Yakushi Matsuri (Healing Buddha Festival)

At “Yakushi Matsuri” (Healing Buddha Festival) in Hamawaki every August, you can experience quaint Japanese festivals such as “Oiran Dochu” (Procession of Courtesans) and “Mitate Zaiku” (Resembling Crafts).

Fujiyoshi Soy Sauce

“Cattleya soy sauce” by Fujiyoshi soy sauce is a sweet stock soy sauce with a rich delicious flavor of dried bonito, shiitake mushroom, and kelp.

Please visit the storefront for purchases as they do not do wholesale distribution. (Some items are available online)

Holidays

None

Hours

Mon to Sat: 8:00 – 18:00

Sun/national holidays: 9:00 – 16:00

Address

9-9 Hikari machi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-1006

Kochuubou Karin

Kochuubou “Karin” just opened a few of years ago. The owner, Mrs. Lin, who is from the northeast part of China, makes dumplings using seasonal vegetables and meat.

The most basic menu here is lamb meat dumplings. “Drunken Shrimp” soaked in Chinese rice wine is another recommendation. 

Holidays

Irregular

Hours

18:00 – 23:00 (limited supply of dumplings)

Address

10-1 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

090-9589-9545

Foot Baths

There are many foot baths in Beppu. It is better to avoid wearing tights or skinny pants so that you can be barefoot easily to experience the foot bath any time.

Takegawara hot spring

Takegawara (bamboo tiling) hot spring is a symbolic one for Beppu. It’s named after its bamboo tiling roof when it was first built in 1879 (Meiji 12^th period).

An indoor sand bath in Takegawara hot spring is something you rarely see in Japan.

Holidays

regular bath: none (Temporary closed on the end-of-the-year clean ups.)

sand bath: third Wednesdays (If it’s a national holiday, the sand bath will be closed on the following day instead.)

Hours

regular bath: 6:30 – 22:30

sand bath: 8:00 – 22:30 (The last reception at 21:30 ※ May close earlier depends on crowdedness.)

Address

16-23 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-1585

Haiku and poem in Kannawa

Beppu, where many writers and poets have visited from long ago, has many haikus and poems as monumental inscriptions. You can also post your own haiku in a designated box installed in Kannawa.

Long established Ecchi Beauty Salon

“Beppu Hatto Soap” are eight kinds of natural soaps developed by a long established Ecchi Beauty Salon. By adding hot spring water of Beppu hatto, these organic soaps are very gentle to the skin. To see what you like, we recommend checking their 2 kinds of trial kits, the “Moisturizing Kit” and “Refreshing Kit”.

Holidays

Mondays and third Tuesdays

Hours

9:00 – 18:00

Address

2-1-28 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-4005

Rakutenchi

An amusement park “Rakutenchi” was founded in 1929 (Showa 4^th period). The view from the cable car that goes up the steep slope is stunning.

Holidays

Tuesdays　※Open on Spring Break, Golden Week, Summer Break, Winter Break, and Holidays.

※Winter holidays between mid January to early March.

※Hours might change depending on the season and the weather.

Hours

Please check the schedule on the website beforehand.

Address

18 choume Nagarekawa St.

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-1301

Yusuke Asai’s mural at Tokiwa department store

Tokiwa department store is familiar to locals with its iconic paper shopping bags with a picture of sunflowers. Beppu branch of Tokiwa department store is located in downtown Beppu, and it’s beloved by many locals and tourists. http://www.tokiwa-dept.co.jp/beppu/

The painting of the huge green creature on their roof is a work done by Yusuke Asai. Experience the painting by standing and walking around the painting.

Holidays

None

Hours

10：00 – 19：00

Address

2-9-1 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-1111

Beanery Motomachi Baru

At the beanery Motomachi Baru, you can enjoy works by Yasuhide Kunimoto while having food and drinks.

Holidays

Sundays

Hours

18:00 – 2:00

Address

8-10-B1

Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

080-4582-2104

Ishigaki Mochi

Beppu’s long loved local traditional sweet “Ishigaki Mochi” is a simple steamed sweet with sweet potato chunks inside flour dough. The two flavors are plain and bean paste.

Sanmi Zabon   

Beppu’s famous confection Zabon Zuke’s specialized store, Sanmi Zabon store has a beautiful name for each product such as “Sirayuki” (White Snow), “Kohaku” (Amber), and “Bekkou” (Tortoiseshell). 

Rich and flavorful “Kohaku” is thoroughly simmered in their traditional syrup which has continued to be added to since the first day of the shop, while “Bekkou” has a refreshing sweet taste, and “Sirayuki” has a thin coat of sugar.

Holidays

Sundays

Hours

10:00 – 18:00

Address

1-4-5 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-1664

Beppu Hatto (Beppu Eight Hot Springs)

Beppu consists of eight types of unique hot spring areas, and has a number of hot spring facilities.

Sweet shop Kouransou

The brandy cake from the sweet shop Kouransou tastes simple and blissful with a slight aroma of brandy and its mouth melting delicate texture. They allow brandy to be soaked in completely and let it sit for a while for a fuller taste. Please ask them when it is ready to eat.

Holidays

Mondays and Sundays

Hours

9:00 – 18:00

Address

1-3 Minamimatogahama cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-0405

Kiyoshima Apartment

Kiyoshima Apartment is a former boarding house with 22 rooms in 3 parts, built right after WWll. It has become a hub space for artists gathering from all over the country to live and create. The first floor is used for open studios/presentation rooms, and the second floor as a living space.

