Sealed for nearly half a century, Osaka’s Tower of the Sun to open to public in March

The "Tower of the Sun," erected to commemorate the 1970 International Exposition held in Osaka, is regarded as a symbol of the expo. Designed with the concepts of the “Past,” “Present,” and “Future,” the 70-meter-tall tower with a 20-meter base diameter and 25-meter-long arms was created by artist Taro Okamoto. Its hollow interior served as an exhibition space during the 1970 Osaka Expo but has been closed to the public for a long time since. With almost half a century having passed, many are curious about the tower’s interior and eager to catch a glimpse inside.

It has now been confirmed that the Tower of the Sun will open to visitors starting March 19, with reservations being accepted as of now. Once opened, it is expected to accommodate 1,120 visitors per day. Current ticket prices are set at 700 yen for high school students and above, and 300 yen for junior high and elementary school students. The revenue will be used for the maintenance, preservation, and management of the Tower of the Sun.

In fact, preparations for opening the Tower of the Sun to the public began two years ago. Seismic reinforcement and fire safety work started in October 2016, and after the work was largely completed last year, the media were invited inside the tower for the first time to unveil its mysterious appearance after 50 years. Compared to its ultra-modern exterior, the tower’s interior resembles a fantastical world — a towering Tree of Life in vibrant colors depicts the evolution of primitive life into humans, and under the lighting, the interior takes on an even more magical atmosphere.