Osaka · Umeda / KitaNo.261★★★Open in map →
Umeda Sky Building
— the open-air rooftop at 173 m
Two 40-storey towers linked at the top by a circular walkway. The open-air rooftop deck reaches 173 metres — a 360-degree panorama over Osaka, open until 22:30.
The Umeda Sky Building rises from the Nakanoshima-adjacent district on the west side of Osaka Station, two identical towers connected at their uppermost floors by bridge decks and a circular escalator that climbs through open air between the 35th and 39th floors. The Kuchu Teien Observatory — literally 'Floating Garden' — occupies the 39th floor, 40th floor, and the open rooftop at 173 metres. On a clear day the panorama extends to Osaka Bay and Awaji Island to the south-west; on good days, Kobe's mountains are visible to the west. The architect was Hiroshi Hara, and the building was completed in 1993. Michelin's Green Guide awarded it three stars — the same rating given to many of Japan's most famous historical monuments. At night, the illuminated disc of the building glows over the low-rise west side of Umeda, and the observation deck stays open until 22:30, making it one of Osaka's few high-level night views accessible this late.
Background & history
Hiroshi Hara designed the Sky Building as part of a proposed Umeda development project; only the two linked towers were eventually realised. Completed in 1993, the structure's open-air bridge escalator was an engineering first in Japan at the time. The building has appeared in several rankings of unusual architecture internationally. The underground level houses a reconstructed early-Showa-period market streetscape, separate from the observatory.
What to look for — in walking order
- Cross-tower escalator (floors 35–39)
- the glass escalator tubes crossing open air between the two towers — the building's most photographed interior moment
- 40th-floor indoor deck
- enclosed observation space with a 35-metre glass counter along the edge; cafe tables with city views
- Rooftop sky walk (open-air, 173 m)
- the circular walkway at the top with unobstructed 360-degree views and a glass floor section
- Night illumination view
- the disc-shaped roof glows from outside after dark — viewable from ground level on the Umeda west side
How to enjoy it
The observatory is open 9:30–22:30 (last entry 22:00), so you can visit both in daylight and after dark in a single trip. For city-light views, come around sunset and stay into the evening. The rooftop has no roof — dress for the wind, especially in winter. Advance tickets are not required, though weekend evenings can have queues. Admission is 2,000 yen for adults.
How to actually get there
- JR Osaka Station (Sakurabashi / Fukushima exit) → walk west ~7 min following Sky Building signs.
- Enter the base of the towers; take the lift to the 35th floor, then the cross-tower escalator up to the 39th and 40th floors.
- Continue to the open-air rooftop (Sky Walk) for the 360-degree panorama.
- Walk from JR Osaka Station or Umeda Station
- From JR Osaka Station (Sakurabashi / Fukushima exit side), walk west about 7 minutes. From Osaka Metro Umeda Station, walk west about 10 minutes. The building is signposted from both stations. Total under 10 minutes from the station exits.
- Return to Osaka / Umeda Station
- Walk east back to JR Osaka Station or Umeda Station. Last entry to the observatory is 22:00, so there is no risk of missing late trains on any standard visit.
Before you go
- Cash
- Admission 2,000 yen (adults), 500 yen (children). The observatory ticket counter accepts IC cards and credit cards. The cafe on the 40th floor also accepts cards.
- Closing days
- The open-air rooftop has no cover — in strong wind or heavy rain, the outer walkway may be closed temporarily. Last entry is 22:00. Open every day.
- Another way
- The Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station and Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station are both about 10 minutes on foot from the building — useful if arriving from Kobe or Kyoto direction.
- After you get off
- From JR Osaka Station Sakurabashi exit, walk west about 7 minutes following signs for 'Umeda Sky Building' (梅田スカイビル).