Tsutenkaku Tower
1-18-6 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa, Osaka, JPN
Kitschy and cute Tsutenkaku, Osaka’s answer to the Eiffel Tower, rises 338 feet (103 meters) above the streets of Shin Sekai. The neon-outlined building was the tallest in town when it was first built in 1912. An observation deck offers stellar nighttime views and the chance to see beloved Billiken, god of “things as they ought to be.”
This retro tower is one of the best places in town to get a feel for vintage Osaka. Besides taking in the views from the observation deck, visitors can watch a cultural performance in the basement theater, do some shopping, or relax in a rooftop garden. Many cycling tours of the city pass beneath the tower.
- Tsutenkaku Tower is a hit with kids and first-time visitors.
- The tower is wheelchair-accessible.
- Plan to spend two to three hours visiting the tower and exploring the surrounding neighborhood.
The tower is in the south of Osaka in the entertainment district of Shinsekai. It’s next to Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji line, and just a 10-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station.
The tower is open daily from 9am to 9pm, though the ticket office closes 30 minutes early. The views are the best after dark and on clear days.
Spend some time in Osaka, and you’re likely to spot a statue of a Buddha-like figure with pointy elf ears and a mischievous smile. This is Billiken. Created by an art teacher from Missouri, Billiken gained popularity in Osaka when a statue was placed within Luna Park. The replica inside Tsutenkaku was installed in 1980, and today, visitors come to offer donations and rub his feet in exchange for good luck.
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