The Theme Pavilion of Expo '70
The Tower of the Sun (太陽の塔) is the theme pavilion of Expo '70 of 1970 in Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 27, 2025 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a structure of reinforced concrete, steel-reinforced concrete and steel, two storeys and a basement, with a building area of 292.14 square metres; the Tree of Life inside and 54 drawings are included in the designation; designation number 02792.
The Theme Pavilion of Expo '70
The Tower of the Sun was a pavilion of the Osaka World Exposition held in 1970 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). With the great roof of the Festival Plaza at the heart of the site, it served as the theme exhibition expressing "Progress and Harmony for Mankind". It was designed by the artist Okamoto Taro, the producer of the theme exhibition.
Recent structural strengthening has made it a permanent building (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau notes that the interior, closed in principle after the expo, was restored and opened to the public in 2018.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency notes that, to realise Okamoto's design faithfully, leading scholars, designers and builders pooled the most advanced techniques of the day: complex three-dimensional curves were expressed mathematically, and a mixed concrete and steel structure was clad in a shell of wet-sprayed shotcrete, an early use in building. It is valued as the monument of Expo '70, a symbol of Japan's era of rapid growth.
What to Look For
Look for the shell that forms the huge, singular outline and, inside, the Tree of Life included in the designation (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
According to the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau, the interior is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last entry 4:30 p.m.), closed on Wednesdays in line with the park. Admission is 720 yen for adults and 310 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and park admission is normally also required (a combined ticket costs 930 and 380 yen). Reserved visitors have priority; book on the official site by the day before. It is about 10 minutes on foot from Banpaku-kinen-koen Station on the Osaka Monorail.
Q&A
- When was the Tower of the Sun built?
- For the Osaka World Exposition of 1970 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Tower of the Sun?
- In Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.
- What should I look for?
- The shell that realises Okamoto Taro's design and the Tree of Life inside.
- Can I visit the Tower of the Sun?
- Yes; the interior is open with priority for reservations, closed on Wednesdays.
- When was the Tower of the Sun designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On August 27, 2025 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tower of the Sun (太陽の塔) |
|---|---|
| Location | 41-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2025/08/27 (Reiwa 7) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | RC, SRC and steel; 292.14 m²; two storeys and basement |
| Owner | Osaka Prefecture |
| Public Access | Interior open (reservations prioritised, closed Wednesdays) |
References
- Tower of the Sun (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/00005869
- Tower of the Sun (Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau, Japanese)
- https://osaka-info.jp/special/universal/course05/spot1/
Last verified: 2026.10.15