Beppu Onsen has eight hot spring areas in a small town, and steam rises from everywhere in the town. It has a long history, and it flourished as a spa resort since the Heian period. Even now, there are many inns and hotels, and about 12 million tourists visit from Japan and abroad every year.
In this post, we will introduce 8 recommended hotels full of charm at Beppu Onsen. Please stop by when you come to Kyushu or even other cities like Tokyo and Kyoto.
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・What’s there in Beppu Hot Spring?
・8 recommended hotels by category
What’s there in Beppu Hot Spring?
Getting there
It is accessible by train from Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu, and by plane from Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities in Japan.
- From Fukuoka: You can take a JR limited express train from Hakata Station to Beppu Station and arrive in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.
- From Tokyo: It is recommended to use a plane and a bus. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes by plane from Haneda Airport to Oita Airport, and about 40 minutes by bus from Oita Airport to Beppu Station. The travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Hot Spring, Onsen
Beppu Onsen is one of the leading hot spring areas in Japan, and it has a rich variety of spring qualities. Beppu is a hot spring town that has seven of the ten types of spring qualities for display. Each has its own effects and characteristics, but generally, bicarbonate springs improve blood circulation and have a beautifying effect, chloride springs have a moisturizing and antibacterial effect, sulfur springs have an effect on skin diseases and neuralgia, and acidic springs have a disinfecting and skin-healing effect.
8 recommendations by hotel category
Beppu has various types of accommodation facilities for hot spring hotels and inns (ryokan). If you want to enjoy a luxurious atmosphere, we recommend hot spring inns with private open-air baths or private baths in the rooms. Listed hotels are divided into four categories: Super Luxury, Luxury, Upper Middle, and Economy, so please refer to them according to your budget.
1. ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel
Category: Super Luxury
Luxurious Oasis Amidst Lush Mountains
Overlooking Beppu Bay, surrounded by lush green mountains, ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa is a luxury resort located in Beppu, one of Japan’s leading hot spring areas. All 89 rooms are spacious, over 60 square meters, and feature open-air baths, spas, and infinity pools that blend in with nature.
The restaurant and bar incorporate modern and uniquely Japanese beautiful designs, where you can enjoy sophisticated dishes filled with seasonal ingredients and the chef’s original ideas. There is a free shuttle bus (reservation required) from Beppu Station, which takes about 20 minutes to arrive.
2. AMANE resort GAHAMA
Category: Luxury
Serene Retreat for Discerning Adults
“AMANE resort GAHAMA” is a luxury resort for adults, located on a 11,000 m2 site surrounded by lush green mountains overlooking Beppu Bay. It has 17 rooms, a picture book museum, a traditional Japanese restaurant (Kappo), a bar, and a spa. You can enjoy the hot springs of Beppu in the bathtubs provided in all rooms, which are filled directly from the source.
You can also use the large public bath of the neighboring group hotel, AMANE RESORT SEIKAI. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, and breakfast is served in a Japanese style. It is a 15-minute taxi ride from Beppu Station.
JR Kyushu Rail Pass
3. Suginoi Hotel
Category: Luxury
Spectacular Onsen Entertainment Paradise
Suginoi Hotel, a resort hotel in Beppu Onsen, Oita, is located on a vast site and boasts an outdoor hot spring pool and an entertainment park. It is attractive for its open-air bath with a view of the spectacular scenery while soaking in the Kankaiji Onsen. Especially in Sora Kan, which was newly born in 2023, you can have a calm stay.
In addition, the buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner, and the “Aqua Garden”, an outdoor hot spring pool where you can play all day, are highly rated. In the entertainment park, there are eight entertainments that you can’t play in a day, such as a pool, fountain show, projection mapping, and thrilling Aqua Beat in the summer, and you can have a fun time. It is also well accessible, about 10 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station.
4. AMANE resort SEIKAI
Category: Luxury
Panoramic Vistas, Unparalleled Onsen Experience
AMANE resort SEIKAI is a hot spring resort inn with an observatory public bath and an open-air bath that merges with the horizon. All rooms have an open-air bath and are ocean view with nothing to obstruct the view. Since it is built by the sea, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Beppu Bay from the hot springs in the room or from the large bath that merges with the horizon.