Often times, there are various events organized by its residents and also artists from all over the country. You can come for a tour, please make a reservation before your visit.

Holidays

Open studios available.

Address

Kiyoshima apt.

2-27 Suehiro cho

Beppu city

Phone

※ Please make inquiries for more details to NPO BEPPU PROJECT (0977-22-3560).

Patisserie Yume no Ki

Royal Milk Tea gugelhupf at Patisserie Yume no Ki has an amazingly moist texture with a rich use of Earl Grey tea leaves.

Holidays

Wednesdays、first and third Tuesdays

Hours

10:00 – 21:30

Address

1-4-24

Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-5109

Public hot springs

Most public hot springs which both locals and tourists use can be enjoyed for only 100 yen. Some of them are not equipped with a shower, so please check before you go. At those hot springs, you have to use a washing tub to get hot spring water or hot water from a faucet to wash yourself. 

Kusamoto Shouten

Since old times, Kusamoto Shouten had been a wholesale store that mainly carried so called “white goods” such as flour, sugar, and rice.

Various hot spring facilities (waterfall baths, mud baths, sand baths, and steam baths)

Beppu has a variety of hot spring facilities such as waterfall baths, mud baths, sand baths, and steam baths. Please enjoy their special qualities.

[Steam Baths]

The steam baths are vapor baths where the room is heated from underground using the steam and pressure by hot springs. It helps to recover from fatigue by increasing your metabolism and perspiration.

It is recommended to drink plenty of water before entering the steam bath. A better detox effect can be experienced by sweating more.

The duration of being in the steam bath is 8 to 10 minutes. Although the staff will give you notice after 8 minutes, leave the room as soon as you feel uncomfortable breathing or have an irregular feeling in your body.

(Kannawa Mushiyu / Shibaseki Onsen)

[Mud Baths]

The mud baths have many beneficial minerals.

You can immerse your body in it, or cover specific areas with it.

It keeps heat very well and has a great effect for healing high-blood pressure, nerve pain, and diabetic disease.

(Kenkou Hoyou Land)

[Sand Baths]

The sand baths are a kind of sweating treatment where they cover your body below your neck with sand that is heated by hot spring water.

It also gives heat stimulation by the pressure of the sands.

It works great for treating nerve pain, back pain, and shoulder pain.

(Takegawara Onsen / Beppu Kaihin Sunayu)

[Waterfall Baths]

The waterfall bath is also called Utaseyu (Massaging Bath).

The falling water creates kinetic energy and has a healing effect.

It works great for people who have problems with back, joints, and shoulders.

(Kitahama Onsen / Yutopia Hamawaki)

Bar Eau De Vie

Bar Eau De Vie is a restaurant with a chic mature groove. For a reasonable price, you can enjoy authentic cocktails mixed by an experienced bartender.

Holidays

First and third Mondays

Hours

19:00 – 1:00

Address

1st floor Kitahama Miura bldg.

1-9-13 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-6011

Kinou Yoku (Feature Bathing)

Beppu has various spring qualities. Please try “Kinou Yoku” (Feature Bathing) – a method of bathing where you go bathing in multiple hot springs one after another with different spring qualities.

Hamawaki no Nagaya (The Row House of Hamawaki)

【Hamawaki no Nagaya】(The Row House of Hamawaki)

This artwork is produced by Satoshi Hirose, a participating artist in the Mixed Bathing World festival 2012. Hirose revived the over 100 years old Nagaya in Hamawaki district, Beppu city, Oita prefecture with an art piece that covers the entire space.

With all five senses, you can experience the cumulative memories and the breath of the specific district. They also offer the art piece as an accommodation facility.

【Tenku No Niwa】(Garden of the Firmament)

It is a space filled with blue light emanating from the whole floor with a glass plate over what used to be an open ceiling space. With a futon mat on that special floor, you can enjoy spending a night inside the installation.

【Kabosu no Ie】(House of Kabosu)

Here, smell the diffused aroma of kabosu while gazing over the silhouettes of them spread all over its ceiling.

Hamawaki district is called the origin of Beppu hot springs where it has survived to keep its antiquated landscape. This art piece was produced from a dialogue between the artist and the accumulated memories of the district.

Beppu Hatto Walk (Beppu Eight Springs Walk)

Beppu Hatto Walk (Beppu Eight Springs Walk) is a guided city walk tour which introduces the history, architecture, and gourmet spots of Beppu. It also runs in English for foreigners.

Fujiya Gallery Hanayamomo

Fujiya Gallery Hanayamomo in Kannawa is a gallery renovated from a Japanese-style hotel built in the Meiji period that also has a boutique shop and a cafe lounge in the same property.

Their Japanese garden looks gorgeous throughout all the four seasons. We especially recommend seeing Satsuki Azalea blooming in the spring, and smelling lovely Osmanthus in the autumn. Enjoy its intricate architectural design and the refined Japanese garden.

Holidays

Depend on the event

Hours

Depend on the event

Address

1 Kannawa Ue

Beppu city

Phone

0977-66-3251

Tea Room Cozy Corner

Tea Room Cozy Corner is a small shop with only bar counter seats. Enjoy their baked goods home-prepared by the owner with their rich fragrant tea.

Holidays

Tuesdays

Hours

12:30 – 15:30

17:30 – 21:30

Address

3-2 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-75-8187

Mayakashiya

There are 2 kinds of toriten (chicken tempura) at Mayakashiya. Squeeze kabosu on the already seasoned “Mayakashi Toriten”, and put ponzu sauce and mustard on “Old Fashioned Toriten”.

