Umeda Sky Building (Osaka Prefecture): How to Visit, When to Go and What It Costs
梅田藍天大廈 · 梅田スカイビル · Umeda Sky Building · 大阪スカイビル · 空中庭園展望台
Umeda Sky Building — Osaka
| Also known as | 梅田藍天大廈 · 梅田スカイビル · Umeda Sky Building · 大阪スカイビル · 空中庭園展望台 |
| Region | Osaka Prefecture, Japan |
| Coordinates | 34.705278, 135.489722 |
What it is
The Umeda Sky Building is a two-tower skyscraper in Kita-ku, Osaka, completed in 1993. It consists of two 40-story towers connected at their two uppermost stories by glass bridges containing escalators and elevators that cross an open atrium space. The towers reach a total height of 170 m, or 190 metres including the spires.
Designed by Hiroshi Hara and constructed by Takenaka Corporation, the building is the headquarters of Sekisui House. It also contains the Westin Hotel Osaka and forms part of the New Umeda City complex.
At the top of the building is the Floating Garden Observatory (空中庭園展望台), which opened on 2 July 1993. The observatory sits at a viewing height of 168.7 m and offers a 360-degree view over the Umeda high-rise district, central Osaka, the Yodo River, and distant mountains. It is a paid attraction. A connecting corridor on the 22nd floor allows visitors to move between the East and West towers.
When to go
The observatory is open year-round. Because the viewing deck is on the rooftop and open to the sky, conditions depend on the weather; visitors can feel the wind while looking out. Allow around one hour for the visit, including time to take the escalators across the atrium and walk around the 360-degree deck.
Getting there
The building is located in the New Umeda City complex on the outskirts of the Umeda business district in Kita-ku, Osaka. It is in the Osaka prefecture area of Japan. Note that the site is separated from Osaka Station and the main Umeda shopping streets by the former Umeda freight yard and the Tokaido Main Line freight tracks; since 2024, part of the Grand Green Osaka redevelopment has connected it to central Umeda.
What it costs
The Floating Garden Observatory at the top of the building is a paid attraction. The source material does not list the specific admission price. Walking around the building's lower levels and the surrounding New Umeda City complex, which also includes the Westin Hotel Osaka, does not require a ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the Umeda Sky Building?
The two towers reach a total height of 170 m (557.74 ft). Including the spires, the overall height is 190 metres (623.4 ft). It is currently the fifteenth-tallest building in Osaka prefecture.
When was it built?
Construction began in June 1990 and the building was completed in March 1993. The Floating Garden Observatory opened to the public on 2 July 1993.
Who designed the building?
The towers were designed by architect Hiroshi Hara, who is also known for the Kyoto Station Building and the Sapporo Dome. They were constructed by the Takenaka Corporation.
What can you see from the observatory?
From the Floating Garden Observatory at a height of 168.7 m, you can see the Umeda high-rise district, central Osaka, the Yodo River, and distant mountains. The observatory is located on the rooftop rather than inside the building, giving visitors a 360-degree view of the sky above as well as the city below.
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Reference: Wikidata · Wikipedia (ja) · Wikipedia (zh) · Wikipedia (en)