Sky Boat: A Ferris Wheel View of Nagoya

2015-03-19 · Updated: 2026-08-11 · Original (Korean)

This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Read the original Korean post →

After arriving in Nagoya, we walked around non-stop and both ended up completely drained. To rest and unpack, we took a nap at the hotel and killed time until sunset. I can't even remember the last time my mom and I relaxed in the same room doing absolutely nothing like this. Once we had gotten as lazy as possible, the mother-son duo walked out into Nagoya after dark to grab some dinner.

Our plan was to visit the Nagoya TV Tower and Oasis 21 for sightseeing, and then eat fried chicken wings at Sekai no Yamachan for dinner.

Exterior of an illuminated Louis Vuitton store on a night street.

It's probably a common trait among all women, including Chef Kim (my mom), but she's much more interested in luxury boutiques than tourist spots. She looked ready to hit every designer store on our way, but since it was late and most were closed, we only visited Louis Vuitton. I really don't know where middle-aged women get that sheer confidence when walking into a luxury store. Still, this time she didn't ask me to buy her anything, saying the prices were even higher than in Korea. Or did she? Maybe she did ask and I just didn't catch it?

Illuminated Ferris wheel and surrounding buildings under the night sky.

Coming out of the Louis Vuitton store, there was a Ferris wheel diagonally across the street. It wasn't a massive one, but I figured it would be a great way to take in the panoramic view of downtown Nagoya all at once, so I decided to ride it. But... my mom said she was too scared to go on. I mean... it's lower than an apartment building, what's there to be scared of? I begged her two or three times, but seeing her shake her head, I realized I'd have to ride it alone.

Escalator and floor guide sign inside a building. — If you follow the map to the building, there's an escalator. As you can see, the Sky Boat is on the 3rd floor.

Inside a bookstore with various magazines, books, and CDs on display. — When you arrive, you'll see a record store looking like this, which might make you think you're in the wrong place, but you're right where you need to be. I got mesmerized by an AKB48 music video and watched it for a bit...

Entrance to the Ferris wheel boarding gate decorated with cherry blossoms. — This bling-bling pink entrance is the way into the Sky Boat. It's quite an intimidating entrance for a guy coming to ride alone...

The price is 500 JPY. You could buy a ticket from the vending machine, but since I don't speak Japanese, I just coolly handed 500 JPY to the employee at the entrance. It was also fun to watch them shyly touting for customers, quite different from how it is in Korea.

View of other cabins seen from inside a Ferris wheel cabin. — Departure!

Background music selection screen installed inside a Ferris wheel cabin. — I had a feeling from the very pink entrance, but as soon as I got on the Ferris wheel, I immediately realized: "This isn't for sightseeing, it's for dating." You can even choose one of four sweet songs to play. I wanted to turn it off, but apparently, there's no function for that.

Night street with illuminated trees and Mitsukoshi department store seen from the Ferris wheel. — Personally, this was my favorite street seen from above. I wanted to walk down it, but unfortunately, I have a terrible sense of direction and couldn't find it.

Brightly lit buildings and an intersection seen through the Ferris wheel window.

Night view of cars driving on the street and surrounding buildings.

Illuminated roads and buildings in downtown Nagoya seen from inside the Ferris wheel.

Uniquely shaped illuminated structures and buildings under the dark night sky. — The destination of this walk, Oasis 21. I tried my best to eliminate the glass reflections, but I failed.

Illuminated Nagoya TV Tower and surrounding buildings seen from inside the Ferris wheel. — Nagoya TV Tower

Maybe because I rode it alone, the time felt quite long, and my only thought upon getting off was that this is meant for couples. No matter how much you want to see downtown Nagoya, you shouldn't ride this alone. To soothe my lonely heart, I watched the AKB48 music video one more time...

#Next time I should come with a woman #Ah, mom is a woman too -_