If it is your first time trying toriten, we recommend “Old Fashioned Toriten.” The lunch is for 1000 yen which comes with a post-meal drink and ice cream.

Holidays

Sundays (Irregular on national holidays)

Hours

Mon: 18:00 – 22:30 (Last order 22:00)

Tues to Sat: 11:30 – 14:30 (Last order 14:00)

18:00 – 22:30 (Last order 22:00)

Address

2nd floor

3-6 Ekimae Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-24-8715

Real Point

Real Point is a secret cafe at the end of a narrow path between buildings. Their standard menu offers coffee of 10 different kinds, enzyme juices, organic homemade sweets, and wild yeast sandwiches.

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

12:00 – 22:00

Address

1-2-24

Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

080-5255-1141

Beppu Towel

The Beppu Towel design has been using the same printing blocks made between 1955 – 1965 (Showa 30’s) to keep their retro-flavored illustration. They are so adorable that you will want to collect them all.

Holidays

Sundays (Irregular on national holidays)

Hours

9:00 – 18:00

Address

9-15 Hikari machi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-0902

Climate of Beppu

Beppu has a very mild climate averaging 16.6 degrees Celsius, and belongs to the Seto Inland Sea climate. It barely snows in the downtown area which is near the ocean.

Izakaya Yorimichi

You can have lunch for only 500 yen at Izakaya Yorimichi, where locals come and gather quite often. It comes with a main dish and vegetables in small plates which makes a very nutritious lunch. The okonomiyaki and hot spring tofu are also our favorites.

Holidays

Thursdays　※No lunch on Sundays and national holidays.

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – 13:00 (limited supply)

Dinner: 18:00 – 22:30

Address

6-31 Akiba cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-5048

Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour)

There are a total of 8 spots for scenic beauty “Jigoku Meguri” (Hell Tour) which naturally emits hot spring vapor. The only way to enjoy it is to appreciate the scenery, not to bathe in them.

Elephants, hippopotamuses, and Japanese monkeys can be seen in a small zoo placed next to the “Yama Jigoku” (Mountain Hell), where water steam coming up from rocky hills are utilized.

You can see dynamic steam coming up from “Kamado Jigoku” (Pot Hell). It received its name because the steam was used to cook rice as an offering to a God during a festival in the old days.

There are 100 crocodiles kept by the heat of the hot springs in “Oniyama Jigoku” (Demon Mountain Hell). Since the crocodiles were kept since 1923 (Taisho 12^th period), it’s called Crocodile hell as well.

A salt spring which contains boracic acid is called “Shiraike Jigoku” (White Pond Hell) because it turns its color from transparent to murky white when it touches the air.

“Tatsumaki Jigoku” (Tornado Hell) is a geyser. The boiling spring spurs out of the high pressured underground at 150 degrees Celsius every 20 to 40 minutes.

Painted in beautiful cobalt blue, “Umi Jigoku” (Ocean Hell) seems cool to the eyes, but is 98 degrees Celsius. “Onsen Tamago” (Hot Spring Boiled Egg) and “Jigoku Mushi Pudding” (Hell Steamed Pudding) which are cooked with heat from hot spring water are also quite popular.

“Chinoike Jigoku” (Pond of Blood Hell) is famous for its bloody red color formed by iron oxide. The name of this historically beautiful place is even written in the “Manyoushu” (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves).

“Bozu Jigoku” (Clean-Shaven Head Hell / Mud Pot), where mud boils at 99 Celsius degrees high, was named after the clean-shaven heads that the boiling mud imitates.

Holidays

None

Hours

8:00 – 17:00

Phone

0977-66-1577

How to enjoy the hot springs

How to enjoy the hot springs #1.

Stay calm while bathing, and take a rest afterwards. Watch out for getting into hot water suddenly since it might make you dizzy.

How to enjoy the hot springs #2.

The duration of bathing is better 3 to 10 minutes to begin with, and up to 2 to 3 times a day.

How to enjoy the hot springs #3.

High temperature bathing (more than 42 degrees Celsius) is prohibited for people with arterial sclerosis, high-blood pressure, and heart disease.

How to enjoy the hot springs #4.

After bathing, don’t wash away the minerals from the hot springs that stays on your skin.

How to enjoy the hot springs #5.

Avoid bathing right before and after meals. Be extra cautious when bathing after consuming alcohol.

How to enjoy the hot springs #6.

Please be mindful of others and wash your body before going into the bath. Also avoid swimming or washing your hair or clothes in the bath.

How to enjoy the hot springs #7.

Although it might sound foreign to many, it is considered a bad manner to sit at the edge of the tub. Please use the accessible chair to take a rest while bathing.

How to enjoy the hot springs #8.

Don’t soak towels inside the tub.

How to enjoy the hot springs #9.

To avoid having your hair soaked inside the tub, please tie it up or wear a shower cap.

Hotels and guest houses

There are many guest houses in the central downtown area. They are popular among foreign tourists as well since many of them have English speaking staff. Even though the hotels offer accommodation plans with meals, it is smarter to stay without ones in order to fully enjoy the food Beppu offers at night time.

Geography of Beppu

On the West side lays rays of mountains including Mt. Yufu and Mt. Tsurumi, while on the East is the alluvial fan of the Seto Inland Sea where you can look over the beautiful night landscape.

