Observation Deck
The top floor, the 55th floor, features an observation deck with a café. Visitors take a dedicated elevator from the first floor to the 52nd floor and then continue by escalator to the 55th floor.
The observation deck is located approximately 252 meters above ground level, offering extensive views across Osaka City and the surrounding region.
The view is particularly impressive after dark. The observation deck has been selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Night Views” by the organization responsible for the New Japan Top Three Night Views and the Night View 100 Selections.
Panoramic Views
From the observation deck, visitors can see far beyond Osaka Prefecture. On clear days, the panorama can extend toward Kobe, Awaji Island, and Kansai International Airport.
Under favorable weather conditions, it may also be possible to see mountains in the distant Shikoku and Chugoku regions, making the observation deck a memorable place to appreciate the scale of the Kansai area.
Special Observation Area
Between the 55th-floor observation deck and the rooftop heliport is a semi-outdoor secondary observation area. This space may be opened to the public during special events.
When accessible, it provides a rare opportunity to experience the scenery from a height of approximately 252 meters in a more open-air setting.
A Vision for International Trade and Global Connections
Sakishima Cosmo Tower was completed in 1995 under its former name, the Osaka World Trade Center Building (WTC).
The building was developed as part of the Technoport Osaka plan formulated primarily by the Osaka City Port and Harbor Bureau. On June 1, 2010, ownership was transferred to Osaka Prefecture, and the building was renamed the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building.
Background to Its Construction
The building was planned as one of the World Trade Center facilities around the world, based on a project formulated by the Osaka City Port and Harbor Bureau in 1988.
The total project cost reached approximately 119.3 billion yen. The original plan called for a height of 252 meters, but the final height was adjusted to 256 meters to match the height of the Rinku Gate Tower Building, which was being constructed around the same period.
Architectural Recognition
Sakishima Cosmo Tower became a distinctive landmark of the Osaka Bay waterfront. In fiscal 1996, it received the Osaka Mayor’s Award in the Osaka Urban Landscape Architectural Awards, also known as the Osaka Machinami Awards.
As of the end of 2023, the building remained the sixth-tallest building in Japan.
Stair-Climbing Challenge: THE RISE 256
Every autumn, the building hosts THE RISE 256, a stair-climbing challenge in which participants race up 1,176 steps from the second floor, approximately 4 meters above ground, to the 52nd floor at a height of about 214 meters.
The event is held with special sponsorship from Daiko Kogyo Co., Ltd. and attracts numerous participants each year.
Access and Nearby Facilities
Although Sakishima Cosmo Tower is somewhat removed from the main central districts of Osaka, it is well connected by public transportation.
The building is linked by pedestrian passages to nearby facilities such as INTEX Osaka and the Hyatt Regency Osaka, making the area convenient for both business visitors and tourists.
Nearby Attractions
The area around Sakishima Cosmo Tower offers several places where visitors can enjoy the Osaka Bay waterfront.
ATC (Asia & Pacific Trade Center) is a large waterfront complex with shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities. INTEX Osaka, one of the area’s major event venues, is also located nearby.
These facilities can easily be combined with a visit to Sakishima Cosmo Tower when exploring the Osaka Bay area.
Events and Live Performances
During the summer, the area has sometimes been used as the WTC Open Air Stadium, hosting large-scale live music events such as a-nation.
When such events are held, visitors can enjoy live entertainment together with the illuminated scenery of Osaka Bay.
A Skyscraper Connecting Business, Architecture, and Scenic Views
Sakishima Cosmo Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Osaka’s waterfront district. Its impressive height, panoramic observation deck, and convenient connections to surrounding facilities make it a distinctive destination in the Sakishima area.
The observation deck offers views extending across Osaka Bay, Kobe, Awaji Island, and, on clear days, distant parts of Shikoku and the Chugoku region. Its night views provide a different perspective on Osaka’s sprawling urban landscape.
With its combination of spectacular views, architectural history, business facilities, nearby attractions, and seasonal events, Sakishima Cosmo Tower offers visitors an opportunity to experience a different side of Osaka beyond the city’s central sightseeing districts.