Due to many Japanese houses are made from wood, fire should be prevented and in case of breakout, it must be extinguished immediately, otherwise sometimes whole city will be burnt out.
Therefore fire lookout towers still exist, mostly in historical places where famous temples and shrines are located. Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto was burnt down due to an arson.
There are two types of fire lookout towers in Japan. The first one is modern, metal made tower, which is still in action. The second one is wooden made tower, which is not in action anymore and exists as the monument.