This itinerary will present you spend someday in Beppu, a metropolis the place historic practices and new facilities come collectively in excellent concord.
On the japanese coast of Oita Prefecture, nestled by the ocean, lays a metropolis known as Beppu. Because the leaves change and the temperatures drop, massive white plumes of steam will rise from the town’s 2,500 sizzling springs, that are collectively often called “Beppu Hatto“.
These sizzling springs, or “onsen” as they’re referred to in Japanese, are what makes Beppu the most important supply of pure spring water in Japan. It’s the right vacation spot so as to add to your Kyushu itinerary.
Whether or not you’re all in favour of attempting scrumptious seafood and greens ready with the traditional “Jigokumushi” methodology, testing out totally different sizzling springs, or setting out on a mountain climbing path that can take you thru the ocean of timber that blanket Mount Tsurumi, Beppu is the place for you.
Learn on to see spend the right day in Beppu.
One Day in Beppu Itinerary
Right here is how we’d suggest spending someday in Beppu:
1. Go to Hachiman Asami Shrine
Our day journey to Beppu begins with stepping again in time and a go to to Hachiman Asami Shrine. It was constructed in 1196 and has been guarded by huge camphor timber recognized collectively as “Meoto-sugi” for over a millennium.
On New Yr’s Day, a whole bunch of individuals from round Oita Prefecture come to Hachiman Asami Shrine to ship their prayers to the gods and obtain their fortunes, or “omikuji“, which can be found in English.
Along with getting your fortune, I’d suggest attempting the new spring water known as “Mantaro Shimizu“. It’s believed to have therapeutic properties.
2. Discover Beppu Rakutenchi Amusement Park
Rakutenchi Amusement Park has been serving up family-friendly enjoyable for the group of Beppu since 1929. The park has many sights, together with a small zoo, a summer-time water park, curler coasters, a suspension bridge, and scenic views of Beppu Bay.
You’ll be able to see the park’s well-known Flower Ferris Wheel (the one double-ferris wheel in all of Japan) at a distance on Mount Tateishi.
One of the best ways to entry Rakutenchi in the event you should not have a rental automobile is by mountain cable automobile. The lately upgraded cable vehicles are colourfully painted with cheerful major colors and are free to trip.
After spending time at Rakutenchi, you continue to have an opportunity to calm down in the event you cease by Zekkei no Yu, which is the cherry on high of this retro theme park.
3. Hike up Mount Tsurumi
Should you’re looking for extra scenic views of Beppu, look no additional than Mount Tsurumi. That is additionally the supply of all of Beppu’s sizzling springs.
There are routes obtainable for hikers of all ranges of expertise, from newbie to professional. Should you select to hike within the spring, you’ll have the prospect to see 1000’s of cherry blossoms and Kyushu azaleas on the face of Mount Tsurumi.
Probably the most generally really useful route is to begin on the Beppu Ropeway Station. Nevertheless, if you want to attempt the tougher 1,375-meter sea-to-summit ascent to Mount Tsurumi, the journey will take round 4 hours. Should you do that, be additional ready and convey sufficient water.
The official start line for the path is at Matogahama Park, the place you will notice an indication marking the trail that can take hikers to the summit.
4. Experience the Beppu Ropeway
Opened in 1962, Beppu Ropeway is the most important ropeway in all of Kyushu. Spherical-trip fare for one grownup prices 1,700 yen. The journey from Beppu Ropeway Station to the summit of the 1,375-meter volcano through the ropeway takes round 10 minutes.
From the statement deck, guests can get pleasure from breathtaking views of Beppu Bay, Oita Metropolis, and even Shikoku on a transparent day.
The ocean of timber masking Mount Tsurumi change color from season to season, so you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable relating to selecting the perfect season to go to Beppu Ropeway!
Should you go to the ropeway between mid-October to the tip of November, you’ll be able to observe Mount Tsurumi’s stunning autumn foliage from excessive up within the cable automobile.
5. Take the Jigoku Seven Hells Tour
Beppu’s most well-known tour is the seven jigoku or “hells”. The tour takes you thru seven totally different sizzling springs which might be too sizzling to wash in and kitschy sights which might be endearing and very fashionable amongst households with younger kids. The tour begins with the umi-jigoku or “Sea Hell” and ends with oniyama-jigoku or “Demon Mountain Hell.”
