Tower Slider: How to Enjoy the New World and Tsutenkaku

I've been to Japan several times before and have completely fallen in love with it. I especially enjoy exploring different cities, so I've been traveling all over Japan.

Today I went to Shinsekai, which has always been one of the top tourist attractions in Osaka. I heard that Shinsekai became quiet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now gradually recovering its vitality. It seems new attractions have opened, and I'm really looking forward to it.

About a 3-minute walk from the nearest station, Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, you'll find Tsutenkaku. The hottest spot in Shinsekai right now is the Tsutenkaku Tower Slider! This is a 60-meter-long giant slide that just opened on May 9, 2022.

The slide starts from the third floor of Tsutenkaku—sounds like a lot of fun! I love thrilling rides, so let's check it out quickly.

I bought my ticket on the basement floor, stored my luggage in the free lockers, picked up a helmet and a mat that looks like a briefcase, and took the elevator to the second floor. Right next to the elevator exit is the slide's exit. People keep flying out. Sometimes I could hear screams from above... Wow, I'm both nervous and excited.

To reach the slide's boarding point on the third floor, I climbed a spiral staircase from the second floor. The boarding area has a futuristic vibe—super cool.

So let's try it right away!

The boarding point is like a bed. You lay out the slider mat and lie down on it. The foot area is shaped like a pocket, which feels reassuring. Fold your arms across your chest, and all that's left is to push yourself down the slide... So nervous.

3...2...1... Wow! Ah-!!!! My heart is about to jump out!!!

Wooah-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For a moment I thought I saw the outdoor view, then immediately entered a light tunnel. And in an instant, I shot out of the slide...

Wow-!! So thrilling and super fun! Tense and then relieved... I got so excited right away.

A thoughtful service from the Tower Slider is this video sharing feature. Connect to the Wi-Fi "TOWER SLIDER MOVIE," scan your own photo QR code, and you can download the video.

Since you can't bring your smartphone while sliding, this video helps preserve great memories. In addition to the admission fee, the slider costs 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children, but it's absolutely worth it! Highly recommended.

**** Overlooking Osaka from the Must-Visit Observatory ****

After the slide, let's take a leisurely tour of Tsutenkaku. Take the elevator, under the protection of Billiken, and listen to the BGM of "2001: A Space Odyssey" as you head to the observatory. On the display, Tsutenkaku turns into a rocket and takes off. Such an Osaka-style performance.

From the Golden Observatory on the 5th floor, you can see such a beautiful view. Across Tennoji Park, you can see Abeno Harukas.

Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Osaka's cityscape.

Found the mascot of Osaka—Billiken! Rubbing the soles of its feet is said to bring good luck. Doesn't it get ticklish?

If you buy an additional ticket (300 yen for adults, 200 yen for children), you can access the special outdoor observatory "Tenbo Paradise" and the protruding observatory "TIP THE TSUTENKAKU." The stairs to the special observatory are decorated with neon lights, perfect for taking great photos. Pretty cool, right?

Whoa—! It feels so great outside!! The wind on the top floor is comfortable, and the view is top-notch!

Sitting on this bench, slowly admire the Osaka scenery and enjoy a healing moment. Absolutely recommend experiencing it.

When you're up high, for some reason you feel like shouting, don't you? There's a volume meter here—feel free to yell "Ya-hoo-!!!" without hesitation.

One floor down is the protruding observatory "TIP THE TSUTENKAKU." It extends into the sky like this. There are gaps under your feet, which is a bit scary, but super exhilarating.

Looking down definitely feels frightening. jQuery17102561305978815607_1658541586090

I heard that the special outdoor observatory can be rented for 30 minutes for 5,000 yen at night. It would be wonderful for two people to enjoy a romantic yet thrilling date. I recommend it for those who want to surprise their partner.

The 4th floor is the Light Observatory. During the day it looks like this...

At night, the mirror ball and twinkling lights turn it into a disco-style venue. At Tsutenkaku, you can enjoy the night view as if in a disco, truly feeling a nostalgic atmosphere.

Tsutenkaku is worth exploring slowly. Besides the Tower Slider, there is the observatory, a variety of entertainment facilities, and shops. Actually, this is my first time at Tsutenkaku, and I didn't expect it to be so fun! Looking at Osaka from Tsutenkaku made me love Osaka even more.

First-time visitors to Tsutenkaku will surely find it interesting, and those who have been before can still have a blast! In the next part, I'll go to recommended sightseeing spots in Shinsekai that are great to visit together with Tsutenkaku~ Stay tuned!