Owada Sushi

Owadazushi only serves fresh and high quality fish. “Jizakana Nigiri” is a set meal where you can taste both sekiaji and sekisaba. You can bring the whole family as they offer private dining rooms.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – 14:00

Dinner: 16:00 – 21:00

Address

1-1-3 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-0263

The number and amount of hot springs

We have the most amount of hot springs in Japan. One tenth of hot spring sources in Japan exist in Beppu, a total of 2217.

The amount of hot spring water that pours out every minute is 83,058 liters, which amounts to more than a liter per person in Japan.

Beppu is second in the world to have such a large amount of hot spring water, following Yellow Stone National Park in the U.S.

Oita Made

Oita Made shop is located inside Beppu Ginza shopping arcade which stretches from Beppu Station road. There are about 50 kinds of products that were realized by collaborating with 42 groups of producers within Oita prefecture. All the goods are made by manual labor with what’s produced in Oita prefecture, such as corn soup processed from fresh corn, gummies with rich kabosu juice, geta wooden clogs, and bamboo pens. Inside the shop, you can find paper sign boards introducing a message from each producer.

Oita Made commits to only what is produced in Oita prefecture, and introduces their appeal to all over the country. Please visit the store when you need to pick souvenirs with an authentic Oita flavor.

Holidays

Tuesdays (open on national holidays)

Hours

11:00 – 18:00

Address

(platform02)

6-21 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-75-8413

Tsuge Zaiku (Japanese Boxwood Handiwork)

“Tsuge Zaiku” (Japanese Boxwood Handiwork) is quite popular for a souvenir. The hair combs and brushes made out of durable and firm boxwood neutralize static electricity and helps to keep hair beautiful.

HITOTZUKI

The artist group HITOTZUKI has murals on Beppu Kankou Kai (Beppu Tourism Society) and Tateishi building in Akiba cho, Beppu city. You can see the symmetrical patterns beautifully bloom in blue geometric curvilinear lines. Leaving the original white walls of the building, cloud-like wavy patterns are painted with a gradient of blue over it. The blue color is sensitive to the weather, and appears the most gorgeous under cloudy weather.

Location of Beppu

Beppu city, located in the center of Eastern Oita prefecture, is only 3 stations (about 15 minutes) away from Oita city – the capital of Oita prefecture.

Beppu Port

In 1871 (the 4th year of the Meiji period), large numbers of tourists, mainly from Kansai area, started to come after the opening of Beppu port.

SPICA

SPICA is a speciality boutique on Nageshi Street. Check out their great selection of general goodies such as the artists’ handmade dishes and accessories. The shop also holds a monthly exhibition.

Holidays

Irregular

Hours

10:00 – 17:00

Address

1-34 Tatsuta machi

Beppu city

Phone

090-9476-0656

Shunwasai Sugano

If you have a craving for speciality dishes of Oita, such as toriten (chicken tempura), dango jiru (hand-stretched dumpling soup), and ryukyu (marinated sashimi), we recommend the seasonal Japanese vegetable restaurant Sugano. Their wide variety of a la carte allows you enjoy not only lunch but also evening drinks.

They have private dining rooms which is perfect for having a relaxed conversation. All lunch menus are under 1000 yen and you can have a good balanced set meal.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – 14:00

Dinner: 17:30 – 22:30 (Last order 22:00)

Address

5th floor Kitahama night center

1-9-19 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-3831

Beppu Reimen (Cold Noodle)

“Beppu Reimen (Cold Noodle)” is one of the food specialties of Beppu. With the Japanese style broth soup and chewy noodles with buckwheat, the Chinese-style barbecued beef shank meat, and sour cabbage kimchi give accents to its flavor. Having reimen after a hot bath tastes superb.

In general, buckwheat is used for the noodles, but some restaurants do not use them or have a non-buckwheat option. It is a good idea to check when ordering if you have a buckwheat allergy.

Grill Mitsuba

When it comes to western restaurants in Beppu, Grill Mitsuba is famous for its traditional flavored steaks and its toriten (chicken tempura). The lunch menu serves for 750 yen. We also recommend the beef cutlet. The specialized demi-glace sauce for steaks made with beef gristle cover the crispy beef fillet fried with home-prepared breadcrumbs.

Holidays

Tuesdays

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – Last order 13:30

Dinner: 18:00 – 21:00 (Last Order 20:00)

Address

1-4-31

Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-2887

Yamada Bessou

In the early Showa period, a number of vacation homes were built. One of them is Yamada Bessou where a former vacation home has been converted into a Japanese-style hotel. By staying there, you can enjoy not only its luxurious architecture but also their hot spring baths.

Holidays

None

Hours

10:00〜15:00

（※It’s a one-day hot spring. Please call to check the availability beforehand.)

Address

3-2-18 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-24-2121

Cats in Beppu

There are a lot of cats in Beppu. In the city of Kannawa where there is a lot of steam coming up from all over the city, you can find cats sleeping peacefully on the streets heated by hot springs.

Beppu Tsuge Kogei

Beppu Tsuge Kogei was founded in 1919 (Taisho 8^th period). The hair brush made of boxwood neutralizes static electricity and prevents split ends and breakage. The brush turns more lustrous as you use it.

Holidays

Sundays, national holidays, obon,  New Year’s Holidays

Hours

8:30 – 17:00

Address

10-2 Matsubara cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-3841

Onsen Meijin (Hot Spring Master)

You will get certified as “Onsen Meijin” (Hot Spring Master) if you get stamped on your “Supaport” at all 88 hot springs in Beppu. You can even get a cool towel, so please go ahead and try.

