Beppu Onsens - Insider Tips to Explore Japan's Best Onsens

Beppu, a small Japanese city famous for its hot springs, offers unique geothermal views and relaxing onsens. Whether you seek something special for your first trip to Japan or prefer exploring a lesser-known place, Beppu is the perfect choice.

In this article, I'll share my firsthand experience to help you make the most of your Beppu trip, including how to visit geothermal spots, choose accommodations, and everything else you need to know.

Why is Beppu Onsen Famous?

Beppu boasts the highest hot spring output in Japan. Compared to more famous hot spring destinations like Hakone or Nagano, Beppu provides a more extensive and diverse hot spring experience.

You could experience visually striking onsen views in Beppu. The Hells of Beppu (seven onsens) are the only ones in Japan with colorful hot spring scenery.

Besides visiting the onsens scenery in Beppu, soaking in hot springs is a must. With its rich geothermal resources, you could relax in baths at hotels, enjoy foot baths along hot spring streets or at the Hells of Beppu, and even try experience unique styles like sand baths, steam baths, or seaside hot springs.

Explore the Hells of Beppu: View-Only Hot Springs

The Hells of Beppu is a highlight in the city. Each of these seven onsens has its own unique colors and views, giving you a taste of Japan's special geothermal landscapes. These hot springs are only for viewing, as their temperatures all exceed 80℃ (176℉).

These onsens are called "hells" because ancient Japanese thought their boiling water and gas bubbled up from the land resembled Buddhist hell. Even now, you could still witness steam and gases erupting, filling you with amazing instead of fear.

After my visit, I think it's not necessary to see all seven onsens. Just pick 3-4 unique ones, as you might get visually tired. Some overhyped onsens was quite boring when you actually visit them. 

1) Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell): The Most Representative Onsen

Umi Jigoku is the must-see, featuring blue waters emitting abundant steam. You could walk around the pool to enjoy Sea Hell's views from every angle, and head up to the souvenir shop's second floor for a complete panoramic view of the onsen.

What’s more, its expansive area offers the richest experiences. You could enjoy a foot bath, torii gates, a water lily garden, smaller orange onsens, a lotus pond, and a souvenir shop.

My suggestion: Don't miss it! It's the most iconic onsen out of seven and my personal favorite! Take your time to soak in its unique blue colors and explore other scenic spots in the park.

2) Chinoike Jigoku: Red Water Like Blood

Chinoike Jigoku, also known as the Blood Pond Hell, is Japan's oldest natural hot spring.

Its red water gives this pool the most striking appearance among the seven, making it look like a real hell. You could climb a few steps to a small viewing platform for a full view of the entire hot spring.

My suggestion: Must see it! There’s nowhere else like it. Even though the Blood Pond Hell is in a different area (just a 10-minute ride from the other five Hells, all of which are within walking distance), it's definitely worth taking a short trip to see it.

3) Oniishi Bozu Jigoku: The Muddy Onsen

Oniishi Bozu Jigoku is a hot spring with gray mud, also called the Hell of the Monk's Head because the mud bubbles resemble monks' heads. Watching the bubbles emerge was an interesting process. I observed it for a while and didn't get bored.

In addition to enjoying the hot spring, you could also take a foot bath. The foot bath water is clear, not gray. However, the soaking area is small, so it's better to try it when there are fewer people around.

My suggestion: Visit it! This hot spring is special as it contains mud instead of regular water. Despite its small size, the park is worth a visit, especially during cherry blossom season (early to mid-April) and autumn foliage season (mid-November).

4) Kamado Jigoku: Offers More Interesting Onsen Experiences

Kamado Jigoku offers more interesting hot spring experiences and is the busiest onsen among the seven.

You could drink the spring water that is said to keep you young, freshen your face at special steam stations, and sample eggs and snacks steamed in the hot spring water. Unlike regular hot spring eggs that maintain the same color, the egg whites here turn yellow because of the mud yellow spring water.

However, this onsen is more crowded than others. As it’s a must-visit spot for many Korean tour groups, the area is often packed with travelers. Moreover, the foot bath pool here is small and usually overcrowded, so we don’t recommend using the foot bath facilities here.

My suggestion: Visit if you have extra time, as it provides enjoyable onsen experiences. But crowds might affect your travel experience.

5) Oniyama Jigoku: One Can See Crocodiles

The color of this onsen is similar to that of regular hot springs. But temperatures reaching up to 100℃ (212℉), the heavy steam makes it difficult to see the entire pool clearly.

The crocodiles, not the onsen, are the main attraction of the park. You'll see dozens of crocodiles, but don't worry, they're not in the hot spring pools. They live in fenced areas nearby, where the warm spring water creates a perfect habitat for raising them.

