Home to the most populous city in the world, and plenty of other major cities, exploring the urban parts of Japan can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. The best way to escape hustle and bustle of the streets: find a rooftop bar.
High above it all, you will not only get new perspective of the city below, but you can also sip refreshing drinks while taking it all in. We will guide you to Japan's most impressive rooftops, from Sapporo in the north, through Tokyo and to Fukuoka in the south.
Our complete and up-to date guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Japan feature all info you need about each rooftop, all at the same place, so you don’t have to scroll around on several different sources finding it.
For each rooftop, this guide presents:
We are full-time rooftop reviewers and content creators. Since launching The Rooftop Guide in 2015, we’ve visited over 1 200 rooftop venues worldwide.
Except from our own experiences and insights, we also work closely with thousands of rooftops and local reviewers, so we can secure correct and updated content for all our guides & articles.
With our vast experience and exclusive focus, we can present you with the most complete and up-to date guides about rooftop venues. And with our insider tips and knowledge, we can guide you to the best and most suitable rooftops for your own needs.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop dinner, a laid-back rooftop brunch, a vibrant rooftop party or a luxurious hotel rooftop pool, we’ve got you covered.
Covering two floors on the rooftop of Shibuya Fukuras shopping mall, CÉ LA VI Tokyo is a modern and social gathering place for adults, housing several spaces and a mix of interior and open-air spots. All surrounded with a spectacular view of Shibuya.
On the 17th floor you find the casual dining spot Bao by CÉ LA VI, serving an all-day fusion-menu of the Asian bao and Western burgers, along with a variety of cocktails. Next door is the Club Lounge, made for vibrant nights and hot DJ sessions.
One floor above, the more exclusive and luxurious Restaurant & Sky Bar offers “Contemporary Asian” cuisine as both lunch and dinner, complemented with a fine selection of drinks.
With so much to choose from, and two levels of fun, CÉ LA VI Tokyo offers something for everyone, pretty much anytime. Visit for a casual lunch with views, sunset drinks, a stylish dinner, or to dance the night away at the Club Lounge.
Sonata Bar & Lounge sits elegantly atop the exceptional Patina Osaka, right next to Osaka Castle Park, inviting to a sophisticated retreat high above the city. The ambiance seamlessly blends modern Japanese design with international flair and music, making it ideal for both relaxed afternoons and vibrant evenings.
20 floors above the buzz, the rooftop blends an interior lounge with a breezy terrace, offering sweeping and amazing views of Osaka Castle and the lush park below, continuing out over the city skyline.
The rooftop menu showcases a rotating selection of artfully and expertly crafted cocktails, that celebrate tradition with a modern flair, complemented with mocktails and a curated selection of fine spirits and wine. The drinks are perfect to pair the thoughtfully prepared pintxos-style snacks and light bites.
Sophisticated yet relaxed, and intimate yet vibrant, this is a beautiful spot to enjoy prime cocktails and prime views, as well as a curated music selection.
Perched on top of the fantastic The Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, set in the in the heart of the historic Higashiyama district, K36 offers a chic and intimate rooftop experience.
The Bar is a cosy interior lounge, while the Rooftop is a much more open and spacious destination, opening up to amazing views over Kyoto, including the closy by Hokanji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda.
Four floors up (but what almost feels like on top of Kyoto), you can enjoy a wide selection of signature cocktails and classics, a fine array of champagne, wine and beers, paired with both hot and cold bites, and more filling options including pasta and char-grilled Wagyu beef.
Truly an escape from the buzz below, and if you visit K36 for a sunset, you're in for views out of this world.
Located in Tokyo’s fashion district, quite close to Shibuya Station, TWO ROOMS comes with both indoor dining room and lounge, along with a very stylish outdoor rooftop terrace.
While Two Rooms is set 'only' five floors up, the views on display makes it feel a lot higher. Here you get striking and panoramic vistas over the Tokyo skyline, and if you manage to pin point a sunset you are in for a real treat. Especially seated at one of the front row bar stool seats right at the edge.
