Kita-ku Famous Places Information, Osaka

/ Genre - Scenic Spots / Umeda Sky Building (Shin Umeda City)

/ Area G - Umedahigashi, Oyodohigashi, Oyodonishi / Umeda Sky Building (Shin Umeda City)

  • Umeda Sky Building celebrated its 30th birthday in 2023.
  • 音声ガイドあり
  • No. 70

A city in the sky overlooking northern Umeda

Umeda Sky Building (Shin Umeda City)
【Kuchu Teien Observatory】
1-1-88 Oyodo Naka , Kita-ku, Osaka
TEL 06-6440-3855
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Final entry: 10:00 p.m.)
Observation deck admission: Adults ¥1,500, children from 4 to 12 years old ¥700
  • 70　123
  • ビュースポット
  • I give this scenery to you! (Wooosh) That’s so cringey… Maybe you had too much beer on the 40th floor…
  • The see-through aerial escalator goes through a hole to the Kuchu Teien Observatory on the 40th floor.
  • This area recreates traditional Japanese mountain village scenery.

A world-class landmark in Umeda

British media likened Umeda Sky Building to world-famous landmarks such as the Taj Mahal in India and the Sagrada Familia of Spain, choosing it as the only example in Japan to make it on the list of the world’s top 20 buildings. The Kuchu Teien Observatory (admission fee applies) offers 360-degree panoramic views that are popular amongst visitors from overseas. It’s a great place to spend an entire day with an art museum, movie theater, and a restaurant area that recreates retro Showa era town scenery.

I give this scenery to you! (Wooosh) That’s so cringey… Maybe you had too much beer on the 40th floor…

A design focusing on coexistence with nature

Umeda Sky Building stands 173 meters high, spanning 40 floors. The top of this two-wing skyscraper is linked by an aerial garden, making it a unique Umeda landmark. Designer Hiroshi Hara incorporated the latest technologies when it was built to create this space based on the concept of an aerial city.
There are other highlights in addition to its dynamic architecture. Shin Umeda City, where Umeda Sky Building is located, was developed on the concept of coexistence with nature. Take a look at the eight holes around the area which are arranged according to the principles of feng shui. This concept, which was incorporated in the design of the ancient capitals of Heijokyo and Heiankyo, is carried on today at Umeda Sky Building. The hole in the center of the aerial garden measures over 30 meters in diameter. The public plaza spanning the two wings of the building is called Wonder Square. The hole in space is designed to allow the vital force created by the green spaces to flow out and bring good luck to the city.

The see-through aerial escalator goes through a hole to the Kuchu Teien Observatory on the 40th floor.

Living alongside the community

One of the charms of Umeda Sky Building is how connections with the community are cherished through experiences that revere the natural environment. The green area on the north side offers students from the local Oyodo Elementary School the opportunity to plant and harvest rice and the forest area on the south side is where visitors can see fireflies flitting around in early summer. The German Christmas Market held in Wonder Square is a seasonal Umeda tradition that draws many visitors from near and far. These local community stories only serve to enhance the already impressive presence of Umeda Sky Building.

This area recreates traditional Japanese mountain village scenery.