Kotatsu with a view

The Yomiuri Shimbun

November 28, 2021

Two women happily share an oden hot-pot as they keep cozy sitting at a kotatsu heated table on the observation deck on the 58th floor of the Abeno Harukasu building in Osaka earlier this month. The special campaign combining two of Japan’s favorite things in winter — oden and kotatsu — started on Nov. 12 at the tallest building in Japan and will continue through March 27 next year. The price is ¥2,980 per person (minimum of two), including the entrance fee to the observation deck. Drinks are separate. Nine kotatsu tables and one table with a loveseat sofa have been set up on the deck overlooking the city at a height of 280 meters. As a pandemic measure, only two people are allowed per table in principal, although an exception can be made for an accompanying child. Reservations are required and can only be made online.