Tsutenkaku

Perhaps as iconic though not as internationally famous, Tsutenkaku is a symbol of Osaka. Dubbed as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka, Tsutenkaku is the signature landmark of the Shinsekai district and has the same manga-​inspired nostalgic vibe as the neighborhood that represents. If you take any photos of Shinsekai, be sure to have this symbolic tower in the backdrop!
Originally constructed in 1912 as an Eiffel Tower on top of an Arc de Triomphe, Tsutenkaku was a tall representation of the Shinsekai’s Paris half. However, after the fall of Shinsekai after WWII, the entire neighborhood changed its development direction to a nostalgic vibe and the tower that was burned in a fire was reconstructed to its current state. It may take a lot of imagination to see this tower as an Eiffel Tower imitation, so the new Tsutenkaku is even more Osaka than Paris!
Tsutenkaku also has an observatory on the top. However, if you are expecting a world-​class observatory like the Umeda Sky Building, you will be disappointed. The observatory room is relatively narrow, and the glass are not immune to the glare of its own interior light. Although Tsutenkaku is nowhere near the tallest in Osaka, its location makes it a stellar unobstructed view of the Osaka skyline if you can see through the glare!
I think the biggest winner of the observatory isn’t the observatory itself. Instead, the mini museum that shows Osaka’s past and the Glico gift shop are the true attractions! Heck, the amount of Pocky in the Glico gift shop is absolutely insane! Be sure to check out some nostalgic merchandises that this unique shop has in stock.
Is the Tsutenkaku observatory a must-​go destination? Probably not, but it is an interesting place to check out nonetheless especially if you are already in the Shinsekai area!
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tl;dr version:
1) An iconic Osaka symbol and the standard for Shinsekai
2) Mediocre observatory but cool gift shop!

This tower is the symbol of Osaka.
The area around the tower is called Shin-​sekai, the meaning is new world.
Yes, it was a new world in hundred years ago.
You can look around Osaka from the top of the tower, the entry fee is 700 yen, and you have to wait on line on holidays.
I recommend you should go up one time and second time you just walk around this area and have good Osaka food.
But don’t follow the person who invite you to some Izakaya!
These ones are terrible and very expensive.
You have to research good restaurants by Unilocal!
大阪のシンボルといえる塔、通天閣。
大阪のシンボルってこれといい、太陽の塔といい、けったいなもんばっかり。
新世界と言われるエリアにあります。
そう、100年前の新しい世界、そこが新世界です。
700円払って上に登ると大阪の街が見渡せます。
南側は…あまり凝視しないように。
休みの日は登るのにも行列です。
一度登れば十分で、周りの大阪グルメを楽しんでください。
ただし、客引きしてるお店は絶対にダメ！
不味いし高いし、ちゃんと調べてお店に行きましょう！

Tsutenkaku Tower is talked about a lot in tourism books, always being called a cross between the Eiffel Tower and Arc de triumph. This might be hard to imagine, but once you’re there you’ll get it.
If you’ve bought an Amazing Pass you’ll be able to ride up to the top of the tower for free. And soon you’ll be confronted by the wonder that is Biliken. He is everywhere there and around the area. But you’ll also get some great views of Osaka.

Can’t miss it in this part of town, the Eiffel Tower of Osaka if you will. I was in the area mainly to score some killer takoyaki and other tasty treats in the neighborhood below it. Not as impressive as the Sky Tree in Tokyo or even Kyoto Tower, as the shape of the tower is much like an air traffic control tower.
There’s some trivial history behind the tower but nothing too exciting. As for soaking in some views of the city, I’d save the cash here and spend it at the Umeda Sky Building 40 floors up or at Osaka Castle for some panoramic backdrops.

If you’re in the Shinsekai area, you can’t miss the Tsutenkaku. It’s the easiest landmark to spot. The tower isn’t too tall or anything, so it’s not the best observatory deck to go to. I also wouldn’t recommend going out of your way just for Tsutenkaku. Hit up Umeda Sky Building instead.

I have long wanted to come here. I don’t want to go to Eiffel Tower in Paris or Sky Tree in Tokyo. In the first place I really wanted to come here! This tower became catchy, when it was centennial. It was introduced in various media. But I am sorry to say I thought this area was unsafe and unwholesome. So I hesitated to visit here. However my common sense was overthrown. This area is very popular and active. I became to love it.
This tower was modeled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It soars in the center of the mall. I was overwhelmed by its outstanding existence. I entered the tower. I had to go underground by elevator or stairs. I bought an entrance ticket, which costs 700 yen including a chocolate (only for adult). I also got on an elevator to upstairs and got off it at 5^th floor. I had to wait for 15 minutes to look around the tower. The day I visited was weekday, but it was crowded with sightseers. After I got off the elevator, staff members took a picture of the each customer. They yelled, «Hi, Tsuten!» instead of «Hi Cheese». They checked if they took a picture properly. If it was OK, they yelled, «Tore Tower» instead of «Toretawa». It meant they succeeded in taking a picture. Osaka people like jokes, humor, and puns. There were many puns in the tower. If you come here, you will feel humor of Osaka persons.
I’m sorry I am always derailed. Anyway, the views were splendid! I could enjoy panorama of Osaka city. I first met the third Mr. Biriken who has supported Tsutenkaku as a guardian angel of the good luck. In 1908 an American popular female novelist met a unique deity in her dream, which was a model of Biriken. He is funny and amiable and smiles to make us happy.
In this tower the history and appearance when Tsutenkaku was established was introduced by screen and miniature. An amusement park or theater stretched over the tower. Dreamy world! Very fantastic! A lot of people flocked here so that this area was overcrowded on consecutive days.
Therefore I was shocked to see that the tower broke down by air attack during war. But I was glad that it was reconstructed and still exists now.
I happened to meet university students in Hiroshima here. They tripped as a group to enjoy Osaka. They said to me «Okonomiyaki is famous in Hiroshima. So we are going to eat Takoyaki here». So I bought cookies of Takoyaki in an inside souvenir shop and gave them the cookies. I parted from them, saying, «Have a nice trip». They replied with smile, «Thank you». Such an encounter is the cream of one-​day trips!