Beppu is a famous hot spring town in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. Their main attraction aside from the relaxing hot spring facilities is their Hell Springs - 7 Hot Springs for viewing only, definitely no bathing. Other points of interest include nature sights, historical places, and scrumptious food like Beppu Cold Noodles.
Table of Contents
- Brief History and Geography
- Places to Visit in Beppu
- Beppu Onsen Relaxation and Special Experiences
- Local Foods to Tickle Your Tastebuds
- Takeaway
Brief History and Geography
Proudly known for its hot spring resorts, Beppu City is one of Oita Prefecture’s major cities bringing in crowds of visitors (4 million a year!) to support their tourist industry. The city is built over a geothermal area. Its hot springs receive thermal waters from underground sources that can be traced back to volcanic centers of Mt. Garan and Mt. Tsurumi. In fact, Beppu City is known for having the highest output of thermal waters in the country.
The fruitful development of hot spring facilities in Beppu started in the 13th century. A samurai named Yoriyasu Otomo set-up sanatoriums in Beppu for injured warriors during the Mongolian War. Since then, along with the uncovering of more hot springs, the city has gradually developed into the great hot spring town it is today.
※ Beppu City, "Mystery and History of Beppu Hot Spring"
Writer's Pick
Places to Visit in Beppu
Starting with Beppu’s star attraction, we will bring you on a tour of Beppu’s finest attractions.
Jigoku Meguri
Jigoku Meguri, literally meaning Hell Tour, is a circuit of the 7 Hell Hotsprings of Beppu. The tour of these 7 viewing-only (NO SOAKING) hot springs starts from the Kannawa Region. Don’t let the term “Hell” fool you, the view of the hot springs is divine!
Why is it called “Jigoku”? The hot springs were called as such because of the olden day belief of its cursed looking waters. Imagine violently bubbling hot waters and gas bubbles, not to mention the mud one, blood red one, and alligator one.
The 7 Jigokus are:
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Umi Jigoku, Sea Hell, whose specialty is boiled onsen eggs.
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Shiraike Jigoku, White Pond Hell, is heart-shaped.
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Chinoike Jigoku, Blood Pond Hell, the name is self-explanatory.
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Oniishibouzu Jigoku, Bald Monk Hell, with grey bubbling mud.
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Tatsumaki Jigoku, Tornado Hell, and its steaming hot geyser.
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Oniyama Jigoku, Oni Mountain Hell, with its 80 crocodile residents. Yikes! Feeding show on Weekends (10am, 2.30pm) and Wednesdays (10am).
※Due to the Coronavirus Prevention Measures, feeding times are not fixed. -
Kamado Jigoku, Stove Hell, containing 6 smaller hells.
Access:
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From Beppu Station, take the local bus to Umi Jigoku-Mae Bus Station
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Join the Kameino Bus Beppu Hells Bus Tour
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Departure: Kitahama Bus Center (9.15am or 1.55pm) and Beppu Station (9.20am or 2pm)
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Price: 3,900 yen (Adult) including entrance fees
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Duration: Approx. 3-hours
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Reservation: Recommended! Can be made 2 months in advance.
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Entrance Fee: 400 yen per Jigoku, or 1,800 yen for ALL (You save 1,000 yen)
※ Enjoy Onsen, “What Are The Beppu Hells? A Close Look At Jigoku Meguri”
Beppu Ropeway
At the foot of the active volcano, Mt. Tsurumi is where the journey of a spectacular ride starts. From Beppu Kogen Station, the cable car Beppu Ropeway service will bring you up Mt. Tsurumi to enjoy the panoramic view of Beppu City. As you ascend, enjoy the wondrous view of nature below you. The bright red hues of autumn foliage during the fall season is particularly breathtaking. To plan your visit around their seasonal events, have a look at this event calendar.
Aside from the townscape and floral view, there are plenty of things to do at Tsurumi Sanjo Station (Top of Mt. Tsurumi). Visit the lucky god statues, pilgrimage sites, Tsurumi Sanjo Gongen Shrine, and more. For more details, check the facilities page.