My suggestion: Skip it. It's quite boring. Most crocodiles barely move, and the fenced areas limit your view. Plus, there's nothing special about the onsen. I met a Singaporean family whose child asked, "What exactly are we here to see?”

6) Shiraike Jigoku: White-Green Pond

This hot spring used to be milky white, but now it's white green. Surrounded by plants, this pool is more beautiful than the rest. During my visit in mid-April, cherry blossom petals fell like snow, adding a charming touch to the scene. Additionally, there was a small tropical fish aquarium to enjoy.

My suggestion: Check it out if you have extra time. Though the pond isn’t special, its café offers you quiet enjoy onsen views. Otherwise, skip it.

7) Tatsumaki Jigoku: A Hot Spring That Sprays

Tatsumaki Jigoku, also known as Tornado Hell, differs from other onsen Hells as it is a geyser.

This geyser erupts every 30 to 40 minutes, allowing you to see a column of hot water shooting upward. For safety, the park has placed a stone roof over the water spout to limit its spray.

My suggestion: Skip it. I was disappointed as it wasn't as exciting as I expected. The water column isn't large, and the eruption isn't impressive. Most visitors leave after only three or four minutes. If you happen to be there near eruption time (within 10 minutes), check it out.

3 Other Things to Do at Beppu Onsens

Besides admiring the Hells of Beppu, here are three other unique hot spring experiences you must try in Beppu. Each offers exclusive features you can’t find elsewhere in Japan, or are best enjoyed in Beppu.

1) Taste Hell-Steamed Food

It’s a unique experience in Beppu that you shouldn’t miss, which uses natural hot spring steam to cook ingredients.

You will be fully engaged in the process. Start by selecting your favorite ingredients like sweet potatoes, corn, seafood, or pork. Next, a server will lead you to the steam room and teach you how to place the ingredients on the stove yourself. After cooking for half an hour, you can retrieve the food and bring it to your table.

The food was just okay for me, but the hands-on fun and special experience in Beppu made it memorable. However, due to its popularity, there are often over 40-minute waits during peak times. You’re recommended to arrive around 11 am.

2) Enjoy a Foot Bath

With abundant geothermal resources, Beppu provides free foot baths at some attractions and hot spring streets. Soaking your feet in the onsen is the perfect way to ease fatigue after some exploration.

The foot bath water flows continuously, keeping health risks low. If you're concerned, it's best to sit near the upstream water outlet. We suggest bringing a small towel to dry your feet, just like the Japanese do, which is better than air-drying or using tissues.

3) Experience Sand Baths

Beyond the usual hot spring baths in Beppu, you could also try the sand baths found nowhere else. It's a one-of-a-kind onsen experience where you bury yourself in warm sand heated by geothermal steam.

To experience a sand bath, start by sweating in the sand and then soaking in a regular hot spring. Wear a yukata, shovel sand to dig your own body-sized hole, bury yourself up to the neck, relax for 10-15 minutes, then move to the hot spring.

We suggest only digging the relatively shallow layer of sand because deeper sand is hotter and has more moisture, which will cause the sand to stick to you.

Where to Stay in Beppu?

Almost all accommodations in Beppu offer hot springs. We suggest staying in the Beppu Station area, Yufuin area, or Kannawa Onsen district for easy access to attractions, a variety of accommodations and restaurants, and quality onsens.

The Beppu Station area is the most convenient choice. It mainly features star-rated hotels, from budget to luxury. Moreover, there are more dining choices and convenience stores than in other areas. However, hotels’ hot springs might be sourced from nearby onsen areas, as onsen resources are not abundant in the city center.

The Yufuin area is perfect for those seeking a peaceful and upscale vacation. It boasts mainly high-end Japanese ryokans that provide Kaiseki meals, private onsens, and beautifully designed gardens. Situated just 30 minutes from Beppu in the mountains, it offers the best of natural views while also having shops and restaurants for your daily needs.

Kannawa Onsen district offers the best value for money. It focuses on traditional ryokans with older facilities, offering cheaper stays than Yufuin. With its high-quality onsens and close to Beppu center, it's perfect for those looking for affordable ryokans with excellent hot springs.

How to Get Around Beppu

Having a private car is highly recommended in Beppu since the public transport isn't convenient. Buses are the primary mode of reaching attractions, often requiring a wait of 15 minutes (even longer on holidays), with journeys lasting 30 minutes or longer. Plus, finding bus stops adds extra hassle.

With a private car, you could save more time and energy while exploring attractions. It offers flexibility to adjust your sightseeing order, letting you fully enjoy the experience without any transportation worries.

Plan Your Trip to Beppu

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