One of the best ways to expertise the complete tour is to buy tickets prematurely utilizing tour corporations like Bokai bus tour.
For extra info on buy tickets and see a map of the Jigoku Seven Hells Tour, please go to the Beppu City Official Tourism site.
6. Admire Kifune Citadel
Kifune Citadel is in contrast to most castles you will see that throughout Japan. Rebuilt on personal land in 1957, the present-day construction is modelled after the unique 880-year-old fortress.
For less than 300 yen, guests can entry a hilltop backyard and a shrine contained in the fortress. There’s additionally an albino python that has been deemed the official guardian of Kifune Citadel that visitors can pet for good luck.
Not removed from Kifune Citadel is the Yukemuri Observation Deck, the place many guests journey to snap a photograph of Beppu’s iconic skyline. You can even get 360-degree views of Beppu Metropolis’s attractive surroundings from the second story of Kifune Citadel.
Kifune Citadel gives guided excursions solely, however they’re obtainable in English and Japanese.
7. Go to Kita-Kouka Shotengai
From thrift shops to handmade to speciality espresso retailers, this off-the-beaten-path location is a must-visit when spending someday in Beppu. The Kita-Kouka Shotengai, which loosely interprets means “beneath the prepare retailers“, is a uncommon and nostalgic buying expertise discovered solely in Beppu Metropolis.
Some retailers have been renovated, just like the extremely really useful Sun Cafe, whereas others nonetheless retain their Heisei-era blueprint, like Kissaten Kei. We can’t suggest visiting this shopping center, which is conveniently positioned inside strolling distance of Beppu Station.
8. See Beppu Tower
At 100 meters tall (328 ft), Beppu Tower is enjoyable to go to in the course of the day and at nighttime. At 55 meters up, guests can get pleasure from views of Mount Tsurumi from the fifth-floor statement deck.
Like Osaka’s Tsutenkaku, the tower is made up of a latticework of iron with massive Japanese characters etched on the aspect in neon gentle. Beppu Tower is considered one of six “brothers” designed by architect Tachu Naito, who additionally designed the aforementioned Tsutenkaku in addition to Japan’s most iconic construction – Tokyo Tower.
Beppu Tower was accomplished in 1956 on the finish of the Beppu Onsen Tourism Industrial Expo and has been a significant a part of Beppu’s tourism business ever since. To entry this Nationwide Registered Tangible Cultural Property, merely hop on a metropolis bus at Beppu Station or head east and stroll for round ten minutes.
9. Get pleasure from Beppu’s Scorching Springs
Scorching springs in Japan are most sometimes called “onsen“. Historically, sizzling springs are separate services that the general public is free to make use of for a small entrance charge, however newer motels will usually have a sizzling spring as a part of their services.
The baths and altering rooms are separated and the baths themselves will range by way of dimension and temperature.
You will have heard that many Japanese onsens don’t settle for tattoos. Whereas that is partially true, there are locations like Beppu which might be recognized for being probably the most tattoo-friendly locations in all of Japan! If in case you have tattoos however aren’t certain what to anticipate, try our information about tattoos in Japan.
When in Beppu, listed below are three onsen I like to recommend attempting:
- Hyotan Onsen: A standard Japanese sizzling spring that has been part of the Beppu group for over 100 years. Hyotan Onsen boasts Japan’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, sand baths, and personal baths which might be tattoo-friendly. Factors of curiosity close to Hyotan Onsen embody the Jigoku Seven Hells, Yukemuri Statement Deck, and Kifune Citadel.
- Nageshi Onsen: In response to native legend, after a sizzling spring was found somebody secretly constructed a picket construction that later grew to become Nageshi Onsen. Thus, this onsen that’s positioned close to Hachiman Asami Shrine has been nicknamed, the “One Evening Scorching Spring.” Be sure you deliver your personal facilities in the event you plan on visiting this historic sizzling spring.
- Koudei Onsen: The Koudei Onsen is a part of the Bouzu Jigoku or “monk hell“. This mineral-enriched mud bathtub is without doubt one of the solely sizzling springs that visitors are permitted to wash in on the Jigoku Hell Tour. Entry to the mud bathtub prices round 900 yen for an grownup, whereas younger kids are usually not permitted to enter for his or her security.
10. Have a Stress-free Keep in Beppu
In the case of choosing the proper lodging, Beppu has a big selection of choices due to its longstanding standing as a sizzling spring metropolis. Whether or not you’re in search of a conventional inn with classic attraction, a facility that boasts trendy facilities, or an reasonably priced visitor home, Beppu could have a spot for you.
