This itinerary will show you how to spend one day in Beppu, a city where ancient practices and new amenities come together in perfect harmony.
On the eastern coast of Oita Prefecture, nestled by the sea, lays a city called Beppu. As the leaves change and the temperatures drop, large white plumes of steam will rise from the city’s 2,500 hot springs, which are collectively known as “Beppu Hatto“.
These hot springs, or “onsen” as they are referred to in Japanese, are what makes Beppu the largest source of natural spring water in Japan. It’s the perfect destination to add to your Kyushu itinerary.
Whether you’re interested in trying delicious seafood and vegetables prepared with the ancient “Jigokumushi” method, testing out different hot springs, or setting out on a hiking trail that will take you through the sea of trees that blanket Mount Tsurumi, Beppu is the place for you.
Read on to see how to spend the perfect day in Beppu.
Here is how we’d recommend spending one day in Beppu:
Our day trip to Beppu begins with stepping back in time and a visit to Hachiman Asami Shrine. It was constructed in 1196 and has been guarded by enormous camphor trees known collectively as “Meoto-sugi” for over a millennium.
On New Year’s Day, hundreds of people from around Oita Prefecture come to Hachiman Asami Shrine to send their prayers to the gods and receive their fortunes, or “omikuji“, which are available in English.
In addition to getting your fortune, I’d recommend trying the hot spring water called “Mantaro Shimizu“. It is believed to have healing properties.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Rakutenchi Amusement Park has been serving up family-friendly fun for the community of Beppu since 1929. The park has many attractions, including a small zoo, a summer-time water park, roller coasters, a suspension bridge, and scenic views of Beppu Bay.
You can see the park’s famous Flower Ferris Wheel (the only double-ferris wheel in all of Japan) at a distance on Mount Tateishi.
The best way to access Rakutenchi if you do not have a rental car is by mountain cable car. The recently upgraded cable cars are colourfully painted with cheerful primary colours and are free to ride.
After spending time at Rakutenchi, you still have a chance to relax if you stop by Zekkei no Yu, which is the cherry on top of this retro theme park.
If you’re searching for more scenic views of Beppu, look no further than Mount Tsurumi. This is also the source of all of Beppu’s hot springs.
There are routes available for hikers of all levels of experience, from beginner to pro. If you choose to hike in the spring, you’ll have the chance to see thousands of cherry blossoms and Kyushu azaleas on the face of Mount Tsurumi.
The most commonly recommended route is to start at the Beppu Ropeway Station. However, if you would like to try the more challenging 1,375-meter sea-to-summit ascent to Mount Tsurumi, the journey will take around four hours. If you do this, be extra prepared and bring enough water.
The official starting point for the trail is at Matogahama Park, where you will see a sign marking the path that will take hikers to the summit.
Opened in 1962, Beppu Ropeway is the largest ropeway in all of Kyushu. Round-trip fare for one adult costs 1,700 yen. The trip from Beppu Ropeway Station to the summit of the 1,375-meter volcano via the ropeway takes around 10 minutes.
From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Beppu Bay, Oita City, and even Shikoku on a clear day.
The sea of trees covering Mount Tsurumi change colour from season to season, so you can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing the best season to visit Beppu Ropeway!
If you visit the ropeway between mid-October to the end of November, you can observe Mount Tsurumi’s beautiful autumn foliage from high up in the cable car.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Beppu’s most famous tour is the seven jigoku or “hells”. The tour takes you through seven different hot springs that are too hot to bathe in and kitschy attractions that are endearing and very popular amongst families with young children. The tour starts with the umi-jigoku or “Sea Hell” and ends with oniyama-jigoku or “Demon Mountain Hell.”
The best way to experience the full tour is to purchase tickets in advance using tour companies like Bokai bus tour.
For more information on how to purchase tickets and see a map of the Jigoku Seven Hells Tour, please visit the Beppu City Official Tourism site.
Kifune Castle is unlike most castles you will find across Japan. Rebuilt on private land in 1957, the present-day structure is modelled after the original 880-year-old castle.
For only 300 yen, visitors can access a hilltop garden and a shrine inside the castle. There’s also an albino python that has been deemed the official guardian of Kifune Castle that guests can pet for good luck.
