Tsutenkaku TOWER SLIDER is an exciting must-try activity, the newest addition to Tsutenkaku Tower — a giant slide measuring 60 meters in total length! It runs along the side of the tower, spiraling down from the 3rd floor to the basement.
Tsutenkaku Tower was once a symbol of Osaka's prosperity, since at the time it was built it was one of the tallest buildings in Asia. That is the origin of its name, Tsutenkaku, meaning "as tall as the sky." It stands in the heart of the Shinsekai district, decorated with lights that draw visitors to the area at night.
Tsutenkaku Tower was built in 1912, modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with a height of 64 meters. But during World War II the tower was destroyed, and it was rebuilt in 1956, this time with a height of 103 meters.
The tower is open for views of Osaka from the 4th and 5th floors. To visit, take the elevator to the 2nd floor to buy an admission ticket first, then take another elevator straight up to the 5th floor. The 5th floor has statues of Billiken, the god of good fortune. It is believed that rubbing the feet of every Billiken statue on the 5th floor will make your wish come true. From there, head down to the 4th floor, another observation deck. The 3rd floor has photos of old Shinsekai and a Glico shop, another highlight of the tower, with a huge range of Glico products, many of which can only be bought and sampled here.
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Tsutenkaku TOWER SLIDER, from the official website
Tsutenkaku TOWER SLIDER, from the official website
Tsutenkaku TOWER SLIDER, from the official website
Photo by hans-johnson from www.flickr.com/photos/hansjohnson/39768001020 [CCSA2.0]
photos by coniferconifer from flickr.com/photos/conifer/24897299323( cc by 2.0 )
The tower guide has 2 pages in total. Click the image to enlarge it, then download.
Tsutenkaku Tower Guide 1
Tsutenkaku Tower Guide 2
Other Highlights of Tsutenkaku Tower
Tower Slider: In July 2022, Tsutenkaku Tower launched an exciting new ride called the Tower Slider. This 60-meter slide starts at a height of 22 meters above ground and spirals around the tower before reaching the basement. The ride takes just 10 seconds. It costs ¥1,000 for adults and high school students, and ¥500 for children from elementary to junior high school age. Riders must be between elementary school age and 65 years old, and there are height and weight restrictions for safety.
Billiken Statue: Tsutenkaku Tower has a statue of Billiken, the god of good fortune, on the 5th floor. This statue is a replica of an American good-luck doll that became popular in Japan around 1910. The original Billiken statue was enshrined in Luna Park, which stood at the base of the original Tsutenkaku Tower. After the amusement park closed in 1923, the statue disappeared, but it was recreated from photographs and installed in the new tower in 1979. Visitors often drop a coin in the donation box and rub the soles of Billiken's feet to wish for good luck.
Lights and LEDs: Tsutenkaku Tower is decorated with LED lights that change color with the seasons, making the tower beautiful at night. The lights at the top of the tower also serve as a weather signal, changing color to indicate the next day's weather. This lighting system was upgraded from neon to LED for greater brightness and energy efficiency, making the tower a symbol of light and information in Osaka.
- The official website: http://www.tsutenkaku.co.jp
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tsutenkaku/