Offering two experiences, Atelier 246 is the place to go for fine dining in an intimate atmosphere, while Vista Lounge offers a chic, stylish bar and lounge setting, ideal for indulging in expertly crafted cocktails and premium nightlife.
The rooftop comes surrounded with a trendy and sophisitcated ambience, but still with a good vibe and nightly live DJs playing cool tunes.
Set in the heart of Fukuoka's vibrant and historic Tenjin district, the fantastic One Fukuoka Hotel is not only a great place to stay, but also a fantastic destination to enjoy the city from above.
This is thanks to The Roof, a 19th floor rooftop cafe and bar, featuring both a panoramic indoor lounge and a breezy outside terrace, with a beautiful water basin and amazing views over the city and Hakata Bay.
During daytime, the cafe is open for snacks and drinks, as well as a luxurious Afternoon Tea (reservations required). As the sun starts to set, the bar starts service of carefully crafted and Japanese-inspired cocktails, pemium spirits and elevated bites.
The Royal Park Canvas in Sapporo Odori Park is a hotel based on the themes of 'fun','local' and 'connect', and designed to be a destination where locals and visitors can gather.
The best place to do so is at the top floor CANVAS Rooftop (Outdoor Living Sapporo), a wooden decked terrace that looks and feels like a charming camp site, with bonfires and tents.
In full swing during the warmer season, the rooftop is open from early morning to late evening (the bar opens in the afternoon), this is the place to take in stunning panoramic views of Sapporo, and get a close look on the Sapporo TV Tower.
Expect a diverse menu featuring refreshing drinks and delicious bites, filled with local flavours.
Offering 12 restaurants, cafes and bars, the Kobe Portopia Hotel is not short of options when it comes to food and drinks. The most impressive venue of the all: the 32nd floor Sorafune Kobe.
With the full name Sorafune Kobe Rooftop Terrace & Observatory, it's easy to tell that the rooftop works as a dual venue and it's also easy to understand why. From 110 meters above ground, you get some truly breathtaking 360° views over the Rokko Mountains, the Kobe skyline, and the sea.
You can book a lunch session at the terrace, but we would recommend an evening session, when there's more of a rooftop vibe than a tourist vibe, and the gliterring skyline looks at its best.
The signature restaurant of the modern and fantastic The Tokyo EDITION in Toranomon is The Jade Room + Garden Terrace, created by world-renowned and award-winning Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens.
Set on the 31st floor, the elegant and serene Jade Room is an interior dining room open year-round, while the lush and luxurious Garden Terrace is a seasonal summer escape, floating 460ft above the city.
Among herbs and greenery, here you get fantastic panoramic views over the Tokyo skyline, and majestic close-ups of the Tokyo Tower.
The rooftop menu includes a seasonal fusion of contemporary Japanese and Western influenced dishes, prepared using diverse yet refined cooking techniques, complemented with a unique and seasonal selection of cocktails, and a premium array of wines and spirits.
Found in Sakae in Nagoya, Octair is a rooftop BBQ and beer garden, offering a chill and comfy rooftop vibe, perfect for evening gatherings.
Nestled next to Princess Garden Hotel Sakae, this is not the most elevated venue on this list, and the charming setting with fire pits and string lights is more impressive than the views.
Get comfy in one of the lounge sofas, and enjoy a wide arange of grilled dishes, both meat and seafood, as well as plenty of craft beers. There's also perfectly crafted cocktails, if that's your mood.
When spring hits Kyoto, it's always a good idea to head up to the Hilton Kyoto rooftop, called Cloud Nest Rooftop Bar.
Contemporary and stylish in design, the terrace is truly cosmopolitan, and comes surrounded with panoramic views of Kyoto, the surrounding mountains and the Kamo River.
High above it all, here you can sip cocktails infused with Kyoto flavors and spirits, and indulge in a sesonal food menu, ranging from shareable plates to playful signature creations.
Open from mid day to evening, Cloud Nest Rooftop Bar is a luxurious sanctuary, putting you a good distance from the city’s busy streets.
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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