Shinsekai & Tennoji—Tsutenkaku, Tennoji Zoo, and More! Where to Go with your Osaka e-Pass (PR)

Konnichiwa! I’m Rei Jonishi.
And I’d like to show you around Osaka!

Osaka was full of energy and excitement during the Expo and there are still plenty of fun places to go, even though the Expo is over. If you need help deciding where to go, I would definitely recommend the Osaka e-Pass.
The pass itself is a QR code, so you don’t have to worry about loosing a piece of paper. Get your pass right away and have fun visiting Shinsekai and the Tennoji area!

Take in Panoramic Views of Both Modern and Retro Scenery from the Tsutenkaku Observation Deck

I’m here on the streets of Shinsekai! The giant Billiken statue and those impressive billboards all bring a sense of eclectic charm that makes Shinsekai so famous.

And when I headed towards Tsutenkaku I was so glad that I already have the Osaka e-Pass. Tsutenkaku usually has a long ticketing line, even on weekdays.
Oh and before you go inside, the ticketing area, make sure to look up. The ceiling mural on the underside of Tsutenkaku is very beautiful!

The original Tsutenkaku tower was modeled after the Eiffel Tower that was built for the Paris World Fair. I’m happy to know there is a connection between Tsutenkaku and the Expo.

This is the second rendition of Tsutenkaku. The tower was rebuilt in 1956 and it’s full of history. The corridors are decorated with memorable moments from the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras. Have a close look when you’re here!

After a quick ride in the elevator, I arrived on the observation deck. The Golden Observation Platform is 87.5 meters above ground and the bright gold decorations sparkle in the sunlight.

There were great views of Osaka’s other landmarks, like Osaka Castle and Abeno Harukas.
Oh and while you’re here, don’t forget to rub Billiken’s feet for some good luck!

The first observation deck has perfectly nice views, but if you want a little extra thrill and a view from 7 meters higher up, head to Tembo Paradise. To enter this special observation deck it costs an additional ¥300. And when you are there, you can step out onto the TIP THE TSUTENKAKU, a protruding platform with a see-through floor.
Experience a little extra thrill and a feeling of floating above the world.

Plummet 60 Meters in 10 Seconds on the Thrilling Tower Slider

The other thing I was looking forward to at Tsutenkaku, was the fast slide.

Tower Slider normally costs ¥1,000 per ride, but you can go down once for free with the Osaka e-Pass. The slide starts on the third floor. Put on your takoyaki helmet, lay on your back and you’re ready for a fantastic trip.

Slide down 60 meters in 10 seconds! It was over in a flash, but you can get footage of yourself going down the slide when you exit. Take a look back on your adventure.
(Video including footage from the Tower Slider)

I knew about the observation deck on Tsutenkaku, but there are lots of other fun things to do here as well. It’s exciting to make new discoveries like I did today.

Cute Animals Get Even Cuter During Meal Time

After my visit to Tsutenkaku, I headed over to the nearby Tennoji Zoo. From the observation deck, I could look out over the zoo and I started to get excited about which kinds of animals I would be able to see there.

On my way to the zoo, I started wondering how long it had been since the last time I went to a zoo. The walk from Tsutenkaku to the Tennoji Zoo gates takes less that 5 minutes. It’s so nice that these two Osaka e-Pass locations are so close together.

Tennoji Zoo first opened its doors in 1915. Among all the zoos in Japan it is has the third longest operating history. There are currently 1,000 animals of 170 different spceies living here.

Because I arrived right around meal time, I headed straight for the African Savannah Zone to see those animals eat.
The Savannah Zone features ecological exhibits that recreate the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible, so you can observe them in a setting that feels very close to the wild.
…And right in front of us a giraffe appeared. Wow, its neck really is looong!

Near the fence, there were cups filled with food, so the animals came up so close to us when to get their snacks.
I was amazed by the sheer size of the giraffe. I was so impressed, like “Wow, giraffes are really this big!?!”
Watching the giraffe’s long tongue skillfully scoop up food was truly impressive!

What I especially loved, though, was the red panda.
We also got to visit the red panda during meal time. And the way it picked up the food with its tiny little paws and ate was unbelievably cute!
I couldn’t help but linger looking at it for a long time.

Food and Gifts You Won’t Want to Miss at Tennoji Zoo

Next, I went to see one of Tennoji Zoo’s most popular residents, Hou-chan the polar bear.
He plunged into the pool with a splash, sprawled out flat on his back, and showed off his playful energy. He’s so lively and charming, I can see why he is such a favorite!

Also, I stopped in the TENNOJI ZOO MUSEUM, where you can examine a collection of animal skeletons and taxidermy specimens.

It is fun to relax watching the animals move and learn about their skeletons and taxidermy at the Tennoji Zoo. Beyond that, there are also animal-themed products and foods!

There’s the food court called “FooZoo” and the gift shop called “GooZoo”!
This climate-controlled environment is the perfect place to relax and take a break on both hot and cold days.
They even have animal-themed food, so be sure to take a look at the menu.
Personally, I couldn’t stop thinking about that adorable red panda I saw earlier.

A visit to Tsutenkaku would cost ¥1,200 Observation Deck and ¥1,000 for the Tower Slider. Throw in Tennoji Zoo admission at ¥500 and you’ve spent ¥2,700, so you’ve already gotten your money’s worth with the Osaka e-Pass (1-day ticket ¥2,400)!
Even just a half-day in this part of the city was a lot of fun, so I want to plan another efficient Osaka outing and use the pass again.

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Rei Jonishi
Formerly a member of NMB48, she is now working as a model based in Osaka.
Her future dream is to work as a full-time model. She is currently focusing mainly on gravure (swimsuit/lingerie/themed) modeling.
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