Tsūtenkaku • VIARAMI

Tower Reaching Heaven is the literal translation of Tsūtenkaku (通天閣), the 103 meter high landmark of Osaka. The tower is located in the ◼Shinsekai district and was found after the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.

Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, Japan, viewed from a street lined with shops and streetlights.

◼Shinsekai

Shinsekai is one of the old quarters of Osaka.

It was built in 1912 and got the name 新世界 (Shinsekai), which means “New World” in English. The city of Paris served as the model for the northern part, New York City served as a model for the southern part.

The first tower was built in 1912. The 64 meter high tower was then the second highest structure in Asia and was connected with an aerial cable car to the adjacent amusement park, Luna Park.

In a fire in 1943 the Tsūtenkaku was partially destroyed and instead of rebuilding it the steel was used for the current war.

In 1956, on the initiative of citizens and the private company Tsūtenkaku Kanko Co Ltd, the present tower, which is located in the same place as the first tower, was opened. It was designed by the Japanese architects ◼Tachū Naitō.

◼Tachū Naitō

Born in 1886, Tachū Naitō is a Japanese architect and engineer. He is responsible for the design of Tsūtenkaku, the TV Towers of Nagoya and Sapporo, the Beppu Tower and the Tokyo Tower. For this reason it was also nicknamed “Father of Towers.

Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, Japan, viewed from below through a curved structure.

Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, Japan against a clear blue sky.

Low-angle view of Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, Japan.

Low-angle view of Tsutenkaku Tower's glass-paneled section against a clear blue sky.

The View

The main observation deck is located at a height of 91 meters. The Observations deck is accessible by lift and offers an excellent view over the city. From there you can also see the Abenobashi Terminal Building, the tallest building in Japan.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan, featuring the Tsutenkaku Tower and surrounding cityscape.

The Abenobashi Terminal Building in the right corner

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan's cityscape, featuring numerous buildings and signage.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan, showing a dense cityscape with elevated highways.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan's dense cityscape.

Aerial view of a densely populated area of Osaka, Japan, featuring numerous multi-story buildings.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan, showing a street with covered walkways and surrounding buildings.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan, showing a dense cityscape with numerous buildings and a highway.

Aerial view of Osaka, Japan, showing a dense cityscape with a mix of residential buildings and high-rises.

Black and white aerial view of Osaka, Japan's dense cityscape.

Black and white photo of Osaka, Japan, cityscape with a tall tower.

Row of green vending machines with various images visible in the dispensers.

Diorama of Osaka street scene with ox-drawn cart and people in period clothing.

Detailed model of early Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, Japan, surrounded by miniature people and buildings.

On the way down from the observation deck, models of the former Osaka can be found.

The View

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