Guide to Best Lookout Spots in Osaka to Enjoy Amazing Night Views

Abeno Harukas

Abeno Harukas is famous for being the tallest building in Japan. "Haruka" means "distant" in Japanese, and just like its name suggests, you can see the Osaka Plain extending out to the horizon from the observation deck located at the top of this 300 meter high building. The architecture of this observatory is another attractive point. Its open-air atrium is designed so you can enjoy the feel of the fresh air 58 stories up. Considering this is one of the best observatories in Japan, the entry price of 1,500 yen is also very affordable. 

Visitors can also enjoy the view over a meal at the observatory's SKYGARDEN restaurant. The menu includes plenty of delicious options including puka dogs (Hawaiian style hot dogs), beef katsu sandwiches, and rainbow fruit sandwiches. The al fresco seats offer an even better experience of the Osaka view at night. You won't find the pineapple candy soft serve ice cream sold anywhere else, so definitely give it a try while you enjoy the view.

Bokura no Hiroba

Bokura no Hiroba is a night view spot tucked away in the Ikoma mountain range in Higashiosaka. It is the best rated of the night view lookouts in the Ikoma Mountains. An ocean of the bright lights of Osaka spreads out in front of you at Bokura no Hiroba.

Another feature of this spot is that even with the amazing view it provides, it tends to be less crowded than many other places. This is definitely an unmissable spot for seeing the view of Osaka at night.

Bokura no Hiroba is a well-known spot, but it can be a little inconvenient to reach. It's located around 15 minutes walk from the parking area, but since there's no lighting on the path, you'll need to use a torch at night.

If you don't mind spending a little money, you can take the Ikoma Skyline tollroad to reach this lookout. If you'd prefer not to pay tolls, you can also get here via public roads. Make your way out here and you're guaranteed a stunning view of the best of Osaka's night scenery!

Satsukiyama Driveway

Satsukiyama Driveway, located in Osaka's Ikeda City, has three observation areas: Hi no Maru Lookout, Satsukihira Lookout, and Shubodai Lookout. The biggest of the three is the Hi no Maru Lookout. From here you can see a view of the Osaka city nightscape, including the Umeda area and Osaka International Airport. It costs only 300 yen to enter, so this is a great spot if you're on a budget.

Along with Satsukihira Lookout, Shubodai Lookout is also a must-see spot if you're at Satsukiyama Driveway. It's located just five minutes from the toll both, so it's easy to access. A highlight here is the view of Shin-Inagawa Bridge, which is illuminated on national holidays, and is a key to the popularity of this lookout. Like Satsukihira Lookout, the entry fee is affordably priced at just 300 yen.

Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building

Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building is also called Sakishima Cosmo Tower, and is a favorite among Osaka locals. The observation deck at this high rise building is almost as tall as the one at Abeno Harukas, and you can enjoy a view of the Kansai International Airport and Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge here. The windows of the observation deck have also been designed to provide a more panoramic night view. This observation area surprisingly doesn't tend to attract a lot of crowds, so you can take your time to relax and enjoy the view.

One other feature of the Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building Observation Deck is that you can re-enter a second time using the same ticket. This is a service you don't see offered very often at Japanese observation areas! The entry price is 500 yen, and when you consider that you can re-enter, this is a great deal. Make use of this re-entry service if you want to really spend some time taking in the view from this observation deck.

Umeda Sky Building

Umeda Sky Building is a night view spot that was built in 1993 at the end of the bubble economy period. The Sky Walk is a must-see feature of this observatory. From here, you can see a view from the nearby Yodogawa River and Osaka Marubiru to as far away as Abeno Harukas and Osaka Bay. The upper observatory is completely open-air, offering an unbroken view of the city at night. The cafe on the 40th floor also makes a great place to take in the view with a special someone.

To visit the observation deck, you'll need to take a glass-walled escalator from the 35rd to the 39th floor. The escalator's interior and exterior has a fairly futuristic design, and riding it will make you feel as if you're rising into the night sky. You'll be able to see the Osaka streets spreading out in the darkness below from the escalator windows.

Shigiikoma Skyline

Shigiikoma Skyline runs along the boundary between Osaka Prefecture and the neighboring Nara Prefecture. There are many great spots for night views here⁠ - so many, in fact, that it's sometimes called the mecca for night views in Osaka.

Three of the main spots for night views here are the Kane no Naru Lookout, Hozanji Temple, and Jusan Toge Pass. Kane no Naru Lookout in particular is a great romantic spot for couples, and a visit here is sure to be a special experience that will bring you closer together.

One of the top spots on the Skyline is Panorama Parking. This is a park that offers a view not only of Osaka, but also as far away as Nara as well. It has been gaining more popularity recently because the trees that grew here have been removed to improve the view. You can also climb the playground slide here for an even better view!

