Perched over 300 metres above ground, the Abeno Harukas Observatory presents visitors with the opportunity to experience Osaka in a new light. Through its glass-encased structure, you can look out to this thriving commercial hub and take in its dazzling skyline studded with skyscrapers and bustling streets that sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Osaka’s ancient history. As you walk along the circumference of the Observatory, set your sights on landmarks like the serene Osaka Castle, the sun-lit waters of Osaka Bay, and the shadowy presence of the Rokko Mountains in the distance. Abeno Harukas Observatory, undoubtedly, serves up Osaka’s most spectacular sights!
In a nutshell: Abeno Harukas Observatory
Handy information
| 📍Entrance: | 16th Floor of Abeno Harukas |
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 1 hour |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | During the day |
| 🎟️ Ticket: | Yen 2000 |
Opening hours and address
Daily: 9am – 10pm
Address: 1-chōme-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno Ward, Osaka
📍Get Directions
Things to know
Established: March 2014
Architect: César Pelli and Associates
Architectural style: Postmodern
Why you must visit Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory
A resounding reaffirmation of Osaka’s position as Japan’s commercial capital, Abeno Harukas is a towering presence of gleaming glass and steel. Over 300 metres high, Abeno Harukas, meaning to brighten in Japanese, is made of 60 breathtaking floors. The top three levels are dedicated to the Abeno Harukas 300 Observatory, where visitors can take in the city’s extraordinary landscape, including the busy layout of modern commercial complexes, historical sites, and the faraway Rokko mountains. The views on offer along with time spent in the expansive sky garden and the in-house cafe elevates the Osaka experience – making it a must-visit!
What you should know before you purchase tickets
- Tickets to the Observatory can be bought on the 16th floor of the building. This is also the entrance to the attraction.
- While tickets are available on-site, the online tickets are often discounted.
- Combo deals, on the tickets, get you access to other Osaka attractions like Universal Studios giving you better value for your money.
- While touring the observatory should not take you more than an hour, there is no time limit for your visit. You can linger and savour your experience here.
- Professional photo services are available for an additional fee should you want to turn your visit here into a lasting memory.
- Last admissions are 30 minutes before closing time.
- The attraction offers free admission for children below the age of three.
- Children between the ages of 4 and 17 can avail of tickets at discounted prices.
- Once you leave the premises, you cannot re-enter on the same ticket.
- The Observatory restricts the volume of tickets sold during busy holidays or if there are large crowds. Even more reason to get your tickets online!
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Abeno Harukas Observatory’s history
Abeno Harukas is a relatively new addition to Osaka’s skyline. Completed in March 2014, it is the city’s tallest building and overlooks the bustling Abeno-Tennoji station. The shiny, glass-encased tower is a commercial building featuring offices, a supermarket, a luxury hotel, an art museum and, even, a university. However, travellers and curious locals come in by the thousands, every day, to witness the hustle and bustle of Osaka at the Abeno Harukas Observatory which occupies the uppermost floors of the building.
Abeno Harukas Observatory architecture
Designed by the same minds behind Malaysia's Petronas Towers, the Abeno Harukas complex features three towers of varying lengths, erected in an ascending order. In a clear reflection of its name – Harukas which means to brighten up or clear up – the complex is a looming glass structure, marked by clean lines and pays heed to postmodern sensibilities. The Observatory which sits on the last three floors of the tallest tower features seemingly endless windows that look out to the city while the spacious, minimalistic interiors exude serenity.
Abeno Harukas Observatory tour deconstructed
The Elevator Ride
‘Dizzying new heights’ acquires new meaning as you ride the super-fast elevator from the 16th floor to the 60th floor of the building! Travelling 288 metres upwards in just 55 seconds makes for a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping start to the tour.
60th Floor
Get off the mind-reeling elevator ride and arrive on the 60th floor to take in astounding 360-degree views of Osaka and beyond. Osaka Castle, Tennoji Park, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Universal Studios Japan are on display. Clear days offer views as far as Kyoto and the outlines of the Rokko Mountains.
Edge the Harukas
Adding a heart-stopping dimension to the Harukas Observatory experience is the Edge the Harukas offering. Daring visitors can step onto the narrow, 60 cm deck of the observatory and walk its circumference with only a harness and safety rail to hang on to.
Heliport Tour
Osaka’s open skies greet visitors at the top of this spectacular summit. Visitors are treated to an unobstructed view of the city while touring the heliport that sits over 300 metres above ground.
59th Floor
This exit level houses the gift shop filled with souvenirs and knick-knacks – many of them featuring Abenobea, the cuddly bear that is the attraction’s mascot.
58th Floor
Features an open-air Sky Garden and Wood Deck where visitors can linger and enjoy a quiet moment. A breezy cafe offers short eats, local beer, wine and dessert and is the perfect setting to slow down and savour a meal with friends and family at the end of the tour.
Best time to visit Abeno Harukas Observatory
The Abeno Harukas Observatory can be visited throughout the year as Osaka’s subtropical weather allows for clear skies during most months, except between May and July.
