The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Osaka, Japan

Osaka is the central city in the Kansai region. Recently, Osaka had a large-scale re-development and the GRAND FRONT in Umeda and the Abeno Harukas in Abeno have been constructed. The buildings from where you can have a beautiful night-view have increased. Osaka has been called the [city of water] in another word and has been actively carrying out the maintenance of the Bay area and the River-front. I’m introducing the 10 recommended night-view spots in Osaka.

1. The night-view which you can see from the middle of the large city, Osaka! [GRAND FRONT]

The GRAND FRONT Osaka was opened in 2013. It has a great bustle every day, not only because of its convenience in front of the JR Osaka station, but also there are a lot of facilities in the 2 buildings to enjoy throughout the day such as shops, restaurants and hotels. On the South as well as the North Terrace Gardens of the GRAND FRONT, there are the places to enjoy the night-view for free.

You can enjoy the urban atmosphere with the sparkling lights of the buildings such as JR Osaka station and the Sky Bld., whilst sitting on a bench relaxing. There are many resting places where you can take a seat and the devices to enjoy the night-view are here and there. Please try to find a nice spot for yourself.

2. Command the night-view from the acknowledged building worldwide [Umeda Sky-bld. Hanging Garden]

Since it was published in the Times in England as one of the [top 20 architectures which represent the world], the foreign sightseers who visit the Umeda Sky-bld. have been rapidly increasing. The observation area which is called the Hanging Garden on the part of the connection between the 2 buildings has been extremely popular for enjoying the individual modern architecture and the night-view of Osaka.

Especially, from the circular outdoor deck at 173m above the ground which is called the Sky-walk on the top floor, you can command a 360-degree-view of the Osaka urban area. Also, you can view the beautiful sunset, the arrival and departure of aeroplanes at the Itami airport and the night-view of the Osaka urban town. The restaurant and the shops are adequate for your need, so please enjoy your evening.

3. The red land mark which colours the town of Osaka! The romantic night-view of Osaka [HEP FIVE Ferris wheel]

Have you noticed that there is a very impressive red Ferris wheel when you look up to the sky from the roof of a building in Umeda town? That is the Ferris wheel which has been set up on the 7th floor, the roof of the land mark, HEP FIVE in Umeda. It takes 15 minutes to go round and the gigantic Ferris wheel with a diameter of 75m is on the roof of the building, it is higher than the general Ferris wheel. It goes up to 106m high.

On a fine day, you can command a view of the Osaka Bay, the Akashi-ohashi and beyond. At night, you can enjoy the illuminated buildings, focused on the night-view of Umeda. The gondola has been fully equipped for air-conditioning and heating, so you can enjoy yourself regardless of the weather.

4. Look at the night-view in the middle of the town in Osaka The spectacular night-view just in front of you [Dotonbori surroundings]

Osaka firstly reminds one of the gigantic Glico signboard, among the innumerable illuminations. The Dotonbori Ebisu-bridge is a corner which shows the busiest atmosphere as the central part of the Osaka’s bustling streets. The whole neighbourhood facing the river Dotonbori is illuminated by the gigantic signboards and the sign posts of the food shops in the surrounding area are lit up. You will be fascinated, I’m sure.

The promenade along the river Dotonbori has been well maintained, being called [Tonbori Bar-walk].
The famous huge Glico signboard is just in front of you, so you can enjoy it. Everything is spectacular. Please experience the lively town of Osaka and enjoy the exciting night-view which can be seen from practically anywhere in Osaka!

5. The night-view which is all inspiring from the sky scraper in Osaka! [Harukas] 300 (observation deck) Abeno Harukas

The Abeno Harukas was constructed as the re-development of the Kintetsu Abeno station building. It has 60 floors and is 300m in height. It is crowded by many people every day, as it is the highest building in Japan and has the composite facilities for the hotel and the department-store. The observation decks are on the 58th, 59th and 60th floors. As it is much higher than any other buildings in the surrounding area, you can command the scenery of 360 degrees, including Kyoto, Akashi-ohashi and Awaji-island in the far distance on a fine day. It is the best observation spot.

