We left Namco City in search of the Umeda Sky Building. We had to snake our way again past the massive department stores in this part of town, including the enormous Hankyu [阪急]department store/train station complex and Yodobashi Camera (huge electronics department store). Then just past Yodobashi Camera, we had to follow the very long underground passageway to Shin Umeda City. Who was the brilliant person who decided to put this huge complex on the other side of the railway tracks?
After walking for what seemed like forever on our already tired feet, we arrived at the foot of the
Umeda Sky Building, a pair of towers connected at the top by a huge platform complete with observatory. Again, we were fortunate to have the
Osaka Unlimited Pass and gained free admission to the
Floating Garden observatory 173m in the air.
The elevator didn't take us up all the way. Part of the fun is to take the escalator that takes you up in the between the two towers. This may be the world's highest suspended escalator. Certainly, it seems like the scariest to any one with vertigo.
Not only was there the outdoor observatory, but there were other things on display up top. There was one area where there were student projects on sustainable and healthy living. There were some interesting, if not truly practical, concepts.
There was also a room with an interactive projected display in the middle of the room. When you sat on the benches on the side, your motion on the benches could change the display on the floor in the middle of the room.
Outside on the actual observatory platform, it was quite blustery. However, the nighttime views of Osaka were beautiful. I don't think our pictures can really capture the entire atmosphere. In addition to the views, the whole platform was bathed in black light that lit up little parts of the floor in different shades of green and purple.
On one side of the platform was a special lovers' seat. It was a simple red bench in the middle of an area with a lit up floor. The light tiles would constantly change colours and form different patterns, like a heart. All around the area were lovers locks hanging along the railings. It seems to be a popular thing in Asia to buy a lock as a couple and lock it somewhere special. H has also seen the same phenomenon in China at many tourist attractions. However, the area was tightly guarded and was locked out to the general public. It seems like you would need to reserve the bench and pay a fee for the right to snuggle at 173m in the air.
And, of course, there's the view. Regular price is ¥700, which is almost half the price of Vancouver's Lookout at Harbour Centre's $15 admission. So the view is well worth the regular price of admission. You could see in all directions. The city views to the south and east were beautiful. Views to the west were of Osaka Bay, and to the north was the river and the lower lying northern burbs.
We came down off our 173m high back to the ground and back underneath the railway tracks to the main part of Umeda [梅田]. It was still early and H needed additional clothing because we had extended our stay, so we went to
Uniqlo and bought some stuff. Then on the way back to the subway station, we saw a
Kinokuniya bookstore[紀伊國屋書店]. This is quite possibly Japan's largest bookstore company with stores overseas as well. N couldn't resist picking up a few books here - 3 manga and 1 budget tracking book.
By this time our feet were truly, truly done for. We trudged our way back to the guesthouse from the subway. Our feet kill!!!
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