Last updated on September 10th, 2024
Check out the stunning aerial views from the summit of Mount Tsurumi, which stands at 792 meters above sea level. You can reach the mountaintop by taking the Beppu ropeway.
As you plan your itinerary in Beppu, you may want to visit the Beppu Ropeway and take a ride up to the Mount Tsurumi, an active volcano that is the source of Beppu’s hot springs. The view from Mount Tsurumi is considered one of the most unique in the area, as you can see stunning views of Beppu and Oita. Visitors can reach the top using a ropeway cable car or by hiking up to the observation platform. The observatory at the hilltop offers majestic views of the city.
During our visit to Kyushu, we took the Beppu Ropeway ride to Mount Tsurumi. Read on for more details.
How To Get To Beppu Ropeway
Since we wanted to visit the Ropeway and Hell of Beppu using the bus, we found getting a Kamenoi Bus Pass to be more practical and economical. We purchased the Kamenoi Bus 1-Day Mini Pass for about ¥1,100 at Beppu station, which allows us to travel anywhere in Beppu central including to Beppu Ropeway.
The Kamenoi Bus Pass can be bought at Beppu Station. You can also obtain the Beppu Kamenoi Bus Pass through Klook and exchange it for a physical ticket at Fukuoka Airport.
Pro Tips: If you plan to travel further to Yufuin, you’ll need the Wide Free Pass, which covers the bus ride between Beppu and Yufuin. Additionally, the Kyushu SunQ Pass covers the bus ride to Mount Tsurumi.
To get to Ropeway station from Beppu Station, take Kamenoi bus number 36. Buses depart from Beppu Station every hour, with 1 to 2 buses available. The bus ride from Beppu Station to Ropeway station is a scenic 30-minute journey through the countryside, offering beautiful greenery and rolling hills along the way.
Beppu Ropeway
Finally, we reached Beppu Kogen Station, the lower station to board the Beppu ropeway. You can purchase the Beppu Ropeway ticket on-site for ¥1,800 per adult.
Please note that they only accept cash.
After purchasing the ticket, we boarded the cable car.
The gondola has an adorable and classic design. It comes with glass window panels providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, forests, the city of Beppu, and Beppu Bay.
During the ride up Mt. Tsurumi, the gondola is operated by one staff member and announcements explain the attractions along the way. There are seats on each side and at the front of the gondola. For those standing, there are metal railings surrounding the gondola, as well as grab handles in the center.
The cable car is 1.8 kilometers long and climbs about 800 meters to the top of the mountain. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
During our Beppu ropeway ride, the weather was sunny and clear, providing a crystal-clear view of the scenic surroundings. Finally, we reached the top at Tsurumi Sanjo Station, standing at 1300 meters high on Mt. Tsurumi.
Mount Tsurumi
Mount Tsurumi (鶴見岳, Tsurumidake) is a 1375-meter-high mountain that overlooks Beppu.
When we got out of Tsurumi Sanjo Station, we were greeted with a picturesque and stunning view of Beppu, Mount Yufu, and the Kuju Mountains. CNN named the ropeway one of Japan’s 36 most stunning locations.
At Mount Tsurumi, you can explore the paved paths and ascend to the mountain’s summit. There is a red Torii gate leading to the Tsurumi Sanjo Gongen shrine on a beautifully laid cobbled pathway. It was charming and tranquil to experience this here.
There are plenty of amenities at the top, including the Sanjo store, Sanjo Gongen Wakudo Ishi, Seven Lucky Gods, and an upper deck Observatory.
Following the cobbled pathway, we slowly walked to the Mount Tsurumi Upper Deck Observatory.
There is a platform that provides a magnificent view of the scenic and panoramic landscapes of Beppu.
Although the view wasn’t as fabulous, the view from the summit is beautiful and makes for a terrific photo opportunity. In total, we spent about an hour and a half at the top.
Beppu Ropeway
Suggested Length of Visit: Around 3-4 hrs (including the traveling time from Beppu Station)
Fare: ¥1,800 roundtrip on the Beppu Ropeway
Lastly, we took the ropeway back to the Beppu Kogen Station, then we took the bus back to Beppu Station. Alternatively, you can extend your trip and continue to Yufuin.
Overall: A Beppu Ropeway Ride
All in all, for stunning views of Beppu, we highly recommend visiting the summit of Mount Tsurumi. The Beppu ropeway takes visitors to the observation platform, offering majestic views of the city. If you have time in your Beppu itinerary, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Related Beppu travel stories:
- Beppu Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
- Where to Stay in Beppu [Best Hotels and Ryokans]
- Umi Jigoku Beppu: Beautiful Blue Color Hot Spring Pond
- Chinoike Jigoku: Reddish Bloody Pond in Beppu
Lastly, this Beppu ropeway guide is part of my Kyushu travel blog. If you need some inspiration to plan for your trip, check out our trip to some other attractions nearby such as Kurokawa Onsen, Yufuin, Kokonoe, and more. Happy travel to Beppu.
How To Plan Your Kyushu Itinerary: Ultimate Guide
Northern Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Yufuin, Kitakyushu, and more):
- Things To Do in Kumamoto: 1-Day Itinerary
- Things To Do in Aso For 1-Day Aso Itinerary
- Kurokawa Onsen: A Guide To Natural Hot Spring Town
- Beppu Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide Blog
- Yufuin Travel Guide: Must Eat Food And Things To Do
- Nagasaki Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
- [Kitakyushu] 1-Day Kitakyushu Itinerary To Shimonoseki, Mojiko, Kokura
Southern Kyushu (Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Takachiho Gorge):