Not far from Kifune Castle is the Yukemuri Observation Deck, where many visitors travel to snap a photo of Beppu’s iconic skyline. You can also get 360-degree views of Beppu City’s gorgeous scenery from the second story of Kifune Castle.
Kifune Castle offers guided tours only, but they are available in English and Japanese.
From thrift stores to handmade to speciality coffee shops, this off-the-beaten-path location is a must-visit when spending one day in Beppu. The Kita-Kouka Shotengai, which loosely translates means “under the train shops“, is a rare and nostalgic shopping experience found only in Beppu City.
Some shops have been renovated, like the highly recommended Sun Cafe, while others still retain their Heisei-era blueprint, like Kissaten Kei. We cannot recommend visiting this shopping mall, which is conveniently located within walking distance of Beppu Station.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
At 100 meters tall (328 ft), Beppu Tower is fun to visit during the day and at nighttime. At 55 meters up, visitors can enjoy views of Mount Tsurumi from the fifth-floor observation deck.
Like Osaka’s Tsutenkaku, the tower is made up of a latticework of iron with large Japanese characters etched on the side in neon light. Beppu Tower is one of six “brothers” designed by architect Tachu Naito, who also designed the aforementioned Tsutenkaku as well as Japan’s most iconic structure – Tokyo Tower.
Beppu Tower was completed in 1956 at the end of the Beppu Onsen Tourism Industrial Expo and has been a vital part of Beppu’s tourism industry ever since. To access this National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, simply hop on a city bus at Beppu Station or head east and walk for around ten minutes.
Hot springs in Japan are most often referred to as “onsen“. Traditionally, hot springs are separate facilities that the public is free to use for a small entrance fee, but newer hotels will often have a hot spring as part of their facilities.
The baths and changing rooms are separated and the baths themselves will vary in terms of size and temperature.
You may have heard that many Japanese onsens do not accept tattoos. While this is partially true, there are places like Beppu that are known for being one of the most tattoo-friendly places in all of Japan! If you have tattoos but aren’t sure what to expect, check out our guide about tattoos in Japan.
When in Beppu, here are three onsen I recommend trying:
When it comes to choosing the right accommodation, Beppu has a wide array of options thanks to its longstanding status as a hot spring city. Whether you’re looking for a traditional inn with vintage charm, a facility that boasts modern amenities, or an affordable guest house, Beppu will have a place for you.
Here are our recommendations for a relaxing stay in Beppu:
Beppu is known for onsen, or “hot springs“. There are so many hot springs in Beppu that this small city in Oita is the second-largest source of hot spring water in the entire world (the number one spot goes to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA).
Beppu has also recently become known for food tourism. The cooking method of using steam from a hot spring to prepare ingredients known as “Jigokumushi” originated in Beppu during the Edo period.
You can try this dish at a traditional inn or “ryokan” such as the Yanagiya Inn, which is located on Beppu’s Kannawa Ginza Street. Bathing in an onsen is one of the best things to do in Japan – and Beppu is one of the best places to do so.
The best route to get to Beppu is to go directly from Fukuoka by train or highway bus. The terminal for the highway bus is next to Hakata Station, the largest train station in Kyushu.
A one-way trip from Hakata to Oita City is 2.5 hours and costs around 4,000 yen. However, if you would prefer to take a train, the commute is a little over 2 hours and costs around 6,500 yen.
Beppu is located 10 minutes away by local train or taxi from Oita City. The JR Kyushu Pass has recently increased ticket prices, so I’d only recommend purchasing the pass if you are looking to add Beppu as part of an itinerary for a trip around the whole island of Kyushu. Our 7-day Kyushu itinerary, for example, shows you all seven prefectures in one week.
I recommend spending a minimum of one day in Beppu.
While it varies from person to person, most people in Japan generally prefer to spend a night or two at a Japanese inn, especially if the inn includes a hot spring.
Most people visit the hot springs late at night or early in the morning, so an overnight stay is the most common recommendation. If you are coming for the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, when smaller onsens will waive their fees during this week-long celebration, it might be beneficial to stay more than one night.
