If you’re planning a trip to Osaka, you probably already have a list of most popular attractions to visit — the Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios. But to truly appreciate the scale and energy of the city from above, you need to reserve a day for Abeno Harukas in Tennoji district. 

Standing at a massive 300 meters, this skyscraper offers everything from a beautiful observation deck to some of the city’s best dining options in one place. With sleek, photogenic architecture and a laid-back atmosphere, Abeno Harukas makes for the perfect stop for families, couples and solo travelers alike.

Keep reading to learn more about everything to do at Kansai’s highest observation deck. 

360-Degree Kansai Views 

The crown jewel of Abeno Harukas is definitely the Harukas 300 observation deck, which you can reach with a high-speed elevator. Spanning the top three floors of the tower, these fully glass-encased corridors with floor-to-ceiling windows make you feel like you’re walking through the clouds. Beyond a 360-degree panorama of Osaka city, you might even be able to spot Kyoto Tower on clear days, and the sprawling Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. 

We recommend arriving before sunset, so you can experience the magical sight of the sun dipping into Osaka bay. When weather permits, the sky transforms into a palette of deep oranges and purples and transforms the city below into a shimmering jewelry box — a photographer’s dream. 

High-Altitude Experiences for Thrill Seekers

For those who want to do more than just look through a window, Abeno Harukas offers some heart-pounding experiences up high. The “Edge The Harukas” attraction, for instance, is the ultimate dare. Donning a jumpsuit and strapped into a safety harness, you will step onto a 60 cm-wide ledge at the building’s peak, leaning out over the railing with nothing but open air beneath your feet. 

If you prefer an open-air view without the ledge-walking, the Heliport Tour might be up your alley; you’ll be guided into the actual landing pad at the summit, where you can feel the wind at 300 meters and enjoy a totally unobstructed view of the cityscape. 

For a different kind of thrill, head to the 59th floor for the Bungee VR experience. This setup uses a tilting harness and hyper-realistic virtual reality to simulate a stomach-flipping freefall from the tower’s summit—all the adrenaline of a bungee jump without the actual drop. 

Shop and Dine at Japan’s Largest Department Store

Abeno Harukas is also home to one of the largest department stores in Japan, Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Department Store. With over 100,000 square meters of retail space spanning the tower and the wing, the complex carries an array of international and domestic fashion and lifestyle brands. 

If you’re hungry, just head to the “Abeno Harukas Dining” restaurants between the 12th to 14th floors, featuring over 40 options ranging from authentic Edomae-style sushi and okonomiyaki to stylish Italian fare. Some recommended options are Chikuyotei for Edo-style grilled eel, Kushinobo for Osaka’s famous deep-fried skewers and KYK for premium tonkatsu. For a more casual bite, the B1 floor has a classic depachika food hall packed with gourmet bento boxes and local Osaka sweets, perfect as souvenirs. 

The 58th floor Sky Garden 300, located right by the observation deck, also offers some lovely seasonal dining options with a fantastic view. In the summer, it’s a social hub for rooftop BBQs, and in the winter, you can share hot pot and oden at a heated kotatsu table.

Anime Collaborations and Art Exhibitions

Aside from great food and shopping, Abeno Harukas also maintains a vibrant connection to Japanese pop culture, frequently hosting major collaboration events with popular anime franchises. Last summer, the “Godzilla Attacks!” event featured a massive 2-meter statue of Godzilla Earth and special projection mapping at night. The “Harukas x Gundam” exhibition was another iconic takeover, complete with character-themed decor and merchandise, and a limited-edition menu at the Sky Garden 300 cafe. 

For a change of pace, head to the 16th floor to check out the Abeno Harukas Art Museum. It houses a constantly rotating calendar of high-caliber exhibitions from around the world; you might find yourself admiring ancient Egyptian artifacts one month and iconic Western impressionist paintings the next, or even modern pop-culture retrospectives. After browsing the museum, you can take a moment to relax at the garden terrace on the same floor, which is freely accessible. 

Access and Information 

To reach Abeno Harukas from Umeda, take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line directly to Tennoji Station for a roughly 15-minute ride. If you are coming from Namba, the Midosuji Line is even faster, getting you to Tennoji in just about 6 minutes without any transfers.

You can purchase tickets to the observatory here.