Hello! This is (@chiropiyo0331).
This time, I’m introducing a skyscraper in Abeno Ward, Osaka, that opened in 2014 and is said to be the second tallest building in Japan: Abeno Harukas. I went to check it out!
The “Harukas 300” observation deck on the top floor of Abeno Harukas offers a 360-degree panoramic view, which makes it an attractive spot that draws many visitors not only from Japan but from overseas.
In this article, I’ll explain in an easy-to-follow way how to enjoy Abeno Harukas efficiently, what to watch out for so you don’t slip up, and how much time you need for sightseeing.
What Is Abeno Harukas Like?
Abeno Harukas is directly connected to Osaka Abenobashi Station, the terminal of the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line, and is the second tallest skyscraper in Japan.
It’s attractive for its wealth of facilities, enough to spend half a day on—an observation deck, an art museum, shopping and more.
The floors of Abeno Harukas are, from the bottom: the Kintetsu Main Store department store, restaurant floors, art museum, offices, hotel and observation deck.
Visitor Information for Abeno Harukas
Abeno Harukas can be used free of charge except for some paid areas.
The biggest highlight is the Harukas 300 observation deck. On the 16th floor of Abeno Harukas, the ticket counter sells same-day tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take the direct elevator from the 16th floor up to the 60th floor, and you can enjoy a vast panorama of Osaka through the glass, 360° in all four directions.
Access to Abeno Harukas
You can reach Abeno Harukas by train, bus, plane and other means, but there is no dedicated parking lot, so driving isn’t recommended; public transportation is the way to go.
| Access method | Travel time |
|---|---|
| By train | Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line “Osaka Abenobashi Station” West Gate to entrance: 1 minute on foot JR Kansai Main Line, Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line and Osaka Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi lines “Tennoji Station” South Exit to entrance: 3 minutes on foot Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and Hankai Tramway Uemachi Line “Abeno Station” Exit 1 to entrance: 4 minutes on foot |
| By bus | Right in front of the Abeno Harukas bus stop or the Tennoji Miyako Hotel bus stop |
| By car | Harukas 300 (observation deck) and the Abeno Harukas Museum have no dedicated parking lot. ※Use the parking lot of the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel or the Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store. |
| By plane | About 30 minutes by airport bus from Osaka International Airport; from Kansai International Airport, about 30 minutes by JR Hanwa Line from Kansai-Airport Station to Tennoji Station (by limited express), or about 55 minutes by airport bus |
Time Needed for Sightseeing at Abeno Harukas
On my first visit to Abeno Harukas, the actual times my sightseeing took were as follows.
| Main attractions | Highlights | Time needed |
| High-speed elevator | Light show | 5 min |
| Harukas 300 observation deck | Panoramic views from all four directions and photos | 20 min |
| Café, Dining & Bar “SKY GARDEN 300” | Enjoying pineapple-flavored soft serve | 20–60 min |
| [Paid] Helipad tour at Harukas 300 (observation deck) | Refreshing views from the rooftop | 25 min |
| Shop | Souvenir corner | 15 min |
Even if your time is limited, be sure to visit these three: the high-speed elevator, the Harukas 300 observation deck, and the café, dining & bar “SKY GARDEN 300.”
If you narrow it down to those three and sightsee briefly, the time needed is about 45 minutes.
At “SKY GARDEN 300,” where you can look out over the view from a wooden deck, you can also have lunch or dinner, which adds about 30 minutes.
The helipad tour costs an extra 500 yen, but you can enjoy refreshing views from the rooftop in about 25 minutes.
To fully enjoy everything, including the souvenir corner, you need 1 hour 55 minutes.
Crowding time isn’t included, so on weekends or three-day holidays it’s safe to allow about another 15 minutes as a buffer.
Attractive Spots at Abeno Harukas
At Harukas 300 (the observation deck), you can enjoy views of the Osaka cityscape in every direction, as well as various entertainment and events such as the café and the helipad tour.
① Enjoy the Light-Show Space in the High-Speed Elevator
Just riding the shuttle elevator, which races from the 16th to the 60th floor at 240 m per minute, is fun enough.
The ride up and down is themed on an airplane flight, with LEDs and a meteor shower to see, so pay attention not only to the elevator’s speed but also to the light-show space where you can feel a sense of floating.
② Enjoy the Grand Panorama from the “Harukas 300” Observation Deck
The Harukas 300 observation deck has big glass from floor to ceiling, so it feels very open, and you can walk all the way around! The futuristic, modern design lifts your mood.
The aisles are quite wide, so you can take photos at the spots you want while giving way to each other!