Restaurant Toyotsune

Restaurant Toyotsune has 2 branches – one at hotel Yuuhi in Kitahama and another in front of the station. Being easily accessible for tourists, there is always a line for lunch at the one in front of the station. A specialty dish here is their extra tempura bowl for 750 yen. A rich sesame flavored sweet sauce covers the ‘bigger-than-a-bowl’ shrimp tempura. Breaking down its deep fry batter coating and mixing it with rice is also a delicious way to enjoy the dish.

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

Lunch: 11:00 – 14:00

Dinner: 17:00 – 22:00

Address

1st floor Hotel Yuuhi

2-13-11 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-3274

Old architectures in Beppu

There are a number of old architectures in Beppu since they were not damaged by the war. Please stop by these Japanese style hotels, cafes, and public facilities that were built at the beginning of the Showa period.

Watering down the hot spring

Hot springs in Beppu are quite hot. If you prefer your hot spring to be a mild temperature, it is best to place yourself near the water faucet which is used to adjust the water temperature. Please ask other users for permission when you want to put more water in the bath.

Hot spring industry

A unique aspect of Beppu’s international tourist economy is that more than 80 percent of the population works in the hospitality industry such as hotels, retail, and tourism.

Hot springs are not only used for tourism and the daily lives of local people, but also for a wide variety of uses like the production of myoban, geo-thermal energy, medical treatment, flower plantations, fish habitats, and even mud beauty treatment.

Onsen Matsuri (Hot Spring Festival) and Ogiyama Himatsuri (Mt. Ogi Fire Festival)

You can go to specific hot springs for free during the annual “Onsen Matsuri” (Hot Spring Festival) every April. The main event “Ogiyama Himatsuri” (Mt. Ogi Fire Festival) displays Mt. Ogi in beautiful flames in a night sky by burning the mountainside.

Jigoku Mushi Gama (Hell Steaming Oven)

There are many “Toji Yado” (Therapeutic Bath Hotels) where you can cook in Kannawa.

Many of them are equipped with “Jigoku Mushi Gama” (Hell Steaming Oven) where you can enjoy typical Beppu activities at an affordable price.

Select Beppu

Located next to Saiho-ji temple, Select Beppu is a speciality boutique store in a folk house which is over 100 years old. You can find local crafts and products as well as art related goods.

Holidays

Tuesdays (open on national holidays)

Hours

11:00 – 18:00

Address

9-34 Chuou cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-80-7226

Bamboo handicrafts

Bamboo handcrafts are famous products in Beppu. Many craftsmen still live and produce them in the present day. What is special about those fragile bamboo handcrafts is the material gradually turns into a light brown color as they age.

Yasuhide Kunimoto “Scene”

“Scene” is a mural by a painter Yasuhide Kunimoto which depicts a crowd of people who have visited Beppu. The artist wishes the work to coexist with the people on the street, the city, and their memories.

Hotel New Tsuruta, which this piece was painted on, was founded in 1917. A large hot spring bath with an overlook of Beppu Gulf has its spring water coming directly from the source.

Kannawa’s steams

All the steams coming up everywhere in Kannawa district will convince you why the expression of “hell” is used to describe it. Also, they get lit up every Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays from 7 to 9 at night.

Karukan

Beppu’s popular sweets “Karukan” is a sweet treat made of steamed dough and roots. These chewy sweets come in plain and with bean paste inside.

B-Con Plaza

B-Con Plaza, which has an International Convention Center, was designed by the internationally successful architect Arata Isozaki, whose hometown is Oita.

The Global Tower that was built next to it is also designed by Arata Isozaki. The unique design of this observation tower looks as if it is a piece cut out from a massive sphere.

The kinds of hot springs

Among all the eleven types of hot spring water, 10 of them are found in Beppu. It is rare to find this many kinds in such a small geographical area.

Princess Kitties

Princess Kitties is a cafe located across from Chuou Kouminkan (Central Community Center). When ordering various desserts such as their homemade cakes and parfaits, we suggest sharing with friends since they come in big sizes. Our recommendation is the hearty tea-marinated roast pork sandwich.

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

11:00 – 23:00

Address

3-11 Tanoyu cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-24-3344

Enamel signs in back alleys

At back-alleys in the downtown area, you will find a total of 48 enamel signs that tell you names of the streets and their related stories explained with retro illustrations.

Bungo steak restaurant Somuri

Bungo steak restaurant Somuri has been in business for 26 years. The well-known restaurant provides dishes using only highly selected ingredients. Steak lunches are sumptuousness and succulent. It comes with an after-meal coffee.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – 14:00 (Last order 13:30)

Dinner: 17:30 – 22:00 (Last order 21:00)

Address

2nd floor Sasaoka Shouten bldg.

1-4-28 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-24-6830

Akashi Bunshodo

Akashi Bunshodo is a long-established art stationer near Beppu station. Their original products, such as “Kannawa Sepia” and “Tsurumi Green” fountain pen inks with colors inspired by Beppu are quite popular.

Holidays

Third Sundays

Hours

Weekdays: 10:00 – 18:30

Sun/national holidays: 10:00 – 18:00

Address

2nd floor Arc Hills 1

11-10 Ekimaecho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-1465

CAFÉ COBACO

CAFÉ COBACO is a lovely cafe in a two story house where the first floor is a gallery that carries a variety of goods and the second floor as a cafe space. It’s especially popular with female customers.