On the best time to visit on a particular day, visitors should decide on what they want from the experience.
- Daytime: The city’s historical and modern features come under the limelight. From 300 metres above ground, you can spot the old town, Osaka Castle, temples, and burial mounds. These sit prettily next to the commercial capital’s skyscrapers and modern architecture. On the horizon, Mount Yoshino and Ikoma come into focus and, to the west, you can also see the blue waters of Osaka Bay.
- Evening: As the sun sets on the fast-paced city, golden light shrouds everything from the waters of the Yoda River to the glistening high-rises of the metropolis. For those with romance on their mind, this might be the right time to stop by the Observatory.
- Night: The city is set aglow and sparkles under the night sky. Immerse in the heady delight of watching a buzzing city dotted with lit-up buildings and busy streets - surrounded by the darkened outlines of faraway mountains – embrace the night.
All you need to know before visiting Abeno Harukas Observatory
Abeno Harukas Observatory Hours
The Harukas Observatory is open throughout the year between 9am and 10pm, every day. Same-day tickets can be purchased at the on-site counter 10 minutes before the start of the day and the last admission is slotted 30 minutes before closing time.
Abeno Harukas Observatory Entrance
There is only a single entrance to the Abeno Harukas Observatory. Visitors will have to take the elevator to the 16th floor of the building to reach the entrance gates (the on-site ticket counter is at this level) and from there, you are guided to the super-fast elevator that takes you up to the 60th-floor Observatory.
Abeno Harukas Observatory directions
The best way to reach the Observatory is through the city’s public transport. Here are a few options:
🚇 By Subway:
Reach Tennoji Station through Japan Rail (JR). The Tennoji Station lies on the JR Osaka Loop Line and can be accessed from Nishikujo, Bentencho, Morinomiya, and Shin-Imamiya.
🚆 By Train:
The Midosuji, Chuo, and Tanimachi lines lead to Tennoji Station.
🚘 By Car:
No parking space is available at the Observatory so it’s best to take a taxi to the attraction.
🚍 By Bus:
Take the limousine buses from Osaka and Kansai international airports to reach Tennoji Station. From there, the Observatory is a short walk away.
Abeno Harukas Observatory map
The Abeno Harukas Observatory is a popular tourist spot in Osaka. You can access the map to the attraction here.
Insider tips for your Abeno Harukas Observatory visit
- Don’t want to splurge on the Observatory? Then, get to the 16th floor of the building and you can get some (though not all) of those spectacular views for free!
- Japan is famous for its food and snacks. So, if you want to pick up a few goodies head to Kintetsu, the country’s largest department store located on B2-14 of Abeno Harukas.
- If you are signing up for the Edge the Harukas or the Heliport experience, make sure you are appropriately dressed to brave the strong winds.
- Get into the super-fast elevator with your camera ready so you don’t miss out on capturing the incredible ride.
- It may sound strange but the bathrooms at the Observatory offer unmissable views and should be a part of your tour.
- Couples love the Observatory and it is the site for many a proposal. If you are planning to pop the question in Osaka, then, this might just be the place for you!
Ready to visit Osaka?
Here are the city’s other must-visits:
The city’s most recognised landmark, Osaka Castle exudes charm with its light-green, pagoda-style roofing and its elegant five-storey structure. Built in the 1580s, the castle was one of the country’s largest and has been destroyed and reconstructed several times through the centuries. Today, the palace houses a technologically advanced museum that traces its history. You can also roam the grounds, checking out stone-lined moats, citadels and turrets. The Nishinomaru Garden - an adjoining, green space – has a separate entrance fee but is a must-visit, especially in cherry blossom season. Here, you can laze under the shade of the drooping, pink blooms and look up at Osaka Castle – a picture-perfect finish if you are looking for one!
Soak in the magic of the movies at Universal Studios Japan. Popular with families, the theme park sits on an expansive 54 acres and unleashes entertainment across 11 zones. These include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, the Despicable Me Mayhem Ride, and a whole lot more. Children will be blown away as they encounter Hello Kitty, the Sesame Street gang, Snoopy and Mario Kart during the daily parade.
The iconic Nagai Botanical Garden – home to endless flora and fauna – gets a 21st-century twist and is transformed into a nighttime, digital museum that creates art out of nature. A one-of-a-kind experience, prepare to be awestruck as you weave your way through the garden filled with light and sound installations. Stop and stare at giant slabs of square stone covered in swirls of green light that reflect the energy birds create when they fly. At the Secondary Forest, rows of illuminated, walking figures cast their shadows on the thick growth of trees in the garden reminding you that life is a continuous strife and requires choices that keep you moving forward. The garden’s installations include lamps moving across the waters of a lake and neon-hued, egg-shaped lights planted in the flower gardens.
Put Osaka on a plate with a guided food tour! Roam the aisles of the historic Kuromon Market – an integral part of daily life in Osaka. Feel the thrum of the market as you watch vendors and their customers haggling over fresh seafood, homeware, cutlery and seasonal produce. During your tour, you’ll spend time sampling local food and drink – giving you a tasty, new perspective on Osaka.
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