Observation Tower Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

Other Sightseeing

Kaikyo Yume Tower

Travel / Tourism

Yamaguchi Pref. Shimonosekishi Buzendachou 3-3-1

Opened in 1996, the 153-meter-high Kaikyo Yume Tower is an important landmark of the Kanmon Straits. The Tower is the central building of the Yamaguchi International Trade & Cultural Center (also known as “Kaikyo Messe Shimonoseki”) in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. From the observatory, at a height of 143 meters, visitors can look down on the Kanmon Straits (between Honshu and Kyushu), and along the coast from Ganryu-jima Island across to Hibikinada on the Kyushu side of the Straits. The sight of the sun going down behind Hibikinada, and the nightscape, are very romantic, and the Tower is also illuminated at nighttime. The Kaikyo Yume Tower is renowned as a “Sanctuary for Lovers,” and couples account for many of the visitors to the Tower.
Kyoga Misaki Lighthouse

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutangoshi Tangochousodeshi

A chalk lighthouse standing on Cape Kyogamisaki, the northernmost point of the Kinki region. The lighthouse is one of only six in the country to use a first class lens and has been selected as one of Japan’s three best lighthouses. The lighthouse was erected here on a cliff 140 meters above the sea in 1898. Famous for its scenic beauty, visitors can get a sweeping view of a rias coastline comprised of the deep azure of the Sea of Japan and countless curious-looking stones interwoven with pillars of basalt. The area is also a rich natural habitat where falcons are confirmed to live.
act tower

Leisure / Hobbies

Shizuoka Pref. Hamamatsushi Chuo-ku Itayamachi 111-2

This multi-use establishment is in Itayamachi, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu City. From floor 45 and up as well as floor 2 and below you'll find restaurants, beauty salons, prep schools, and an NHK culture center. Floors 28 to 44 are occupied by the Okura Act Hotel Hamamatsu. From the viewing area on the 45th floor (fee required) you can look over the scenery of the city below.
Roppongi Hills Sky Deck

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Minato-ku Roppongi 6-10-1

A part of the Tokyo City View observation deck in Roppongi Hills in Roppongi, Minato City, which offers sweeping views of the streets of Tokyo from both in- and outdoors, the Sky Deck is an open-air observation deck located on top of Mori Tower. Here visitors can enjoy a 360 degree panorama from 270 meters above sea level, as well as the pleasant breeze which caresses the top of the tower. In addition to Tokyo landmarks such as Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower, visitors can also see more distant sights such as Mt. Fuji on clear days. Open until 8 pm, the deck is also a popular date spot (last entry: 7:30 pm).
Misaki Park, Iwaki Marine Tower

Travel / Tourism

Fukushima Pref. Iwakishi Onahamashimokajiro Osaku 93

This lookout tower is in Misaki Park, Osaku, Shimokajiro, Onahama, Iwaki City. Its 106-meter above sea level observation room and rooftop Sky Deck offer panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean. The 700,000 square meter park has walkways and a viewing platform extending out over the tide that lets you look down on the sea below.
Kujukuri Beach Tower

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Pref. Sambugunkujukurimachi Fudoudou

This tower is located on the Fudodo Beach in Fudodo, Kujukuri Town, Sanbu County. It has magnificent views of Kujukuri Beach and the sea from the top of the 22-meter tower with its spiral staircase design. It has one of the top 100 views in Chiba Prefecture and is a popular place for commemorative photos.
Mt. Haigamine

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Pref. Kureshi Tochibarachou

The 737-meter-high Mt. Haigamine, is situated Northeast of Kure City center. On top of the mountain from an observatory one can take in a nightscape chosen as one of Japan's top 100 views, and also one of the top three nightscapes of the Chugoku-Shikoku region. At one time Kure flourished as a military port city. From this spot today a panoramic view of the developing industrial townscape and the beautiful inland sea can still be seen. At night, it is especially beautiful to see the city lights appearing as scattered jewels, making it one of the top three nightscapes in the Chugoku-Shikoku region. When looking at the lights, if the lights spell out 'kure', then it is said that the onlooking couple will be wed, making it also a popular date spot.
Hieizan Driveway Yumemigaoka

