Floating Garden Observatory (Kuchu Teien Tenbodai)

Frommer's Review

This futuristic observatory 167m (557 ft.) in the air looks like a space ship floating between the two towers of the Umeda Sky Building. Take the super-fast glass elevator from the East Tower building's third floor; you'll then take a glass-enclosed escalator that also bridges the two towers before depositing you on the 39th floor. I'm not afraid of heights, but taking an escalator over thin air in an earthquake-plagued nation certainly caught my attention; it made the "floating" observatory feel safe in comparison. From here, you have an unparalleled view of all Osaka, making it a popular nightspot for couples on dates. My own interest in the place, however, has waned ever since the female attendants stopped wearing cone head-shaped hats.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.