HEP Five Ferris Wheel in Osaka

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Facts & Figures

HEP Five Ferris Wheel built on top of the HEP (means "Hankyu Entertainment Park") Five shopping complex is an impressive sight and a landmark of the Kita Umeda district in Osaka. The diameter of the bright red Ferris wheel is 75 metres and the highest point reaches 106 metres above ground. From there, you have a great 360-degree panoramic view over downtown Osaka, Osaka Station, Harbor, Akashi Strait, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and even Mt. Ikoma can be seen in the far distance.  Explore Ryokans in Osaka >
Ryokans are the perfect way to discover old Japanese culture and traditions. Every one of those 52 gondolas has 4 seats and is air-conditioned, a very valuable fact during the hot and humid summertime, and heated during the wintertime. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes. The best sightseeing spots are drawn on the rear window of the gondola, so you can’t miss them. You can access the Ferris wheel on the 7th floor of the building. The ticket for the ride can be purchased online here. My tip: You should plan a HEP Five Ferris Wheel ride for the night. The view from the top over an ocean of lights is breathtaking. There is also the possibility to connect your mobile phone to the internal speaker of the gondola and listen to some music. After this exciting experience, you can explore 170 shops, restaurants, and a Toho Cinema Complex inside the mall.

• HEP Five Ferris Wheel:
• Opening Hours - 11:00 am to 11:00 pm (last entry 10:45 pm)
• Closed - Irregular holidays
• Admission Fee - 600 yen (Primary school student & older)

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the highlights and hidden gems of the fascinating metropolis Osaka with a local guide? For more details check out this page >

History

The HEP Five shopping complex was built in 1998 and welcomes every year appr. 17 million visitors. This makes it one of the most popular fashion malls in the Osaka metropolitan area. The building is owned by Hankyu Realty Co. and Hankyu REIT.

Sightseeing spots in and around HEP Five

Top:

Replica of 2 whales - Watch out for these huge sculptures hanging from the ceiling, which were designed by artist Tatsuya Ishii (born in 1959). The larger one has a length of 20 meters.

HEP Five shopping complex - It contains from the 1st to the 6th floor more than 170 shops with brands like Fluffy, Mayson Grey, Tommy, Pinky Girls, Misch Masch, and GAP, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. You can also enjoy there the Sega Joypolis-Arcade-Center. On the 7th floor can be found a great selection of Japanese and Western cuisine. The floor space of the building covers over 45000 square meters.

HEP NAVIO - The boat-shaped shopping complex is located close to HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel. It features also restaurants and a Cineplex.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

July

Tenjin Matsuri Festival (24th till 25th)
Osaka’s greatest traditional festival (over 1000 years old) and ranked as one of the top 3 festivals in Japan. Enjoy spectacular processions on land and in the water, great fireworks, and a unique atmosphere created by the traditional costumes and music. My must-see recommendation for you.