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Ride one of western Japan’s largest ropeways up Mount Tsurumi and take in breathtaking views of Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the surrounding mountain ranges on a scenic 10-minute gondola ride.

A wide aerial view of a coastal city bordered by greenery and mountains, with blue ocean and sky above. Wispy clouds stretch across the sky, and the cityscape extends toward the shoreline.

Beppu Ropeway (別府ロープウェイ) runs up the slopes of Mount Tsurumi in Oita Prefecture. The gondola climbs 800 meters of the mountain’s 1,375-meter height. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Kuju and Yufu mountain ranges.

I visit Beppu every year to see family, and riding this ropeway has become one of my favorite traditions. Every season looks different from the gondola. Autumn is the best.

What is Beppu Ropeway

Beppu Ropeway is one of the largest ropeways in western Japan. It runs up the eastern slope of Mount Tsurumi, carrying passengers from the lower station to the upper station in about 10 minutes. From the top, walking trails lead to observation points and the mountain summit. The ropeway runs year-round and gives visitors a completely different perspective of Beppu City below.

Quick Facts

  • Located on Mount Tsurumi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
  • Climbs 800 meters of the 1,375-meter mountain in a 10-minute gondola ride
  • Views extend to Beppu Bay, the Kuju range, and the Yufu mountain range on clear days
  • Summit of Mount Tsurumi is a further 15-minute walk from the upper station
  • Hours: March 15–November 14, 9:00–17:30 (last ascent 17:00); November 15–March 14, 9:00–17:00 (last ascent 16:30)

My Experience at Beppu Ropeway

People walk on a stone path toward a red torii gate and shrine at the base of a green hill, topped with communication towers and a building, under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

The 10-minute gondola ride gives you a front-row seat to whatever season you visit in. Spring brings cherry blossoms across the slopes. Summer turns the mountain a deep, vivid green. Winter dusts the trees in snow. But autumn stands apart. The fiery colors start at the summit in October. They slowly work their way down the mountain through November. Watching that from the gondola is genuinely special.

The Upper Station and Mount Tsurumi Summit

The upper station sits inside a small park with the Tsurumi Sanjo Gongen Shrine and several walking trails. From here, the summit of Mount Tsurumi is a 15-minute walk. The path includes some steep stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. Grab a drink from the vending machines at the station before heading up. Several viewpoints along the way look out over Beppu City, Beppu Bay, and the surrounding ranges.

For more serious hikers, a trail from the lower ropeway station runs all the way to the summit in about two hours. Additional trails branch off into the surrounding mountain ranges from there.

The Souvenir Shop and Kyushu Shochukan

Back at the lower station, a souvenir shop sells local snacks and mementos. Next door is the Kyushu Shochukan, where you can sample over 500 types of shochu from across Kyushu. Varieties from Iki and Amami are among the highlights. I have not visited yet, but it comes highly recommended as a way to explore Kyushu’s most famous distilled spirit.

Andy’s Travel Tips

These simple tips will help you when you visit.

  • Visit in autumn for the best scenery. The fall colors start at the summit in October and move down the mountain through November. Timing your visit for mid to late October gives you the most dramatic views.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. The walk to the summit from the upper station involves steep stairs. Sandals or flat shoes will make it harder than it needs to be.
  • Grab a drink at the upper station vending machines before heading up to the summit. There are no refreshment stops on the trail itself.
  • Check the weather before you go. The ropeway closes irregularly due to bad weather and maintenance. Views on a clear day extend all the way to the Kuju and Yufu ranges, so the weather matters.
  • Stop at the Kyushu Shochukan on the way out. Over 500 types of Kyushu shochu are available to sample. It makes a fun final stop before driving back into Beppu.
A distant, tree-covered mountain rises under a clear blue sky, with a wispy white cloud overhead and green hills rolling away into the horizon. Sparse vegetation is visible in the foreground.

How to Get There

Bus

Taking the local public bus network is the most seamless way to climb into the highlands directly from the main transit hubs.

  • From Beppu Station: Walk out of the West Exit to Bus Stop 1. Board the Kamenoi Bus Route 36 bound for Yufuin. The bus climbs straight into the mountains, and you will disembark at the Beppu Ropeway bus stop. The journey takes about 20 minutes.
  • Yufurin Express Bus: Alternatively, from the East Exit of Beppu Station, you can catch the specialized “Yufurin” sightseeing bus. This express route snakes through the historic Kannawa hot spring district first, reaching the ropeway base station in about 40 minutes.

Car

  • From Beppu city center: Drive west out of the downtown grid onto Yamanami Highway (Route 11) heading toward Yufuin. If you are utilizing the expressway system, exit at the Beppu IC—from there, it is a quick 5-minute drive up the mountain to the lower terminal.

Taxi

  • A taxi ride directly from the West Exit of Beppu Station to the ropeway base takes roughly 12 to 15 minutes.
  • The fare typically runs between Â¥3,000 and Â¥3,700, making it a highly practical alternative if you are traveling with a small group or wanting to bypass the hourly bus windows.

Is Beppu Ropeway Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially in autumn. The gondola ride is short, but the views are genuinely impressive. The walking trails at the top add real value to the visit. At 1,800 yen for a round trip, it is good value for what you get. If you are spending any time in Beppu, it is worth the short drive or bus ride up the mountain.

More to Explore Nearby

A long suspension bridge, the Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge in Kyushu, stretches across a deep, forested valley with tall trees and hills under a clear sky. The bridge has cables and a modern, white support tower.

Beppu Ropeway whisks you up to the summit of Mount Tsurumi, but there’s plenty more to discover back at ground level. Beppu and its surroundings are packed with hot springs, local crafts, and scenic escapes.

  • Kokonoe Yume Suspension Bridge — A dramatic pedestrian bridge suspended high above a forested gorge, deeper into Oita’s mountainous interior.
  • Suginoi Hotel — One of Beppu’s most popular resort hotels, known for its spectacular hilltop baths overlooking the city and bay.
  • Yufuin: Kinrin Lake — A serene, mist-covered lake in nearby Yufuin, surrounded by galleries and cafes. An easy side trip from Beppu.
  • Oita Food Guide — From Beppu’s crispy toriten to Hita’s river cuisine, a guide to the best regional dishes across Oita Prefecture.

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