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.

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 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).

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 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?”

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Text by:kurashisa