There are three dining options, and whichever you choose, you can enjoy the seafood and mountain blessings unique to Beppu. There is also a spa & esthetic salon, a bar, and a select shop. It is a 15-minute taxi ride from Beppu Station.
Beppu Jigoku Onsen Ticket
5. Beppu Showaen
Category: Luxury
Indulge in Traditional Japanese Luxury
Bepu Showa-en is a pure Japanese-style luxury inn with detached guest rooms with hot springs on a site of 6,000 m2. It is a 5-minute free shuttle ride from JR “Bepu Station”. All 9 rooms are detached rooms, each with a natural flowing hot spring cypress bath or a rock-made open-air bath, which will heal your body from the core. The hot spring is called “the water of beauty” because it contains a lot of ingredients that are effective for beauty and health.
The rooms are detached, and you can enjoy both dinner and breakfast in your room. For dinner, you can enjoy a Kaiseki menu with seasonal seafood and fresh seasonal ingredients. Breakfast is also a collection of exquisite dishes with a commitment, just like the Kaiseki cuisine for dinner. The deliciousness of the meals is highly rated by the guests. For foreign tourists, it will be a great opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese inn culture and hot springs.
6. Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Beppu Seifu
Category: Upper Middle
Stunning Sunrises, Gourmet Delights Await
Oedo Onsen Monogatari Beppu Seifu is a hot spring inn located a 10-minute walk from Beppu Station, where you can enjoy a spectacular open-air bath overlooking Beppu Bay and a gourmet buffet.
The sunrise viewed from the ocean-view open-air bath is exceptional. Both dinner and breakfast are served buffet-style, with creative menus that let you feel the seasons, and there is hospitality with various deliciousness throughout the year.
7. KAMENOI HOTEL Beppu
Category: Economy
Unrivaled Cityscape Views, Local Flavors
Kamenoi Hotel Beppu is a hotel that boasts the No.1 height as a hotel in Beppu, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Beppu from the guest rooms on the upper floors. You can enjoy seasonal products and local dishes unique to Beppu for meals.
At the “Beppu Bold Kitchen” on the second floor, it is buffet style from breakfast to dinner. It also offers Beppu’s specialty “hell steaming” dishes. You can enjoy hot springs in the large public bath and open-air bath1. There is a rare 6-bedroom room in the guest room, which is recommended for large groups of people.
8. Nishitetsu Resort Inn Beppu
Category: Economy
Authentic Beppu Onsen, Steps from Station
Nishitetsu Resort Inn Beppu is a hotel with a large public bath and a good access, located 10 minutes on foot from JR Beppu Station. The natural hot spring bath (with open-air bath) is popular for its unique Beppu style. The large bath has a hot water that is suitable for hot springs, and there is also an open-air bath where you can relax and enjoy.
In addition, you can enjoy a Japanese and Western buffet breakfast with local dishes from Oita Prefecture. All rooms are equipped with Simmons beds, so you can sleep comfortably. There is also a coin laundry.
Your Gateway to Japan’s Onsen Paradise
This article has showcased Beppu’s diverse onsen offerings, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly options. With its eight distinct hot spring accommodations and stunning scenery, Beppu is a standout destination for hot spring enthusiasts.
However, Japan’s rich onsen culture extends far beyond Beppu. Consider exploring other renowned hot spring towns like Hakone and Atami near Tokyo, or discover more gems throughout Kyushu. For those departing from Osaka, places like Arima offer convenient getaways.
To maximize your onsen adventure, renting a car (hyperlink) can provide the freedom to explore multiple hot spring towns and uncover hidden treasures. Keep an eye out for our upcoming features on other top onsen destinations across Japan.
We hope this guide has inspired you to dive deeper into the world of Japanese hot springs. Safe travels, and enjoy immersing yourself in Japan’s unique onsen culture!♨️😊
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