This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Standing tall above Beppu’s colorful mosaic of mountains, sea, and billowing onsen steam, Beppu Tower is the city’s most iconic landmark and a rewarding stop for panoramic views and a slice of postwar Japanese history.

A tall, silver observation tower with a lattice structure rises above nearby buildings under a cloudy sky. The tower has an enclosed viewing platform near the top.

Beppu Tower (別府タワー) opened in 1957 as Japan’s third TV tower. It stands 100 meters tall and serves as the symbol of Beppu City. At the time of construction, only Nagoya TV Tower and Tsutenkaku in Osaka were taller.

Sapporo TV Tower, Tokyo Tower, and Hakata Port Tower later joined it to form the “Six Brother Towers” of Japan. In 2007, the government designated it a national registered tangible cultural property. It may not match the scale of Tokyo Tower. But the views over Beppu Bay and the mountains are genuinely impressive, and the entry fee is reasonable.

What is Beppu Tower

Beppu Tower is a 100-meter lattice tower in the Kitahama district of central Beppu, a 10-minute walk from JR Beppu Station. It houses an observation deck on the 17th floor, an art museum, a cafe, a karaoke lounge, and an outdoor grass deck. The tower opens daily from 9:30 to 21:30 and charges 800 yen for adult admission to the observation deck.

My Experience at Beppu Tower

A wide view of a city with numerous buildings and houses, surrounded by misty mountains under a cloudy, overcast sky. The cityscape is densely packed and stretches towards the horizon.

The tower has four lower floors to explore before you reach the observation deck. On the ground floor, Creole Cafe serves coffee and light meals. On the second floor, a museum displays more than 400 works of art, a permanent exhibition, and an atelier dedicated to Eiko Kano, an award-winning painter from Oita Prefecture.

The third floor has a karaoke lounge. The fifth floor opens onto Kitahama Deck, an outdoor grass space where you can look up at the tower from below.

The Observation Deck

A cloudy sky stretches over a calm, wide body of water with a faint view of distant shoreline and hills on the horizon. The scene appears peaceful and serene with soft, muted lighting.

Buy a ticket from the vending machine on the ground floor. The elevator takes you straight to the 17th floor, 55 meters above the city. The views stretch 360 degrees across Beppu Bay, the city below, and the mountains behind. Along the walls, photographs document the tower’s history and construction. You can also pick up original goods like keychains as souvenirs. Head down one floor to the 16th floor for a small galaxy-themed tunnel and a second souvenir shop.

Andy’s Travel Tips

These simple tips will help you when you visit.

  • Visit at dusk or in the evening. The tower stays open until 21:30, and the view over Beppu Bay at night is noticeably more dramatic than during the day.
  • Show your parking ticket at the ticket office to get a free one-hour stamp. This applies when visiting the 16th or 17th-floor observation deck or the second-floor art museum.
  • Check out the second-floor art museum if you have extra time. The Eiko Kano exhibition is a genuine highlight and not something most visitors expect to find inside a tower.
  • Buy your ticket from the vending machine on the ground floor rather than queuing at a counter. It is faster and the machine has an English option.
  • Walk from JR Beppu Station. The tower is only 10 minutes on foot and the walk through central Beppu gives you a feel for the city before you climb above it.

How to Get to Beppu Tower

On Foot

Because the tower stands right in the heart of the coastal downtown grid, walking is the simplest option if you are already in the central city.

  • From Beppu Station: Walk straight out of the East Exit and head directly down Ekimae-dori avenue toward the ocean. When you reach the major coastal highway (Route 10), look to your left. The tower is a flat, easy 10-minute walk from the station gates.

Bus

  • Board any Kamenoi or Oita Kotsu bus from Beppu Station bound for the waterfront. Disembark at the Beppu Kitahama bus stop. The tower entrance is just a 1-minute walk from the shelter.

Is Beppu Tower Worth Visiting?

Yes, at 800 yen it is one of the better-value views in Beppu. The observation deck delivers exactly what it promises: a clear, wide look over the bay and the city. The art museum on the second floor adds unexpected depth to the visit. The tower is not a must-see in the same way as the Beppu Hells, but it makes a natural addition to a half-day in central Beppu and the evening views are hard to beat.

More to Explore Nearby

Beppu Tower stands at the heart of the city, offering views across one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. The surrounding area is packed with baths, food, and easy escapes into the mountains.

  • Jigoku Meguri — Beppu’s famous “hell tour” takes you through a series of vivid, bubbling hot spring pools unlike anything else in Japan.
  • Hyotan Onsen — One of Beppu’s most beloved bathing spots, offering a variety of indoor and outdoor baths in a traditional setting.
  • Beppu Ropeway — Ride to the summit of Mount Tsurumi for sweeping views over the city, bay, and Kuju mountains.
  • Beppu Chicken Tempura (Toriten) — Beppu’s signature dish — crispy, juicy, and a must-try while exploring the city.
  • Yufuin: Kinrin Lake — A serene, mist-covered lake in nearby Yufuin, surrounded by galleries and small cafes.

Related Posts: