Imagine a Ferris wheel ride. Now add hot sake, and a warm kotatsu. That’s the Redhorse Osaka Wheel experience. It’s not just any Ferris wheel. It’s Japan’s tallest.
The Redhorse Osaka Wheel stands 123 meters high. This giant Ferris wheel is at Expocity in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. Opened in 2016, it boasts 72 gondolas. From these gondolas, you can see the Tower of the Sun. This tower is a symbol of Expo ’70. The Osaka Wheel isn’t the first wheel on this site. Actually, it is the third.
The first wheel was the Wonder Wheel. It was installed for Expo ’70. It stayed until 1986. Next came Technocosmos. After Expo ’85 in Tsukuba, it moved to Suita in 1986. It was then renamed Technostar. Sadly, it was dismantled in 2009. Expoland closed at that time. Finally, the Redhorse Osaka Wheel was installed in 2016. It became part of Expocity.
The wheels got taller over time. The Wonder Wheel was 40 meters. Technostar was 85 meters. The Osaka Wheel reached 123 meters. The number of gondolas also grew. There were 24, then 48, and now 72. The base has seismic isolation. This ensures safety during earthquakes.
For a unique experience, try the Kotatsu in the Sky. It’s a special winter service. Several gondolas have a kotatsu. A kotatsu is a heated table with a blanket. You can relax in warmth. You also get great city views. The interiors evoke a Showa-retro feel. That’s a nostalgic recreation of Japan’s Showa era. The wall decorations fit this theme. They include artificial shoji paper door frames.
To enhance the experience, choose a plan with refreshments. Enjoy a hot can of oden. Oden is a winter snack of various foods soaked in water. Or select oden and hot sake. The sake comes from Kobe brewer Kenbishi Shuzo. They have been in operation since 1505. If you don’t want sake, you can swap it for a soft drink.
The Kotatsu in the Sky is available from December to the end of February. You can book a one-rotation ride. That lasts 18 minutes. Or choose a two-rotation ride for 36 minutes.
Imagine sitting under a warm kotatsu. You sip hot sake. The city lights twinkle below. The Redhorse Osaka Wheel offers more than a ride. It offers an unforgettable memory.