Beppu is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan. The city is blessed by as many as eight different springs, named Beppu Onsen, Kannawa Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen and Shibaseki Onsen, each featuring public baths and ryokan with bathing facilities. Together they produce more hot spring water than any other onsen resort in the country.
What sets Beppu apart from other onsen resorts is not only its abundance of thermal waters, but also the wide range of bath types that can be enjoyed there. Aside from conventional hot water baths, Beppu offers sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, steam baths that are heated by the steam of a hot spring, and mud baths which are basically muddy hot water baths.
The tourist desk at Beppu Station provides foreign tourists with lists of public baths, while below you will find our own list of a few of the city's best. More baths can be found in nearby Yufuin.
Tanayu•••
Daytime visitor hours: 9:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00) Daytime Admission: 1200-1500 yen (weekdays), 1800-2000 yen (weekends) Check hotel rates at booking.com, agoda.com, japanican.com
Tanayu is the main hot spring facility of the Suginoi Hotel, a leading ryokan in town. The massive complex offers elegant outdoor pools on the building's roof with spectacular, unobstructed views over the city. Visitors can also use the mixed-gender Aqua Garden hot spring facility next door which is enjoyed in bathing suits.
Onsen Hoyo Land•
Hours: 9:00 to 20:00 Admission: 1100 yen Overnight stay: 7750 yen including two meals
This run down, yet atmospheric public bath complex is an onsen enthusiasts' favorite and offers rare mud baths and steam baths in addition to conventional hot water baths. While the indoor baths are gender separated, the outdoor zone is partly mixed.
Takegawara•
Hours: 6:30 to 22:30 (sand bath from 8:00, entry until 21:30) Closed: Third Wednesday in December (regular bath) Third Wednesday each month (sand bath) Admission: 1500 yen (sand bath) 300 yen (regular bath only)
First constructed in 1879, Takegawara Spa is Beppu's most famous bath house, offering sand and regular baths in an atmosphere of the past. Note that the building is partially surrounded by a red light district.
Hyotan Onsen•
Hours: 9:00 to 1:00am Closed: Some irregular closing days Admission: 780 yen (580 yen after 20:00)
This public bath house offers regular indoor and outdoor hot water baths, an entire row of "waterfalls" for massaging one's shoulders, steam baths and sand baths. Private baths and meals are also available.
Ebisuya Onsen•
Hours: 10:00 to 23:00 (entry until 22:00) Closed: Some irregular closures for maintenance Admission: 1200 yen
Ebisuya is a recently renovated public bath house in the rural Myoban district of Beppu. It offers multiple bath tubs of different sizes and styles, including jacuzzi and aroma baths, as well as steam boxes.
Myoban Yunosato
Hours: 10:00 to 21:00 (entry until 20:00) Admission: 600 yen
Located in the Myoban district on the slopes above the city, Yunosato offers indoor and outdoor baths with nice sulfuric waters. Despite a promising location, the outdoor baths have views mainly onto a fence. The complex also features shops and huts for the production of yunohana (sulfuric powder).
Beppu Beach Sand Bath
Hours: 8:30 to 18:00 (Mar to Nov), 9:00 to 17:00 (Dec to Feb) Entry ends one hour before closing Closed: 4th Wed of every month (or next day if Wed is a holiday) Admission: 1500 yen
The second most famous place to enjoy sand baths in Beppu after the Takegawara Spa, the Beppu Beach Sand Bath offers sand baths along the coast of Beppu Bay.
Ratings: best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
250 metres from Beppu Tower, BEPPU HOSTEL U&T is set in Beppu and features a garden and a terrace. The property is close to Beppu Park, B-Con Plaza and Beppu Art Museum. The property is 3.1 km from Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet. Beppu Rakutenchi is 3.6 km from the guest house. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 39 km from BEPPU HOSTEL U&T.
Boasting luxurious guest rooms with open-air hot spring bath overlooking the ocean, AMANE resort SEIKAI is a 7-minute walk from JR Beppu Daigaku Station. It features spacious public hot spring baths and a spa salon. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the public area, and parking is available at no charge. Fitted with dark wooden flooring and chic furnishings, each spacious room offers great ocean views. Guests can unwind on comfortable sofas or tatami (woven-straw) mats, and watch Blu-ray movies on a flat-screen TV. The Seikai provides large public baths and hot tubs on the ground floor and top floor. Spa Sheer Pearl offers ultimate relaxation with delicate massages and treatments. A gift shop and drink vending machines are available on site, and luggage can be stored at the 24-hour front desk for free. JR Beppu Station is a 15-minute drive and Oita Airport is a 40-minute drive from the property. Beppu Jigoku-meguri hot springs are within a 15-minute drive. Umitamago Aquarium is a 30-minute drive away. Gen serves traditional Japanese cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. Eitaro restaurant offers various fresh seafood meals, while Japanese-Western fusion dishes can be enjoyed at Ban-ya.
