Giant Ferris Wheel Ebisu Tower
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Namba Station · 5 min walk (Osaka Metro Midōsuji Line, Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line, Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line)
- Hours
- 11:00–22:00 (last boarding 21:30; Tuesdays open at 13:00)
- Admission
- ¥1,000
- Time needed
- 20–30 min
- Best time to go
- After sunset, when Dotonbori's neon signage illuminates and views toward Tsutenkaku and Abeno Harukas are visible against the night skyline
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Built directly into the facade of the Don Quijote Dotonbori store, this unique oblong-shaped Ferris wheel offers a thrilling 15-minute ride with panoramic views of Osaka's most famous canal district. Unlike traditional wheels, its yellow cars rotate 180 degrees as they ascend, facing riders outward toward the neon-drenched skyline. It is a quirky, iconic landmark that perfectly captures Dotonbori's high-energy, eccentric charm.
What Japanese guides note
Riders enter by navigating through the first floor of the active Don Quijote discount store to locate the dedicated queue stairs. Operations halt during strong winds or rainstorms, so weather conditions should be checked on-site before ticket purchase. Because gondolas use full-length front glass and horizontal bench seating, looking down over the canal at the 77.4-meter peak can be disorienting for visitors sensitive to heights.
Details from local sources
- The boarding stairs are located on the ground floor of Don Quijote directly beside the tax-free checkout registers. [source]
- The wheel delays its opening to 13:00 every Tuesday to conduct regular technical maintenance. [source]
- Each of the 32 gondolas seats four riders side-by-side in a single row rather than opposing benches. [source]
- After opening in March 2005, the wheel was suspended due to mechanical faults in June 2008 and remained inoperative for nearly a decade before reopening in January 2018. [source]
Insider Tip
Ride at night when the Dotonbori neon lights are fully glowing, and use the discount coupon from the Don Quijote tax-free app if shopping.
Frequently asked
Where do visitors buy tickets and board the Ferris wheel?
Tickets are purchased at automated ticketing machines on the ground floor of Don Quijote Dotonbori. The boarding path starts at a staircase directly next to the first-floor tax-free checkout counters, taking passengers up to the boarding platform and waiting area on the third floor.
Does the Ferris wheel run in poor weather conditions?
Operations suspend during high winds, lightning, and heavy precipitation for safety reasons. Service resumes once conditions normalize. In addition, scheduled weekly maintenance runs every Tuesday morning, pushing opening time back to 13:00 unless the Tuesday coincides with a public holiday.
What landmarks are visible from the highest point of the ride?
At the 77.4-meter apex, riders look south directly over Dotonbori canal, the Sennichimae entertainment quarter, Tsutenkaku tower, and the Abeno Harukas skyscraper. Looking behind during the circuit provides views north toward the high-rise office districts around Umeda and Nakanoshima.
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Photos
