Umeda Sky Building: Captivating
Kansai Japan Buildings

If Osaka Castle is the face of ancient Osaka, Japan then the Umeda Sky Building is its modern form. Although both are Japanese buildings, they`re practically from different worlds.

If you`re looking for things to do in Osaka and want amazing views of the city then this is the place to go.

A typical concrete jungle like any major Japanese city, it does have three forms of natural beauty that can be seen from the Sky Building`s Open Air Observatory:

- Mountains

- Rivers

- Osaka Bay

On a clear day or night you can even see Awaji Island which sits between the bay and the Seto Inland Sea.

This 173m tall building is actually two skyscrapers connected by the so called "Floating Garden Observatory". It has been designed to provide a 360 degree view of Osaka city below, as you walk around its circumference.

When Hiroshi Hada (designer of many famous Japan Buildings) created the observatory, he did us all a favor by doing away with large glass barriers, therefore allowing unobstructed views.

This is actually in stark contrast to the observation areas on the top of Kyoto station, which he also designed, with their annoying yet safe glass "windows."

However, even with the Sky Building`s clear views and Osaka`s mountains and rivers, the city still looks pretty bland during the day.

The best time to go then, is just before sunset.

That way you can enjoy, day time views, a breathtaking sunset (unless of course it`s completely overcast) and the best view of all...

Osaka at night.

Call me a sucker for pretty lights, but it really is spectacular.

Although it can get a little chilly in the cooler months, the night time views from the observatory make for quite the romantic date as you gaze upon the Osaka nightlife below.

The Umeda Sky Building also has a Chinese restaurant, a bar and a cafe.

For something more "touristy" you can head down to the basement which has the "Takimi Lane of Restaurants" a replication of an early Showa era (1926 - 1989) street.

The observatory`s title of "Floating Garden Observatory" may make you wonder where the garden is. In actuality this "Floating Garden" refers to the "unlimited expanse of sky" above. However there is a park right next to the building, complete with pond and waterfall.

Opening Hours:

10:00am -10:30pm (Last entry 10:00pm)

Entry:

700 yen (Adults)

500 yen (Junior and Senior High School Students)

300 yen (Elementary School Students)