Thursday, April 17, 2014

What to see at the Umeda Sky Building


The Umeda Sky Building is the 12th tallest building in Osaka, Japan.  It’s a 40-storey tower with a height of 173m or 568 ft and was completed in 1993.

Source
Umeda Sky Building has a 360-degree observatory at the rooftop.  To go to the observatory, from the ground floor, go up the 3rd floor via the escalator.  At the 3rd level, you can take the see-through elevator that will bring you up to the 35th floor.  Here's a view on our way up inside the elevator.


When you reach the 35th floor, you'll have to ride a see-through escalator to bring you up to the 39th floor!  Yes, the escalator ride is that long and high.  If you're afraid of heights just focus on the view ahead. :)


When you reach the 39th floor, you can take the stairs or elevator to go the 360-degree observatory deck. 

When you reach the rooftop, you'll see a fenced area with these colorful locks.  I saw some kids playing in the area so I thought it was a playground.


Apparently, the area is called a luminous deck or Lumi Deck.  At night, the floor lights up like this.  


Source: Umeda Sky brochure
Couples can buy heart locks which they can hang in the Fence of Vows. Then they sit on the red bench and touch the outer dome of the bench.  The light pattern on the floor then changes to check the degree of the couple's love. When it comes to creativity, it's hard to beat the Japanese. :)


Source
If you want to witness the Lumi deck, schedule your visit at night.  Because if you go during the day,  you might also think that the area is a kiddie playground like I did! Haha... 


This is the Skywalk, the 360-degree observatory.   


At night, the floor also lights up like this.  

Source:  Umeda Sky brochure
It might be really worthwhile to schedule a night visit if you want to see the lumi floors.  :)

Anyway, here are some shots of the beautiful skyline of Osaka taken from the rooftop. 




BTW, at the parking grounds of the Umeda Sky Building, you may want to check out the hanging garden. 


And this matching cafe nearby. :)