Beppu's Tower of 1957
The Beppu Tower (別府タワー) is an observation tower of 1957 in Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, on National Route 10, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a steel tower 73 metres high with legs 15 metres apart and an observation deck, on a four-storey steel-reinforced concrete base of 384 square metres, renovated in 2004; registration number 44-0133.
The Symbol of a 1957 Expo
Beppu Tower faces National Route 10 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A steel tower rises from a four-storey steel-reinforced concrete block, for a total height of 90 metres.
According to Oita Heritage, it was planned as the centrepiece of the Beppu hot spring tourism and industry expo and completed on May 10, 1957. It was designed by Naito Tachu, who also designed Tokyo Tower, and the observation deck is 55 metres up.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it is widely loved as the landmark of Beppu.
What to Look For
Look for the shaft whose section changes from octagonal to square to triangular as it rises, and the observation room's curtain wall, angled for looking down over the city (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The observation deck looks over the city and Beppu Bay (Oita Heritage). Check opening hours and fees with the tower.
Q&A
- When was Beppu Tower built?
- In 1957, renovated in 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is Beppu Tower?
- In Kitahama, Beppu, on National Route 10.
- What should I look for?
- The shaft changing from octagon to square to triangle and the angled glass of the observation room.
- Can I visit Beppu Tower?
- It has an observation deck; check hours and fees with the tower.
- When was the Beppu Tower registered?
- On October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Beppu Tower (別府タワー) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-10-2 Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007/10/02 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Steel tower 73 m high, legs 15 m apart, observation deck; four-storey SRC base, 384 m² |
| Owner | Kaisei Estate Trust Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Observation deck (check hours and fees) |
References
- Beppu Tower (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006468
- Beppu Tower (Oita Heritage)
- https://oitaisan.com/english/heritage/beppu-tower
Last verified: 2026.10.15