Tsutenkaku Tower Osaka Review 2026: Slider Guide
Discover why Tsutenkaku Tower is a must-visit in Osaka! Check out our 2026 review of the giant Tower Slider, ticket tips, and the retro Shinsekai vibes.
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Discover why Tsutenkaku Tower is a must-visit in Osaka! Check out our 2026 review of the giant Tower Slider, ticket tips, and the retro Shinsekai vibes.
Bamggi's 20th Trip to Japan #12
Hey there! It's Bamggi!
Whenever I travel to a new city, one of the biggest dilemmas is always...
Which observatory should I visit?!
Especially in Osaka, Japan,
the Umeda Sky Building, Abeno Harukas, and Tsutenkaku
there are at least three famous observatories alone..!
Out of these, I ended up visiting Tsutenkaku Tower,
and today, I'm sharing my experience—including the thrilling Tower Slider that made it extra special—
along with tips on how to enjoy it on a budget! 👇
Tsutenkaku Tower 通天閣 |
⏱️Standard Observatory: 9:00 AM - 9:45 PM (Last entry at 9:15 PM)
⏱️Special Outdoor Observatory: 9:00 AM - 9:45 PM (Last entry at 9:35 PM)
💰Observatory: 1,500 yen (Children: 800 yen) / Tower Slider: 1,100 yen (Children: 600 yen)
✅️Adult rates apply from age 15 and up
✅️Other experiences like "Dive & Walk" and "Tip the Slide" are also available
✅️Peak season surcharges apply from August 8th to August 16th
✅️Using the Osaka Amazing Pass offers the best value!
1. Why Choose Tsutenkaku Over Other Osaka Observatories?
To be honest, when you think of Osaka observatories,
the Umeda Sky Building and Abeno Harukas
are much newer, trendier, and significantly taller...
But here is why my husband and I ultimately chose Tsutenkaku:
① My husband, a first-time visitor to Osaka, picked it (Haha)
② It's the closest to Namba
The other spots aren't too far either,
but Tsutenkaku is just 1 or 2 subway stops away from Namba, no matter which line you take!
③ Exploring the surrounding Shinsekai District
Instead of just visiting the observatory and leaving,
we wanted to explore the vibrant Shinsekai market area nearby! 😄
The area around Tsutenkaku is packed with shopping streets and restaurants,
making it perfect for souvenir hunting.
Plus, there's plenty of local street food like Kushikatsu and Takoyaki to try,
so it was great for sightseeing before and after our visit to the tower.
2. Tsutenkaku Ticket Exchange & Tower Slider Review
Since Tsutenkaku Observatory offers various activities,
buying and exchanging tickets can seem a bit confusing at first...
But as you can see on the left,
there are plenty of clear guideboards, so you won't have trouble finding your way.
I hear the lines get incredibly long when it's busy,
but when we went on a weekday in early June, there was absolutely no wait! lol
Whether you need to buy a ticket on the spot or already have an Osaka Amazing Pass QR code,
you must head to the Ticket Center first.
We decided to do both the Tower Slider and the Observatory.
Since we couldn't exchange both tickets at the same time,
we decided to ride the Tower Slider first.
For tips on how to buy the Osaka Amazing Pass
to enjoy the Tower Slider at a discount, check out Section 4 below! 😉
The Tsutenkaku Tower Slider
is a 60-meter-long, 10-second slide
that spirals down around the elevator tower
from the observatory level down to the B1 floor.
While it's not a see-through slide where you can enjoy the view,
the sheer 10-second thrill is totally worth it! Highly recommended! Haha
However, please note that there are some restrictions, as shown in the photo above:
◎ Not available for children under 6 or seniors aged 66 and over
◎ Children aged 7–12 require an adult guardian (18+) and signature consent
◎ Those aged 13 and up can ride solo
Once you leave the Ticket Center and enter the Observatory entrance (B1 floor),
the staff will guide you into separate lines
depending on whether you're heading to the Observatory or the Tower Slider.
The photo on the right is where you exit the slide!
Haha, prepare yourself—
if there's a crowd waiting, you might feel a tiny bit embarrassed when you pop out! 🤣
The ticket on the left is the voucher for your Tower Slider gear.
You'll need a helmet and a protective fabric mat to ride.
*If you are wearing a skirt, they will provide extra fabric to cover you,
so yes, you can absolutely ride the Tsutenkaku Slider in a skirt!
The image on the right is the entrance to the Tower Slider,
and from this point, just follow the staff's instructions.
Store your luggage in a designated locker (lockers are free)
Grab your gear exchange ticket and head to the elevator!
By the way, the helmets are in the shape of super cute takoyaki!
Hahaha! 😂
First, you get in the same elevator as the people going up to the observatory,
and after getting off,
you just veer left and head up one more flight of stairs.
And boom! You've arrived at the slide entrance!
Just follow the staff's instructions and you're good to go.
