Beppu

Day Trips

Arrive at Beppu Station or airport and make your way to a traditional ryokan or onsen hotel. Check in and freshen up before stepping outside to explore the bustling streets lined with steam vents and souvenir shops. Wander through the neighborhood to get a feel for local life and indulge in a quick steamed bun snack from a street vendor.

Head to a public footbath or rotenburo to ease travel fatigue, soaking your feet or body in naturally heated mineral water. Explore nearby Takegawara Onsen and marvel at its iconic sand bath building shimmering in the midday sun. Sample a variety of local manju filled with sweet bean paste at charming cafes dotting the area.

Return to your ryokan for a traditional kaiseki dinner featuring seasonal Oita produce and seafood. After the multi-course meal, slip into your private onsen for a soothing soak under the starry sky. Wind down with a cup of green tea in the ryokan lounge while listening to the gentle hiss of nearby hot springs.

Begin the day exploring Beppu’s famous 'Hells' (Jigoku) starting with Umi Jigoku to see its cobalt-blue hot spring pond. Move on to Chinoike Jigoku to witness the eerie crimson waters and bubbling mud pools. Visit Oniyama Jigoku to feed iguanas kept in a natural hot spring habitat, snapping photos of these prehistoric-looking creatures.

Enjoy a lunch of fresh steamed seafood and local vegetables at a restaurant overlooking the Jigoku steam vents. Head to Kamado Jigoku to see steaming iron cauldrons and try black onsen eggs boiled in sulfur-rich water. Stop by Shiraike Jigoku for a contrast of milky white waters surrounded by lush greenery.

Wander through the historic Kannawa district, where narrow lanes are lined with traditional wooden inns and natural hot spring outlets. Have dinner at a cozy izakaya serving Oita specialties like toriten (tempura chicken) and bunasu fish. Finish the night with an outdoor rotenburo soak beneath lantern-lit trees, listening to the distant hum of the town.

Ride the Beppu Ropeway up Mt. Tsurumi and take in panoramic views of Beppu Bay and the surrounding mountains. At the summit station, explore brief walking trails through alpine flora and snap photos from scenic viewpoints. Sip a warm beverage at the mountaintop café while breathing in crisp, fresh air.

Hike along the well-marked trails leading closer to the peak, passing through bamboo groves and moss-covered rocks. Enjoy a picnic lunch with locally sourced bento boxes on a grassy plateau overlooking the city. Descend mid-afternoon to witness the ropeway car gliding gently against the backdrop of steam rising below.

Experience the onsen near the ropeway base station, allowing your legs to recover from the hike in mineral-rich water. Dine at a hillside restaurant offering fusion dishes that blend Japanese and Western flavors. As dusk settles, stroll along the illuminated terrace for night views of Beppu twinkling below.

Join a pottery workshop at Shi-kawa pottery studio, kneading clay and shaping your own vessel under expert guidance. Watch a master potter demonstrate precise wheel-throwing and traditional glazing techniques. Chat with fellow participants over a cup of matcha served in fresh ceramics you crafted yourself.

Visit the Beppu Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center to observe artisans weaving intricate bamboo baskets and fans. Try your hand at bamboo weaving, crafting a small souvenir to take home. Stroll through the center’s exhibition hall to see historical bamboo tools and preserved artworks.

Immerse yourself in a tea ceremony set in a tranquil garden teahouse, savoring delicate wagashi sweets. Learn about the philosophy of harmony and respect that underpins the ritualized movements of the host. Relax by a koi pond illuminated by soft lantern light, reflecting on the day’s creative adventures.

Board the scenic Kyushu Odan Tokkyu train to Yufuin, passing rolling fields and distant volcanoes. Arrive at Yufuin Station and explore the quaint Floral Village with its English-style cottages and specialty shops. Browse galleries showcasing local artists’ paintings, sculptures, and handcrafted goods.

Walk around the serene Kinrinko Lake, observing the steam rising from the waters at the far end. Sip specialty coffee at a lakeside café, pairing it with a matcha-flavored dessert. Stroll along the path under maple trees, pausing to feed the curious carp swimming near the shore.

