Hotels in Beppu

Beppu: Geothermal Capital of Kyushu

Beppu, on the northeastern coast of Kyushu in Oita Prefecture, releases roughly 130,000 kiloliters of hot spring water daily — the second-highest geothermal output of any city on earth. Steam vents from manholes, rooftops, and riverbanks across eight distinct hot spring zones, known collectively as the Beppu Hatto. The city has operated as a spa destination since the early 20th century, and its bathhouse culture remains central rather than ornamental.

Where to Stay

Most hotels cluster around Kannawa and the central Ekimae district near Beppu Station. Kannawa holds the densest concentration of traditional ryokan and the famous Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour), a circuit of nine boiling pools colored by mineral content — cobalt blue at Umi Jigoku, blood red at Chi no Ike Jigoku. Budget guesthouses sit within a short walk of the station; larger resort hotels occupy the hillside slopes above Beppu Bay.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Beppu Station is 2 hours 20 minutes from Hakata (Fukuoka) by limited express Sonic train.
• Onsen etiquette: Tattoos may restrict access to public bathhouses; confirm policies before booking.
• Best time to visit: November to February brings cooler air, making outdoor rotenburo baths most comfortable.
• Day trips: Yufuin, a quieter onsen town, is 45 minutes by train inland.