I decided to go first, and my husband went right after me.
Since the first person down gets to
watch the next person slide down, it's actually double the fun! haha
Right before taking off, they suddenly asked me to do a peace sign ✌️
So I thought, "Ah, they're probably going to charge me for the photos or videos later..."
But once I got to the bottom, they gave me a QR code to download the video
for completely free!!!!!!! 🤩
Can you believe how generous that is? haha
Since you have to tuck away all your phones and action cams in your pockets,
I was a bit bummed that I couldn't record it myself...
but getting this free action video made me super happy!
By the way, I was wearing a dress that day,
and like I mentioned earlier, you can absolutely ride it even in a dress or skirt!
The slide mat is made of a non-woven fabric,
and they give those wearing skirts an extra cover sheet
to wrap around and secure with velcro,
so you can slide down with complete peace of mind! ♥️
3. Tsutenkaku Observatory Review
To be honest, because the Tower Slider was so dynamic,
the Tsutenkaku Observatory felt relatively calm (?) by comparison.
As I mentioned before, compared to other massive observatories,
it's not super high up,
so it feels more like they styled it up with other fun things to see!
Since it was built way back in 1956 (...),
they've really leaned into those retro-cool vibes.
If you go up one more floor, you'll find the statue of Billiken, the God of Good Luck,
where they take your photo... but they do charge you for this one! 😂
Haha!
But wait, there was yet another level to go up...!
Kind of like the Rockefeller Center in the US,
the observation area wasn't just on one floor, but split into three different levels!
The photo on the left is from the 4th floor, and the one on the right is from the R5th floor.
Even though Tsutenkaku itself isn't incredibly high as far as observatories go,
there aren't any super tall buildings immediately around it,
so you still get a great, sweeping view of the Osaka cityscape.
But since Abeno Harukas is so close by,
it's kind of funny how it completely towers over everything else! lol
The park you can see below is the Tennoji Zoo,
Looking towards the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
And if you head up one more flight of stairs,
you'll find the rooftop—this is finally the very top!
The glass-deck platform sticking out is TIP THE TSUTENKAKU.
While you can wander around the rest of the area freely,
you need a separate ticket to access that specific spot.
4. Insider Tip: How to Enjoy It for Free with the Osaka Amazing Pass
I was able to enjoy both
Tsutenkaku Tower & the Tower Slider using the Osaka Amazing Pass.
This pass is seriously such a game-changer for your budget,
you absolutely HAVE to get it if you're traveling to Osaka!!!!!!!!!!!
The 1-day pass is 3,500 yen, and the 2-day pass is 5,000 yen
(about ~$20 / ~$29 on online booking platforms).
But wait, just the Tsutenkaku Tower + Slider entry alone is 2,600 yen, right?
On top of that, you get unlimited rides on the subway, private railways, and buses (excluding JR lines),
plus free access to major Osaka attractions like the Umeda Sky Building, HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel,
the Dotonbori River Cruise, and the Osaka Castle Main Keep!
Since it covers almost all the must-see spots in Osaka,
it’s practically a crime not to use it during your trip..!
Check out more details about the Osaka Amazing Pass below 👇
Osaka Amazing Pass 1-Day / 2-Day Pass (Digital / Instant Booking)
5. Final Verdict & Who is Tsutenkaku for?
I highly recommend Tsutenkaku
to anyone who fits these descriptions:
✔️ Anyone looking for an easy, convenient itinerary near Namba
✔️ Anyone who wants to soak in the retro vibes of Shinsekai
✔️ Osaka Amazing Pass holders
✔️ Anyone looking for a dash of thrill with the Tsutenkaku Tower Slider
While it's a bit cozier in scale compared to other observatories,
the retro atmosphere paired with the unique giant slide makes for an unforgettable experience!
If you aren't planning on getting the Osaka Amazing Pass,
buying tickets for both attractions on-site will cost you 2,600 yen,
but you can get them online for just ~$15!
Honestly, with the weaker yen, the price difference might not seem huge,
but booking sites often run special promotions and discounts,
so definitely compare prices before you go! Grab your tickets here 👇
Tsutenkaku Observatory + Tower Slider Combo
More Osaka Travel Guides
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Children aged 6 and under, and adults aged 66 and over, cannot use the slider. Children aged 7 to 12 require the accompaniment and consent of a guardian aged 18 or older. Those aged 13 and over can ride alone.
Yes, you can ride even if you are wearing a skirt or a dress. An additional non-woven mat to cover your legs is provided when riding the slider, so you can ride with peace of mind.
For adults aged 15 and over, the observatory is 1,500 JPY and the Tower Slider is 1,100 JPY. If you have an Osaka Amazing Pass, you can use both facilities at no additional cost.
Direct filming is not possible because mobile phones and action cameras must be put in your pocket or stored in a free locker when riding. Instead, a QR code is provided for free after the ride, allowing you to download a video of your slider experience.
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