Osaka · Tennoji and Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai
Shinsekai, 'the New World', grew up on the grounds of the Fifth National Industrial Exhibition of 1903. In 1912 the Luna Park amusement park and the first tower opened there; the tower looked like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris with the top half of the Eiffel Tower on it. Luna Park closed in 1923, and the tower burned in January 1943 in a fire that spread from a movie theater.
Today's tower opened in 1956, and it was designed by Naito Tachu, who also designed Tokyo Tower. On floor 5, in the Golden Observatory at a height of 87.5 meters, sits Billiken, a good-luck statue whose feet people rub. The original statue stood in Luna Park and disappeared when it closed, and it was recreated in 1979.
Above the regular observation deck there is an open-air terrace at 94.5 meters, with a section that juts out 5.4 meters and a glass floor. Since April 2026 it is included in the regular ticket.
Good to know
- Until April 2026 the observation deck cost ¥1,200 and the open-air terrace ¥300 extra. Old guides still say so.
- The Tower Slider, 60 meters in about 10 seconds, starts on floor 3 and goes down to the basement. Ages 7 to 65, at least 120 cm tall. It sometimes closes without notice because of heat or humidity.
- Dive & Walk: a harnessed walk around the tower and a 14-meter drop from a height of about 40 meters. Ages 9 to 65, from 130 cm tall. From September 2026 it opens at 10:10.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Tsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai.
- HereTsutenkaku Tower and Shinsekai
- ~2 min
Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsekai Sohonten Food
According to the restaurant, the original kushikatsu of Shinsekai, since 1929. 12 seats at the counter, no reservations, and every diner orders at least one drink. Daruma has more branches in Shinsekai, such as Janjan and Tsutenkaku.
- ~2 min
Shinsekai Kushikatsu Alleys Food
An entertainment district from 1912 in Osaka, full of stalls of fried skewers.
- ~4 min
Janjan Yokocho Street
An arcade of about 180 meters south of the tower: kushikatsu, standing bars, and go and shogi clubs where you can watch the games through the window. The name comes from the sound of the shamisen and drums the shops used to call in customers after the war.
- ~5 min
SPAWORLD HOTEL & RESORT More to see
A bath and pool complex southwest of Shinsekai. On weekdays ¥2,000 with the pool and ¥1,500 without, on weekends ¥2,700 with the pool. Anyone with a tattoo, even a temporary one or a sticker, cannot enter. According to the venue, men and women switch every month between the two bath wings.
- ~9 min
Tenshiba, Tennoji Park entrance area More to see
A lawn of about 7,000 square meters at the entrance to Tennoji Park, with cafes and restaurants around it. Entry is free, and the children's play area costs a fee.
Appears in: Osaka in one day: the castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai and Dotonbori at night