Yes, Beppu is 100% worth visiting! In addition to being one of the most popular destinations in Kyushu, Beppu is full of truly unique attractions. It’s the perfect place to get familiar with Japanese hot spring culture. We cannot recommend visiting Beppu enough.
It depends. Yufuin is a popular destination in Oita due to its easy access (just one hour by bus) from Beppu and Oita Station. Like Beppu, Yufuin is an excellent place to enjoy hot springs and experience staying at a traditional Japanese inn.
If you’re looking to add Yufuin to your Kyushu itinerary, there are trains available from Kumamoto to Yufuin.
When it comes to spending one day in Beppu, you can’t go wrong with choosing what to see and where to go.
There’s nothing better than seeing colourful foliage atop Mount Tsurumi from a cable car or soaking in an authentic 100-year-old hot spring. We hope that our guide has inspired you to consider visiting Beppu on your next trip to Japan.
On the eastern coast of Oita Prefecture, nestled by the sea, lays a city called Beppu. As the leaves change and the temperatures drop, large white plumes of steam will rise from the city’s 2,500 hot springs, which are collectively known as “Beppu Hatto“.
These hot springs, or “onsen” as they are referred to in Japanese, are what makes Beppu the largest source of natural spring water in Japan. It’s the perfect destination to add to your Kyushu itinerary.
Whether you’re interested in trying delicious seafood and vegetables prepared with the ancient “Jigokumushi” method, testing out different hot springs, or setting out on a hiking trail that will take you through the sea of trees that blanket Mount Tsurumi, Beppu is the place for you.
Read on to see how to spend the perfect day in Beppu.
One Day in Beppu Itinerary
Here is how we’d recommend spending one day in Beppu:
1. Visit Hachiman Asami Shrine
Our day trip to Beppu begins with stepping back in time and a visit to Hachiman Asami Shrine. It was constructed in 1196 and has been guarded by enormous camphor trees known collectively as “Meoto-sugi” for over a millennium.
On New Year’s Day, hundreds of people from around Oita Prefecture come to Hachiman Asami Shrine to send their prayers to the gods and receive their fortunes, or “omikuji“, which are available in English.
In addition to getting your fortune, I’d recommend trying the hot spring water called “Mantaro Shimizu“. It is believed to have healing properties.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
2. Explore Beppu Rakutenchi Amusement Park
Rakutenchi Amusement Park has been serving up family-friendly fun for the community of Beppu since 1929. The park has many attractions, including a small zoo, a summer-time water park, roller coasters, a suspension bridge, and scenic views of Beppu Bay.
You can see the park’s famous Flower Ferris Wheel (the only double-ferris wheel in all of Japan) at a distance on Mount Tateishi.
The best way to access Rakutenchi if you do not have a rental car is by mountain cable car. The recently upgraded cable cars are colourfully painted with cheerful primary colours and are free to ride.
After spending time at Rakutenchi, you still have a chance to relax if you stop by Zekkei no Yu, which is the cherry on top of this retro theme park.
3. Hike up Mount Tsurumi
If you’re searching for more scenic views of Beppu, look no further than Mount Tsurumi. This is also the source of all of Beppu’s hot springs.
There are routes available for hikers of all levels of experience, from beginner to pro. If you choose to hike in the spring, you’ll have the chance to see thousands of cherry blossoms and Kyushu azaleas on the face of Mount Tsurumi.
The most commonly recommended route is to start at the Beppu Ropeway Station. However, if you would like to try the more challenging 1,375-meter sea-to-summit ascent to Mount Tsurumi, the journey will take around four hours. If you do this, be extra prepared and bring enough water.
The official starting point for the trail is at Matogahama Park, where you will see a sign marking the path that will take hikers to the summit.
4. Ride the Beppu Ropeway
Opened in 1962, Beppu Ropeway is the largest ropeway in all of Kyushu. Round-trip fare for one adult costs 1,700 yen. The trip from Beppu Ropeway Station to the summit of the 1,375-meter volcano via the ropeway takes around 10 minutes.
From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of Beppu Bay, Oita City, and even Shikoku on a clear day.
The sea of trees covering Mount Tsurumi change colour from season to season, so you can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing the best season to visit Beppu Ropeway!
