Make the short walk from the Higobashi subway station to visit the Daido Life Insurance Osaka Head Office Building, which has an original but very beautiful shape. The building has 19 floors above ground and three floors below. Its height is 288.71 feet (88 meters).
From a distance, the building looks like the tip of a pointed pencil pointing downward. The building may look very fragile, but it is very sturdy. It was built in 1993 and has withstood several earthquakes, including the Great Hanshin Earthquake that hit the Kobe area in 1995 and the 2018 earthquake centered in Osaka.
The building looks like a tall rectangular pillar, but it actually has eight sides, with the corners of each side cut away. The high arched windows on the 2nd floor and the narrow arched windows on the 19th floor are especially beautiful.
When you stand at the entrance, look up. The beautifully spreading columns look like the underside of a flower petal.
As you enter the lobby notice the marble interior. In front of the escalator on the 1st floor there is a golden statue of Asako Hirooka, who played an important role in Daido Life Insurance. She was one of the founders of Kajimaya, the predecessor of Daido Life Insurance, in 1902 and is now a role model for strong female leadership. In 2015, a TV drama featuring her was also aired.
Asako's life and the history of Kajimaya can be seen in the exhibition room. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from Tuesday to Friday.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the building from the 3rd floor up, but you can enjoy the beautiful interiors in the 1st floor lobby, 2nd floor and the exhibition rooms, so go for a stroll and take some photos.
The Daido Life Osaka Head Office Building is located along the Tosabori River, a 1-minute walk from Higobashi subway station.
The building is well worth a visit as it blends well with the energetic cityscape of Osaka during the day and the beautiful illuminations at night.
