In Nishi ward, visit Daido Life Osaka Head Office Building, an architectural beauty and a bit of a curiosity, worth making a short walk from the subway station to view.
From a distance, notice how the shape of the building appears similar to a sharpened pencil standing on its pointed end. Despite its seeming fragility, the building is quite sturdy. It was constructed in 1993 and has withstood several earthquakes including the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995 that devastated parts of nearby Kobe and a 2018 quake centered in Osaka.
The structure’s main shape is a tall square prism, but the building actually has eight sides, with corners cut off each vertical edge. Notice the windows with high arches on the second floor while the 19th floor has narrow arched windows.
Stand below the building and gaze up at the supporting columns that fan out in a beautiful shape, almost like the underside of flower petals.
The building rises skyward 19 stories, with an additional three floors underground. It is 288.71 feet (88 meters) tall.
Enter the lobby to see its marble interior. At the second floor escalator exit is a golden statue of Asako Hirooka, who played a critical role in the management of the Kajimaya family business. She was one of the founders of Daido Life Insurance Company in 1902 and became a role model as a strong female leader and was the subject of a recent television drama. Visit exhibitions related to Kashimaya and Asako Hirooka’s life and great achievements.
Find the Daido Life Osaka Head Office Building near the Tosabori River. Walk from the Higobashi subway station in just 1 minute. You can enter the building during normal business hours on weekdays. The areas where visitors are allowed are the the lobby on the first floor and the second floor, which is reserved for special exhibitions and is open from Tuesday to Friday. The third floor and above are off limits to the public.
Stroll around the structure to appreciate its architecture and take photographs from different vantage points.
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