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Enjoy Beppu Tower on a Budget: A Must-Visit Spot for Hot Spring Travelers
Beppu Tower is the iconic symbol of the Beppu hot spring district. It offers 360-degree panoramic views and stunning LED illumination that has been designated as a Japan Night View Heritage site.
Beppu has many attractions including hot spring hopping, and it’s great to visit them affordably.
This article covers discount information for Beppu Tower and essential tips for a smooth visit. We’ll also share the surprising connection to Tokyo Tower. We hope this helps you enjoy Beppu sightseeing on a budget.
Beppu Tower
Beppu Tower is a 100-meter observation tower located in Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. It opened in 1957 as the main attraction of the “Beppu Onsen Tourism Industry Expo” and at its peak attracted one million visitors annually. After a 2023 renovation, it continues to serve as the beloved symbol of Beppu’s hot spring district.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3 - 10 - 2 Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Hours | 9:30 am–9:30 pm (Last entry 9:00 pm) |
| Closed | Open year - round |
| Height | 100m |
| Completed | 1957 (Showa 32) |
| Observation Deck | 16F & 17F (approx. 55m above ground) |
| Registered Tangible Cultural Property | Registered in 2007 |
| Official Website | https://bepputower.co.jp/ |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Observation Deck | Adults 800 yen / Jr. & Sr. High 600 yen / Ages 4–Elementary 400 yen |
| Art Museum | Adults 1,000 yen / Jr. & Sr. High 800 yen / Ages 4–Elementary 600 yen |
How to Get Tickets at a Discount
How you buy tickets for Beppu Tower can make a difference in cost. For just the tower, choose the combo ticket. For a full Beppu experience, the Beppu Sightseeing Pass is the way to go.
Save 500 Yen with the Combo Ticket
In addition to the observation deck, Beppu Tower has the Beppu Art Museum on the 2nd floor. If you want to enjoy both, the combo ticket is the best deal.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Observation Deck Only | 800 yen |
| Art Museum Only | 1,000 yen |
| Combo Ticket | 1,300 yen |
Normally 800 yen + 1,000 yen = 1,800 yen, but the combo ticket is just 1,300 yen. That’s 500 yen in savings.
The Beppu Art Museum displays over 300 works by celebrities such as Beat Takeshi, Jimmy Onishi, and Aki Yashiro, as well as lithographs by Dalí and Picasso. If you’re visiting the observation deck, consider adding the museum with the combo ticket.
Visit Essentially Free with the Beppu Sightseeing Pass
If you’re planning to visit not just Beppu Tower but also the Hell Tour and other Beppu attractions, the "Beppu Sightseeing Pass" is highly recommended.
| Pass | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 - Day Pass | Adults 3,800 yen / Children 2,500 yen |
| 2 - Day Pass | Adults 6,000 yen / Children 3,500 yen |
The pass provides access to 18 facilities including Beppu Tower’s observation deck, the Hell Tour (7 hells), Rakutenchi, and Kijima Kogen Park.
Just the Hell Tour common ticket (2,400 yen) and Hell Onsen Museum (1,500 yen) total 3,900 yen. Add the tower observation deck (800 yen) and Art Museum (1,000 yen) and that’s 5,700 yen worth of value. The pass easily pays for itself.
With smart planning, the Beppu Sightseeing Pass can make your Beppu Tower visit essentially free.
1 Hour Free Parking at the Designated Lot
If you’re driving, Beppu Tower has a dedicated parking lot with 1 hour free for observation deck visitors.
The parking lot is right next to the tower, with Parking Lot 1 and Parking Lot 2 available. Parking Lot 1 is closer to Beppu Tower. Note that the area around Parking Lot 2 is one-way, so take care when entering.
What to Know Before You Visit
If you’re heading to Beppu Tower, it’s worth confirming hours and access beforehand. Can you visit at night? Can you get there without a car? Here are answers to common questions.
Night Views Until 9 PM: Open Late for Evening Visits
The observation deck is open until 21:30 (last entry 21:00). That’s late for a regional observation tower, so you can enjoy night views even after dinner or a hot spring visit.
The 2023 renovation added LED lighting, and the tower itself is now illuminated. This illumination has been designated a Japan Night View Heritage site. After enjoying the views from the observation deck, looking up at the lit tower from outside is also recommended.
Easy Bus Access: Bus Stop Right in Front
No car? No problem. There’s a “Beppu Tower Mae” bus stop right in front of the tower.
Even if bus times don’t work out, JR Beppu Station is only about a 10-minute walk away.
Taxi is Cost-Effective for Groups
From Beppu Station, a taxi takes about 3 minutes and costs just one meter fare. If you’re traveling with multiple people, a taxi can be a smart choice.
The Surprising Connection to Tokyo Tower
Beppu Tower was designed by the same architect as Tokyo Tower.
The designer was Tachu Naito, a structural engineer known as the “Tower Doctor” and “Father of Earthquake-Resistant Construction.” From the 1950s to 1960s, Naito designed six towers across Japan. They are known as the “Tower Six Brothers” in order of completion.
| Order | Tower Name | Year Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest | Nagoya TV Tower | 1954 |
| Second | Tsutenkaku | 1956 |
| Third | Beppu Tower | 1957 |
| Fourth | Sapporo TV Tower | 1957 |
| Fifth | Tokyo Tower | 1958 |
| Sixth | Hakata Port Tower | 1964 |
Beppu Tower is the third brother. The tower’s mascot “Beppu Santaro” takes his name from this heritage (“san” means three).
In the 1980s, the site was reduced due to Route 10 widening, and demolition was considered. However, in 2007 it was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property, securing its preservation. After the 2023 renovation, it continues to watch over Beppu.
The Third Brother of the Tower Six: Watching Over Beppu Since 1957
Save 500 yen with the combo ticket, or visit essentially free with the Beppu Sightseeing Pass. Beppu Tower is a symbol of the hot spring town that’s easy to enjoy smartly.
By day, enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Beppu Bay and Mt. Takasaki. By night, admire the Japan Night View Heritage illumination and the glittering lights of the hot spring town. Visit at different times for different experiences.
A retro tower designed by the same architect as Tokyo Tower and Tsutenkaku. Since its 1957 completion, it has continued to watch over the Beppu hot spring district.
Come and take in the views of this hot spring town from a retro tower that has stood guard for 68 years.
