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Abeno Harukas: Here's How to Enjoy One of Japan's Best Views (+Tickets)

Abeno Harukas: Here's How to Enjoy One of Japan's Best Views (+Tickets)

Last updated: 30 April 2024

Abeno Harukas, one of Japan's tallest skyscrapers, boasts Harukas 300—an observation deck providing unparalleled views of Osaka, Kobe, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, and on clear days, Kyoto Tower. Elevate your experience with the exclusive Heliport Tour for a unique skywalk adventure.

Abeno Harukas: 16th Floor Via the Harukas Shuttle Elevator

Inside Abeno Harukas, the landmark of Tennoji, there is the Kintetsu Department Store Main Store, an art museum, and the Marriott Miyako Hotel. The most popular attraction since the opening in 2014 is the observatory Harukas 300 from the 58th to the 60th floor.

▲Looking up at Abeno Harukas from Tennoji Park
▲Looking up at Abeno Harukas from Tennoji Park

The nearest stations are JR and Osaka Metro Tennoji Station and Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line Osaka Abenobashi Station. To reach the observatory Harukas 300, you must get to the 16th floor with the Harukas Shuttle Elevator from the ground floor or the second floor.

The Abeno Harukas Art Museum and the rooftop garden area 80 meters above the ground is also on the 16th floor.

▲The rooftop garden is free to enter. It is equipped with benches and is a perfect meeting place with a nice view of the city.
▲The rooftop garden is free to enter. It is equipped with benches and is a perfect meeting place with a nice view of the city.
▲The 16th floor with sunlight beaming in gives it a comfortable feeling
▲The 16th floor with sunlight beaming in gives it a comfortable feeling

The Abeno Harukas observatory ticket counter is on the 16th floor. Tickets purchased at the door costs 2,000 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for junior and high school students, 700 yen for elementary school students and 500 yen for children (4 years and younger) (all tickets include tax).

▲The observatory tickets have 3 designs of daytime, sunset, and night view, which are assigned randomly
▲The observatory tickets have 3 designs of daytime, sunset, and night view, which are assigned randomly

Now let’s head to the observatory! Enter the gate next to the ticket counter and ride the elevator that goes directly to the top, the 60th floor.

▲Inside the elevator there is a floor level display that also has an altimeter like airplanes
▲Inside the elevator there is a floor level display that also has an altimeter like airplanes

The elevator to the 60th floor goes up quickly and you will reach the top floor in no time. Also you can’t feel the pressure when going up on the elevator.

A Magnificent View as the Doors Open, Like Standing on Clouds

The moment I step foot off the elevator, I was captivated by the amazing view and ran up to the glass wall. The panoramic view was much more than I expected!

▲The spacious path with glass walls on both sides. You can get a sweeping view of the Osaka City
▲The spacious path with glass walls on both sides. You can get a sweeping view of the Osaka City

On the 60th floor there is the Celestial Corridor to enjoy a 360 degree view. On the north side you can get a view of the Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, Tennoji Zoo, and the group of skyscrapers in Namba and Umeda. Also if you look further you can even see the Tower of Sun at Expo Commemoration Park and planes landing at Itami Airport!

On the west side facing Kobe City and Mt. Rokko, you can see Awaji Island and Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge far out, up close you can see the 256 meter tall Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building and Kyocera Dome Osaka.

▲West side facing Kobe region. Universal Studio Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located on this side
▲West side facing Kobe region. Universal Studio Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is located on this side

The south side faces Wakayama Prefecture. Past Hirano-ku Osaka is the professional soccer club Cerezo Osaka’s home stadium Yanmar Stadium Nagai. On a clear sky day, you might be able to see Daisen Kofun, which is aiming to be registered as a world heritage site in 2019.

▲South side facing Wakayama. The view of Hirano-ku Osaka
▲South side facing Wakayama. The view of Hirano-ku Osaka

Now to the west side facing Nara Prefecture. The mountains in front are Mt. Ikoma and Mt. Nijo. There is nothing in the way to block the magnificent view!

▲Nara Prefecture is past the mountains
▲Nara Prefecture is past the mountains

On the 60th floor of Harukas 300 is the Celestial Corridor, on the 59th floor is the SHOP HARUKAS 300, a perfect place to buy gifts, and the on the 58th floor is the Garden of the Sky, an open wooden deck space, and the café dining bar SKY GARDEN 300. If you purchase the ticket for the observatory you can enter these three floors freely.

▲The Celestial Corridor is an aerial corridor covered with glass on both sides. Below is the Garden of the Sky on the 58th floor
▲The Celestial Corridor is an aerial corridor covered with glass on both sides. Below is the Garden of the Sky on the 58th floor

Checkpoints in the Abeno Harukas Observatory

After going around the observatory, let’s take a break and go down to the Garden of the Sky on the 58th floor.

▲The roofless Garden of the Sky has a great open feeling. You walk around freely or have seat and take a break
▲The roofless Garden of the Sky has a great open feeling. You walk around freely or have seat and take a break

On September 1, 2015, Harukas 300 was certified as the Lover’s Sanctuary for being a romantic spot for marriage proposals. On the west side of the garden, there is the Lover’s Heart monument, Harukas Heart.

▲Don’t forget to take a picture at the popular photo spot Harukas Heart
▲Don’t forget to take a picture at the popular photo spot Harukas Heart

While looking around the garden, we spotted the Harukas 300 mascot, Abeno Bear! Abeno Bear is a bear that lives 300 meters in the sky with cloud-patterned fur. It loves to eat clouds, can also walk on rainbows, and is very laid-back and friendly. It is a loveable character to share the scenery with.

▲If you are in luck and get to meet Abeno Bear, make sure to take a picture together. Also if you come across Abeno Bear on a rainy day, the fur will have a rain cloud pattern.
▲If you are in luck and get to meet Abeno Bear, make sure to take a picture together. Also if you come across Abeno Bear on a rainy day, the fur will have a rain cloud pattern.

Feel the Wind Blowing 300 Meters above Ground with the Heliport Tour

At Harukas 300, there is a tour where you can feel the wind 300 meters above ground! The Harukas 300 Heliport Tour (500 yen for people above four years old, tax included, and takes about 30 minutes) is held 13 times daily between 10 AM and 8 PM. There are no reservations, and sign-up is done at the counter on the 60th floor (available to the first 30 people to sign up for each tour).

▲Heliport Tour sign up at the information counter on the 60th floor
▲Heliport Tour sign up at the information counter on the 60th floor

This time, we signed up for the tour that starts at 4:40 PM. Once you are done with the reception, slap on the given wristband.

▲You can take the wristband home as a souvenir
▲You can take the wristband home as a souvenir

After placing your belongings in the designated locker, you will head out under the guidance of the staff. The staff will lead you through a door that only officials can enter.

▲The stairway to the heliport, which can only be accessed if you are on the tour
▲The stairway to the heliport, which can only be accessed if you are on the tour

The heliport is 300 square meters, and the wind wasn’t that strong on this day. Since it is 300 meters high, I thought it would be scarier, but it wasn’t too bad since there are fences around it.

While taking in the unobstructed view, the staff might suggest, “Since you are atop one of Japan’s highest buildings, how about letting off some steam by yelling?”

▲Raising a fist in the air, the staff will yell “Harukas!” and the participants will reply “300!” It actually helped relieving some stress!
▲Raising a fist in the air, the staff will yell “Harukas!” and the participants will reply “300!” It actually helped relieving some stress!

After enjoying the free time for a while, the guide will explain the surroundings: Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, Tennoji Zoo, and the Tower of the Sun, which started showing its inside in March 2018. It made me realize that Osaka is quite a compact city.

Around the time the sun starts setting, the buildings that were part of the scenery during the day become more visible due to their neon lights.

The illuminated Tsutentaku gives off a white glow, and Ebisu Tower and the Ferris wheel in Minami gives off a yellow glow.

▲The group of skyscrapers near Umeda and JR Osaka Station on the north side. The area upfront is Minami
▲The group of skyscrapers near Umeda and JR Osaka Station on the north side. The area upfront is Minami
▲Buildings that were hard to notice during the day are more visible at this time
▲Buildings that were hard to notice during the day are more visible at this time

This heliport is for emergencies and luckily it has only been used for training so far.

