Osaka Tempozan Ferris Wheel Ticket Price USD

The Tempozan Ferris Wheel is Osaka's most iconic ferris wheel! Here's everything you need to know:

Overview

Basic Information

• Located in Tempozan Harbor Village (Osaka Bay area)
• Height: 112.5 meters (369 feet)
• Diameter: 100 meters
• Opened in 1997
• Was the world's tallest ferris wheel from 1997-1999
• One of Osaka's most recognizable landmarks

The Experience

Ride Details

• Duration: 15 minutes for one complete rotation
• 60 gondolas total
• Each gondola holds up to 8 people
• Climate-controlled cabins (heated/air-conditioned)
• Smooth, slow rotation

Types of Gondolas

• Standard gondolas (most of them)
• See-through floor gondolas (4 gondolas only)
  • Transparent floor panels
  • More thrilling experience
  • No extra charge, but limited availability
  • First-come, first-served

Views & Scenery

What You Can See

Day Views:

• Osaka Bay and harbor
• Osaka Port facilities
• Osaka city skyline
• Osaka Aquarium building below
• Universal Studios Japan area (in distance)
• Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (on clear days)
• Kansai International Airport (on very clear days)
• Mt. Ikoma mountain range
• Kobe area across the bay

Sunset Views:

• Spectacular golden hour over the bay
• Most popular time to ride
• Sun sets over the water
• City lights beginning to illuminate

Night Views:

• Illuminated Osaka cityscape
• Harbor lights reflected on water
• Romantic atmosphere
• The wheel itself is beautifully lit

Special Features

LED Light Display

• The wheel is illuminated with colorful LED lights at night
• Creates stunning visual displays
• Visible from far away

Weather Forecasting Colors

• The nighttime illumination color indicates next day's weather:
  • Orange/Red = Sunny tomorrow
  • Green = Cloudy tomorrow
  • Blue = Rainy tomorrow
• Fun local tradition!

Practical Information

Operating Hours:

• Typically 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (last boarding 9:30 PM)
• May vary seasonally
• Extended hours during peak seasons
• Check before visiting in bad weather (may close temporarily)

Admission:

• Adults: ¥800-1,000
• Children (ages 3-12): ¥500
• Children under 3: Free
• No advance reservation needed
• Purchase tickets at the base

Access:

• Station: Osakako Station (Osaka Metro Chuo Line - Green Line)
• 5-minute walk from station
• Follow signs to Tempozan Harbor Village
• About 25 minutes from Namba, 30 minutes from Umeda

Address:

• 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka

Tips for the Best Experience

Timing:

• Sunset is most popular - arrive early to avoid long waits
• Early morning - least crowded, clearest air
• Night (after 8 PM) - shorter lines, beautiful lights
• Weekdays - less crowded than weekends

Weather:

• Clear days offer the best views (can see very far)
• Check weather forecast before going
• Some haze is normal over the bay
• Winter often has clearest air
• Ride continues in light rain

Photography:

• Bring camera/smartphone
• Clean windows for good photos
• Shoot at the top for best panoramas
• Golden hour (sunset) is magical for photos
• Night shots of the city lights are stunning
• The wheel itself makes great photos from outside

See-Through Floor Gondolas:

• Only 4 available out of 60
• Ask staff if available when buying ticket
• Popular with thrill-seekers
• Free (no extra charge)
• Not scary - just exciting!

What to Expect

Pros: ✅ Spectacular 360° views ✅ Smooth, comfortable ride ✅ Climate-controlled (comfortable year-round) ✅ Affordable price ✅ Beautiful at any time of day ✅ Easy to access ✅ Iconic Osaka landmark ✅ Great for all ages

Cons: ❌ Can have long waits at sunset/weekends ❌ Views can be hazy on humid days ❌ Industrial port views (not everyone's preference) ❌ Stops are rare (continuous rotation)

Nearby Attractions (Tempozan Area)

The ferris wheel is part of a cluster of attractions - easy to spend 4-6 hours here:

Within 5 Minutes Walk:

• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (one of world's largest) - highly recommended
• Legoland Discovery Center Osaka (indoor, for kids)
• Santa Maria Cruise (harbor cruise boat)
• Tempozan Marketplace (shopping mall with restaurants)
• Tempozan Park (small harbor-side park)

Dining Options:

• Restaurants in Tempozan Marketplace
• Cafés with bay views
• Food court options
• Convenience stores

Suggested Itinerary

Half-Day Plan:

1. Morning/early afternoon: Osaka Aquarium (2-3 hours)
2. Lunch at Tempozan Marketplace
3. Afternoon: Ferris wheel ride
4. Optional: Santa Maria cruise or shopping

Evening Plan:

1. Arrive late afternoon
2. Early dinner at Tempozan
3. Ferris wheel at sunset (most popular)
4. Enjoy night illumination
5. Walk around the harbor

Best For:

✅ Couples (romantic sunset/night views) ✅ Families with children ✅ Photography enthusiasts ✅ Anyone visiting the aquarium ✅ Views of Osaka from different perspective ✅ First-time visitors to Osaka

Safety & Accessibility

• Safe for all ages
• Wheelchair accessible gondolas available (inform staff)
• Strollers can be brought on
• Not recommended for those with severe fear of heights
• Very stable - minimal motion sickness