Access: From Beppu Station West Exit, take the local bus to Beppu Ropeway Bus Station (20-mins)
Usage Fee: 1,000 yen (Adult One Way), 1,600 yen (Adult Round Trip)
Operating Hours: 9am ~ 17:30pm (15/3 ~ 14/11), 9am ~ 17pm (15/11 ~ 14/3)
※The last cable car up the mountain is 30-mins before closing time.
※ Beppu Ropeway
Kifune Castle
After an exciting tour of Beppu’s Hells, make your way to Kifune Castle. For maximum convenience, make Shiraike Jigoku the last hell of your tour.
Built in 1957, Kifune Castle offers one of the best views of Beppu. From the tower keep, you can enjoy landscape views of Beppu Bay, mountains of Shikoku, Mt. Tsurumi, and Mt. Gan. If you are lucky, you may even get to meet the Great White Snake that is believed to be the physical manifestation of Kifune Castle’s Guardian Spirit.
Access:
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From Jigoku Meguri,
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17 ~ 20-mins walk from Oniyama / Kamado / Shiraike Jigoku
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Holders of All Day Kameino Bus Pass, from Shiraike Jigoku walk 2-mins to Kannawa Bus Station, then take the Kamenoi Loop Bus to Kifunejo Iriguchi Bus Station.
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From Beppu Station, take the Kamenoi Loop Bus to Kifunejo Iriguchi Bus Station, then walk for 7-mins.
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From Beppu Station, take the Local Bus to Kannawa Bus Station, then walk for 15-mins.
Entrance Fee: 300 yen (Adult)
※ Kifune Castle
Beppu Park
Beppu Park is a historical place that hosted several auspicious events including visitation by the Crown Prince on 7th November 1907, Beppu International Hot Spring Expo 1937, and was designated as Showa Emperor 50th Year of Reign Commemoration Park. Moreover, during World War II, it was taken over by the US Military as a garrison. It was returned to Japan after the war. In 2006, Beppu Park was recognized as 1 of 100 Historical Parks in Japan.
The park is filled with various types of greenery and flowers. Some of the pine trees here are at least 100 years old! The symbol of Beppu City, crowds of people visit during blooming seasons to enjoy the cherry blossoms (early spring), and plum (late winter). There are also purple wisterias hanging above the walking paths in April and May!
The park is a great place to enjoy a picnic and to get some fresh air and exercise. A Starbucks has recently opened there in 2019, perfect for a coffee break!
Access:
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15-mins walk from Beppu Station West Exit
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From Beppu Station West Exit, take the local bus to Beppu Koen-mae Bus Station
Entrance Fee: Free
※ Beppu City, "Beppu Park"
Beppu Onsen Relaxation and Special Experiences
Beppu City is famous for its onsen, so it doesn’t make much sense to visit and not have a go at it. There are more than 2,000 hot spring facilities in the city itself served by around 800 discovered hot spring wells. Some of the facilities offer special services like sand, steam, and mud baths.
Visit Enjoy Onsen, a useful site prepared by Beppu City for foreign tourists to navigate the onsen facilities available in the city. They even have a customer service bot that helps find recommendations of onsen that fits your needs in the form of Q&A. You can even find tattoo-friendly or mixed gender onsen!
Though we say that, we’ve also highlighted some facilities you should consider:
Beppu Beach Sand Bath
Receiver of TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2019, Beppu Beach Sand Bath is a must try on your Beppu visit. Instead of bathing in hot water, you’ll be buried in hot sand! And instead of a swimsuit, you’ll be in a Yukata!
After paying at the counter and changing into a Yukata, you will lay down on the sand and be buried up to your neck in hot sand. You can pass your camera to the attendant who can help you take a picture. Of course, after your “bathing”, you can have a proper wash.
Access: From Beppu Station,
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Take the local bus to Rokushouen Bus Station, then walk for 2-mins
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Take the JR Nippou Line local train to Beppu Daigaku Station (the next stop), then walk for 4-mins
Entrance Fee: 1,500 yen
Free Amenities: Yukata, Hairdryer, Shampoo & Soap
Bring Yourself: Bath Towel (360 yen), Hand Towel
※ Beppu City, "Beppu Beach Sand Bath"
Hyotan Onsen
The only Michelin Green Guide ⭐⭐⭐ receiver in Japan, Hyotan Onsen offers various spa facilities. Aside from a classic hot spring, they also have sand baths, waterfall baths, and steam baths. For some private family time, they have 14 family baths in different styles. There is also a foot bath as well as a drinking fountain with “lucky hot spring water”.