Travel / Tourism

Shiga Pref. Otsushi Yamagamichou Long Mountain 776-3

A facility situated along the scenic Hieizan Driveway toll road connecting the Tanoyatoge Pass in Otsu City with the summit of Mt. Hiei. Here visitors will find an observatory with a sweeping view of Lake Biwa, a café terrace with a garden deck, and a barbecue corner. There are also paid attractions such as a concrete slide luge and a pedal-powered monorail as well as free to use playground equipment.
Meiji Centennial Observation Tower

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Pref. Futtsushi Futtsu 2280

This observation tower is located in Futtsu City, and is officially called the Meiji Centennial Observation Tower. At the edge of Cape Futtsu, it was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Meiji. Characterized by its original design in the shape of a Goyo-matsu (Japanese white pine), you can look over Mt. Fuji, central Tokyo, Kannonzaki in Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture on the opposite side of the cape from the tower.
Kirameki no Oka

Travel / Tourism

Shizuoka Pref. Numadushi Ita

Positioned on a small hill in Ida, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kirameki no Oka is a superb viewing spot with expansive views of Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji. When the sun shines on Suruga Bay in just the right way the surface of the sea sparkles quite majestically. It is because of this that the view has derived its name (Kirameki no Oka literally means sparkling hill). The viewing point is known also as a place to witness glorious sunsets over the sea and the Ida district. From January to February the blossoming rape flowers can be seen in the fields below and the Chinese characters of the name ‘Ida’ can also be seen planted within the flowers. Below the staircase is the Sungo burial mound preserved in just the same way as when it was first excavated.
Port Tower Selion

Travel / Tourism

Akita Akita-shi Tsuchizakiminatonishi 1-9-1
Kaiyodai Observatory

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Shibetsugunnakashibetsuchou Kaiyou 2256-17

This is an observation deck located at an altitude of 270 meters. The view is magnificent and includes continuous meadow, the horizon beyond that is curved, and you can experience the roundness of the earth. At night there are many stars shining in the sky, and visitors can fully enjoy the charm of nature.
Matsunoki Ridge (Otama Walking Trail)

3.5

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Tokyo Nishitama-gun Okutamamachi

This ridge is situated along the Okutama Walking Trail and can be reached by heading west from Kori Station, crossing the Suniwa Bridge and following the trail past the Hatonosu Kobashi Bridge and Kazumakyo Bridge in the direction of Okutama Station. Nearby highlights include the Hotaru Bridge, located in an area which was a habitat for Genji fireflies until recent years; waterfalls upstream and downstream from the bridge; and an arbor situated on a 100-meter-high hill. In addition to serving as a rest space, the arbor also offers views of the surrounding bridges, river, urban areas, and mountains such as Honnitayama and Mt. Kawanori.

多摩川沿いを散策していて観光わさび田を見て、そのあとについでに歩きました。最初は軽い気持ちで行きましたが登りにもなっていて思っていたよりきつかった。自然は豊かで人も少ないのでリフレッシュにはなりました◯
Chijiwa Tourist Center

Travel / Tourism

Nagasaki Unzen-shi Chijiwacho Hei 160

This tourism facility also has a large observatory commanding a view of Tachibana Bay, which has even been selected for inclusion in the Japanese 100 Best Scenery list. The facility sells Nagasaki's famous castella cakes and other souvenirs, as well as a wide range of other items, up to and including crafts from across the Kyushu region. There's also a stand which sells the facility's own original and signature Jaga-chan deep-fried potato balls. Meanwhile, a large cafeteria occupying the first and second floors serves a large selection of local dishes such as Nagasaki chanpon and sara udon noodles. This cafeteria has a lot of seating and, with a reservation made at least one day in advance, can even accommodate large tour groups. In the summer, the facility holds a special summer festival as well as nagashi-somen noodle slide events.
Tempyo Miharashi-kan