If you visit the ropeway between mid-October to the end of November, you can observe Mount Tsurumi’s beautiful autumn foliage from high up in the cable car.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
5. Take the Jigoku Seven Hells Tour
Beppu’s most famous tour is the seven jigoku or “hells”. The tour takes you through seven different hot springs that are too hot to bathe in and kitschy attractions that are endearing and very popular amongst families with young children. The tour starts with the umi-jigoku or “Sea Hell” and ends with oniyama-jigoku or “Demon Mountain Hell.”
The best way to experience the full tour is to purchase tickets in advance using tour companies like Bokai bus tour.
For more information on how to purchase tickets and see a map of the Jigoku Seven Hells Tour, please visit the Beppu City Official Tourism site.
6. Admire Kifune Castle
Kifune Castle is unlike most castles you will find across Japan. Rebuilt on private land in 1957, the present-day structure is modelled after the original 880-year-old castle.
For only 300 yen, visitors can access a hilltop garden and a shrine inside the castle. There’s also an albino python that has been deemed the official guardian of Kifune Castle that guests can pet for good luck.
Not far from Kifune Castle is the Yukemuri Observation Deck, where many visitors travel to snap a photo of Beppu’s iconic skyline. You can also get 360-degree views of Beppu City’s gorgeous scenery from the second story of Kifune Castle.
Kifune Castle offers guided tours only, but they are available in English and Japanese.
7. Visit Kita-Kouka Shotengai
From thrift stores to handmade to speciality coffee shops, this off-the-beaten-path location is a must-visit when spending one day in Beppu. The Kita-Kouka Shotengai, which loosely translates means “under the train shops“, is a rare and nostalgic shopping experience found only in Beppu City.
Some shops have been renovated, like the highly recommended Sun Cafe, while others still retain their Heisei-era blueprint, like Kissaten Kei. We cannot recommend visiting this shopping mall, which is conveniently located within walking distance of Beppu Station.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
8. See Beppu Tower
At 100 meters tall (328 ft), Beppu Tower is fun to visit during the day and at nighttime. At 55 meters up, visitors can enjoy views of Mount Tsurumi from the fifth-floor observation deck.
Like Osaka’s Tsutenkaku, the tower is made up of a latticework of iron with large Japanese characters etched on the side in neon light. Beppu Tower is one of six “brothers” designed by architect Tachu Naito, who also designed the aforementioned Tsutenkaku as well as Japan’s most iconic structure – Tokyo Tower.
Beppu Tower was completed in 1956 at the end of the Beppu Onsen Tourism Industrial Expo and has been a vital part of Beppu’s tourism industry ever since. To access this National Registered Tangible Cultural Property, simply hop on a city bus at Beppu Station or head east and walk for around ten minutes.
9. Enjoy Beppu’s Hot Springs
Hot springs in Japan are most often referred to as “onsen“. Traditionally, hot springs are separate facilities that the public is free to use for a small entrance fee, but newer hotels will often have a hot spring as part of their facilities.
The baths and changing rooms are separated and the baths themselves will vary in terms of size and temperature.
You may have heard that many Japanese onsens do not accept tattoos. While this is partially true, there are places like Beppu that are known for being one of the most tattoo-friendly places in all of Japan! If you have tattoos but aren’t sure what to expect, check out our guide about tattoos in Japan.
When in Beppu, here are three onsen I recommend trying:
- Hyotan Onsen: A traditional Japanese hot spring that has been a part of the Beppu community for over 100 years. Hyotan Onsen boasts Japan’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, sand baths, and private baths that are tattoo-friendly. Points of interest near Hyotan Onsen include the Jigoku Seven Hells, Yukemuri Observation Deck, and Kifune Castle.
- Nageshi Onsen: According to local legend, after a hot spring was discovered someone secretly built a wooden structure that later became Nageshi Onsen. Thus, this onsen that is located near Hachiman Asami Shrine has been nicknamed, the “One Night Hot Spring.” Be sure to bring your own amenities if you plan on visiting this historic hot spring.
- Koudei Onsen: The Koudei Onsen is part of the Bouzu Jigoku or “monk hell“. This mineral-enriched mud bath is one of the only hot springs that guests are permitted to bathe in on the Jigoku Hell Tour. Entry to the mud bath costs around 900 yen for an adult, while young children are not permitted to enter for their safety.
