Yukio Regional Stories #02

Osaka's Tsutenkaku Tower — More Than Just an Ordinary Observation Tower

Each Yukio character holds a small story about a region in Japan. This episode's protagonist comes from Osaka's Shinsekai area, named "Tsutenkaku" – a landmark that has stood for over a century, witnessing Osaka's rise and fall.

Osaka Tsutenkaku (おおさか つうてんかく)

Tsutenkaku is a famous iron tower in Osaka's Shinsekai district. Its name comes from the Chinese phrase "Moten Tsuten no Kaku," meaning "a high tower piercing the sky." It was designed by the same person as Tokyo Tower and Nagoya TV Tower, Tachu Naito, making it one of the masterpieces by this "master of towers."

The Tsutenkaku we see today is actually the second generation. The first Tsutenkaku was completed in 1912 and was one of the tallest buildings in Japan at the time. An arcade street inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was connected to its base. Unfortunately, a fire in 1943 led to its demolition, and its steel was donated to support wartime materials. The current second-generation Tsutenkaku was rebuilt in 1956 and remains the spiritual core of the Shinsekai area.

The actual height of the tower is 108 meters, with the tower body being 100 meters tall. The lightning rod was replaced in 2016, increasing its height from 3 meters to 8 meters. In addition to a large clock at the top, the lighting system once predicted the weather (more details below).

Shinsekai – Osaka's Most "Mixed" District

The Shinsekai district, where Tsutenkaku is located, is a legend in itself. After the 1903 Osaka Exposition, this land was redeveloped. The northern half was modeled after the then-fashionable Paris, while the southern half mimicked the amusement park style of Coney Island in New York. Two vastly different cultures converged here, forming a unique "New World."

Even today, Shinsekai retains the commoner atmosphere of the Showa era, with numerous kushikatsu (fried skewers) shops, serving as a true microcosm of Osaka's "downtown" culture. Before visiting Tsutenkaku, be sure to try a kushikatsu meal nearby!

Explore Tsutenkaku Floor by Floor

R5F Tenbo Paradise & Tilted Observation Deck
An outdoor observation deck and cantilevered observation deck offering panoramic views of Osaka, perfect for capturing the city's skyline.

5F Golden Observation Deck
This floor enshrines Tsutenkaku's guardian deity, Billiken. Originating from the United States, Billiken is a "wish-granting" god of luck from the early 20th century. Introduced when the first Tsutenkaku was completed in 1912, he became a mascot in the hearts of Osaka residents. Legend has it that if you rub the soles of his feet, your wishes will come true.

4F Hikari Observation Deck (Light Observation Deck)
This observation deck transforms into a disco-lit space at night, offering two completely different vibes day and night.

R3F Dive & Walk
Walk: Experience an athletic route around the exterior of the rooftop, feeling the thrill of being high above Osaka.
Dive: A challenge for the brave and daring, vertically jumping about 40 meters from the top of the tower to an observation deck approximately 14 meters below.

3F Tower Slider
Go from 22 meters high to the ground in 10 seconds. A must-try for thrill-seekers who don't want to jump off a building.

2F & 3F Museum and Souvenir Shop – A great place to learn about Tsutenkaku's century-long history
1F Giant ceiling painting at the base, a replica of the first Tsutenkaku's ceiling painting, a rare historical restoration
B1F Wakuwaku Land Kansai-exclusive souvenir shop, ideal for finding gifts

Tsutenkaku's (Former) Weather Forecast

Since 1979, for 43 years, Tsutenkaku has been the way Osaka residents checked the weather—not by checking an app, but by looking up at the color of the neon lights at the top of the tower.

The lighting system used a combination of two layers of neon lights at the top of the tower to correspond to 9 weather conditions: clear, cloudy, rainy, as well as clear then cloudy, cloudy then clear, rainy then clear, clear then rainy, cloudy then rainy, and rainy then cloudy. Even snowfall had a corresponding pink light, but it rarely snows in Osaka, so this signal was hard to see.

Unfortunately, due to increasing renovation costs and the widespread use of smartphones changing weather forecast methods, the Tsutenkaku weather lights officially ceased their function in 2022, ending 43 years of being Osaka's "weather station."

"Back in the day, Osaka people would look up at me to know tomorrow's weather.
Now... everyone just checks their phones!"
— Tsutenkaku, sighing regretfully

Tsutenkaku Yukio has "Tsutenkaku" printed on its chest, and its back reproduces the iconic large clock and "108m" engraving from the top of the tower—every detail is a miniature of this century-old landmark.

Now that you've learned about the story behind me, are you interested in visiting me next time you're in Osaka?

 👉 Get your Yukio now

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Yukio Regional Stories #02｜Osaka Tsutenkaku Edition
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