▲Taking a photo with the sunset in the back
▲Taking a photo with the sunset in the back
▲Beautiful sunset over Osaka Bay
▲Beautiful sunset over Osaka Bay

Abeno Harukas without tall buildings around it. Viewing the city 300 meters above ground while feeling the wind, you are able to see all the small buildings in crowded space with a 360 view, without obstruction of a window like the observatory. We could really feel that we were in the center of Osaka and the sunset was gorgeous

  • Harukas 300 Heliport Tour
    ハルカス300 ヘリポートツアー
    • Address 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Abeno Harukas 60th floor (inside Harukasu 300)
    • Phone Number 06-6621-0300
    • ・Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM (13 times a day, about 30 minutes per tour)
      ・Fee: 500 yen (tax included) *Flat fee of 500 yen for ages 4 and up; additional fee required to enter Harukas 300
      ・Sign up: First come, first served sign up at the information counter on the 60th floor observatory
      ・Closed: Open daily
      ・Phone: 06-6621-0300 (reception 9 AM – 5:30 PM) *Tours may be canceled without warning due to weather

Food and Drinks at the Café Dining Bar with a Beautiful View

After the sun has set, there was a beautiful night view after our Heliport Tour. We decided to enjoy the night view with a light meal at the SKY GARDEN 300 on the 58th floor.

▲The counter to order drinks and food
▲The counter to order drinks and food

At the SKY GARDEN 300 you can order café drinks, light meals and original sweets. Also if you make a reservation you can have the course menu.

▲Rare experience to be able to have a meal with this jaw dropping panoramic view!
▲Rare experience to be able to have a meal with this jaw dropping panoramic view!
▲Harukas 300 Pair Plan Course. Requires reservation, 11,000 yen (tax included) for two. Includes observatory fee. A perfect course to enjoy with someone special
▲Harukas 300 Pair Plan Course. Requires reservation, 11,000 yen (tax included) for two. Includes observatory fee. A perfect course to enjoy with someone special

We ordered the Pineapple Candy Soft Cream (450 yen, tax included) which is only available here. The mix of the refreshing pineapple soft served ice cream and crushed sweet candy is perfect.

▲The crunchy texture of the crushed candy is so good that you can’t stop
▲The crunchy texture of the crushed candy is so good that you can’t stop
▲Abeno Pudding (480 yen, tax included). Cute chocolate Abeno Bear on top of marshmallow clouds! The pudding is hidden under the marshmallow clouds
▲Abeno Pudding (480 yen, tax included). Cute chocolate Abeno Bear on top of marshmallow clouds! The pudding is hidden under the marshmallow clouds
▲Amazing how the view becomes romantic at night
▲Amazing how the view becomes romantic at night

While sitting at the table and seeing the sea of light, it feels like the entire night view is yours. Such a luxurious feeling having a meal here. Also if you can have your light meal at the Garden of the Sky.

  • SKY GARDEN 300
    SKY GARDEN 300
    • Address 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Abeno Harukas 58th floor (inside Harukasu 300)
    • Phone Number 06-4399-9181
    • Hours: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM (last order for meals 9:00 PM, last order for drinks 9:30 PM)
      Closed: Open daily

Beautiful Night View and Many Limited Time Events!

After the sun has set lets head to the 60th floor again to see the amazing night view. All the neon lights look like a jewelry box.

▲View of the north side. The path of light in the center is the main road Tanimachisuji
▲View of the north side. The path of light in the center is the main road Tanimachisuji
▲The night view that keeps expanding from below is stunning!
▲The night view that keeps expanding from below is stunning!

At the observatory on the 60th floor they hold limited time events regularly. The EDGE THE HARUKAS that started in spring 2018 is an event to walk on a special deck setup along the edge of the building 300 meters above ground. There are various events during the year, make sure to check with their main website beforehand.

Stop By SHOP HARUKAS 300 for Gifts!

Before you head back to the ground floor by taking the elevator from the 59th floor make sure to stop by SHOP HARUKAS 300. Here there are many goods with the Abeno Bear design.

▲Many goods from sundries to stationeries
▲Many goods from sundries to stationeries
▲The popular Abeno Bear Face Cushion (1,800 yen, without tax) is soft and cuddly
▲The popular Abeno Bear Face Cushion (1,800 yen, without tax) is soft and cuddly

Harukas 300 Observatory with an amazing view. If you take the Heliport Tour it’s like walking in the sky. Enjoy the view of the Kansai region with your friends, family and loved ones.

  • Harukas 300 (Observatory)
    ハルカス300(展望台)
    • Address 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Abeno Harukas 58th – 60th floor
    • Phone Number 06-6621-0300
    • ・Hours: 9 AM – 10 PM (last admission at 9:30 PM) *Hours may change without warning. Please check their main website.
      ・Fee: Adults 2,000 yen, junior to high school students 1,200 yen, elementary school students 700 yen, children (4 years and up) 500 yen (all prices include tax) *For disability discounts and others, please refer to the main website.
      ・Closed: Open daily
      ・Phone: 06-6621-0300 (reception 9 AM – 5:30 PM)

Text by:kurashisa

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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