At night when you are appreciating the night-view, the lights of the rooms are turned down and the illumination as well as the sound show creates a better environment for enjoying the night-view. Below your eyes, you can see the Tsutenkaku in Osaka and it is a different night-view from the one in Umeda. As the Abeno Harukas offers the tour to go up to the heliport on the roof, you can experience the thrill to climb up to the heliport. Please enjoy the spectacular night-view at the new spots in Osaka.

6. Talking about the famous places in Osaka! The [Tsutenkaku] which is located in the center of the downtown

In the whole surroundings of the downtown area in Osaka, Shinsekai, the B-class gourmet shops which show off the streets with the Showa-era atmosphere are spreading about. The impressive tower in the middle of the town is Tsutenkaku. It was originally constructed in 1912, copying the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Actually, the present tower is the second generation which was constructed in 1955.

Nowadays, speaking of Osaka, most people imagine the Tsutenkaku, which is so popular that many sightseers enjoy the view from its observation deck every day. The height of the observation deck is 91m and at night, you can see the Abeno Harukas which is 300m in height beautifully. You also can have a 360-degree-view including the Ferris wheel on Mt. Tenpo and the sky scrapers in Umeda. On the observation floor, there is a Billiken statue where your wish comes true when you touch its legs. Please try it for fun.

7. Enjoy the [City of water], Osaka to the full! The night-view on the water [Nakanoshima River Cruise]

In the past, Osaka used to be called the city of water. Osaka had prospered through its water transport because of many canals and rivers. In recent years, Osaka has been tryingto regain its prosperity from that time and has been arranging to make the river-front attractive. Especially, the Nakanoshima area where many western-styled houses from the Meiji-era are lined up in a lovely way. It is beautifully illuminated at night.

On the [Nakanoshima River Cruise], you can enjoy the charming night-view from the open-top boat for 20 minutes. You will be provided with the wireless headphone to listen to the voice guide in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, so anyone from overseas can enjoy it. In winter, the cruise has a limited period of operation. Enjoy the city of water.

8. If you want to enjoy the night-view of the Osaka Bay area! [Mt. Tenpo Big Ferris wheel / Mt. Tenpo Harbour Village]

The [Kaiyukan] is the world’s largest aquarium with a gigantic water tank in which large whale sharks are swimming freely. Mt. Tenpo Ferris wheel is next to it. The largest Ferris wheel in Japan is 100m in diameter, 112.5m in height and you can enjoy the night-view of the Bay area for 17 minutes.

The Universal Studio Japan, the Nanko and the Kansai airport are close by and the night-view of the sea which is totally different from the center of the city spreads around. It is recommended that after appreciating the sea inhabitants in the [Kaiyukan], you can enjoy the night-view on the Ferris wheel!

9. Command the view of the Osaka town from the top floor! [Osaka prefectural office Osaka prefectural Sakishima building]

In the Nanko in the Bay area of Osaka, the remarkably high building is the Cosmo Tower which is used by the Osaka prefectural office. It is 256m in height and the night-view spreads out when you go straight up to the observation deck on the 55th floor using the see-through elevator. From the observation deck on the top-floor, you can overlook the Nanko, to begin with, the Kansai airport, the Akashi channel and the night-view of Kobe.

The double-seats have been prepared on the deck, so you can enjoy the night-view without being disturbed only with your partner or friends. Please spend some time leisurely from early evening, having a light meal.

10. You can enjoy the night-view even in the rain Ultra popular spot [Star Café SPICA]

Even when the weather is bad and you want to see the night sky comfortably regardless of the seasons, the Café-bar, [Star Café SPICA] in the Matsuyamachi in Osaka is recommended.
This renovated old house into the café bar projects the planetarium on the wall. On the space for the astronomical observation on the roof, the shop attendant holds the stargazing party every day. (If there is bad weather, the planetarium explanation is shown inside the shop)

As it is a café-bar, their drinks and foods are all related to the stars and to space. This spot is so popular that you need a reservation.

Let’s enjoy the beautiful night-view in Osaka!

How was this article? I’ve introduced the 10 spots from where you can enjoy the night-view in Osaka.
In recent years, every corner in Osaka has been largely redeveloped and the scenes of the town have been changing rapidly. The night-view at the moment may look different from the one a few years ago. Please enjoy the lively appearance of the Osaka town.