Umeda Sky Building viewpoint

The Umeda Sky Building is one of the most unusual architectural icons of Osaka: two 40-storey towers joined at the top by a floating ring that houses the Kuchu Teien observatory, known as the "garden suspended in the sky". From its 173 metres height you get a 360-degree panorama over the whole city, the port, the Rokko mountains and, on clear days, even the silhouette of Kobe. The climb from the 35th to the 39th floor is made on a glass escalator that is an experience in itself: the sensation of ascending through the air between the two towers is impressive. The open-air outdoor rooftop is especially spectacular at dusk and at night, when the lights of Osaka spread out in all directions. Admission costs around 2.000 yen for adults. The observatory opens from 10:00 to 22:30, with last entry at 22:00. On the 39th floor there is a café with a glass counter that seems to float over the city. To get there, leave by the northwest exit of Osaka station (JR) or Umeda (subway) and walk about ten minutes towards Nishi-Umeda park.