Kuchu Teien Observatory
A visit to Osaka, Japan is incomplete without taking the fascinating trip to the Kuchu Teien Observatory, also called the Floating Garden Observatory. Once in Osaka, you can easily spot the Umeda Sky Building, which houses this spectacular open-air observatory on its 39th and 40th floors. Offering panoramic views from a connecting structure, the observation deck has a unique design.
Visitors also love experiencing an ascent via the see-through, glass enclosed. High-speed elevator that takes them from the 35th to the 39th floor, where the observatory is located. There’s also a cafe on the 40th where you can grab some refreshments while touring the observatory. Once you get the Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket online, all you have to do is wait for the trip date to arrive and experience viewing some ethereal Japanese landscape from a thrilling high altitude at the 39th and 40th floors.
At-a-Glance
Osaka’s iconic Umeda Sky Building houses one of the most enigmatic viewing decks of Japan, the Kuchu Teien Observatory, offering stunning views while connecting the twin towers. From panoramic views of the cityscape to unforgettable photographs, there’s so much to find out at the observatory. Make sure you book your Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket in advance for a hassle-free visit here.
- Location: Located on the rooftop 39th and 40th floors of Umeda Sky Building’s Tower East and Tower West, situated in the Kita Ward of Osaka.
- Height: Reaches up to 173 meters in height, about 568 feet.
- Width: The bridges extend up to about 40 meters, linking the twin towers.
- Construction period: Construction completed in 1993.
- Designer: Designed by Hiroshi Hara, a popular architect of Japan.
- Timings: Opens daily from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm, with last entry up to 10:00 pm.
- Entry fee: The Kuchu Teien Observatory entry fee for adults starts from 2,000 Yen approximately.
- Number of floors: Located on the top two floors, 39th and 40th of the Umeda Sky Building.
- How To Reach: You can reach the JR Osaka station and walk up to 7 minutes to reach here; the Osaka Metro Umeda Station is also a few minutes away.
- Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the late afternoon to evening hours, when you can enjoy both daylight views and a stunning sunset followed by Osaka’s illuminated skyline at night.
- Accessibility: For access to the observatory, take the 1st floor to 3rd floor escalator, and get on the floating elevator up to the 35th floor from the 3rd, and use the glass-enclosed tube elevator to reach the 39th and 40th floors.
- What you can see: At 173 meters above the ground from a rooftop that is donut shaped, you can get a complete 360-degree view of the Japanese city underneath, with sightings of iconic landmarks from the open-air deck, like Mount Rokko, Yodo Rover, Awaji Island and such.
Access and Tickets
Level 39: You can get to the 39th floor of the Kuchu Teien Observatory via a high-speed elevator up to the 35th floor. Make sure to book a Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket in advance for minimum hassles and wait time when you reach here. The Kuchu Teien Observatory fee starts from approximately 2,000 Yen.
Level 40: You can reach the 40th floor of this observatory via a floating glass tube elevator and access its observation deck for a splendid view of the city’s skyline. The Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket comes bundled with the one for the 39th floor observatory.
Features on Each Level
Level 39: Equipped with a panoramic indoor viewpoint, the 39th floor of the observatory is enclosed with glass panels forming floor-to-ceiling windows. It also has a souvenir shop where you can purchase exclusive keepsakes from Umeda Sky Building. Offering 360-degree views, it also has a spot for couples, known as Heart Lock.
Level 40: The main indoor observation deck, the 40th floor has a 35-meter long glass counter where visitors can sit and enjoy unobstructed views while sipping on their beverage of choice. It also has the Cafe Sky 40 and provides access to the roof via a bridge leading to the Sky Walk, a rooftop with open-air observatory views, mimicking the looks of a floating garden.
Interesting Facts
- Iconic Escalators: The 39th and 40th floors of the observation deck are connected via an iconic glass tube elevator, providing a thrilling ascent at 173 meters.
- Curvature of the Earth: While the distant mountain ranges are visible near the horizon, you will hardly spot the earth’s curvature.
- Distance to Horizon: The horizon can be sighted at about 47 km from the observation deck perched at 173 meters.
- Wind Factor: The observation deck is built on a highly wind-exposed open-air rooftop with secure wind barriers.
- Elevator Speed: The exciting rapid ascent of the elevator from 3rd to the 35th floor takes about 40 seconds only.
- Lumi Skywalk: At night, the floor of the rooftop is phosphorescence illuminated, creating an unforgettable starry walkway, with city lights illuminating the skyline outwards, creating a splendid melange.
- Floating Garden Structure: Positioned literally between two towers of the Umeda Sky Building, the observation deck seems suspended, giving the illusion of floating garden structure.
Attractions & Facilities
- Shopping malls: On the 39th floor of the building, you will find a curated gifts and souvenir shop to collect city-themed memories from. Takim Koji, in the building’s basement, also has amazing shopping opportunities. While, on the outside, you can visit nearby complexes like Grand Front Osaka, Hanshin Umeda Honten, Lucua and such for upscale and luxury shopping experiences.
- Restaurants and cafes: Cafe Sky 40, located on the 40th floor of the building, is known for its beverages, drinks and refreshments. Other nearby restaurants and cafes to savour local and global delicacies include the likes of Alto Tritone, Ristorante Quintocanto and Osaka Nadaman.
Nearby Attractions
- Takimi-Koji Food Village: Themed in the style of Osaka city from the 20th century, this food village is a must-visit known for its long list of restaurants and cafes where you can try out local Japanese delicacies and gourmet dishes.
- Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum: If you are an art lover, this museum near the observation deck is a must-visit for its creative collections and display of 3D art.
- Grand Front Osaka & Links Umeda: Close to the Osaka Station, these are massive shopping complexes also offering various entertainment and fun activities to explore.
How to Book Kuchu Teien Observatory
Before visiting the observation deck, it is best to plan ahead and book your Kuchu Teien Observatory tickets online for ease of visit. Complete a few simple steps below to book your Kuchu Teien Observatory online tickets via MakeMyTrip.
- Select the Date: On the booking portal, enter your date of visit as per slot availability for the Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket booking.
- Choose Pricing: Next, select a suitable ticket option as per available access and choose your Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket price. Alongside accessible facilities, age of the traveller can also determine the Kuchu Teien Observatory price.
- Click on the Continue Button: Next, click on ‘Continue’ to confirm your choice of Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket.
- Select Traveller Number: Proceed to enter the number of travellers visiting the observatory, including children and adults.
- Click on the Time Slot (If Available): You may also get an option to select your visiting preference from available slots for the selected date as per the Kuchu Teien Observatory timings.
- Provide Traveller Details: You would need to provide details of all travellers for Kuchu Teien Observatory ticket booking, like name, DOB, gender and such.
- Add PAN Details: Also, verify all entries and proceed for a secure ticket booking by entering PAN details before proceeding to pay the Kuchu Teien Observatory entry charges.
- Click on Pay Now and Complete Booking: You can then click on the ‘Pay Now’ button and complete payment of your Kuchu Teien Observatory entrance fee securely via your choice of payment method for a successful booking.
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