Oriental Building Rooftop Ferris Wheel

Japan's Oldest Surviving Rooftop Ferris Wheel

Perched atop the Nagoya Mitsukoshi Sakae department store in the heart of Nagoya's bustling Sakae district, the Oriental Building Rooftop Ferris Wheel (オリエンタルビル屋上観覧車) is a charming relic of Japan's postwar department store culture. Built in 1956, this compact Ferris wheel holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving rooftop Ferris wheel in all of Japan. Designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 2007, it stands as a beloved symbol of a bygone era when department store rooftops were vibrant amusement parks filled with the laughter of children.

A Window into Postwar Department Store Culture

The story of this Ferris wheel begins in 1954, when the Oriental Nakamura Department Store opened in a three-story building in Nagoya's Sakae district. A first-generation Ferris wheel was installed on the rooftop at the time of opening. In October 1956, the building was expanded from three to seven stories, and the current second-generation Ferris wheel was installed on the new rooftop. At that time, there were no high-rise buildings in central Nagoya, and riders could enjoy panoramic views stretching as far as the Aichi Prefectural Government Office.

During the heyday of Japan's rapid economic growth, rooftop amusement parks were a standard feature of department stores across the country. The Oriental Building's rooftop featured not only the Ferris wheel but also merry-go-rounds, rocket rides, and other attractions. On busy days, as many as 2,000 people would ride the Ferris wheel, and the lines grew so long that separate entrance and exit points had to be established. The rooftop also boasted soft-serve ice cream stands and even a pet shop selling dogs, birds, and goldfish.

Why It Was Designated a Cultural Property

On July 31, 2007, the Oriental Building Rooftop Ferris Wheel was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The designation recognizes it as the oldest surviving example of a rooftop Ferris wheel in the country — a rare and irreplaceable piece of Japan's modern industrial and cultural heritage.

The Ferris wheel is a steel-frame structure standing 12 meters tall with a span of 6.2 meters between its two triangular-pyramid support columns. A steel circular wheel with a diameter of 10 meters is mounted between the columns, and nine four-person gondolas in red, green, and yellow are suspended from the outer rim of the wheel. It was manufactured by Showa Iron Works Co., Ltd. (昭和鉄工株式会社), a specialist amusement ride manufacturer based in Tokyo. Its survival in operable condition for nearly seven decades makes it an exceptionally rare artifact of Japan's entertainment industry history.

Highlights and Charm

What makes this Ferris wheel so captivating is not its size — at just 10 meters in diameter, it is tiny by modern standards — but its evocative power. Standing on the rooftop of a department store in the middle of one of Japan's largest cities, it conjures up vivid images of an era when families would spend their weekends shopping at department stores, with children playing happily in rooftop amusement parks while their parents browsed the floors below.

The colorful gondolas — painted in cheerful red, green, and yellow — remain in remarkably good condition despite being exposed to the elements for nearly seven decades. Near the Ferris wheel stands a charming kangaroo statue, a remnant from the building's days as the Oriental Nakamura Department Store. Designed by renowned graphic designer Takashi Kono, the kangaroo served as the store's mascot from 1962 until the department store was renamed Nagoya Mitsukoshi in 1980.

Although riders can no longer board the Ferris wheel for safety reasons, the structure has been carefully maintained. Visitors are free to view and photograph the Ferris wheel during the store's business hours. On Sundays and holidays, maintenance staff occasionally rotate the wheel for inspection purposes around noon and 3:00 PM, offering visitors a rare chance to see this cultural treasure in gentle motion.

From Department Store Icon to Cultural Treasure

The Ferris wheel operated continuously from 1956 until July 2005, carrying generations of Nagoya families on its slow, four-minute rotations. In its later years, ridership declined as suburban theme parks and modern entertainment options drew families away from rooftop amusement parks. By 1995, monthly ridership had fallen to around 500 people, and staff would only turn on the Ferris wheel when a customer actually arrived.

After operations ceased in 2005, the Ferris wheel was preserved in place through the strong commitment of the Oriental Building Company. The company's founder, Sawa Hiramatsu, had originally created the rooftop amusement park, and her grandson, current president Junichiro, grew up playing there. The family's deep attachment to the Ferris wheel has ensured its survival as a registered cultural property. The building itself is now subject to redevelopment plans, and the company has expressed its intention to preserve the Ferris wheel as a symbol of Nagoya's heritage, exploring options for relocation or restoration when the time comes.

Nearby Attractions

The Sakae district where the Ferris wheel is located is one of Nagoya's premier entertainment and shopping areas, offering plenty to see and do before or after your visit.

• Sunshine Sakae & Sky-Boat: Just 150 meters away, this modern commercial building features a 40-meter-diameter Ferris wheel built into its facade. Riding the Sky-Boat offers a striking contrast to the vintage charm of the Oriental Building Ferris wheel and provides sweeping views of the Sakae skyline.
• Oasis 21: A futuristic glass-roofed facility located near Sakae Station, featuring a rooftop water feature called the "Galaxy Platform," shops, restaurants, and a bus terminal. Its illuminated nightscape is one of Nagoya's most iconic sights.
• Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER (formerly Nagoya TV Tower): Japan's first radio wave tower, built in 1954, is also a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. The observation deck offers panoramic views of the city, and the surrounding Hisaya Odori Park is a pleasant place for a stroll.
• Nagoya Castle: About 2 km north of Sakae, this iconic castle features the famous golden shachihoko roof ornaments and the magnificently reconstructed Honmaru Palace with its stunning fusuma paintings.