Previously we reported on the global reaction regarding a beautiful piece of architecture in Osaka, the shopping center Namba Parks (pictured above), which looks especially stunning when viewed from a high place.
However, another amazing photo surfaced on 9GAG a while back. Taken from a high angle it revealed an even more shockingly designed building that’s arguably even more impressive than Namba Parks.
Behold! The Parks Tower!
Parks Tower stands about 150 meters tall and contains shops, offices, classrooms, clinics, and condos…
…and it looks like a huge PlayStation 3!
Much like the main shopping sections of Namba Parks this building doesn’t look like much from the ground.
But when viewed from above it’s hard not to notice the similarity with the PS3 console, particularly the original fat model.
Parks Tower was designed and built from 1998 through 2003, and the PS3 design was first revealed in 2005. This would suggest that the electronics giant had borrowed the shape from the building, or that this is all just one big coincidence.
This has been a known fact overseas for a few years now, but a recent surfacing on Japanese websites has surprised many drawing comments such as “holy crap, it’s a PS3” and “I went there many times but never noticed that.”
I too had gone there several times but initially thought that photo had some trickery involved. However, digging through old photos I found one I had taken from a nearby hotel.
With all rumors swirling around the upcoming PS4 system we could logically speculate it will resemble the Umeda Sky Building, also in Osaka.
If so we can expect the inevitable slim version PS4 to look like this.
Source: 9GAG (English) via Vipper (Japanese)
PS3 image: Amazon Umeda Sky Building image: Wikipedia – SuiSui

Namba Parks Gets Rave Reviews from Overseas
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Pokémon comes to McDonald’s Japan for new Happy Meals toys, brings every generation’s starters
Akita Kanto Festival, one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, gets an anime twist this year
Aichi city throws year-long 20th birthday bash for giant beckoning cat statue, Hello Kitty invited
Final Fantasy plushie shoulder bags are fuzzy and functional [Photos]
Toyota Museum’s international retro vehicle parade returns to Aichi this autumn
U.S. government reportedly planning to close Nagoya consulate
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
7-Eleven Japan rethinks convenience store sandwiches with a wild new choc-mint variety
Yoshinoya gets into fancy fish, but is the cheap beef king reaching too far? [Taste test]
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan adds new chocolate fruit gummies to its sweets range, but are they worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Studio Ghibli’s No Face twirls to sound of Spirited Away’s theme song in beautiful accessory box
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】