Japanese hot springs, or onsen, are famous for their healing benefits. Besides the best onsen in Hakone, Beppu is also popular for its incredible hot springs.
It’s a great place to escape busy city life and relax in warm, soothing waters surrounded by nature. Here, you can experience traditional Japanese bath customs, which add to the unique charm of the city. But Beppu has more to offer than just hot springs.
Keep reading to find out more about this fascinating city!
What Makes Beppu Onsens Unique
Beppu is a city in Ōita Prefecture on Kyushu Island, Japan. It sits near Beppu Bay and is surrounded by picturesque mountains. Established in 1881, Beppu is well-known for its hot spring resorts, which bring visitors from all over the world. The city boasts nearly 3,000 hot spring vents where you can relax in baths such as mud baths, sand baths, and steam baths.
It has one of the largest onsen systems in the world. This makes up more than 10% of all hot springs in Japan. The water from these hot springs comes in different types, some rich in minerals like chloride and sodium bicarbonate.
Many baths are believed to help with problems like nerve pain, joint issues, and tiredness. In some places, people even drink the spring water because they think it's good for them.
Beppu’s hot springs, called Beppu Hatto, are spread across eight main areas. Each area offers different kinds of onsen water with minerals that might help with things like nerve pain and rheumatism. According to legend, ancient gods used these onsens for healing. Even samurai warriors used to bathe in these hot springs to heal faster from their injuries.
Best Onsens in Beppu You May Consider Visiting
Beppu offers the finest water, perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. Below are some of the onsens that you may consider visiting.
1. Takegawara Onsen
This onsen has been around for 130 years and it’s quite spacious. Many tourists visit here, so it’s a great place to begin your onsen adventure. Make sure to bring your best travel towel or rent one at the front desk.
When you're ready, you can enter the onsen area and enjoy the baths. They also offer sand bathing for an extra cost, which is a unique experience. You wear clothes while they cover you in warm sand, and it’s designed to be relaxing and calming.
Hyotan Onsen has been around since 1922 and focuses on relaxation. You can enjoy sand bathing, steam rooms, foot baths, and even try Beppu's special Jigoku Mushi dishes cooked in hot spring steam at their restaurant. It’s a great place to start, especially for tourists new to onsens, as it will help you get used to the experience quickly.
3. Ekimae Koto Onsen
Ekimae Koto Onsen, also known as Beppu Station Onsen, is conveniently located right by Beppu Station. This makes it easy to find as soon as you step out! The onsen has been around for about 100 years. It’s not as fancy as some other places, but its historical design is a big attraction if you enjoy feeling like you’ve traveled back in time.
You can choose between two baths: one is very hot, and the other is cooler if you prefer a more comfortable temperature.
4. Kannawa Mushiyu
When you visit the Kannawa area in Beppu, be sure to check out Kannawa Mushiyu. The steam bath is a major attraction here. The bathroom floor is covered with medicinal herbs called “Sekisyo,” which enhance sweating. You enter the room and lie down on the floor for about 8 minutes. Afterward, when you exit the room, you'll be soaked with sweat, and a gentle breeze adds to the deep relaxation experience.
5. Yamato Onsen
Yamato Onsen is one of the traditional bathhouses here, known for its distinctive round-shaped bathtub, which is its symbol. The bathwater is comfortably warm, typically maintained at about 44°C|111.2°F year-round, catering to those who enjoy hotter baths.
What Else Can Beppu Offer
Beyond the famous hot springs, Beppu also offers other cultural, natural, and culinary delights. Below are a few things you may try.
Beppu Local Cuisine
In Oita prefecture, Beppu boasts a rich variety of local cuisine. While Jigokumushi is famous here, don't miss trying these dishes! Toriten is a local favorite—a type of chicken tempura seasoned with sake, garlic powder, and ginger, then fried in tempura style. Served with salad, rice, and a dipping sauce made of citrus and soy, it's a flavorful meal!
Another specialty is Beppu Reimen (cold) and Onmen (hot), both delicious noodle dishes made with buckwheat flour noodles (soba), clear broth, slices of beef, Korean-style kimchi, soft-boiled egg, spring onions, and sesame seeds on top.
Mt. Tsurumi: Beppu Ropeway
A popular first stop in Beppu is the Beppu Ropeway up Mt. Tsurumi, an active volcano and the source of Beppu Hot Spring. From the top, you can see stunning views of Beppu, Mt. Yufu, the Kuju Mountains, and even Shikoku across the ocean!
There's a short 40-minute hike at the summit to visit small shrines, with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn adding to the scenery.
The Kunisaki Peninsula, found in the northeastern part of Oita Prefecture, is a circular area known for its stunning scenery, peaceful towns, and rich cultural heritage. Mount Futago towers at its center, offering views over valleys and forests that spread throughout the region.
This peninsula is renowned for its unique mix of Buddhist and Shinto traditions known as “Rokugo Manzan.” Numerous temples and shrines, such as Fukiji Temple and Usa Shrine, showcase these spiritual practices. Stone statues are also common here, adding to the area's mystical ambiance. Don't miss trying local specialties like dango jiru (dumpling miso soup), crafted from locally grown grains.
Sand baths in Beppu offer remarkable benefits. They promote deep sweating, enhancing blood circulation and inducing relaxation, even for those who typically sweat less. Heated by geothermal hot springs, Beppu's sands are renowned for improving well-being and easing ailments such as muscle pain and fatigue.
Explore Beppu for its famous hot springs, delicious local food, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you're soaking in traditional onsens, tasting regional dishes like Toriten and Beppu Reimen, or enjoying views from Mt. Tsurumi and Kunisaki Peninsula, Beppu offers something memorable for every visitor. It's a place where culture, cuisine, and relaxation come together harmoniously.
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