Abeno Harukas

Abeno Harukas opened in 2014 above Tennoji station and at 300 metres is the tallest building in Japan - the Azabudai Hills tower in Tokyo is close behind it and the title has been contested in press coverage, but Harukas holds it by height of building. Sixty storeys hold a department store in the lower half, offices, a hotel and an art museum, with Harukas 300 occupying floors 58 to 60: a three-level observatory with a glazed atrium open through all three floors, an indoor gallery, and a rooftop terrace. Osaka is flat, so the view runs a long way in every direction - Osaka Bay and Awaji to the west, the Ikoma range east, Kobe and on clear days as far as Awaji and the Kii mountains. Edge the Harukas, an outdoor walk on the roof rail at 300 metres in a harness, runs by booking.

What you actually see

• 300 metres - the tallest building in Japan, opened in 2014.
• A three-floor observatory - a glazed atrium open through floors 58 to 60.
• Flat-city views - Osaka Bay, the Ikoma range and Kobe on clear days.
• Edge the Harukas - a harnessed outdoor walk on the roof rail, by booking.

When to go

All year; sunset for the change from day to lit city. Two hours.

Honest expectations

The observatory ticket is among the more expensive in Japan. Haze limits the distant view on many days. The rooftop closes in wind and rain. The edge walk books out and has age and weather restrictions.

Nearby

Shitennoji is north; Tennoji Park and the zoo are beside the station.