Not only can you take in views of Osaka and the surrounding area, but on a clear day you can even see as far as Awaji Island.
It’s cloudy, but the view is still beautiful! Even under an overcast sky, it’s impressive.
To the north, you can see the Tower of the Sun, Osaka Castle, Osaka-jo Hall, Osaka International Airport (Itami), Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Keitakuen Garden and more.
To the south, the Hankai Line is visible in the center, with the Mozu–Furuichi Kofun Group (Daisen Kofun) in the distance and the Hanshin Expressway Matsubara Line stretching left and right.
③ Café, Dining & Bar “SKY GARDEN 300”
On the 58th floor of Abeno Harukas there is an outdoor observation plaza where you can spend relaxed time on a wooden deck in the open air.
“SKY GARDEN 300” is a café, dining & bar at Harukas 300 (the observation deck), which stands 300 m high.
At night, it becomes a place where you can enjoy dinner with a romantic night view and a glass of wine or a cocktail.
A BBQ where you can fully enjoy thick-cut meat on a grill in an open garden space is also recommended!
You can also take in the breathtaking view of Osaka’s cityscape while breathing fresh air outdoors, just like this!
★ All-you-can-drink outdoor terrace BBQ! 《Enjoy a full-fledged glamping BBQ: Premium BBQ plan, 2-hour limit》
During café time, try the pineapple-flavored soft serve topped with finely crushed candy.
④ Helipad Tour at Harukas 300 (Observation Deck)
Since you’ve come all the way up to the observation deck, the helipad tour, which lets you enjoy refreshing views from the building’s rooftop, is recommended.
Joining in the late afternoon, when you can watch the sunset, is especially recommended.
| Fee | 500 yen |
| Duration | About 25 minutes |
| Meeting point | 60th-floor information desk |
| Tour start times | ① 9:45 ② 10:30 ③ 11:15 ④ 12:00 ⑤ 12:45 ⑥ 13:30 ⑦ 14:15 ⑧ 15:00 ⑨ 15:45 ⑩ 16:30 ⑪ 17:15 ⑫ 18:00 ⑬ 18:45 ⑭ 19:30 ⑮ 20:30 |
During the “Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival,” held on the first Saturday of August each year, special viewing areas are set up on each floor of Harukas 300 (the observation deck) and on the helipad, and tickets go on sale on Asoview in early July.
Observation Deck Fees at Abeno Harukas
Since it’s the second tallest building in Japan, you’re probably curious about the observation deck fee.
| Category | Adult | Junior/senior high school | Elementary school | Child (preschool) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual fee | 1,800 yen | 1,200 yen | 700 yen | 500 yen |
| Fee for people with disabilities | 750 yen | 600 yen | 350 yen | 250 yen |
| School group fee (15 or more people) | 1,200 yen | High school students 960 yen Junior high students 840 yen | 560 yen | – |
| Group fee (15 or more people) | 1,620 yen | 1,080 yen | 630 yen | 450 yen |
Adults pay 1,800 yen and junior/senior high school students 1,200 yen; same-day tickets are sold at the ticket counter on the 16th floor.
※In June 2023, the adult fee rose from 1,500 yen to 1,800 yen.
Are There Coupons for the Abeno Harukas Observation Deck?
Yokohama’s Landmark Tower, the third tallest in Japan, costs 1,000 yen, so the Abeno Harukas observation deck feels expensive.
There are no discounts or coupons, but if you buy in advance on Asoview, you don’t have to line up at the ticket counter even when it’s crowded, and by holding the QR code shown on your own smartphone up to the gate, you can enter smoothly.
With Asoview you also earn Asoview points, so you can double-dip!
Coin Lockers at Abeno Harukas
There are several coin lockers at Abeno Harukas, but the Osaka Abenobashi Station coin lockers on the basement 1st floor of the Kintetsu Department Store Wing Building are recommended.
- Small, 400 yen: 95
- Medium, 500 yen: 6
- Medium, 600 yen: 28
- Large, 700 yen: 14
- Extra large, 800 yen: 6
After leaving your bags, you can immediately take a nearby elevator up to connect to the Tower Building with Harukas 300 (the observation deck), which also saves travel time.
Hotels Near Abeno Harukas
There are many hotels around Abeno Harukas, but the restaurants and rooms of the “Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel” on the upper floors of Abeno Harukas have the best views in the Kansai region!
Harukas 300 (the observation deck) gets crowded from around noon on weekends, holidays and long holidays, but if you stay at the “Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel” you can head there after checkout at a time when it’s not crowded, making it the best location.
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