The lunch menu is substantial and will even satisfy a man’s appetite. We recommend chicken nanban if you are especially hungry.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

11:00 – 17:00

Address

2-2-34 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-26-6015

Sanshu Dou

Cake Shop Yayoi Cho・Sanshu Dou offers many old fashioned sweets such as madeleines, cream puffs, and pies filled with seasonal fruits.

They offer you a complimentary tea if you eat their sweets at a little table inside their shop.

Holidays

Irregular

Hours

12:00 – 19:30

Address

1-15 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-3770

Saryou Ooji

Saryou Ooji is a restaurant that serves tea-ceremony dishes located on the right side of the Ideyuzaka Street when you walk from Kannawa bus center. Enjoy Kannawa’s special hell steamed dishes in private rooms.

Their hell steamed lunch is for 1600 yen and it is quite substantial. They also offer a complimentary hot spring bath for customers of the restaurant.

The set menu for dinner starts at 3000 yen. Try their exquisite steamed red sea bream head. If you could find a fish-shaped piece of bone, you may have good luck!

Holidays

Tuesdays

Hours

Lunch: 11:00 – 14:00

Dinner: 17:30 – 22:00

Address

5 Furomoto

Kannawa

Beppu city

Phone

0977-66-0011

Chickamauga tree

Chickamauga tree in Beppu Park is considered “Japan’s oldest Christmas tree”.

You can see it lit up at the annual lighting ceremony every December.

New Dragon Nagarekawa branch

New Dragon Nagarekawa branch is the roll cake’s birthplace! At this well-established shop, roll cakes are fluffy, moist, and intricate. Their cookie shell cream puffs and silky puddings are also our favorites. 

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

10:00 – 19:00

Address

1-1 Chuuou cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-8540

Lani Maestro

“Higugma (Breaths)”

“Higugma (Beath.)” is an installation piece composed of 20 drawings by Lani Maestro for the Beppu Contemporary Art Festival “Mixed Bathing World” 2009. Currently, 10 of them are still kept in Beppu.

For a production, Lani Maestro stayed in platform05 and was inspired by the unique quietness and softness of the traditional Japanese house and decided to use the same materials for his own work. Then, he ordered the craftsperson who built platform05 row house to produce wooden frames to be a part of his work. For his drawings, Japanese shoji papers were used.

For the drawings, poetic words were written in Tagalog which her foster mother used to speak, and by using candle ash dust, her flickering emotions are expressed.

Matsubara hot spring

Matsubara hot spring is characterized by its oval shaped tub divided in half at the center. Since the two tubs differ in spring temperature, you can choose the side you prefer. 

Holidays

None

Hours

6:30 – 12:00 / 15:00 – 23:00

Address

3-4 Matsubara cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-8153

Encounter between locals and tourists in hot springs

You will find that the hot springs are available everywhere when you take a walk around central downtown and Kannawa area. Both locals and tourists enjoy the same bath. Although residents and tourists tend to use separate hot spring facilities throughout Japan, you can see both of them enjoying the same bath in Beppu.

In many hot spring facilities, local people often communicate with tourists in a very friendly manner in their bare skin, sometimes advising them to stay longer in the bath to avoid getting a cold afterwards.

Yukago (bathing basket)

It is recommended to bring a towel, soap, and shampoo to the public hot springs when you go around since you will not find them there. When carrying the bathing kit, it is functional to carry a bamboo basket that strains water easily and dries fast. Exclusive ones for bathing called “Yukago” are also available.

Yunohana (Flower of Hot Springs)

“Yunohana” (Flower of Hot Springs) are mineral encrustations left by hot springs that are produced in “Yunohana Goya (shed)” that use the same manufacturing process since the Edo period and is a popular souvenir. You can enjoy the same positive effect as the hot springs by putting Yunohana in your bath at home.

Radio Journey “Beppu, traveled through sound”

Radio Journey “Beppu, traveled through sound” is an art piece that leads you to walk through the city of Beppu with sound (radio). You can rent out a pair of headphones and a map at Select Beppu. 

Silvain and Christophe, founders of the creative media, Arte Radio which you can enjoy on the internet, provide us with “Journey of Sound” that cruises through the city of Beppu. The artwork is composed by various sounds such as noises of everyday life and voices of people on the street.

Michael Lin’s fusuma painting

The second floor of Select Beppu is used as an art space and has a fusuma (sliding door) painting by the internationally renowned, Taiwan based artist Michael Lin. The painting is done in the image of full bloom flowers floating in the sea. According to Michael Lin, he produces his work as if he is putting clothes on a building.

As well as many hot spring facilities in the city, an entrance fee to see this piece is 100 yen. Please sit back on tatami mats and enjoy the painting. To preserve the painting, please refrain from touching the work.

Holidays

Tuesdays (open on national holidays)

Hours

11:00 – 18:00

Address

9-34 Chuou cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-80-7226

Cherry blossom viewing in the spring

In spring, there are numerous famous spots to go and enjoy cherry blossom viewing such as Beppu Park, Rakutenchi, and Lake Shidaka.

Yakitori Shuka Kazari

Yakitori Shuka Kazari’s famous char-broiled chicken tastes even better with their special salt. The cozy small restaurant has a wide variety of alcoholic drinks which allows you to relax after a tough day. 

Holidays

Every other Sundays

Hours

19:00 – 3:00 (Last order 2:00)

Address

Yasaka Renga St.

