A Guide to Osaka’s Highest Observatory: HARUKAS 300
Most travelers who visit Osaka explore the city from ground level, enjoying the fantastic street food, limitless shopping, and friendly locals who populate the gritty streets of this down-to-earth city. But to see Osaka from a fresh new angle, all you have to do is visit the tallest building in the Kansai region, ABENO HARUKAS.
The HARUKAS 300 observatory spans the three highest floors of this 300-meter building, the crown jewel atop 57 floors of shopping and offices, wrapped in shining floor-to-ceiling glass windows that look out over the Tennoji neighborhood of Osaka and far beyond. It's where you'll find some of the most spectacular views of the city, and as a bonus, it's straightforward to visit, thanks to long business hours and a direct connection to one of Osaka's most convenient train stations.
When you're ready to take a break from the busy pace of a trip to Osaka, there's nothing like sitting down with a refreshing drink and seeing the city laid out in front of you like a map! Whether you're an experienced observatory visitor or just curious to see Osaka from above, there are many reasons why HARUKAS 300 is a great addition to any trip to Japan.
Observatory Highlights
Located high above the city, the amazing views are the main attraction at HARUKAS 300, and the floor-to-ceiling windows go all the way around the building for 360 degree visibility. The space feels open and airy, so instead of crowding in to catch a glimpse of some famous angle, you can take your time circling the perimeter, and see the scenery shift from dense downtown blocks to distant shimmers on the horizon.
If you've got sharp eyes (or a pair of binoculars), you can also challenge yourself to spot some of the Kansai region's major landmarks! Nearby Tsutenkaku Tower is easy to find, while Osaka Castle can be a little more of a challenge (look for the dark greenery of the surrounding castle park). On clear days, you may be able to pick out Kansai Airport, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, and Kyoto Tower in the distance.
For photos, you'll probably find yourself snapping away as you walk past the windows, especially if you arrive in time for sunset. But if you want a neat souvenir shot, there are some designated spots, including a commemorative photo service on the 60th floor that offers fun framed prints for 1,500 yen.
After looking out across the skyline, braver visitors can also try looking down. Certain sections of the observatory have glass floors that give you the feeling of floating above Osaka, just as long as the acrophobia doesn't get to you first.
If you're actually looking for a little extra altitude, the Heliport Tour is a one-of-a-kind experience, allowing visitors a visit to the very top of the building. Sign up at the 60th-floor information counter and climb up all the way to the helipad for a few minutes in the open air, where it feels like you could almost reach up and touch the clouds, if the wind doesn't carry you away first. The views from the observatory are beautiful, but a visit to the heliport is exhilarating!
Never had a bathroom on your travel itinerary before? Now's your chance. The bathrooms on the 59th floor of HARUKAS 300 are sleek and unusually scenic, with the observatory's 360 degree, floor-to-ceiling windows continuing right on past the stalls and sinks.
Relaxation & Refreshments
Osaka is a high-energy city, and it's easy to get excited looking down at it from 300 meters in the sky, but HARUKAS 300 is also a great place to relax. The open-air Sky Garden on the 58th floor has seating and space to linger, making it the place to be at sunset, when the sun sinks into Osaka Bay, and the city begins to glitter after dark.
The 58th floor is also where you'll find Sky Garden 300, the observatory cafe. The menu includes signature drinks and sweet treats like soft serve ice cream, as well as simple meals like pasta or katsu curry, along with fun seasonal specials. Sit inside to enjoy an afternoon snack as you look out the window, or grab a drink to help keep you comfortable out in the garden - hot coffee for cold winter nights and cold drinks for the hottest days of summer.
The Sky Garden is open to the elements, so it's also the venue for some of the observatory's seasonal gourmet events. That means Japanese-style BBQs in summer, and kotatsu seating paired with shabu-shabu hot-pot in winter. If you can snag a reservation in advance, these are the kinds of unique travel experiences you'll never forget.
The Gift Shop & the HARUKAS 300 Mascot
Called "SHOP HARUKAS 300," the observatory gift shop on the 59th floor is the place to pick up a little something to commemorate your visit to Kansai's tallest building. There are magnets and keychains and extra-tall cakes (to match the extra-tall building), but most of all, there's a lot of ABENOBEA.
ABENOBEA is the HARUKAS 300 mascot, a bear with a sky-themed design and laid-back energy, who sometimes pops in for an in-person appearance. Of course, with such an endearing character at hand, the gift shop leans heavily into the ABENOBEA theme. New fans of the bombastic bear can choose from a huge selection of plush toys, themed pouches, stationery, pins, mugs, and gift boxes full of little snacks (which is what most Japanese travelers buy as souvenirs for others).
If you really fall in love with ABENOBEA, you can check out the themed omikuji fortunes with ABENOBEA charms, and the purikura-style ABENOBEA photo booth.
Getting to HARUKAS 300
HARUKAS 300 is open all the way from 9 am to 10 pm, and wherever you might be coming from, it's undeniably easy to access, because ABENO HARUKAS is directly connected to Tennoji Station and Osaka Abenobashi Station. Tennoji is served by major JR lines (including the Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, and Yamatoji Line) as well as the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi lines, while Osaka Abenobashi is on the Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line.
In practical terms, it's only 7 minutes from Namba, 15 minutes from Umeda, or 21 min from Shin-Osaka (where the shinkansen stops) - you can even walk over from Shinsekai - so it's easy to slot this spot into your day, whatever else you plan on doing in Osaka. Even if you're planning a tight itinerary, you can visit, enjoy the view, grab a bite to eat, take some snapshots, and move on to your next spot without needing to spend half a day in transit.
Unrivaled Views of Osaka For Your Travel Plans
Crowds in Japan might be unusually polite, but when you're spending all day exploring the streets of Osaka, it's easy to feel like you're being swept along throughout the city. But when it's time for a break, HARUKAS 300 is simple to reach, easy to enjoy at your own pace, and worth visiting again and again - especially if you want to check out the observatory's seasonal festivities and collaboration events with popular anime and Japanese celebrities.
Come for the 360 degree views, add a Heliport Tour for a moment on top of the world (or at least on top of Osaka), and linger in the Sky Garden long past sunset with some cute themed drinks. After taking in the views at HARUKAS 300, you'll be energized and ready to keep exploring Osaka!