Complete Guide to Beppu Onsen: What To Do and Where To Stay

Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring destinations, located along the eastern coast of Kyushu in Oita Prefecture. The city produces more hot spring water than anywhere else in the country, with steam rising from streets, rooftops, and hillsides throughout the town. Hot springs are part of daily life here, shaping the city’s layout and culture.

Rather than a single onsen (hot spring) area, Beppu is made up of eight distinct hot spring districts known collectively as Beppu Hatto (eight hot springs). These are Beppu Onsen, Kannawa Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen, and Shibaseki Onsen. Each district has its own character, bathing style, and setting, giving visitors a wide range of experiences within one city.

Beppu Onsen is easily accessible from major cities across Kyushu. From Fukuoka, limited express trains reach Beppu Station in around 2 hours and 15 minutes. Travelers arriving by air can take an airport bus from Oita Airport, which takes just under 1-hour. Local trains and buses connect the different onsen districts.

Beppu Station sits near the city center, close to accommodation, restaurants, and public bathhouses. Steam vents and hot spring facilities are visible immediately upon arrival.

1.   Beppu Onsen

Beppu Onsen refers to the cluster of hot springs concentrated around Beppu Station. This area rose to prominence during the Edo period, when it became a central bathing destination for residents and travelers passing through. Today, it remains the most accessible onsen area in the city and continues to play a leading role in local events, including the annual Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival held each spring.

2.   Hamawaki Onsen

Hamawaki Onsen developed along the coast, where hot spring water was first observed emerging near the shoreline. Before the city center shifted closer to Beppu Station, Hamawaki functioned as Beppu’s central cultural district. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, the area was full of bustling entertainment quarters and traditional inns, traces of which can still be seen while walking through the neighborhood today.

3.   Kamegawa Onsen

Located near the coast to the north is Kamegawa Onsen. In earlier centuries, the area served as an entry point for those arriving from northern Kyushu. Its most distinctive feature is its natural sand baths, where geothermal heat warms the sand used for therapeutic burial bathing.

4.   Kannawa Onsen

Kannawa Onsen is a location marked by dense steam rising continuously from the ground, streets, and rooftops. This landscape has long shaped perceptions of the area, with many of Beppu’s “postcard” views having been taken here.

5.   Kankaiji Onsen

Kankaiji Onsen sits on elevated ground overlooking the city and Beppu Bay. Discovered as a hot spring site during the Kamakura period, it is valued for its scenic setting. Many baths here take advantage of the hillside location, offering wide views that change with the time of day and season.

6.   Horita Onsen

Horita Onsen developed as a destination for extended bathing from the Edo period onward. Its location, slightly removed from the city center, meant that visitors often arrived after long journeys, making the area closely associated with rest and recovery. The springs here have traditionally been used for longer stays.

7.   Shibaseki Onsen

Shibaseki Onsen has a long history connected to therapeutic use, including visits by members of the imperial court in ancient times. Surrounded by forested hills and natural scenery, the area combines hot spring bathing with walking trails and quiet outdoor spaces.

8.   Myoban Onsen

Myoban Onsen has been known for centuries as a production site for myoban (alum), a mineral once widely used in daily life. The area is also associated with the formation of yunohana, a natural hot spring byproduct created in traditional thatched huts. Bathing here is often linked with skin care benefits, and the village setting preserves a strong sense of traditional hot spring culture.

1.   Bathe at a public bathhouse

Public bathhouses are central to Beppu’s identity and are spread across all eight onsen districts. Many are simple, local facilities that have served residents for generations, while others are larger complexes designed for visitors. Entry fees are generally affordable, making it easy to visit more than one bath during your stay.

Bathing styles vary by location, from traditional indoor pools to open-air baths that highlight Beppu’s coastal or hillside setting. Water temperature and mineral content can also differ slightly between districts, offering subtle contrasts from one bath to the next.

2.   Visit the “Hells of Beppu”

One of Beppu’s most well-known attractions is the Beppu Jigoku (hell springs), or “Hells of Beppu.” These vividly colored geothermal pools are not for bathing but for viewing, showcasing the volcanic forces that power the city’s hot springs. Each site has its own appearance, ranging from deep red pools to steaming mud springs. The Hells are easily accessed by bus from Beppu Station and are often visited in combination with a hot spring soak nearby.

3.   Try a sand bath

Sand bathing is a distinctive experience found primarily around the Kamegawa Onsen area. Visitors change into light cotton robes before being gently buried in naturally heated sand. The warmth penetrates slowly and evenly, creating a deeply relaxing sensation that differs from water-based bathing.

Beppu’s biggest festival season centers around two closely linked events. The Ogiyama Fire Festival and the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival are both held in April.

On the slopes of Mount Ogiyama, the fire festival features large, controlled hillside fires that illuminate the night sky and are visible from across the city. Following this fiery event, the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival takes place throughout the city. During this period, public bathhouses across Beppu are opened free of charge or at reduced entry fees, encouraging visitors to experience a wide range of onsen in a short time. Parades, traditional performances, and food stalls appear around Beppu Station and major onsen areas, creating one of the liveliest times of year to visit the city.

1.   Amanek Beppu Yurari

Amanek Beppu Yurari sits within Beppu Onsen, the most central of Beppu’s eight hot spring areas, just a short walk from Beppu Station. Its location makes it especially convenient for travelers arriving by train and for those planning to explore Beppu’s bathhouses, restaurants, and shopping streets on foot.

The hotel features a rooftop bathing area with a large communal bath and infinity-style pool overlooking the city. From the upper floors, views extend across Beppu and Beppu Bay. Staying here also provides easy bus access to attractions such as the Hells of Beppu and other nearby onsen districts.

2.   Beppu Onsen Chobo no Yado Shiori

Beppu Onsen Chobo no Yado Shiori is located within Beppu Onsen but slightly removed from the busiest streets, offering a quieter environment while remaining close to the city center. Its elevated position provides open views across Beppu Bay and toward the forested ridgeline of Mount Takasaki.

The on-site hot spring baths are designed to take advantage of the surrounding scenery, making early morning and evening bathing particularly appealing. The hotel is well placed for visiting Mount Takasaki Monkey Park, coastal walking areas, and central Beppu, while offering a more relaxed setting at the end of the day.