Located in the Kita district of Osaka – and within easy walk of both Osaka-Umeda Station and Osaka Station  – Umeda Sky Building is one of the city’s most recognisable structures. Designed by acclaimed architect  Hara Hiroshi – who also designed Kyoto Station – and opened in 1993, the twin tower building stands 173 metres in height, connected by a ‘Floating Garden Observatory’ on the 39^th floor. From the observatory, visitors are afforded fantastic views of the sprawling metropolis, best enjoyed from the open-air viewing deck. Open daily from 09:30 to 22:30, admission is a rather steep JPY1500.

Thanks to the view and the striking design of the building it is a popular attraction but it’s important to note that almost the entire building is dedicated to offices and commercial spaces. Only in the basement will you find any other attraction of note, a restaurant floor that mimics an early Showa Period (1912-1945) town.