view the city looks rather sad inside like a old shopping mall food court. There's one ice cream vendor inside that also serves drinks and they're actually pretty good. The view is beautiful and you can take the elevator up to the roof top for a full unobstructed view of Osaka. It seems like they have plans to turn this area into something beautiful and grand, but it's not there yet. We felt kinda ripped off paying 1000 yen per person for the view alone. If you absolutely want a view and don't mind the ticket price, go.

Caught a decent view of the Osaka skyline at the top floor observatory view point through sunset! Nothing else really notable, the escalator tunnel was somewhat underwhelming, perhaps less of a view being at night. Also, quite a fair bit of walking from the JR station, probably not worth it for the regular 1000Y admission fee, but the Osaka Amazing Pass covered it, so no issues there!

Beautiful view. It also helps to get orientated to the area. Wish we would have gone at night. Beautiful sunset viewing. Too bad they put the cafe on the west side, taking up some of the sunset view. And a 1000 yen is a little steep for admission.

Christmas Illumination I visited here to see the cinema preview. In the front of the square one of the largest Christmas tree stood during X'mas season. I was impressed with a romantic illumination. I regretted coming here with my female friend. I should have come here with my husband. Oh, my god!!! There are an illuminated carousel and a Santa Clause-fashioned man, which fascinated us. Surrounding the tree, a lot of booths providing foods, alcohol or other drinks are placed. The food or drink costs a little high. Average price is 600 yen. After the preview I was very hungry, so I wonder whether I bought some foods or not. I couldn't stand eating something under cold wind blowing, so we hurried to restaurants to JR Osaka station.

Was there in the evening when it's already dark. It took a bit of walking from the subway station, including a long tunnel (coz of the construction above). Went to the top and enjoyed some bear and the grand view of Osaka at night. They have maybe 20 different brands of exotic bear from all over the world to pick. Quite a nice experience, just wish I had more time to hang around.