HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: September 15, 2026 · Facts verified: September 15, 2026
- Area
- Umeda, Osaka
- Best For
- Couples, Families, Photography
Visiting HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
The HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel is the bright red, 106-meter Ferris wheel mounted on the rooftop and upper floors of the HEP FIVE shopping and entertainment building in Umeda, one of the most recognizable landmarks in that part of Osaka. It's a specific, separately ticketed ride, not a synonym for HEP FIVE as a whole; the wider building, with its H&M, UNIQLO, ZARA, and Toho Cinemas among dozens of other tenants, is a different thing from the wheel sitting on top of it.
It's also a different experience from Umeda Sky Building's Floating Garden Observatory, a separate building about 10 to 15 minutes on foot with a static viewing platform roughly 70 meters higher up. HEP FIVE's wheel trades altitude for novelty: you board an enclosed, air-conditioned four-seat gondola on the 7th floor, and one full revolution takes about 15 minutes.
The ride closed for renovation and reopened on April 22, 2026, with admission rising from ¥800 to ¥1,000 per adult. Some older travel pages still cite the pre-renovation price, so it's worth confirming the current figure before you go rather than assuming an older number still applies.
Things to Do at HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
Ride the Wheel
Board one of 52 four-seat, air-conditioned gondolas on the 7th floor for a roughly 15-minute revolution reaching 106 meters, with music playing inside the cabin.
Go at Night for the Skyline
After dark, the wheel itself lights up red against Umeda's skyline, and the gondola views take in the district's illuminated streets and neighboring towers.
Go During the Day for Distance Views
On clear days, daytime rides can extend as far as the Akashi Strait, a different kind of view than the nighttime cityscape.
Pair It With HEP FIVE Shopping
The boarding floor sits within the wider HEP FIVE building, so the ride combines easily with a stop at any of its shops, restaurants, or Toho Cinemas before or after.
How to Get to HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
HEP FIVE sits in the heart of Umeda, within easy walking distance of Osaka's main Umeda-area stations.
By Hankyu Railway
Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station is about a 3-minute walk, the closest station to the building.
From JR Osaka Station or Osaka Metro
JR Osaka Station and the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi lines are also within easy walking distance through Umeda's connected pedestrian network.
For IC cards, tickets, and full transit basics for Osaka, see the complete transportation guide.
Getting Around Osaka →Best Time to Visit HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
Daytime for clear views toward the Akashi Strait; night for Osaka's illuminated skyline.
Entry Fee & Hours
- •Admission increased from ¥800 to ¥1,000 per adult at the ride's April 22, 2026 reopening after renovation.
- •A ¥200 discount applies with the Hankyu Hanshin Outing Card/App or STACIA Card.
- •Operations may be suspended without notice for high winds, thunderstorms, or maintenance, with no refunds issued for weather-related suspensions.
Nearby Attractions
Combine with HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel on the same day
Frequently Asked Questions
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