10. Have a Relaxing Stay in Beppu
When it comes to choosing the right accommodation, Beppu has a wide array of options thanks to its longstanding status as a hot spring city. Whether you’re looking for a traditional inn with vintage charm, a facility that boasts modern amenities, or an affordable guest house, Beppu will have a place for you.
Here are our recommendations for a relaxing stay in Beppu:
- Galleria Midobaru: For those who want to have a luxury experience while still enjoying sightseeing in Beppu, then look no further than Galleria Midobaru. Galleria Midobaru offers king-sized rooms containing large baths that provide guests with a private, onsen-like experience.
- Suginoi Hotel: This luxury four-star hotel truly has it all: a bowling alley, a waterpark, a garden with modern art, restaurants, and more. Suginoi has not just one but two hot onsens. In January 2023, Suginoi Hotel revealed the SORA KAN infinity bath, which offers gorgeous rooftop views of Beppu City.
- Beppu Hostel U&T: This top-rated hostel is located in a central location close to Beppu Tower. Amenities include washing and drying units, a communal kitchen, a gaming area complete with Japanese comic books, Wi-Fi, and much more. Thanks to their friendly, English-speaking staff, Beppu Hostel U&T is an excellent choice for travellers looking for a cheaper alternative in Beppu.
What is Beppu Known for?
Beppu is known for onsen, or “hot springs“. There are so many hot springs in Beppu that this small city in Oita is the second-largest source of hot spring water in the entire world (the number one spot goes to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA).
Beppu has also recently become known for food tourism. The cooking method of using steam from a hot spring to prepare ingredients known as “Jigokumushi” originated in Beppu during the Edo period.
You can try this dish at a traditional inn or “ryokan” such as the Yanagiya Inn, which is located on Beppu’s Kannawa Ginza Street. Bathing in an onsen is one of the best things to do in Japan – and Beppu is one of the best places to do so.
How to Get to Beppu?
The best route to get to Beppu is to go directly from Fukuoka by train or highway bus. The terminal for the highway bus is next to Hakata Station, the largest train station in Kyushu.
A one-way trip from Hakata to Oita City is 2.5 hours and costs around 4,000 yen. However, if you would prefer to take a train, the commute is a little over 2 hours and costs around 6,500 yen.
Beppu is located 10 minutes away by local train or taxi from Oita City. The JR Kyushu Pass has recently increased ticket prices, so I’d only recommend purchasing the pass if you are looking to add Beppu as part of an itinerary for a trip around the whole island of Kyushu. Our 7-day Kyushu itinerary, for example, shows you all seven prefectures in one week.
How Many Days Do You Need in Beppu?
I recommend spending a minimum of one day in Beppu.
While it varies from person to person, most people in Japan generally prefer to spend a night or two at a Japanese inn, especially if the inn includes a hot spring.
Most people visit the hot springs late at night or early in the morning, so an overnight stay is the most common recommendation. If you are coming for the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, when smaller onsens will waive their fees during this week-long celebration, it might be beneficial to stay more than one night.
Is Beppu Worth Visiting?
Yes, Beppu is 100% worth visiting! In addition to being one of the most popular destinations in Kyushu, Beppu is full of truly unique attractions. It’s the perfect place to get familiar with Japanese hot spring culture. We cannot recommend visiting Beppu enough.
Which is Better, Yufuin or Beppu?
It depends. Yufuin is a popular destination in Oita due to its easy access (just one hour by bus) from Beppu and Oita Station. Like Beppu, Yufuin is an excellent place to enjoy hot springs and experience staying at a traditional Japanese inn.
If you’re looking to add Yufuin to your Kyushu itinerary, there are trains available from Kumamoto to Yufuin.
Conclusion – Beppu Itinerary
When it comes to spending one day in Beppu, you can’t go wrong with choosing what to see and where to go.
There’s nothing better than seeing colourful foliage atop Mount Tsurumi from a cable car or soaking in an authentic 100-year-old hot spring. We hope that our guide has inspired you to consider visiting Beppu on your next trip to Japan.