Beppu

別府

Japan's hot spring capital with the highest volume of onsen water in the nation, famous for colorful 'Hells' (jigoku) displays of boiling thermal ponds. It perfectly blends spa culture, quirky attractions, and coastal charm on Beppu Bay.

Things to do

• Beppu Hells Tour — Visit the famous Jigoku (Hell) thermal displays including Umi Jigoku (blue pond), Yama Jigoku (sulfurous red池), and Oniyama Jigoku, each with distinct colors and temperatures.
• Suginoi Palace — Explore this massive resort complex with multiple public bathhouses, observation decks overlooking Beppu Bay, and various themed indoor and outdoor onsen.
• Takegawara Onsen — Soak in this historic public bathhouse famous for its unique sand bath (subako) where visitors are buried in hot black sand from the bay.
• Beppu Tower — Climb the observation tower in the city center for panoramic views of Beppu Bay, the surrounding hot springs, and Kyushu's mountains.
• Umitamago Aquarium — Visit this marine life museum located at the waterfront featuring local sea creatures and interactive exhibits reflecting the bay's ecosystem.
• Jigoku Mushi Kitchen — Cook your own meal using natural steam vents from the thermal springs, a hands-on experience unique to Beppu's geothermal landscape.

Food to try

• Beppu Karaage — Local style marinated fried chicken that uses regional chicken breeds and secret soy-based marinades, a specialty found at countless street vendors and restaurants.
• Toriten — A Beppu favorite of tempura-battered and deep-fried chicken served with dipping sauce, lighter and crispier than karaage.
• Jigoku Mushi — Fresh vegetables, seafood, and eggs steamed directly over natural thermal vents, serving as both a cooking method and an unforgettable dining experience.
• Fugu — Pufferfish cuisine prepared by licensed chefs, available in refined restaurants throughout Beppu and particularly prized in winter months.
• Seaweed and Local Bay Seafood — Fresh catches from Beppu Bay including sea urchin, scallops, and locally harvested wakame seaweed prepared sashimi-style or in hot pots.

Local customs & good to know

• Onsen Etiquette is Essential — Always wash thoroughly before entering communal baths, never wash in the onsen itself, keep towels out of the water, and be aware that many traditional baths prohibit visible tattoos.
• Plan Multiple Onsen Visits — Beppu's strength lies in variety—visit different public bathhouses and hells on different days to fully appreciate the region's diverse geothermal features rather than rushing through in one day.
• Respect the Natural Rhythm — Early mornings are quieter at bathhouses and hells; visit between 6-8am for a more authentic, less crowded experience before tour buses arrive mid-morning.
• Buy an Onsen Passport — The Beppu Onsen Tegata passport booklet allows discounted entry to multiple public bathhouses and is a practical way to explore the city's 143+ springs systematically.