Listed below are our suggestions for a calming keep in Beppu:
- Galleria Midobaru: For individuals who wish to have a luxurious expertise whereas nonetheless having fun with sightseeing in Beppu, then look no additional than Galleria Midobaru. Galleria Midobaru gives king-sized rooms containing massive baths that present visitors with a non-public, onsen-like expertise.
- Suginoi Hotel: This luxurious four-star resort actually has all of it: a bowling alley, a waterpark, a backyard with trendy artwork, eating places, and extra. Suginoi has not only one however two sizzling onsens. In January 2023, Suginoi Resort revealed the SORA KAN infinity bathtub, which gives attractive rooftop views of Beppu Metropolis.
- Beppu Hostel U&T: This top-rated hostel is positioned in a central location near Beppu Tower. Facilities embody washing and drying models, a communal kitchen, a gaming space full with Japanese comedian books, Wi-Fi, and far more. Due to their pleasant, English-speaking employees, Beppu Hostel U&T is a wonderful alternative for travellers in search of a less expensive different in Beppu.
What’s Beppu Identified for?
Beppu is understood for onsen, or “sizzling springs“. There are such a lot of sizzling springs in Beppu that this small metropolis in Oita is the second-largest supply of sizzling spring water in the whole world (the primary spot goes to Yellowstone Nationwide Park in Wyoming, USA).
Beppu has additionally lately grow to be recognized for meals tourism. The cooking methodology of utilizing steam from a sizzling spring to arrange substances often called “Jigokumushi” originated in Beppu in the course of the Edo interval.
You’ll be able to do that dish at a conventional inn or “ryokan” such because the Yanagiya Inn, which is positioned on Beppu’s Kannawa Ginza Avenue. Bathing in an onsen is without doubt one of the best things to do in Japan – and Beppu is without doubt one of the greatest locations to take action.
The way to Get to Beppu?
One of the best path to get to Beppu is to go straight from Fukuoka by prepare or freeway bus. The terminal for the freeway bus is subsequent to Hakata Station, the most important prepare station in Kyushu.
A one-way journey from Hakata to Oita Metropolis is 2.5 hours and prices round 4,000 yen. Nevertheless, in the event you would like to take a prepare, the commute is a little bit over 2 hours and prices round 6,500 yen.
Beppu is positioned 10 minutes away by native prepare or taxi from Oita Metropolis. The JR Kyushu Pass has lately elevated ticket costs, so I’d solely suggest buying the move in case you are trying so as to add Beppu as a part of an itinerary for a visit round the entire island of Kyushu. Our 7-day Kyushu itinerary, for instance, reveals you all seven prefectures in a single week.
How Many Days Do You Want in Beppu?
I like to recommend spending a minimal of someday in Beppu.
Whereas it varies from individual to individual, most individuals in Japan usually desire to spend an evening or two at a Japanese inn, particularly if the inn features a sizzling spring.
Most individuals go to the new springs late at evening or early within the morning, so an in a single day keep is the most typical advice. In case you are coming for the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival, when smaller onsens will waive their charges throughout this week-long celebration, it could be helpful to remain a couple of evening.
Is Beppu Price Visiting?
Sure, Beppu is 100% value visiting! Along with being probably the most well-liked locations in Kyushu, Beppu is stuffed with actually distinctive sights. It’s the right place to get acquainted with Japanese sizzling spring tradition. We can’t suggest visiting Beppu sufficient.
Which is Higher, Yufuin or Beppu?
It relies upon. Yufuin is a well-liked vacation spot in Oita on account of its easy accessibility (only one hour by bus) from Beppu and Oita Station. Like Beppu, Yufuin is a wonderful place to get pleasure from sizzling springs and expertise staying at a conventional Japanese inn.
Should you’re trying so as to add Yufuin to your Kyushu itinerary, there are trains obtainable from Kumamoto to Yufuin.
Conclusion – Beppu Itinerary
In the case of spending someday in Beppu, you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with selecting what to see and the place to go.
There’s nothing higher than seeing vibrant foliage atop Mount Tsurumi from a cable automobile or soaking in an genuine 100-year-old sizzling spring. We hope that our information has impressed you to think about visiting Beppu in your subsequent journey to Japan.
