Umeda Sky Building

One of the most popular high-rises in Osaka, often serving as a landmark of the city, the Umeda Sky Building might just remind you of the eerily catastrophic world of Hunger Games. With as many as 40 floors, this 170 meter tall skyscraper essentially has two towers that are connected by virtue of a ‘Floating Garden Observatory.’ However, don’t expect to see any plants as the ‘garden’ is basically a giant open-air deck with binoculars that let you zoom into the structures that interest you the most. Additionally, there is a circular ‘Lumi Sky Walk’ along with a sanctuary for lovers where you can attach heart locks bought from the souvenir kiosk. Apart from a magnificent 360 degree birds-eye view of the skyline of Osaka, New Umeda City has a brilliant and seemingly endless escalator that might give visitors with vertigo issues something to worry about. It is almost a mechanised stairway to heaven that Led Zeppelin sang about. Once you’re done with your visit, the basement has many traditional Japanese restaurants to cater to your hunger pangs.
The admission fee is 1000 Yen for adults, and students are offered a generous discount. The brainchild of Hiroshi Hara, the Umeda Sky Building is open from 10 am till 10:30 pm, and is a ten minute walk from the Osaka Station.