3.0

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nara Nara-shi Nijoojiminami 4-6-1 Heijo Miya Ato History Park

みはらし館とありますが、２階建ぐらいです。高さはありません。ただ朱雀門南側のいくつかの建物のうち、北西のカドにあるので、展望デッキ朱雀門からずっと北に位置する第一次太極殿までが見渡せるはずのアングルでした。令和２年３月時点で南門復原工事の真っ最中なので、残念ながら見えませんでした。その代わり平城宮の敷地を横切る近鉄奈良線がよく見渡せるので「みはらし館」なのかもしれませんね。
Kimisarazu Tower

Travel / Tourism

Chiba Kisarazu-shi Oda 2-16 Oda Mountain Park

This tower is located on top of the mountain in Odayama Park a 15-minute walk from JR Kisarazu Station. The tower was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Kisarazu City, and bronze statues of Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto and Ototachibana-hime stand facing each other on top of the tower's two steeples. From the tower's observation deck, visitors can get a sweeping view encompassing Kisarazu City and Tokyo Bay, and can even see all the way to Tokyo Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower. The statues on top of the tower are lit up at night and the tower is also famous for its night view, having even been selected for inclusion in the 100 Night Views of Japan list.
Tokachidake Observatory

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Kamikawagumbieichou Shirogane

An observatory located in Biei Town, Kamikawa County, Hokkaido. Located halfway up Mt. Tokachi, the observatory offers a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, Asahikawa City, and Furano City. The observatory is also a base for climbing the mountain, and during the mountain climbing season it is visited by many hobbyist climbers. A rest house, remodeled to serve as a disaster shelter, also stands on the observatory's grounds.
Toyomatsu Paper Airplane Tower

3.0

1 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Hiroshima Jinseki-gun Jinsekikogen Cho Shimotoyomatsu 318

This tower, the only one of its kind in the world, was created specifically for people to launch paper airplanes from it. Situated in the center of the park at the summit of 663-meter-high Mt. Yonami, the tower stands 26-meters-tall. There is an observation deck situated 15 meters up the tower, and from here visitors can take in a 360 degree, panoramic view encompassing distant Mt. Daisen, Mt. Dogo, and the Hiba Mountains. In 2013, the tower was designated a Lover's Sanctuary, and visitors can drop a “lovecopter” from the tower, which is said to grant one true love.

うわさを聞いて、行きたいと思っていました。看板は分かりにくいし、道は狭く、迷いました。やっと到着したものの、閉館中でした。景色はとても良かったので、次回は開館を確認して行こうと思っています。開館時間と地図などで下調べされることをお勧めします。
Wakkanai 100th Year Memorial Tower / Northern Memorial Museum

Travel / Tourism

Hokkaido Wakkanai-shi Yamu Wakkanai Wakkanai City Northern Memorial Hall/Opening Centennial Memorial Tower

The 100th Year Memorial Tower is in Wakkanai Park and was built in 1978 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Wakkanai City and the 30th anniversary of the municipal organization. The tower is 80 meters high and is 250 meters above sea level. The Northern Memorial Museum is on the first and second floors and mainly displays valuable documents that tell the history of Wakkanai. There are also documents related to descendants of the Ainu people and a display about Rinzo Mamiya. There is a big 360-degree panoramic view from the observatory which is 70 meters high and you can see Rishiri and Reibun Islands if it is a sunny day. Also you can see all the way to Karafu Island if the conditions are favorable. Be aware that the tower is closed from the end of October to the middle of April.
Senkaku Bay Ageshima Park

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Kitaebisu 1561

This is a sightseeing attraction located in the Senkaku Bay quasi-national park which is renowned for its beautiful coastline and is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. One can see an unbroken view of magnificent Senkaku Bay at the Yusenkyo suspension bridge that was used as a location in a film and also the observatory just after crossing the bridge. From around mid-March to the end of November visitors can ride a glass-bottomed boat that tours around Senkaku Bay to appreciate the beauty of the bay and the ocean up close.