Shitenno-ji
Osaka, Japan
Tsutenkaku, Osaka
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Photo: そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ≈ ¥1,500
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Roughly 10:00–20:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Ride up
- About ¥1,500 for both decks
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Decks
- 87.5 and 94.5 metres; Billiken
- Shinsekai quarter
- Free; kushikatsu and retro signs
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours with dinner
- Getting there
- Metro to Ebisucho, exit 3, 3 minutes
Key facts
1912the year Shinsekai and the first tower were built
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en.wikipedia1956the year the present tower was built
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en.wikipedia≈ 103 mheight of the tower
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en.wikipediaTachu Naitothe architect — who also designed Tokyo Tower
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en.wikipedia94.5 mheight of the upper open-air deck
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travel guidesNew York and Paristhe models for Shinsekai's layout
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en.wikipediaKushikatsuthe quarter's signature food — battered skewers
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en.wikipediaBillikenthe god of luck on the observation deck
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travel guidesWhat are Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai?
Tsutenkaku, the 'tower reaching to heaven', is the symbol of the Shinsekai ('New World') quarter in south Osaka. The quarter was created in 1912: its southern half was modelled on New York's Coney Island and its northern half on Paris. The first tower echoed Paris too — an Eiffel Tower on top of an Arc de Triomphe.
The present tower was built in 1956 and stands about 103 metres tall. It was designed by Tachu Naito, who also designed Tokyo Tower. Around it survives a retro quarter of bright 3D signs, old cinemas, shogi halls and kushikatsu restaurants.
Going up the tower
Since April 2026, according to guides, the tower sells one ticket covering both decks — about ¥1,500 for adults. The main deck at 87.5 metres has the statue of Billiken, the god of luck: rubbing his soles is said to bring good fortune. Above it is an open-air deck at 94.5 metres with views over the city.
Sources disagree on opening hours: most often they give 10:00–20:00, with last entry half an hour before closing. There are also paid extras, such as the Tower Slider, a slide down from the third floor. Check hours and prices on the tower's website.
What to see
- Observation decks at 87.5 and 94.5 metres.
- Billiken — rub his soles for luck.
- Tsutenkaku-Hondori street with its view of the tower.
- 3D signs on the quarter's restaurants.
- Kushikatsu restaurants on every corner.
- The tower lit up in the evening.
How to get to Tsutenkaku
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Shitenno-ji is about 17 min away on foot.
- Kuromon Market is about 22 min away on foot.
More tips
- Ebisucho metro — Sakaisuji line, exit 3, about 3 minutes on foot.
- Dobutsuen-mae metro — Midosuji line, exit 5, about 10 minutes.
- Shin-Imamiya — JR Osaka Loop Line and Nankai, about 10 minutes on foot.
- From Tennoji — about 15 minutes on foot through Tennoji Park.
- From Namba — Sakaisuji line from Nippombashi, 1 stop.
Tsutenkaku or Umeda Sky Building
| Tsutenkakuyou are here | ≈ 94 m | Retro, old Osaka | Shinsekai, kushikatsu | ≈ ¥1,500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umeda Sky Building | ≈ 173 m | A modern view, sunset | The Umeda business district | Separate ticket |
How long do you need?
Allow 1–1.5 hours for the tower and quarter together: go up, wander the streets of Shinsekai and have kushikatsu for dinner. It's best to come towards evening — at sunset the neon comes on and the quarter is at its brightest.
Tennoji Park and Shitenno-ji temple, about 15 minutes' walk away, are close by. They combine easily into one route around south Osaka.
Kushikatsu in Shinsekai is cheap — from a couple of hundred yen a skewer — and many restaurants are open from lunchtime to late evening. Try a mix: pork, prawns, lotus root, cheese, quail eggs — and the local way is to wash it down with cold beer or ramune lemonade.
Is Tsutenkaku worth visiting?
Yes, though more for the quarter than the view: Shinsekai is the most atmospheric retro corner of Osaka.
The YesGo take: the tower isn't tall, and its view is more modest than from the Umeda Sky Building or Abeno Harukas. If you want a panorama, choose those. Tsutenkaku is about a photo of the tower from the street, Billiken, and a kushikatsu dinner in old Osaka.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Osaka views: compare and choose
Observation decks and viewpoints rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Osaka Castle | 55 | 2 h | ¥1,200 | 4.3 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umeda Sky Building | 36 | 1 h | ¥2,000 | 6.1 km |
| Tsutenkakuyou are here | 34 | 1 h | ≈ ¥1,500 | — |
South Osaka in half a day
Shitenno-ji temple in the afternoon, Tsutenkaku and a kushikatsu dinner in Shinsekai towards evening, then the neon of Dotonbori. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Shitenno-ji1 h · grounds free; precinct ¥500
- 17 min walk from the previous stopTsutenkakuyou are here1 h · ≈ ¥1,500
- 32 min walk from the previous stopDotonbori1 h · free
3 places · about 3 h 49 min with walks · 49 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Come at sunset.
- Rub Billiken's soles.
- Kushikatsu sauce — dip only once.
- For a panorama, the Umeda Sky Building is better.
- Nearby: Shitenno-ji.
Questions
How much does it cost to go up Tsutenkaku?
About ¥1,500 for both decks — according to 2026 guides.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 10:00–20:00; sources disagree.
How tall is the tower?
About 103 metres; the decks are at 87.5 and 94.5 metres.
Who is Billiken?
A god of luck; rubbing his soles is said to bring fortune.
What should I eat in Shinsekai?
Kushikatsu — battered skewers.
How do I get there?
Metro to Ebisucho, exit 3, 3 minutes on foot.
How long do you need?
1–1.5 hours with dinner.
What's nearby?
Tennoji Park and Shitenno-ji temple.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia: Shinsekai — the 1912 quarter, its models, the 1956 tower, architect, kushikatsu, access
- osaka-info.jp and 2026 travel guides — combined deck ticket, price, hours (unofficial; tsutenkaku.co.jp didn't load on 09.11.2026)
- Wikidata Q1148463 — coordinates
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