This post is all about the Top Things to Do in Beppu to get the most out of your visit to one of Japan’s largest onsen towns. I’m sharing top attractions, places to stay and recommended things to do.
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If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering if Beppu is worth visiting, the answer is absolutely yes! It’s located on the southern island of Kyushu in the Oita Prefecture, Beppu is a quaint coastal town known for its incredible onsens (hot springs). We visited in early January while we were doing a trip around the Kyushu region. The temperature outside was cold but the onsen steam sure kept us warm and cozy.
Beppu has over 2,000 hot spring sources and attracts visitors from all over the world to their relaxing waters. The city is also rich in natural beauty, cultural heritage, and delicious local cuisine with plenty of attractions and activities for your visit.
I’m giving you a one-day itinerary so you can enjoy the Top Things to Do in Beppu.
How to get to Beppu
Getting to Beppu is fairly easy and accessible via their limited express JR Sonic train which connects to both Hakata Station in Fukuoka and Kokura Station in Kitakyushu. From Hakata or Kokura station you can access the Shinkansen (bullet train). We purchased a 7-day unlimited JR Pass to explore the Kyushu area from Tokyo. We stopped by Fukuyama on our way to Beppu, alternatively you can stop by Hiroshima. After Beppu we left for Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
The trip is roughly 1.5 hours in a retro-looking train through the countryside and forested area. The train was going fast despite it being old and seemingly running on old tracks. I got a bad case of motion sickness on the Sonic train so I spent most of the trip with my eyes closed. Unfortunately it’s the only way in and out of Beppu so I had to deal with it.
Where to Stay in Beppu
This depends on the kind of experience you want.
Are you looking to stay close to the train station and downtown area so you can easily access all attractions? Do you want to immerse yourself in nature and therefore stay up in the mountains? Lastly, do you want a hotel with a hot spring?
Personally, I like staying close to the train station, which is usually in the downtown areas. Anything within a 10 minute walk is perfect. I chose to stay near the Beppu JR Train Station because I was only spending one night and easy access to public transportation and food was important to me. Furthermore, Beppu JR Station is close to the bay so I enjoyed forested mountains and ocean views all in one day. ?
These hotels are my top recommendations based on amenities, the top one being a private on-site onsen:
Tenku Yubo Seikaiso – is the hotel I stayed for one night. I chose this hotel because of the private onsen. The private onsen is outdoors and we got the one facing the bay, so at night it’s beautiful. The only down side is you can only reserve the private onsen once per stay. It’s also located next to the water so morning views were spectacular!
ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa – for luxurious stay in the mountain areas close to the “Hells” (more on this later).
Amanek Beppu Yurari – best budget hotel with onsite (public) onsen with great views and outdoor pool. It also features a fitness center, a rarity in Japan.
What is an Onsen and how does it work
An Onsen is a traditional Japanese hot spring bathhouse, or out and open in nature, where you can soak in naturally heated mineral water believed to have healing properties. It’s like relaxing in a steaming outdoor bath surrounded by lush greenery or a serene indoor bath overlooking a picturesque landscape. I’ve enjoyed myself in both indoor and outdoor onsen, though I do prefer the outdoor ones because you’re either surrounded by nature or looking at a beautiful landscape.
They’re basically two types of onsen: public and private. The public onsen is a public bath, usually separated by men and women, where anyone can go in. I’ve never been to a public onsen because I feel strange walking around naked surrounded by other naked women. Fear not though because women public onsen are password protected.
The private onsen are smaller and ideal for couples or families, and most importantly private. You usually walk into a private changing area before going to the hotspring.
The onsen etiquette is to shower first before dipping in the water, and shower once again when you leave. Most onsens have a one-hour time limit. Sometimes I need to take breaks and get out of the hot water and then back in. Depending on the season you go, it’s like hot-and-cold water therapy.
Whether the mineral water in the onsen has chlorine or not, depends on where you go. There are times when I smell chlorine in the water that I’m soaking in. It would make sense because there’s many people enjoying it. There might be regulations that require a certain level of sanitation, particularly in urban areas. If you want a traditional, unchlorinated onsen experience, you should look for a natural onsen in rural areas.
Experience the Tranquility of Beppu’s Onsens
Soaking in an onsen is the best feeling ever. The water is hot but so relaxing once you settle in and enjoy the hot spring. I cannot tell you how wonderfully soft my skin feels and how relaxed my muscles and joints feel after soaking for even 30 minutes. These geothermally heated hot springs not only provide relaxation but also offer several health benefits: from soothing joint and muscle pain to improving blood circulation.
