Are there any age or safety restrictions?

Children under 5 years old cannot ride alone and must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older. Individuals under the influence of alcohol or in poor health are not permitted to ride. Wheelchair users should inform staff in advance, and the ride will pause briefly for safe boarding and disembarking.

What can visitors expect inside the gondolas?

All 28 gondolas are equipped with see-through windows, air conditioning, and tablets. Each gondola can accommodate 4 people, for a total capacity of 112 persons. The transparent design provides unobstructed panoramic views of Nagoya's cityscape, and visitors particularly recommend riding at sunset or after dark for spectacular views of the illuminated city.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

No. Tickets are purchased directly at the attraction on a walk-up basis, with minimal queuing even on weekends

Can the ride operate in bad weather?

Sky-Boat operates during light rain, but may suspend operations during severe weather such as strong winds or thunderstorms.

Sky-Boat, Nagoya

4.1 (450)Ferris WheelTourist AttractionPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Sky-Boat is a distinctive Ferris wheel mounted on the exterior wall of Sunshine Sakae, a multi-floor shopping and entertainment complex in Nagoya's Sakae district. Opened in March 2005, this attraction transformed the commercial landscape of central Nagoya with its unusual architectural integration. The 42-meter diameter wheel features 28 transparent glass gondolas, creating the sensation of floating above the city streets as riders ascend to a maximum height of 52 meters.

The Ferris wheel represents a bold fusion of retail and recreation in urban Japan. Sunshine Sakae itself comprises six floors above ground plus one basement level, housing everything from the SKE48 idol group theater and performance space to fashion boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Sky-Boat serves as both a functional attraction and a visual landmark, illuminated by LED lights at night to create a striking presence along Nishiki-dori, one of Nagoya's main thoroughfares.

Riders experience panoramic views of the Sakae commercial district during the 15-minute rotation. The transparent gondolas provide unobstructed sightlines toward nearby landmarks including the Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER and the illuminated glass structure of Oasis 21. Each gondola seats four passengers and remains climate-controlled year-round.

Admission costs ¥500 to ¥600 per person, paid by inserting coins directly into machines at the entrance (currency exchange machines are available). The location places visitors within walking distance of Nagoya's downtown shopping arcades and cultural attractions.

Access is straightforward via Sakae Station on the Nagoya Municipal Subway, directly connected to the building through Exit 8. From Nagoya Station, the Higashiyama Line reaches Sakae in just 5 minutes with fares at ¥210. The boarding platform is located on the third floor of Sunshine Sakae, near escalators by McDonald's and Tully's Coffee.

What other travelers are saying about Sky-Boat, Nagoya

You can see the whole city.It might be better to do it at night when the city lights are on.

t m

Feb 9, 2026

It had a very beautiful view, it is well located and worth it for 600¥ It has a small screen so you can entertainment. I would totally recommend to go here!

I went on the Ferris wheel tonight with my friend, and the staff we encountered were extremely rude. They assumed we couldn’t understand Japanese and started talking about us behind our backs. We were simply asking a normal question to confirm some information, but they kept insisting it was “absolutely impossible” and even accused us of lying. One of them even said that “Chinese people love to lie,” which was completely unacceptable and discriminatory. When I confronted them, they only apologized reluctantly, and their attitude was terrible. This was an awful experience. I strongly advise everyone not to come here.

Shirley zhang

Dec 9, 2025

No queue at all even though I visited on saturday. Adult ticket is ¥600. It was summer but don’t worry it’s cool inside it 😁

Nice relaxing Ferris wheel ride. Easy to find on 3rd floor. Escalators just next to McDonald’s and Tully’s with easy to follow signs. Directly across from Don Quijote and Big Echo Karaoke, which is most of the view until on top. Went on a rainy day for a relaxing ride

Sky-Boat, Nagoya

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What other travelers are saying about Sky-Boat, Nagoya

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