Osaka Tsutenkaku Shinsekai The Story of Tsutenkaku #Osaka #Tsutenkaku

Lights shine, hot atmosphere, delicious food Tsutenkaku is a symbolic tower that stands tall in Shinsekai, Naniwa-ku, Osaka. The first Tsutenkaku was built in 1912 (Meiji 45) to imitate the Eiffel Tower in France, and was 64 meters tall. However, it was demolished in 1943 after a fire during World War II. The current Tsutenkaku was rebuilt in 1956 (Showa 31) and is 108 meters tall. It was designed by Naito Tachū and is considered one of the best examples of modern Japanese tower architecture. The observation deck offers a panoramic view of the Osaka cityscape, making it a popular spot for many tourists. Tsutenkaku also enshrines the god of good fortune, Billiken-san, and it is said that if you stroke his feet, your wishes will come true. For this reason, you will often see visitors stroking the soles of his feet. Tsutenkaku is closely linked to Osaka's popular culture, and the surrounding area is lined with old-fashioned shopping streets and restaurants, where you can enjoy Osaka specialties such as kushikatsu. Today, it continues to be loved by many people as a symbol of Osaka.