1-4-13 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-24-7500

Bijin no Yu (Hot Spring of Beauty)

“Bijin no Yu” (Hot Spring of Beauty) is rich in metasilicic acid – its serum-like thick water can bring you beautiful skin.

Korean restaurant Koraibo

The Korean restaurant Koraibo is known for their menu with plenty of garlic. We recommend steamed pork, jongol (Korean style sukiyaki), and steamed tongue. Please try ginseng tempura with honey sauce over it.

If you are catching a cold or need to feel more energetic, we recommend their oxtail soup. It’s a perfect restaurant “to eat healthy to live healthy”.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

18:30 – 1:00

Address

5-8 Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-26-0454

Sentomyo (Candle Light Festival)

“Sentomyo” (Candle Light Festival), which is held in Beppu Park every November, consists of 24,000 bamboo lanterns which create a dream-like atmosphere.

Kaisen Izutsu

Kaisen Izutsu is a seafood restaurant run by a fish dealer where you can enjoy sekiaji, sekisaba, and even wild blowfish. The most popular dish is a Seafood Bowl Set Meal for 980 yen. Even at lunch time on weekdays, the restaurant always has a line out the front.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

Lunch: 11:00 – 15:00

Dinner: 18:00 – 22:30 (Last order 22:00)

Address

5-5 Kusunoki machi

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-2449

Nico Donuts Beppu branch

At nico donuts Beppu branch, you can taste the simple yet flavorful donuts with Japanese soybeans and millet kneaded into them. You can eat-in so please relax and enjoy your donuts with a drink.

Holidays
Tuesdays

Hours
10:00 – 17:00

Address
1st floor Zaizen bldg.
14-2 Kusunoki machi
Beppu city

Phone
0977-85-8733

Second floor of hot springs

Most of the time, the second floor of Beppu’s public hot springs are community centers where the locals and residents gather and socialize. 

Aili Zhang “The Waves and City”

“The Waves and City” by a Chinese artist Aili Zhang is a work based on collected found natural materials such as branches and leaves in Beppu. Its energy and potential appearance of the materials add a kind of magical essence to the work. It also seems like the work embodies herself. This work of natural materials allures our eyes and remains mysterious.

Salt Spring

The salt spring is called the hot spring for warmth. Its thermal effect works to avoid the body to cool down after bathing.

Zabon Zuke

Beppu’s popular sweet “Zabon Zuke” is a sweet treat made by simmering peels of a large sized orange called zabon in a sweet syrup.

Onipan Cafe

Onipan Cafe is a bakery famous for their rich flavored, yet simple dough. Using natural yeast from rice malt, most of their ingredients such as sweet bean paste, custard, and curry sauce are homemade.

Holidays
Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Hours
12:00 – 17:00

Address
Under “Beppu eki Kita kouka Shoutengai”(arcade under the North of Beppu station elevated structure)
9-20 Motomachi
Ekimae
Beppu city

Phone
0977-88-2690

Peeling effect

Hot springs with high acidity can cause peeling. It is recommended to moisturize properly after bathing.

Kumahachi Aburaya

It is Kumahachi Aburaya, a merchant from Ehime, who transformed Beppu into a tourist area. He was a man of ideas who never stopped promoting the attractions of Beppu to all of Japan. His main achievement is that he put many ideas into action, such as the very first female bus guide, and creating the basis of the now-famous hot spring city called Yufuin.

As a Christian, Kumahachi Aburaya kept a motto “welcome and treat travelers cordially”. It came from the line from the New Testament which teaches us not to forget to treat travelers warmly. There is a bronze statue in front of Beppu station in honor of him. It was made out of the image of Kumahachi greeting us with “Hi!” coming down from heaven.

Yukari Ohira’s mural in Suehiro hot spring

A local Suehiro hot spring has been there since before 1945 (Showa 20^th period). Its clear and simple qualities have been loved by neighbors ever since.

Yukari Ohira, a resident of Kiyoshima Apartment, has painted murals of Mt. Yufu in the women’s bath, and Mt. Tsurumi in the men’s. By purposely painting a male (rugged) mountain in the women’s bath and a female (gently sloping) mountain in the men’s, Ohira reveals her message.

Holidays

None

Hours

7:00 – 22:00

Address

4-20 Suehiro cho

Beppu city

Phone

090-5725-5215

Yuzu Yu (citrus bath)

It is our custom in the winter solstice to go to “Yuzu Yu”, a hot spring with yuzu fruits floating inside. It is said that you can go through the whole winter without catching a cold if you go bathe in it.

Even in the hot summer, getting into hot springs helps you sweat less and leaves you feeling refreshed.

Aji no Anaba

At Aji no Anaba, you can order the “Evening Drink Combo” including a drink and 7 plentiful plates of various seasonal seafood and vegetables for 2000 yen. We recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit this popular restaurant. They are also open for lunch on Wednesdays.

Holidays

Irregular

Hours

18:00 – until supplies last

Address

2-2-29 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-0451

Choromatsu

It goes without saying that a recommendation at Choromatsu is kamosui (duck hot pot). It’s a famous dish where they cook duck meat, guts, vegetables, tofu, and others in an earthen pot at your table. Their deep-fried chicken is also our favorite. The restaurant is recommended for customers of all ages.

Holidays

Mondays

Hours

17:30 – 24:00

Address

1-4 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-1090

International tourist town

Beppu is a hot spring tourist town residing in Oita prefecture within Kyusyu Island.

The city has welcomed many tourists for a long time, and continues to have many residents from overseas especially after the opening of an international university.