Kannawaen is an entirely non-smoking accommodation that features a garden, terrace and bar in Beppu. 100 metres from Hells of Beppu, the property is also 500 metres away from Jigokumushikobo Kannawa. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service for guests. There is an designated smoking area on site. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries, while certain rooms will provide you with mountain views. All units will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. There is an on-site restaurant, which serves a variety of Asian dishes. The property has a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near Kannawaen include Hyotan Onsen, Yukemori Observatory and Oita Fragrance Museum. Oita Airport is 31 km away.
Situated in Beppu, 1.6 km from Oita Fragrance Museum, AMANE resort GAHAMA features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. The property is around 3.7 km from Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center, 3.9 km from Hyotan Onsen and 4 km from Beppu Tower. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. AMANE resort GAHAMA offers a terrace. Jigokumushikobo Kannawa is 4.3 km from the accommodation, while Yukemori Observatory is 4.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 28 km from AMANE resort GAHAMA.
Within a 10-minute walk from Beppu Station, Yamada Bessou offers Japanese-style rooms with spacious natural hot spring baths. Free WiFi and free bicycle use are available. Surrounded by greenery, air-conditioned rooms have a seating area with large windows and garden views. They have tatami-mat flooring and Japanese futon bedding. Female guests can choose their yukata robe to wear in the room. Guests can reserve an outdoor hot spring bath for private use, or relax in the public indoor bath available 24 hours a day. Massage treatments can be arranged. The hotel offers free parking. Yamada Bessou serves a Japanese breakfast, with only fresh seasonal ingredients. Free coffee is offered at the lobby. Yamada Bessou Ryokan is a 10-minute walk from the Takegawa Onsen hot spring area, and a 45-minute drive from Oita Airport. Beppu Station offers a 25-minute bus to Kannawa Onsen hot spring area.
Situated in Beppu, Hotel Umine is an entirely non-smoking property that features a terrace and a bar. Popular points of interest nearby include Beppu Tower, Beppu Park and B-Con Plaza. Free WiFi is provided. A designated smoking area is located on site. The units at the hotel come with a seating area. Each room comes with a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hair dryer. At Hotel Umine rooms have air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. An Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. The accommodation offers 4-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are willing to help at any time of the day at the reception. Beppu Rakutenchi is 2.5 km from Hotel Umine, while Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center is 2.7 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 31 km from the hotel.
Located in Beppu, 400 metres from Hyotan Onsen, Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA features views of the city. With a shared lounge, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Jigokumushikobo Kannawa, Oita Fragrance Museum and Yama Jigoku. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 30 km from Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA.
Terrace Midoubaru is located a 15-minute drive from JR Beppu Station and boasts guestrooms with a semi open-air bath. Guests can soak in the hot spring bath. Private parking is available for an additional fee. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV and blu-ray player. Rooms offer views of the sea or mountains. All rooms come with a private bathroom equipped with a bath. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. There is luggage storage space at the property. Beppu Ropeway is 1.5 km from Terrace Midoubaru, while Beppu Rakutenchi is 2.4 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 33 km from Terrace Midoubaru.
Set in Beppu, within 1 km of Beppu Tower and 1.7 km of Takegawara Onsen, REX HOTEL Beppu offers accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 1.9 km from Beppu Park and around 2 km from Beppu Art Museum. The hotel features a hot spring bath and a 24-hour front desk. At the hotel all rooms are equipped with air conditioning and a TV. Guests at REX HOTEL Beppu can enjoy a buffet breakfast. B-Con Plaza is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 30 km from REX HOTEL Beppu.
Located in the Kannawa hot-spring area, Happy Neko offers affordable Japanese-style accommodations in a traditional house built in 1934. Free Wi-Fi is available at the entire building. A complimentary transfer on departure to JR Beppu station, JR Beppu Daigaku Station, Beppu Kotsu Center and Ferry Terminal is provided upon reservation. The spacious rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each room comes with heating facilities, a fridge, an electric kettle and a private toilet. The property does not have bath and shower facilities. Guests can look out at the traditional garden and use the free on-site parking. Luggage storage is offered at the front desk. Happy Neko Inn is a 10-minute drive from JR Beppu Daigaku Train Station and Beppu Kotsu Centre Bus Stop. Beppu Jigoku Hells is a 10-minute walk and Beppu Bay is a 10-minute drive away. No meals are served.
best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