You can visit one of the many traditional onsens, such as the Kannawa Onsen or the Takegawara Onsen. These onsens boast stunning natural surroundings and offer a chance to experience Japanese bathing culture. Alternatively, you can also stay at a hotel where they offer public and private onsens.
Top Things to Do in Beppu – Attractions and Activities
Jigoku Meguri Hells Valley
This is the Top Things To Do on this trip and the main reason I wanted to visit Beppu; it’s a place like no other. This attraction is known as “Jigoku Onsen” and is a collection of hot springs all within a short distance from each other. They’re for viewing only and offer everything from geysers, to mud baths to vibrant colors and beautiful natural backdrops. This is a must visit and be sure to see all seven springs and join their stamp rally!
Buy a ticket to see all seven “hells” at Beppu Station, which includes the bus ride up the mountain to see them. Five of the hells are within easy walking distance to each other. The last two are a short 6 bus minutes ride up the mountain.
The “lower” five hells are:
- Umi Jigoku – is the “sea hell” and my favorite. The onsen is vibrant blue and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. The smell of sulfur is strong if you walk through the steam. This onsen makes for beautiful pictures. There’s a gift shop with a small snack area. We bought eggs steamed in the natural hot springs and they were delicious.
- Oniyama Jigoku – The most impressive part of this onsen are the crocodiles they keep – I know, weird! Interestingly, these are saltwater crocodiles and they’re massive. I got the chills just looking at them through the bars.
- Kamado Jigoku – This onsen features several boiling onsens, have footbaths available and the largest snacking / eating area
- Shiraike Jigoku – Has an onsen with milky blue waters with beautiful natural scenery.
- Oniishibozu Jigoku – This one has several boiling mud baths
The last two “upper hells” are a 6 minutes bus ride up the mountain and are:
- Chinoike Jigoku – Is an onsen that is red in color and very popular among tourists – therefore most photogenic
- Tatsumaki Jigoku – Is a geyser onsen that erupts every 40 minutes for about 10 minutes long. You sit in the amphitheater-like viewing area and wait for it to erupt. The onsite personnel likened it to Old Faithful in Yellowstone, but honestly I didn’t see the likeliness. I thought the geyser was underwhelming.
Explore Beppu’s Vibrant Downtown Area
One of the reasons why I like to stay close to the train station is to explore the downtown areas of places I visit, and Beppu is no exception as it has a vibrant downtown area.
I recommend going to the “Hells” before heading to the downtown area for dinner. Stroll leisurely along the city’s main shopping street, known as Beppu Ginza. There’s shops, boutiques, and restaurants to enjoy. We personally had dinner and drinks at Beppu Brewery, which had a great selection of craft beer and really good food – especially their jerk chicken.
As the day draws to a close and if you still have energy, check out Beppu Tower, It offers panoramic views of the city and its surrounding mountains. Take an elevator ride to the observation deck and marvel at the breathtaking views. If you’re lucky, you may catch a spectacular sunset over Beppu Bay, creating a picturesque end to your day of exploration. If you stayed at a hotel by the Bay, stroll along the Bay and take in the fresh ocean water.
Bonus Activities To Do in Beppu
I didn’t have time to do these activities but if I had an extra day or two I’d spend it doing these:
- Visit Beppu’s Impressive Ocean Tower for Stunning Views
- Explore the Beppu Art Museum
- Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Beppu Bay
- Take a scenic stroll along Beppu Bay, you might even end up in the beach
- Take the overnight Sunflower cruise from Beppu Bay to Osaka – this one is definitely on my bucket list! The sunflower cruise docks in Beppu Bay and leaves at night. The size of the ship and their amenities are impressive! I’ve heard really good things about the food on board too. I’ll definitely write a post when I experience that trip. ?
- Visit Mount Tsurumi and its panoramic views: I wished I’d done this too! You take a cable car ride to the top, through a forest, and end up with magnificent 360 views of the blue waters of Beppu Bay and the rolling hills below. It also has lots of hiking trails for the nature lovers.
End the day relaxing at your hotel’s onsen, especially if yours is outdoors and has amazing views to the mountains or the water (like mine did, check it out above).
That’s all for this Top Things To Do in Beppu!
I hope you enjoy Beppu just as much as I did. Despite the terrible motion sickness to and from Beppu, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The onsen experience was well worth it and so are the natural vistas.
I love hearing from you. Leave a comment to let me know you visited Beppu.