Tower of the Sun (Expo '70 Commemorative Park)

This symbolic art installation for the Theme Pavilion in Japan’s first Expo '70 (Osaka Expo) was designed by the artist Taro Okamoto. It is approximately 70m tall. Currently, the tower is a symbol of Osaka’s Expo '70 Commemorative Park.

The Osaka Expo boasted approximately 64.21 million visitors. The Theme Pavilion had approximately 9 million visitors, becoming a popular pavilion. Contrary to its initial proposal, the tower was decided to be preserved after the Osaka Expo. For a while, the interior was closed to the public, but after various refurbishments, repairs, preservation efforts, and earthquake protection, the tower has been open to the public since March 19th, 2018. In August 2020, the tower became a National Tangible Current Asset.

The tower is composed of the top the “Golden Mask” which represents the future, the front the “Face of the Sun” which represents the present, and the past is represented by “The Black Sun” at the back. In the basement floor, the “Underground Sun” represents the birth of the human race. Inside is the “Tree of Life'' installation that illustrates 4 billion years of the evolution of mankind.

The “Underground Sun” is currently missing after being gifted to an unknown entity after the expo. As such, a replica was constructed alongside the refurbishment of the tower, and is currently on display. Admission prioritizes those who reserved their spot, and reservations are available from a day before to 120 days. Register on their official website, and make your reservation.