Beppu Ryokan: Onsen Areas, Access and Tips

Getting there

From Hakata, JR limited express Sonic runs to Beppu (about 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes to Oita, which is past Beppu). Express buses from Fukuoka Airport take about 2 hours. From Oita Airport the bus takes about 40-50 minutes (¥1,600 one way at the time of checking).

Good for

• Onsen fans who want to try many spring types; 10 of 11 official spring types are used for bathing
• Visitors to the Hells tour: stay in Kannawa to walk to five of the seven hells
• Travellers who want Beppu Station area hotels for rail and bus connections
• Combining with Yufuin, about 50 minutes away by bus

Watch out for

• Sights are spread across the city; plan on buses or a rental car.
• The station area and Kannawa are different parts of town. Pick based on your plan.
• Rooms with in-room onsen baths tend to be expensive.

Booking tips

• Kamenoi Bus sells 1-day and 2-day unlimited passes (¥1,100 / ¥1,700 at the time of checking) covering central Beppu sights.
• Many onsen baths do not admit guests with tattoos. If this applies to you, look for a room with its own bath or a bookable private bath (kashikiri) and confirm the policy before booking.
• Check whether the plan includes dinner and breakfast. Since around 2017 more ryokan sell room-only plans, and dinner usually starts at a set time, so arrive on time.
• Onsen towns levy a bathing tax (standard rate ¥150 per person per night) and some cities add an accommodation tax. It is often paid at the property, so check whether the listed price includes it.