Dine at a farm-to-table Yufuin restaurant, tasting seasonal vegetables grown in nearby mountains. Savor tender Yufuin beef cooked medium-rare and served with local dipping sauces. Return to Beppu in the evening and unwind in your ryokan’s open-air onsen to soothe travel-weary muscles.

Wake early to visit the lively Beppu Morning Market, weaving through stalls brimming with fresh seafood and produce. Sample sashimi-grade fish skewers and newly caught shellfish from friendly vendors. Pick up regional specialties like kabosu citrus and hand-made soy sauce to bring home.

Participate in a cooking class led by a local chef, crafting dishes like Beppu-style tempura and seafood chowder. Roll sushi with freshly prepared vinegared rice and catch-of-the-day slices. Enjoy the fruits of your labor at a communal table, chatting with fellow food enthusiasts.

Return to the market area after dark to see the stalls lit by paper lanterns and simmering cookpots. Feast on your homemade dishes alongside recommended sake pairings from the chef. Wander back to your accommodation through streets glimmering with steam and mist for a magical finish.

Visit the Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM), admiring its striking modern design and diverse art collection. View contemporary sculptures and rotating exhibitions by Japanese and international artists. Enjoy light refreshments at the museum café overlooking the scenic canal-side park.

Explore the historic Takegawara Onsen with its iconic sand bath facility and striking wooden façade. Try the therapeutic sand bath, buried waist-deep in naturally heated silica sand. Learn about the onsen’s century-old healing traditions from knowledgeable attendants.

Head to Hells Coast Park to watch the sunset over the rugged coastline as steam vents hiss behind you. Have dinner at a seaside restaurant serving grilled fish freshly caught that day. Take a leisurely post-dinner walk along the shore, breathing in the salty night air.

Set off on a kayaking adventure down the Oita River, gliding past lush riverbanks and rocky outcrops. Pause mid-route to stretch on a secluded gravel beach and soak in the peaceful natural surroundings. Photograph colorful dragonflies and wildflowers dotting the river’s edge.

Swap kayaks for hiking boots and tackle a canyoning route through hidden waterfalls, scrambling and sliding through boulders. Listen to the roar of water plunging into emerald pools as you navigate each rapid. Enjoy a packed lunch by a crystal-clear plunge pool, feeling the mist on your skin.

Return to a riverside onsen lodge for a restorative soak in hot spring tubs overlooking gentle rapids. Order a bento dinner delivered to your private terrace, where you can dine al fresco under the stars. Drift off to sleep to the tranquil sounds of flowing water and cicadas in the treetops.

Travel to Maebaru Beach on the Beppu coastline for a sun-soaked morning by the sea. Spread out a towel and lounge on soft, golden sand as gentle waves lap the shore. Dive into the clear, warm water for a refreshing swim before the crowds arrive.

Rent paddleboards or snorkel equipment to explore the vibrant marine life in the shallow reefs. Spot colorful fish darting among underwater rock formations and delicate corals. Refuel with a seaside picnic of fresh fruits and rice crackers eaten in the shade of beach tents.

Board a traditional wooden sailboat at dusk for a sunset cruise across Beppu Bay. Sip on handcrafted cocktails and toast as the sky erupts in hues of orange and pink. Relax on deck, listening to the gentle creak of wood and the distant calls of seabirds settling in for the night.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your ryokan, sampling local specialties like yama-imo grated yam and savory onsen tamago. Spend your final morning browsing small boutiques for last-minute souvenirs like tenugui towels and handmade ceramics. Take a peaceful stroll along a steam-lined street, capturing early morning photos of mist drifting from vents.

Pay a visit to a final public onsen for a last rejuvenating soak in mineral-rich water. Write postcards or journal reflections in the onsen lounge while sipping a cup of sweet barley tea. Enjoy some final steamed treats from a nearby vendor, savoring the flavors that define Beppu.

Have a farewell dinner at a cozy local restaurant specializing in Oita’s signature toriten and fresh seafood. Raise a glass of sake to celebrate your immersive journey through Beppu’s hot springs, culture, and cuisine. Return to your accommodation for one last quiet soak, letting the warmth of the onsen seal your memories for departure.