What other travelers are saying about Umeda Sky Building
Due to the roadworks and construction this was difficult to find. But once we found it, it was a lovely building. I used the Osaka Amazing Pass. Note that if you come before 3pm or is free with the pass. Unfortunately we can after 3pm so the pass allowed us a 10% discount. We bought the tickets on the day. There was no queue and the tickets were readily available.
Then it was a lift and an elevator up to the top and the skyline was amazing. There is a specific area for photo spot. Not controlled by the staff but everyone was respectful by queuing up and not taking too long to take the pics. It was an amazing view.
Also walked up the stairs to the outer layer of the sky building. It's outdoors with ample amount of safety so wonderful to go out and feel the warm breeze.
Walked from Osaka Castle to Umeda Sky Building and the walk itself was nothing special, with the aggravating factor that there are roadworks going on.
Also, expect to wait a long time to take the lift (almost 1 hour), and then to come down (it doesn’t matter if you buy a ticket in advance or not, it’s just the normal waiting time to take the lift as there are only two that take turns).
The views are ok, but you clearly realise (if you haven’t done so already) that Osaka is a very grey and brownish city, with too many buildings. You almost see no green, no nature. Also, most of the windows are blocked by tables and chairs of the café and people seem to love to block your access to them, so it can be tricky to take decent pictures.
Once again, souvenir shops and I didn’t really care for what they were selling.
Was hoping for a great experience as every blog tells us it’s a must-see place, but in my opinion it wasn’t really worth the walk (it’s far from everything) and I preferred the views from the Osaka Castle.
Oh, and bring cash, I believe the tickets machines only accept cash (2000 yen per adult), but I’m not sure.
We visited Umeda Sky Building on a Monday night. We had to pay ¥1800 a discounted price from ¥2000. This is the price if you want to have full access up to the roof deck.
The tower is 175meters tall with a lounge and cafe area, souvenir shop, gachapon, lock and keys for lovers, and very nice view of Osaka and nearby areas.
Coming at night will let you experience a starry floor. A piece of advice, best wear white things as the UV lights make white things shine so it will look great on photos.
However, mind you it is not for the weak hearted as the center part overlooks a very tall space where you can see the whole building down.
Getting in was a struggle. The elevator up is a standard size elevator so there is a huge line to ride it up and down. On the flipside, it's a natural bottleneck to prevent the observation area from getting flooded.
Once you make it up, everything becomes worth it. There are ticket machines that allow you to buy tickets on the spot. There is a cafe that serves great food. Finally, the view. It was Amazing, you can walk 360 around the building and see all of Osaka.
I also happen to go during a Genshin Impact (a video game) collaboration with the cafe and got some cool food themed around the game. The gift shop by the exit also had some Osaka Expo merchandise that I didn't see at the actual expo!
This initially unassuming building has a quite good free area, with a shop and great views, but it's worth paying to go all the way up! No prebooking was needed when we came during a weekday morning.
The open-air top has good views of the surrounding area, although the ideal south view is blocked by other skyscrapers, unfortunately. There's a very small museum with the history of the building, containing an excellent time-lapse video of the unbelievable central area raising process.
There's a fairly good food & drink shop inside, worth a rest here if you can get a good window seat.
Umeda Sky Building is famous for its unique architecture and the spectacular Floating Garden Observatory on its rooftop. The building features two 40-story towers connected at their uppermost floors by a circular platform, offering panoramic views of Osaka. Its distinctive design and the breathtaking views it offers make it a popular attraction for both tourists and locals, especially for those looking to enjoy a skyline view of the city.
To reach the Umeda Sky Building escalator, which leads to the Floating Garden Observatory, first, make your way to the Umeda district in Osaka. The building is within walking distance from Osaka and Umeda Stations. Once you're at the Umeda Sky Building, you'll find the escalators inside that connect the two towers. These escalators are enclosed in a glass tube, offering a unique experience as you ascend between the towers.
The Umeda Sky Building itself is not open air, but the Floating Garden Observatory at the top offers an open-air viewing platform. This allows visitors to step outside and enjoy the fresh air along with a 360-degree view of Osaka from 173 meters above the ground. It's an ideal spot for photography and to take in the urban landscape.
Umeda Sky Building stands at 173 meters (568 feet) tall. It's one of the most recognizable landmarks in Osaka's skyline, known for its futuristic design and impressive height that offers sweeping views of the city from its observatory.
Umeda Sky Building consists of two 40-story towers that are connected at the top by the Floating Garden Observatory. In addition to the office and commercial spaces within the towers, the building's uppermost floors are dedicated to the observatory and related amenities, providing visitors with a unique and memorable experience above the city.
