Abeno Harukas

This guide to Abeno Harukas in Osaka traces how the tower ended up in the record books almost by accident: the original plan on this site, home to an aging Kintetsu department store terminal, called for something ordinary until Japan eased airport flight-path restrictions in 2007. It follows architect Cesar Pelli, best known for Malaysia's Petronas Towers, as he redrew the building three hundred meters taller, and the old word chosen for its name, meaning to brighten the sky. Look for the clear-day view toward Kobe and Wakayama from the top floors.