Beppu
Beppu is considered one of the hot spring capitals of Japan, with the entire town’s identity based on the numerous public baths, hot spring hotels and resorts, and the volcanic pools called the 7 Hells. If in Kyushu, staying at a hot spring in Beppu is a must.
| The Good | The Not-So Good |
| Hot springs! | Can get expensive during peak times |
| Easy access to other Oita towns |
Access to Beppu City
Beppu can be accessed by train via Kokura station on the Tokaido Shinkansen, or by air via Oita Airport. The Shinkansen and local train from Tokyo will take you a fantastic 6 hours altogether, so perhaps not ideal in one journey. Usually people travel west in Japan a little at a time, so once down to Kyushu the extra hour by train to Beppu will seem more manageable.
Travel by air can be done via a number of airports in Kyushu. Pick one that offers the cheapest flights when combined with your JR pass. If you have to take buses that will add to your costs, while the trains will be free.
- Oita airport and take a bus into Beppu (there are no trains serving the airport). Least hassle and the bus isn’t that costly.
- Kitakyushu Airport then take a train to Beppu, should Oita Airport be more expensive or your ideal flight is not available. Your JR pass will be valid and the time taken will be about the same as Oita Airport.
- Fukouka Airport has the most flights at the cheapest price from Tokyo (check this link for Google flights with all possible airports added – Fukouka airport will usually be the cheapest and your JR Pass will get you to Beppu without extra cost in about 2 hours).
- Miyazaki airport looks close enough but the trains are slow and it will take 4 hours to get to Beppu.
- Kumamoto Aso Airport is close (as the crow flies) but there are no trains so it is a 2 hour drive or an express bus (¥4,500 one-way, so not cheap).
What to do in Beppu?
Obviously soaking in a hot spring is what you go to Beppu for. There are so many to choose from, scattered about the town, that the choice can be a bit overwhelming. Travel around the town can be a challenge as the buses are fairly difficult to figure out. Your best hot spring inns will be a bit away from the station, so taking a bus or taxi will be required. Most hotels close to the main Beppu Station will be cheap guest houses or motels. Some places in Beppu are set up for backpackers so make sure your standards are met before booking.
“When Japan” recommends something like Ebisu-no-yu, which is a more high-class Japanese style inn that boasts 12 different types of baths. You can take a bus from Beppu station from the west exit. It is also a fairly pleasant 30 minutes walk to the Beppu Hell Pools, which are a must see.
If the recommendation above is a bit pricey then your best bet is to look at the reviews on Google maps or your favorite website and pick something in your budget, taking into account access by bus and what types of baths are available.
Finding a good hot spring during the day
There are many baths that are open to the public during the day. Search for them and pick something you like the look of. Beppu has many small baths that will only have one or two small pools so make sure you check the pictures before settling on a location. if unsure, it is best to choose a hotel with good baths and instead use the daytime to visit the Beppu Hells, or take a trip up the Beppu Ropeway to check out the stunning views.
View from Kifune Castle
Also recommended is Kifune Castle (homepage), which is just a large house really, but offers a great view of the town. You can get there from either of the Beppu Hells locations in about 15 minutes by foot.
If you heard about Mud Baths and fancy trying one, steer clear of Hoyoland, which was quite the disappointment for the steep entry price of ¥1,100. For a mud bath hot spring there is very little mud, and then facilities are quite run down, with some of the bath floors actually quite dangerous to step on bare foot.
Things to do in Beppu
Beppu Hell Hot Pools
For Hot Spring lovers a trip to Beppu in eastern Kyushu is certainly recommended due to the wide variety of baths on offer. The Beppu Hell Pools are a unique site well worth a visit while in the area.When JapanTweet The 7 hell springs of Beppu are a must see…
Places close to Beppu
Takayama Town
Tsuetate Hot Spring Town
Yufuin
Oita Aquarium – Unitamago
Futagoji Temple
A large temple complex on top Futago Mountain, Futagoji Temple is a perfect example of how Japan does temples. The only downside is the lack of any public transport, limiting the appeal to foreign tourists in the already difficult to navigate Oita Prefecture.When JapanTweet The GoodThe Not-So GoodBeautiful temple complexNo…
Kitsuki
An old Samurai town in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu is as authentic an experience you can get of the old way of life in Japan. The town has gone to great lengths to cater to tourists and it an easy train ride from the hot spring town of Beppu.When JapanTweet The…
