A Lackluster Interior: Exploring Inside OCAT
After exploring the rooftop, let’s finally move inside. The interior is designed with a large atrium in the middle, but it somehow feels oddly incomplete. The upper floors have a sense of grandeur due to the natural light streaming in, while the lower floors, being deprived of sunlight, exhibit a rather solemn and heavy atmosphere.
Let’s start our tour from the top floor, the 5th floor. This floor houses a restaurant area where you can find a variety of options, such as “Tsuruhashi Fugetsu(鶴橋風月, one of the most famous Okonomiyaki resuaurant in Osaka)” and “Asahi Beer’s Restaurant.” However, I can’t help but notice that the “OCAT” sign looks a bit worn out. Perhaps it’s just my imagination.
※at 12:00 PM on a Saturday.
However, despite the variety of options in the restaurant area, it seems to lack the appeal of high-traffic establishments, giving off a somewhat lackluster vibe. The presence of the municipal tax office next to the restaurant area might be affecting the occupancy status of the tenants, contributing to the overall peculiar atmosphere.
Inside OCAT’s restaurant area, there are peculiar monuments resembling waterfalls and mysterious paintings scattered throughout, adding an even more distinctive and polished touch to its already unique ambiance. Although OCAT opened in 1996, after the bubble economy had already collapsed, it appears that the building’s design was conceived during the height of the bubble era. Now, it has become somewhat of a burden and lost its appeal.
I never know how fast time goes by Chateri ng in the sun shine beach…
Time flies, doesn’t it? How many years has it been since the bubble burst?
Let’s move on downstairs. OCAT, originally a 5-story commercial facility, has now transformed with half of the 3rd to 5th floors converted into offices. The remaining areas are occupied by tenants that hardly fit the image of a commercial facility, such as hospitals, schools, and government offices. One wonders if this arrangement is really for the best…
I can understand your frustration with the situation. It’s indeed puzzling to see such a facility filled with office spaces and government-related tenants that don’t quite match the image of a commercial center. The abundance of escalators and large atriums further add to the confusion. Similar situations have been observed in other areas like Amagasaki, and it’s perplexing why government officials can’t accurately assess the optimal demand for such spaces. It’s definitely hard to comprehend.
Here is the atrium in question. It’s a bright and sunny atrium with natural light filtering in. However, as mentioned earlier, it doesn’t seem to serve its purpose well since it was placed on the upper floors. It’s quite puzzling why things end up being done halfway like this, isn’t it? 🙂
Deserted Interiors and Lively Squares with dancers: A Tale of Contrasts in OCAT
I descended to the 1st floor. As expected, the underground 1st floor and the 1st floor are commercial areas with various establishments operating. It seems that in the past, there used to be airline counters lining the 1st floor where travelers could check-in, but now it’s all gone.
However, it doesn’t seem to be in a thriving state either, as there are vacant spaces here and there. Even on a Saturday, there are hardly any customers walking around, making me wonder if they can sustain themselves like this. It’s not a place where people come for special purposes, and there’s no supermarket for everyday use… It feels somewhat lacking.
One of the few places in OCAT that seemed to be bustling with people was this square, located on the way between OCAT and Namba Walk. It’s said to be used for street dance practice, likely due to the smooth concrete surface and mirrors installed there.
The square is named “Ponte Plaza” and is not only used for street dance, but also for various events. Typically, such facilities hold events on upper floors to enhance people’s flow, but here it’s quite unique to see it being used on the ground floor.
A commercial facility, Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT), with poorly maintained interiors and only neighboring train stations and the plaza bustling with activity. This facility stands out with its conspicuous yet unnecessary amenities. The question remains whether it can survive in the future. Further updates are eagerly awaited.
