Tsūtenkaku

Welcome to the heart of Shinsekai, the 'New World' of Osaka. Standing before us is Tsūtenkaku, a tower whose name ambitiously translates to 'the tower reaching heaven.' At 103 meters tall, it may no longer be the tallest…

Let us examine the origins of this grand project. In 1912, Osaka was a city in the midst of a radical transformation. …

Before we head to the heavens, we must explore the depths. The basement of Tsūtenkaku is home to 'Wakuwaku Land,' a term that translates to 'Excitement Land.' This area is a fascinating convergence of corporate history and local…

We now ascend to the fifth floor, the 'Golden Observatory.' In 2012, to celebrate the tower's 100th anniversary, this floor was renovated into a glittering temple of gold, inspired by the ostentatious tastes of Toyotomi…

For those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled experience, we look to one of the tower's newest additions: the Tower Slider. This 60-meter-long slide spirals around the tower's central elevator shaft, taking riders from the third…

Descending back through the tower, we reach the fourth floor, which offers a starkly different atmosphere from the Golden Observatory. By day, it is a serene viewing deck, but as evening approaches, it transforms into a space…

As we exit the tower, we follow the natural flow of the local crowd into Janjan Yokocho, a narrow, roofed shopping alley that serves as the culinary artery of the district. Its official name is Nanyo-dori, but it is…

As we conclude our journey at the foot of Tsūtenkaku, take a final look up at its steel frame against the Osaka sky. We have traveled from the ambitious dreams of 1912, through the ashes of the 1940s, to the vibrant, neon-lit…