Fireworks show on Christmas

There is a fireworks show every Christmas day where you can see extravagant fireworks color the night sky along with Christmas songs and pop songs.

Shinanoya

Shinanoya is a cafe converted from a vacation home built in the early Showa period. If you come in a small group, we recommend the window seats where you can look over the garden. Try their wide variety of wholesome dishes.

Holidays

None

Hours

9:00 – 21:30 (Last order 20:45)

Address

6-32 Nishi Noguchi cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-25-8728

Hamawaki district

Beppu was founded from the Hamawaki district where you can still see the remnants of the old days.

Kabosu fruit

Kabosu is a popular produce of Oita prefecture which is a citrus with a refreshing aroma and sour taste. It is perfect not only for cooking but also for adding flavor to drinks and teas. It is rich in vitamin and originally used as an effective Chinese herbal medicine for a cold. Drinking the juice of kabosu with some honey in hot water will keep your body warm. When squeezing juice from kabosu, the aroma is more highlighted when squeezed with the peel facing down.

Hell steam cooking

“Jigoku Mushi” (Hell Steam cooking) represents the great use of hot springs for cooking. The food is steamed from the pressure of hot springs.This cooking style is very healthy because it gets rid of excess fat. Recently, there is further research on the appropriate steaming time and temperature.

In order to try the hell steam cooking, you can go to restaurants in Kannawa district, or also rent a hell steam oven and cook by yourself.

Although a set of ingredients are accessible at the facility that offers “Jigoku Mushi Ryouri” (Hell Steamed Dishes), it is recommended to buy the ingredients of your preference beforehand at a nearby market or fish store. You can have it with the seasonings of your preference such as ponzu, yuzu gosho (yuzu pepper), and shio gosho (salt pepper). Ketchup and mayonnaise are also popular for little kids.You can also cook desserts such as puddings and steamed bread besides savory meals.

Coin-operated hot springs

Some charter baths and family use baths are coin-operated and can exchange the water each time.

Kannawa Yuami Matsuri (Kannawa Bathing Festival)

In “Kannawa Yuami Matsuri” (Kannawa Bathing Festival) that happens every September, you can see “Yuami Houyou” (Buddhist Sermon) where people carry the Ippen Shonin statue into a hot spring, and “Odori Nenbutsu” (Dancing Buddhist Chant).

Nagashi (Strolling Musicians)

At night time around the central downtown area, you might bump into men of “Nagashi” (Strolling Musicians) who sing and perform songs with guitars and accordions.

Hand-stretched cold noodle speciality shop Rokusei

The hand-stretched cold noodle speciality shop Rokusei is a classic choice for Beppu reimen. Their signature is kneaded buckwheat powder chewy noodles, cabbage kimchi, and Chinese-style barbecued beef shank in Japanese style soup.

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

Lunch: 11:30 – 14:00

Dinner: 18:00 – 20:00 (limited supply of broth)

Address

Matsubara cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-0445

Massage shop Hitoikiya

A massage shop Hitoikiya in front of the station will get rid of all your body’s swelling and listlessness and relaxes you with the effect of aromatic oil.

Holidays

Tuesdays

Hours

Weekdays: 10:00 – 18:00 (reception)

Sat/Sun/national holidays: 11:00 – 18:00 (reception)

Address

2nd floor

3-7 Ekimae Motomachi

Beppu city

Phone

090-3190-5038

Roll Cake (Swiss Roll)

“Roll Cake” (Swiss Roll) is a basic menu at any Japanese sweet shop. This simple cake which rolls whipped cream inside sponge originated in Beppu.

Tenugui (washcloth)

Tenugui (washcloth) dries quickly and is more convenient than regular towels when getting around multiple hot springs.

Gelato speciality shop Genova

Genova, a gelato speciality shop, has 26 kinds of homemade colorful organic gelato on a display. We also recommend trying their limited seasonal flavors.

Holidays

Mondays (If it’s a national holiday, the store will be closed on the following day instead.)

Hours

15:00 – 24:00

Address

1-10-5 Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-22-6051

Inari Mochiya・Aramaki Shouten

A recommendation at Inari Mochiya・Aramaki Shouten is a ganache bean-paste pancake. Please enjoy its fully filled ganache with rich white bean-paste inside. The ganache bean-paste pancakes are served half frozen. You can enjoy a defrosted fluffy soft texture, or a half frozen crunchy texture.

Holidays

Wednesdays

Hours

7:00 – 18:00

Address

1-15 Matsubara cho

Beppu city

Phone

0977-23-2534

Shirasu (Whitebait)

A specialty from the Beppu gulf is “Shirasu” (Whitebait). 70 percent of Oita prefecture’s shirasu comes from the Beppu gulf. You can eat a shirasu bowl with fresh shirasu at the fishing port.

Beppu Tower

Beppu tower is the third sightseeing tower in Japan to be completed. It was designed by Tachu Natito, who was called the Doctor of towers. On a day without clouds, you can look over Shikoku from the top.

Holidays

Wednesdays(except on national holidays), New Year’s Eve

Hours

9:00 – 22:00

Address

10-2 3choume Kitahama

Beppu city

Phone

0977-21-3939

Beauty products using hot springs

The beauty products using hot springs such as toners and face wash soaps are popular souvenirs for ladies.

Toriten (Chicken Tempura)

“Toriten” (Chicken Tempura), a specialty dish of Beppu, is a tempura of marinated chicken. It’s best to have it with ponzu soy sauce with mustard on the side.