Osaka, Japan - April 30, 2017: tourists looking Osaka city at Abeno Harukas, the tallest skyscraper in Japan. The building stands on top of Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi Station near JR Tennoji Station.
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Abeno Harukas Observatory

© iStock

Abeno Harukas

Top choice in Osaka


This César Pelli–designed tower, which opened in March 2014, is Japan's second-tallest building (300m, 60 stories), after the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, which opened in 2023. The observatory on the 16th floor is free, but admission is required for the highly recommended top-level Harukas 300 observation deck, which has incredible 360-degree views of the whole Kansai region through windows that run several stories high. There's also an open-air atrium. It houses Japan's largest department store (Kintetsu, floors B2–14), the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, a hotel, offices and restaurants.

The brave can take part in Edge of Harukas (¥1000) where you walk the 20-metre-long ledge while tethered to the building; bring your passport. Although Abeno Harukas is Japan's tallest building, the tallest structure is Tokyo Sky Tree, at 634m.

Transportation

  • train: JR Loop line to Tennōji
  • subway: Midō-suji to Tennōji

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