Beppu Essential Guide

There’s nothing quite like coastal Japan—I love waking up to island-dotted bays and gentle sea breezes. This town has a landscape that is covered in tendrils of mist and steam rising high above the pines and blue water. Beppu is the capital of Japan’s hot springs.

Beppu is located on the east coast of Kyushu Island, in southwest Japan. Onsen Since centuries, (hot springs) has been a popular destination. Beppu has more than 2,500 sources of hot springs. Travelers have come to Beppu for centuries to relax and cleanse themselves. You can see the town’s geothermal prowess in full display at its seven “hells”—pools of steaming water that each have their own unique features. The “sea Hell” has turquoise-colored water while the “blood pond” is known for its dark, ominous red color, due to iron oxide.

You’ll see evidence of springs everywhere you go in Beppu. You’ll notice that as cobblestone pathways give way to spiraling stone stairs, thermal water channels are flanked on both sides. Beppu is characterized by the soothing flow of thermal water.

Beppu is much more than onsens. You’ll also find music bars, natural wine hangouts and a bamboo art tradition in Beppu. Beppu is where I go to relax and get away from the bustle and noise of Tokyo.

Tomomi Hatayama is a worker at Wander Compass, a tourist information center located near Beppu Station. She has lived in Beppu for more than 10 years and enjoys sharing her love of the city with travelers.

What you should know about Beppu before planning your trip.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Amane Resort Seikai

Beppu, a seaside resort city, has a wide range of hotels on the beach. The Amane Resort Seikai This is one of the most luxurious options with Western-styled rooms and tables on the rooftop that surround a stunning infinity pool. The hotel serves both French and Japanese food, using local ingredients. Spa treatments include massages and aromatherapy. Each room features an open-air bathtub with a view of the ocean, so guests can soak in Beppu’s therapeutic waters and gaze out to the endless blue horizon.

Yanagiya

Stay at the Hotel Kannawa for a traditional hotel. Yanagiya. This family-owned lodge was built in the Meiji period. Upon entering, you will be welcomed by the soft glow from washi paper door and a homey atmosphere. tatami (woven straw) flooring. Yanagiya’s dining experience is another way to enjoy Beppu hot springs. The meals are cooked by steaming in the mineral rich onsen water.

Galleria Midobaru

For art lovers, Hatayama recommends Galleria MidobaruThe property is decorated with curated Japanese art. From the Japanese oak furnishings to the stone bathtubs with onsen-filled water, every material was sourced locally. Galleria Midobaru, located a little up Mount Tsurumi and close to Beppu Ropeway, offers sweeping views through its floor-to ceiling windows of the city.

What to do?

Bamboo Craft Center

Hatayama says that “Beppu’s long tradition of bamboo weaving draws artists from around world”. The best place to learn about this art is the Bamboo Craft Center. In addition to exhibits that showcase traditional tools and bamboo-crafting techniques, the center also has hands-on workshops where visitors can create bamboo bells or small flower baskets—just be sure to reserve at least one week in advance.

Beppu Ropeway

Take the ropeway up Mount Tsurumi for panoramic views of Beppu. Mount Tsurumi’s 1,375-meter peak offers 360-degree views over the Kyushu mountains and Beppu Bay. Hatayama recommends waiting for a sunny, warm day to hike down. She also recommends that you visit the shrines of the Seven Lucky Gods You can also do this while on the mountain. If you’re looking for financial luck, beauty, or longevity, visiting shrines is an excellent way to combine beautiful sights, a short hike, and Japanese Buddhist folk culture.

Shonin Park

Shonin ParkThe newly opened complex, located on Beppu’s coast, allows guests to shop, dine and enjoy spa treatments all at one location. Start your day by strolling along the waterfront and browsing souvenir shops. Then, book one of Beppu’s most famous spa experiences—a sand bath. Digging a few inches into the sand, you’ll find pockets of warm steamy air heated underground by geothermal outlets. You can make a booking, put on a traditional robe and lay down in a sand bed overlooking the sea. From toes to the neck, a spa employee will expertly cover your entire body in sand. In one moment, you can enjoy the weight of the sand and the warmth of the earth while also enjoying the tranquil view of the ocean.

Best Restaurants

Robata Jin

Robata Jin The restaurant opened in 1975. It has always served dishes made with local ingredients. You can choose from intimate counter seating where you can watch the chefs work or more spacious dining areas. horigotatsu Tables are seated on tatami floors with their legs recessed beneath the table. There are a number of traditional Japanese dishes on the menu, including clams cooked in sake and charcoal-grilled ribs. You can quench your thirst by drinking a glass kabosuFreshly squeezed local orange juice or a pour wakabotan Kokuu no Kura is a local sake brewer in Beppu that makes sake using the word (which means “undiluted” and “unfiltered”).