When you start feeling hungry, visit their restaurants. The Jigoku-mushi Kitchen (Hell Steam Kitchen) cooks their food using a special pot over the hot springs natural steam! It's a traditional cooking method unique to Kannawa.
Access: From Beppu Station, take the local bus to Jigokubara / Hyotan Onsen Bus Station, then walk for 3-mins.
Entrance Fee:
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Large Bath: 780 yen (Adult), 580 yen (Adult, 8pm~ Entry)
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Family Bath: 2,150 yen for 3 Adults
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Extension: 850 yen / 30-mins
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Additional Person: 500 yen / Adult
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Free Amenities: Hairdryer, Shampoo & Soap
Bring Yourself: Bath Towel (150 yen Rental), Hand Towel (220 yen)
※ Hyotan Onsen
Teruyu Onsen
A hidden gem in Beppu, Teruyu Onsen is mostly popular amongst the locals. Although the facility is much simpler and older than other tourist spots, it is a unique and excellent experience to mingle with friendly locals and bathe traditionally - there are no showers, so use a bucket to scoop and splash on yourself.
A special characteristic of the onsen is its changing colors. Depending on the climate, the water may be a bright blue. For 100 yen, you can get 3 Onsen Tamago. Yum yum!
Access: From Beppu Station or Beppu Hell Umi Jigoku-mae Bus Station, take the local bus to Teruyu Bus Station, then walk 2-mins.
Entrance Fee: 200 yen
Free Amenities: None
Bring Yourself: Everything you need
※ Enjoy Onsen, “Teruyu”
Local Foods to Tickle Your Tastebuds
Indulge yourself with Oita and Beppu local delicacies, these are a selection of must-eats when dropping by this quaint town.
Oita Bungo Beef
Oita Wagyu is made from Oita bred Bungogyu. Oita Beef is famous for its rich marbling and tender soft flesh. It has won awards and competitions both within the prefecture and nationwide Japan. In Beppu, try Bungo Steak Somuri which is a short 6-mins walk from Beppu Station. A small cut of 120g costs around 6,000 yen so budget wisely.
For other shops around Japan, check this page.
※ Oita Wagyu, “What is Oita Bungogyu?”
Beppu Reimen
Reimen (冷麵) or cold noodles is a popular noodle dish in Beppu. Maybe because it’s always hot there with the onsens and steam? There’s no easier way to explain Beppu Reimen other than the fact that it's a noodle dish that’s cold… Cold noodles are common all over Japan in the summer, but Beppu makes it better.
Visit these places for authentic Beppu Reimen:
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Ariran Yakiniku, operating since 1950, known as the creator of Beppu Reimen
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Rokusei,one of the most popular shops
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Kankokuen, Korean-style Beppu Reimen
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Kogetsu, operating since 1970, one of the best Beppu Reimen
Okamotoya Hell-Steamed Pudding
For dessert, try Beppu’s famous hell-steamed pudding, steamed from the fires of hell itself! (joking) These delicacies are naturally steamed on the onsen and said to originate from Beppu’s Myoban Onsen. The Jigoku-Mushi pudding in Okamotoya Shop has been using the same steaming method since 1988. You can enjoy the scrumptious dessert while feasting your eyes on the spectacular view.
Access: From Beppu Station, take the local bus to Jizoyu-mae Bus Station.
Takeaway
Not just any ordinary hot spring town, the Jigoku Springs of Beppu itself makes it a unique exciting adventure. I mean how often do you come across bubbling hot mud springs, or crocodiles and alligators living in a hot spring? A tourist-friendly area, the majority (not all) of Beppu’s onsen facilities are tattoo-friendly, and you can also find Muslim-friendly restaurants if you look hard enough.
To save money and for convenience, we recommend getting the Kameino All Day Pass for unlimited bus travel and access to major sightseeing spots.
