Latest news with #UmedaSkyBuilding
08-07-2025
Japan's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventures Ranked
Japan Data A ranking of Japan's best high-altitude locations, including bridges, observatories, and ropeways. A survey by the tourism website Jalan News (managed by Recruit) ranked Japan's high-altitude activities as follows in the list below. 1: Bridge World Experience on Akashi Kaikyō Bridge (Hyōgo Prefecture) One of the world's longest suspension bridges, the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge stretches 3,911 meters, connecting Japan's main island of Honshū to Awajishima. The Bridge World experience, offered by the Honshū-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company, allows participants to climb to the top of the main tower—which is normally closed to the public. Soaring 300 meters above the sea, the tower provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area. (Advance registration is required, with a limited number of participants. See the Bridge World website for details.) (© Pixta) 2: Mishima Skywalk (Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture) Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Mount Fuji and Suruga Bay from this 400-meter-long suspension bridge. (© Pixta) 3: Yume no Tsuribashi (Kawanehonchō, Shizuoka Prefecture) This suspension bridge, located at the northern tip of Shizuoka Prefecture, spans Sumata Gorge, which is the gateway to the Southern Alps. Visitors crossing the bridge can enjoy the view of the mysterious emerald-green lake below. (© Pixta) 4: Biwako Valley Zipline Adventure (Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture) Located 1,100 meters above sea level with stunning views of Lake Biwa, this popular leisure spot offers an exhilarating zipline adventure. Suspended by a pulley, visitors soar through the forest along a series of cables for a thrilling ride. (For information on operating hours and pricing, visit the Biwako Valley website.) (© Recruit) 5: Umeda Sky Building: Floating Garden Observatory (Osaka) Visitors can take in panoramic views of the Osaka cityscape, and on clear days, even spot the Rokkō mountain range and distant Awajishima at this location, also known as the Kūchū Teien Observatory. (For admission fees and opening hours, refer to the Umeda Sky Building website.) (© Pixta) Related article 6: Mount Hakodate Ropeway (Hakodate, Hokkaidō) A three-minute ropeway ride to and from the 334-meter summit of Mount Hakodate, providing breathtaking views of the city, the sea, and surrounding mountains. The nighttime scenery is especially spectacular. (Visit the Mount Hakodate Ropeway website for more on operating hours and ticket prices.) (© Pixta) 7: Tateyama Ropeway (Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture) Passengers on this 'mobile observation deck' can enjoy magnificent mountain views along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine area. To preserve the natural landscape and environment, while providing passengers unimpeded 360-degree vistas, the ropeway uses a 'one-span' system with no support towers along the way. (Information on fares and operating hours can be found on the Tateyama Ropeway website.) (© Pixta) 8: Shibuya Sky Perched atop Shibuya Station, this observation deck offers sweeping views of Tokyo's sprawling cityscape in every direction. On clear days, it feels as if you are soaring above the metropolis, while at night, the dazzling city lights create a truly enchanting atmosphere. (Information on opening hours and tickets can be found on the Shibuya Sky website.) (© Related article 9: Ryūjin Suspension Bridge (Hitachiōta, Ibaraki Prefecture) Soaring 100 meters above the surface of Ryūjin Dam Lake, this pedestrian-only suspension bridge spans an impressive 375 meters, making it one of the longest of its kind in Japan. While the summer greenery is gorgeous, the view is especially breathtaking in autumn, when the entire valley is ablaze with red foliage. (© Pixta) 10: Kobe Port Tower (Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture) In 2024, a glass-enclosed, open-air rooftop deck was added to the iconic 108-meter-tall Kobe Port Tower, offering visitors a 360-degree walkway with sweeping views of the city and harbor. (For details on opening hours and admission, visit the Kobe Port Tower website.) (© Pixta) Data Sources (Translated from Japanese. Banner photo: Yume no Tsuribashi in Shizuoka Prefecture. © Pixta.)
Time Out
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
3 ways to celebrate Tanabata in Osaka this year
Summertime is festival time in Osaka. Kicking off the celebratory season is Tanabata, a traditional Japanese festival with origins in Chinese folklore. According to legend, deity couple Orihime and Hikoboshi are separated by the Milky Way, and they are only able to meet once a year: on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Tanabata, or the Star Festival, celebrates the day of their reunion. As Japan has largely dropped the lunar dating system in favour of the Gregorian calendar, Tanabata is commonly celebrated on July 7, which falls on a Monday this year. The Star Festival is associated with grand, colourful streamers decorating streets, shopping malls and temples. Another popular custom is to write your wishes on strips of paper and hang them on bamboo trees. Tanabata is one of the most joyous and colourful traditional celebrations in Osaka – and it offers great photo opportunities. So if you're in the city between July 5 and 7, put any of these three Star Festival events on your to-do list. Tanabata Lantern Festival at Hirakata Park July 5–6 Hirakata Park's Tanabata festival features a special indoor lantern area, where lanterns filled with wishes are launched. Summer festival stalls offer carnival games like superball scooping, yo-yo fishing and shooting. There are also workshops that allow you to paint masks and make flower crowns or have your face painted. Consider picking up a ¥200 fortune-telling slip that reveals your future when placed onto water. What's more, guests that come dressed in yukata get special photo privileges and will receive a free fan during the event. A limited number of tickets are available at the door for a flat rate of ¥2,600, although an additional admission ticket for Hirakata Park must be purchased (¥2,000 for adults, ¥1,200 for elementary school children and younger). We recommend getting your tickets in advance online through the ticketing website, where the price for a combined event and park admission ticket is ¥4,500 for adults and ¥3,700 for children of elementary school age and younger. July 5–7 Shin Umeda City is back with its annual showcase of ornate and colourful Tanabata decorations from Sendai, the Tohoku city where the Star Festival is a particularly joyous occasion. Sendai's Tanabata decorations often feature kusudama, or spheres made of paper flowers, atop washi paper streamers up to five metres long. The decorations can be found around Shin Umeda City's entrance (next to the Umeda Sky Building), as well as along the 'Showa retro' shopping street at Takimi Koji. Customers dining at restaurants in the facility between June 1 and July 7 receive paper strips to write wishes on, which will be hung on bamboo trees displayed within the shopping street. The highlight Tanabata festival takes place during July 5-7 from 4pm to 9pm daily, with the programme including a children's festival, a wish-writing area for setting wishes afloat on a pond, and live music performances. Osaka Milky Way Legend 2025 July 7 First held in 2010, the annual Osaka Milky Way Legend takes place from 7pm on the night of Tanabata (July 7) at the Hachikenyahama Pier by Keihan City Mall. The event features colourful floating balls with LED lights called Inori Stars being released onto the Okawa river, creating stunning visuals as it gets dark – and symbolising the Milky Way galaxy in the great expanse of the cosmos. The release of the Stars into the river takes place in two sessions; at 7.10pm, and again at 8pm. Each admission ticket includes one Star, as well as a slip of paper to write your wish on. Tickets can be purchased in advance for an early-bird discount, ¥2,000 for adults. For advance ticket purchases, see the website for full details (in Japanese only). Tickets can also be bought at the door for ¥2,500, and children under 4 get in for free. Looking for more things to do in Osaka? Check out our full list of events here.