Yodogawa Riverside Park

Yodogawa Riverside Park is a city park located on the banks of the Yodogawa River. You can see a view of the Umeda area here, including the Shin Umeda City area. The night view of Umeda is brightly illuminated and looks as colorful as any bustling city street. The color of the buildings in Umeda change at certain times, which is another charm of this spot. If you visited Yodogawa Riverside Park every day, you may get to see a different view each time.

Yodogawa Riverside Park is a famous spot for night views year round, but in the summer, the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is especially a striking feature. In August of each year, the Yodogawa riverbanks become the venue for this large scale fireworks display. If you manage to get a good spot, you'll see an uninterrupted view of the fireworks. The view of the fireworks launching into the sky before the Umeda area is an unmissable sight, so you'll be able to get a great view you can only see in the summer here. 

Senrigawa River

Senrigawa River is a very famous night view spot in Osaka thanks to the view you can get of planes flying overhead here. Osaka International Airport is located close by, so the planes arriving and departing usually pass over Senrigawa River.

Watching the planes flying in at night will feel just like something out of a movie, and is an amazing view to see in and of itself. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm is usually the peak hours for planes passing overhead at night.

It's best to come prepared, though, because there are no convenience stores or other shops nearby.  If you're coming to see the view here, plan ahead to bring some food and drinks with you. There are no bathrooms, either, so keep that in mind before you arrive. Take care to ensure that the strong winds from the planes don't blow away your hats or belongings, too.

Tsutenkaku Tower

Tsutenkaku Tower is an iconic spot that all Osaka locals know about. There are two observation decks you can visit here. The first is a deck featuring a statue of local mascot, Billiken. This deck is built 84 - 87 meters high, so you can see a sweeping view of the Osaka streetscape.

If you want to keep enjoying the view from Tsutenkaku Tower, head on to Tembo Paradise. This deck is seven meters higher than the observation deck with the Billiken statue, and its main feature is that it offers an unbroken 360 degree night view of Osaka.

Tsutenkaku Tower is also illuminated at night. While it may not have the same impact some other lookouts do, it's still a very famous sightseeing spot. At 1,200 yen, its entry fee may also be a little higher than other observation areas, but it's worth it for such an expansive view.

Hankyu Grand Building

Hankyu Grand Building is a high-rise building located in Umeda. It was completed in 1977 and is one of the older buildings in the area. The west observation deck at the Hankyu Grand Building is particularly recommended. Although the night view is not as clear due to the rush of development in the area, one highlight is that you can follow the progress of the building here. This is a chance to see how the Umeda area's nightscape is changing.

The restaurants in the Hankyu 32 Bangai area in the Hankyu Grand Building are particularly recommended. Hankyu 32 Bangai has a number of famous restaurants, including Oyster Bar and Natural Dining Kurumi, where you can enjoy the view of Umeda at night over a gourmet meal. We recommend combining a meal at one of these restaurants with a visit to the observation area.

Tempozan Ferris Wheel

This night view spot is a Ferris wheel that stands over 112 meters tall. This height comes close to some of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, like the Singapore Flyer and London Eye, and the night view it offers is exceptional. From Tempozan Ferris Wheel you can see as far as the Ikoma Mountains and Kansai International Airport. Enjoying this view for a 15-minute blissful experience! There are a number of other sightseeing spots like Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan in the area to enjoy too.

Tempozan Ferris Wheel is also illuminated in a display called the Art of Light. This was the first attempt in the world to make a light display on a Ferris wheel of this size, so you're unlikely to see a view like this anywhere else in Japan. The illumination features gigantic artworks like a kaleidoscope display, and even information like weather forecasts. The Tempozan Ferris Wheel definitely makes for an unmissable night view.

Higashiosaka City Hall

Higashiosaka City Hall is a high-rise building with 22 floors. From the observation deck here you can see a night view that includes the Ikoma Mountains.

Its highlight is the view of the Higashiosaka Junction. Here you can experience a stunning view of the complex intersection between the Kinki Expressway and Hanshin Expressway. Entry to the observation deck is free, which is great if you want to see a beautiful night view without spending money.

There is a beautiful view to see here, but photography is typically not permitted on the 22nd floor observation lobby. Photography is allowed from the south side observation lobby, but only in the direction of the Higashiosaka Junction. Please also keep in mind that parking costs 150 yen.

Explore Osaka's Many Night Viewing Spots

These were the best night view spots in Osaka. You're sure to know exactly where to go if you want a view of the Osaka Plain and the city's high rise buildings. While Osaka's night views might have a reputation of being a little less stunning than Tokyo's, there are some things you can see in Osaka that you can't in Tokyo, like the view from the 300 meter tall Abeno Harukas building. Make sure to take advantage of these spots during your visit to Osaka!

 

Translated and republished with permission from：Relux Magazine
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