Umeda Sky Building - Floating Garden Observatory, Osaka (must see)

Located in Kita-Ku, the Umeda Sky Building is the twelfth highest structure in Osaka. The rooftop observatory called the Floating Garden Observatory is on the bridge that connects the two towers of the building.

The Umeda Sky Building was designed by Hiroshi Hara and opened its doors in 1993. It is 173 meters high and consists of two forty floor buildings connected by an observation platform at the top. The platform has a doughnut shape giving 360 degree views of Osaka. It mainly houses office space except for the observation deck and a restaurant mall in the basement.

From the Floating Garden Observatory of the Umeda Sky Building, one can see as far as the Awaji Islands and get a clear view of airplanes landing and taking off. Visitors can get a bird’s eye view of many ancient bridges and railway bridges in the city. There is also an exhibition about other observation decks in high rise buildings around the world. The food mall called the Takimi-Koji Gourmet Street in the basement is designed to look like a street in Osaka during the 1920s. The offices of the Toshiba Corporation are in the building. Other tenants include the Mazda Corporation and the German Consulate in Osaka located on the 35th floor of the eastern tower. There is also an urban garden with walking paths and fountains in front of the building.