- Beppu features over 2,000 active vents, providing steam used for everything from public bathing to traditional 'Jigoku-mushi' steam-pot cooking.
- The city is home to a unique 'sand bath' culture at Beppu Kaihin Sunayu, where visitors are buried in naturally heated volcanic sand.
- Beppu hosts the annual Beppu Hatto Onsen Matsuri, a festival where locals and visitors celebrate the city's hot spring abundance with parades and free bathing access.
- The city has been designated as an 'International Tourism Hot Spring Cultural City' by the Japanese government due to its historic thermal infrastructure.
- In the mid-20th century, the city pioneered the development of Japan's first monorail systems specifically designed for tourists visiting mountain viewpoints.
About Beppu
Beppu is Japan's most prolific geothermal city, discharging a greater volume of hot spring water than any other municipality in the country. The city's landscape is defined by its iconic jigoku, or 'hells,' including the vibrant cobalt waters of Umi Jigoku and the pressurized geyser of Tatsumaki Jigoku. Beyond its thermal heritage, visitors can survey the city from the Beppu Tower or observe local wildlife at the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden. The city serves as a hub for both traditional onsen culture and modern recreational facilities like Kijima Kogen Park.
Highlights of Beppu
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Admire the striking, cobalt-blue appearance of this massive hot spring pond.
Zoos
Watch sea otters and dolphins perform against a backdrop of the Beppu Bay waterfront.
Places of interest
Witness the distinct, bright red iron-oxide waters that give this pond its fiery reputation.
Places of interest
Ascend to the top of Mount Tsurumi for a panoramic view of the entire city and the surrounding coastline.
Zoos
Observe large troops of wild Japanese macaques in their natural habitat.
Places of interest
Take in 360-degree views of the city center and the ocean from this historic observation deck.
Places of interest
Time your visit to see the explosive, high-pressure geyser that erupts at regular intervals.
Places of interest
Visit one of the tallest observation towers in Japan for elevated urban photography.
Top things to do in Beppu
The 290 highest-rated places in Beppu, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
Lake Kinrin is a small body of water in Yufuin, Oita, characterized by a unique thermal phenomenon where hot spring wate...
2
Places of interest
Umi Jigoku, or Sea Hell, is the largest of the eight hot springs comprising the Beppu Jigoku Meguri. The pond features a...
3
Zoos
Kyushu Wildlife Park African Safari is the largest wildlife safari park in Japan, located on the plateau of the Oita Pre...
4
Zoos
Oita Marine Palace Aquarium Umitamago is a major aquarium situated on the coast of the Beppu Bay between Oita City and B...
5
Places of interest
Beppu Jigoku, commonly known as the 'Hells of Beppu,' is a collection of eight geothermal hot springs located primarily...
6
Places of interest
Chinoike Jigoku, or 'Blood Pond Hell,' is one of Beppu's oldest natural thermal springs, characterized by a unique high-...
7
Places of interest
Beppu Ropeway operates one of the largest aerial tramways in western Japan, transporting passengers 800 meters verticall...
8
Amusement parks
Kijima Kogen Park is an amusement park located on the high-altitude plateaus of Mount Tsurumi in Beppu, Oita Prefecture....
9
Zoos
Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a wild monkey habitat located on the border of Oita City and Beppu, housing ov...
10
Places of interest
Sagiridai Overlook serves as a high-altitude observation point situated along the Yamanami Highway within Aso-Kuju Natio...
11
Parks
Beppu Park is a 27.3-hectare urban oasis located in the center of Beppu, Oita Prefecture. It features approximately 600...
12
Places of interest
Beppu Tower is a 90-meter-tall steel lattice structure designed by architect Tachu Naito, who also designed the Tokyo To...
13
Places of interest
Jumonji Viewpoint serves as a high-altitude observation deck situated on the Jumonjibaru plateau, providing an expansive...
14
Amusement parks
Beppu Cable Rakutenchi is a historic hillside amusement park accessible via a unique double-track cable car that climbs...
15
Museums
The Yufuin Showa Museum is a curated collection of mid-20th-century Japanese artifacts designed to evoke nostalgia for t...
16
Places of interest
The Yukemuri Observation Deck provides a panoramic vista over the Kannawa hot spring district of Beppu. The site overloo...
17
Places of interest
Tatsumaki Jigoku is a rare, naturally erupting geyser located in the Kannawa district of Beppu. It is one of the designa...
18
Places of interest
Oike Spring is a natural spring located in the Shonaicho Asono district of Yufu, Oita, noted for its exceptionally clear...
19
Places of interest
Oniyama Jigoku, known as 'Monster Mountain Hell,' is one of the seven iconic hot springs that comprise Beppu's 'Hell Tou...
20
Places of interest
Oniishi Bozu Jigoku features grey mud pools that bubble in rhythmic, spherical patterns, creating the appearance of clea...
21
Places of interest
The Beppu Global Tower is a 125-meter observation spire located within the B-Con Plaza convention complex in Beppu, Oita...
22
Museums
The Iwashita Collection is a private museum in Yufuin established by Tatsuya Iwashita, housing an expansive eclectic acc...
23
Places of interest
Shidaka Lake is a high-altitude reservoir located at an elevation of approximately 600 meters within the Aso Kuju Nation...
24
Places of interest
Chojabaru is a high-altitude wetland and highland plateau situated within the Aso-Kuju National Park at an elevation of...
25
Places of interest
Shiraike Jigoku, or the White Pond Hell, is one of the eight designated 'hells' of Beppu, distinguished by its naturally...
26
Places of interest
Higashi Shiiya Falls is an 85-meter-high waterfall located within the Uryu Prefectural Natural Park in Usa, Oita. Often...
27
Parks
Shoningahama Park is a coastal public green space in Beppu, Oita, situated directly along the shoreline of Beppu Bay. Th...
28
Natural attractions
Mount Yufu is an active stratovolcano characterized by its distinct twin-peaked summit, often referred to as Bungo Fuji...
29
Natural attractions
Mount Tsurumi is a 1,375-meter volcanic peak overlooking Beppu Bay, accessible via the Beppu Ropeway. The mountain featu...
30
Parks
Kannawa Jigoku Area Park is a public green space located in the heart of Beppu’s historic steam-vent district. The park...
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Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Beppu
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) provide mild temperatures ideal for outdoor exploration and hiking the mountainous terrain.
2-3 days to explore the various 'hell' circuits and experience different types of thermal baths without rushing.
The city is best navigated by bus, with the Kamenoi Bus company providing extensive coverage between the main train station, the jigoku circuits, and hillside attractions.
Stay near Beppu Station for optimal transit access or in the Kannawa district to be within walking distance of the primary hot spring sites and steam-cooking facilities.
Mid-range; while public bath houses are affordable, accommodation prices vary widely depending on whether you choose a traditional ryokan or a standard hotel.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 290 curated attractions in and around Beppu, ranked by traveller ratings.
Lake Kinrin is the highest-rated place to visit in Beppu right now.
The largest category is places of interest, with 96 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
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