Tsutenkaku Tower

Tsutenkaku Tower, a symbol of Osaka, has been registered as a tangible cultural property of Japan. The golden observation tower offers a view of Osaka's economy and features a statue of Billiken, the god of fortune, which is said to bring good luck if you touch its feet. In July 1912, the first Tsutenkaku Tower was built as a symbol of the Luna Park entertainment district. It resembled the Eiffel Tower on the Arc de Triomphe and stood about 75 meters tall, making it the tallest building in the East at the time. The name 'Tsutenkaku' means 'building that reaches the sky.' In January 1943, the first Tsutenkaku Tower was destroyed in a fire. Later, in 1956, the second Tsutenkaku Tower was rebuilt through the efforts of local residents. The second tower stands 108 meters tall, including the lightning rod. It was designed by Naito Tachu, who also designed Tokyo Tower around the same time. In recent years, new constructions such as an outdoor observation deck and a tower slider have been developed.