Panoramic views at the "Sky Walk" from dusk to night

The Umeda Sky Building is one of the high rise buildings in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city.  It is a landmark in the northwestern Osaka. 

Umeda Sky Building was chosen as one of “The Top 20 Buildings Around the World” by Dorling Kindersley in The Times in 2008.  The design, a pair of skyscrapers connected in midair, is rare in the world. “In terms of high-thrill buildings, you don’t get much more of an adrenaline rush than the Umeda Sky Building. Two gleaming, high-tech, 40-storey towers stand side by side, reflecting the sky, joined only at their top two storeys. The enormous void between the towers is crossed by bridges and escalators, and a rooftop observatory, open to the elements, offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city to those staunch enough to brave the vertigo.” (The Times)

Image via Wikipedia
"Sky Walk" is the circular part on the top.

The escalotor which connects 35th to 39th floor "Floating Garden Observatory" is the longest, the most beautiful, and the most thrilling escalator I've ever riden. I felt like that I was ascending to the sky through the catheral-like dome.  The sky and the city below can be seen from the escalator, but be careful if you feel dizzy.

“Sky Walk”, the rooftop corridor of the "Floating Garden Observatory" which connects two main towers, is open to the sky.  Let's enjoyy the fresh air and 360-degree panoramic views.  

Up and down escalators in midair

The sun is softly setting behind the Rokko Mountains dyeing the cities in purplish hue.

The north side is still bright in the softened light.

When placed on the right side of the first photo, this photo and that will make a panorama.

These are some buildings towering above its neighbors in the east. 

Over the mountains is Nara where I live.

  The sun is emitting its dazzling final glow.

The Yodo River flows into the sea in the south.

Electric lights start to be lit up here and there.

The whole corridor is paved with phosphorescent stones that absorb ultraviolet rays. When the darkness is fallen, those stones start emitting light on their own to produce a fantastic promenade.



Under your feet

Lit-up escalators and the city below seen through the void from the Sky Walk

  The city is transformed into the sea of light.

The brighter the city becomes at night, the less visible the stars are.  While I think there's nothing like clearly visible starry sky, I like to see the twinkling sea of the city light.

Each light looks to show miracles and wisdom of human mind. I wondered where we would go when we climb up the civilization, while admiring the man-made twinkling beauty in the cool breeze.  I really hope these lights not be extinguished by human follies.

These are two of some bridges I cross by train or by car when I go back to my hometown, Kobe.

I saw more foreign tourists from various different countries than Japanese on the observatory. 

Umeda Sky Building is one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in Osaka.