Noodle Factory Life

Open until 1:00 am in the heart of downtown Beppu. Noodle Factory Life This is my favorite late-night ramen spot in Beppu. The shop offers a vegan ramen, as well classics such as spicy tantanmen soup, creamy tonkotsu broth made from pork bones, and clear, salted chicken soup. It has two tables at the back and is great for vegetarians, families and night owls.

New Basara

New Basara The new wave of Beppu cuisine is well represented by this restaurant. The owner sources natural wines from across Japan and pairs them with small bites—if you ask, he’ll tell you about the vineyards each vintage comes from. Menus are written on chalkboards and change daily depending on the seasonal ingredients. From rich pork terrines to vibrant lemongrass-flavored gyoza, the snacks are varied. New Basara makes a perfect date-night destination, as it allows you to experience Beppu’s emerging wine culture.

Best Hot Springs

Visit an onsen in Beppu is a natural thing to do. Hatayama’s hot spring advice?

“If want to experience the real onsen, you should go to Kannawa,” says she. “The streets are filled up with steam rising from the hotsprings.” 

Yuyama No Sato

Hatayama’s favorite onsen also happens to be one of the most unique in town: Yuyama No Sato.

She says that “every time I visit his onsen, I find something new.” The onsen is located in the forest so it feels like you are in nature.

You’ll feel as if you’ve left the city after just a minute in this milky bath.  Yuyama No Sato has a unique feature: swimsuits are mandatory, as this is an outdoor mixed-gender bathroom. It is a great choice for beginners, as traditional onsen have a gender-separated bath and are usually nude.

Hyotan Onsen

For those who know, this may not be a surprise. Hyotan Onsen Michelin Green Guides Japan gives it not just one star, but three. The guests can enjoy the traditional Japanese architecture as well as water that is pure and undiluted by tap water. Hatayam explains that they use the original bamboo cooling system. “It’s called ‘yu no taki‘ [hot spring waterfall]The water is channeled down bamboo chutes to cool the room naturally.”

Hyotan also has private baths and tattoo-friendly facilities. Hyotan Onsen, if you only visit one onsen while in Beppu is a great choice.

Umi Jigoku

Umi Jigoku in Beppu has the highest reputation, but it is too hot for bathing. A National Place of Scenic BeautyUmi Jigoku formed 1200 years ago from an eruption of Mount Tsurumi. The water reaches 200 degrees F and is a vivid cobalt color. I’ll always remember the first time that I saw the huge plumes of smoke billow out like giant sails on the wind. The steam changes direction with each gust and covers visitors in a thick, sulfurous mist.

Beppu is home to seven different “hells”. Visitors can walk through the pools and explore them. The Kannawa area is the starting point for five of the pools, while the other two can be reached by bus. You can also enjoy the Umi Jigoku waters at a cooler temperature by visiting the four nearby footbaths. 

When is the best time to visit?

Winter is my favourite time to soak in Beppu hot springs. It also means clear skies. The city maintains mild temperatures in winter, but a trip up to the mountains will bring a light dusting. It’s impossible to beat a Japanese experience like sitting in a hot outdoor bath and looking out at the snowy mountains. Beppu is open to visitors throughout the year, though summer tends to be quieter. Autumn and spring are both busier but offer comfortable weather with beautiful seasonal foliage. 

How to Get There

Beppu, located in southern Japan on the island Kyushu. It is best to reach it by plane, as it is so far away from Tokyo. The closest airports are Oita Airport and Fukuoka Airport. Oita Airport lies about 40 minutes drive away from Beppu. Fukuoka Airport is approximately an hour and forty minutes away. There are public transport options from the airport into Beppu, but it may be more convenient to rent a vehicle. Some flights can cost as little as $145 round trip.

Then, Shinkansen It takes six hours to travel by bullet train from Tokyo and costs about $200 each way. Shinkansen offers a more convenient alternative to travelers arriving from Kyoto. The Shinkansen also has lower fares and shorter travel times.

How to Get Around

Beppu can be reached by walking, using the city bus or renting a bike. Due to the mountainous terrain of Beppu and the volcanic landscape, it is difficult to create a comprehensive train network. Therefore, the train system is mainly located along the coastline. Rent electric bicycles from Wander Compass and other locations in the city to easily zip up the slopes.