9 Onsen in Ōita worth your time

A historic hot spring district in Beppu famous for its concentrated volcanic steam, traditional medicinal baths, and unique steam-cooked cuisine.

What it is

• One of the eight major hot spring areas located in Beppu City.
• Founded in 1276 by Ippen Shonin who established the local steam bath.
• Designated as an Important Cultural Landscape in 2012 for its unique environment.
• A district containing the highest concentration of hot spring sources in the city.

What to see

• Nine public baths including the historic Kannawa Mushi-yu steam bath.
• Multiple Beppu Hell Tour sites featuring unique volcanic activity.
• The Yumetake device which cools boiling spring water without dilution.
• Local facilities where visitors use natural volcanic steam for cooking food.

When to go

• The Kannawa Yuami Festival takes place annually during September.

Getting there

• Local buses from JR Beppu Station reach the district in twenty minutes.
• High-speed buses provide direct connections from Fukuoka and Nagasaki.

Official site

kannawaonsen.com

Read more about Kannawa Onsen

Seven unique volcanic hot springs in Oita featuring colorful waters, boiling mud, and a geyser for visual observation.

What it is

• A collection of natural hot spring vents located in Oita Prefecture.
• Seven major springs belong to the Beppu Jigoku Association for tourism.
• Four of the locations were designated as National Scenic Spots in 2009.
• The site features Japan's first bus tour service established in 1928.

What to see

• Umi Jigoku features cobalt blue water reaching temperatures of 98 degrees Celsius.
• Chinoike Jigoku displays natural vermilion red water in a large pool.
• Tatsumaki Jigoku is a geyser that erupts at intervals of 30 to 40 minutes.
• Oniyama Jigoku uses geothermal heat to breed approximately 100 crocodiles.
• Shiraike Jigoku contains white water caused by specific temperature and pressure changes.
• Onishi Bozu Jigoku features large bubbles of hot gray mud rising to the surface.

When to go

• Kamenoi Bus operates regular sightseeing tours throughout the day.

Official site

www.beppu-jigoku.com

Read more about Hells of Beppu

A premier hot spring resort at the foot of Mount Yufu known for high water volume and scenic morning mists.

What it is

• A hot spring resort town located at the base of Mount Yufu.
• Designated as a National Health Resort in 1959.
• Features 852 hot spring sources with the second highest discharge volume in Japan.
• The primary water source is a simple thermal spring.

What to see

• Mount Yufu serves as the prominent natural landmark overlooking the town.
• Yunotsubo Avenue is a main thoroughfare leading toward the water.
• Lake Kinrin is a scenic body of water located at the end of the main street.
• Public baths such as Shitanyu are available for visitors near the lake.

When to go

• Winter months offer views of morning mist across the basin.
• The town hosts an annual film festival and a music festival.

Getting there

• The resort is accessible via the JR Kyudai Main Line.
• Yufuin Station serves as the primary railway gateway to the area.

Official site

www.yufuin.gr.jp

Read more about Yufuin Onsen

Japan's most prolific hot spring destination features eight distinct districts, unique steam cooking, and scenic natural geothermal wonders.

What it is

• A collection of hundreds of hot springs located throughout the city.
• The area contains the highest number of hot spring sources in all of Japan.
• Eight major hot spring districts collectively known as the Beppu Hatto.
• A major tourist destination attracting over eight million visitors every year.

What to see

• Takegawara Onsen which is a designated Modernization Industrial Heritage site.
• The scenic natural springs featured in the Beppu Jigoku Meguri tour.
• Important Cultural Landscapes within the Myoban and Kannawa districts.
• Traditional Beppu Bamboo Crafts designated as a National Traditional Craft.
• Hot spring steam used for a local cooking style called Jigoku-mushi.

When to go

• The Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival held annually in early April.

Read more about Beppu Onsen

Kyushu highest hot spring offers a historic mountain lodge experience accessible only by a two-hour hike through scenic highlands.

What it is

• The highest hot spring in Kyushu sitting at an altitude of 1,303 meters.
• A mountain lodge and campground established in 1882 on a former temple site.
• A facility originating as a Buddhist training center founded in 1470.
• Part of the Takeda Onsen Group national health resort in Oita Prefecture.

What to see

• A single mountain lodge offering day trip bathing for hikers.
• Hot spring water containing calcium, magnesium, and sodium sulfate.
• A mountain campground surrounded by the high peaks of Taketa.
• The site where original temple buildings stood before an 1882 fire.

Getting there

• A two-hour hike is required to reach the lodge from the trailhead.
• The facility is located approximately 5.4 kilometers from the nearest trailhead.

Read more about Hokkein Onsen

A historic cold-water hydrogen sulfide spring at 1,100 meters altitude, famous for its unique 14-degree Celsius bathing experience.

What it is

• A historic hot spring facility opened in 1849 in Kokonoe Town.
• Member of the Japan Association of Secluded Hot Springs located at high altitude.
• Features a cold hydrogen sulfide spring source flowing at 2,160 liters per minute.
• The associated ryokan inn was founded later in 1928.

What to see

• Cold spring baths with a source temperature between 13 and 14 degrees Celsius.
• A mixed-gender bathing area where visitors must wear swimwear or underwear.
• A self-service sauna facility established in July 2023.
• Mountain scenery from a location situated 1,100 meters above sea level.

Getting there

• Buses run to the hot spring site from Yufuin Station.
• Public bus transportation is available from Aso Station.

Read more about Kanno-jigoku Onsen

A historic volcanic hot spring on Mount Garan featuring Japan's highest iron content and extremely acidic therapeutic waters.

What it is

• A historic hot spring facility located on Mount Garan in Yufu City
• Part of the Yufuin Onsen-kyo National Health Resort area
• Reportedly discovered during the Heian period for its medicinal properties
• Features highly acidic sulfate water with a pH level of 1.5

What to see

• Indoor and outdoor public baths and private family bathing areas
• A volcanic hell zone where the hot spring source originates
• Eggs that have been steamed in volcanic gases for twenty hours
• Views of the active volcanic landscape surrounding the facility

When to go

• The facility may close during winter months due to heavy snowfall

Getting there

• Accessible by a twenty minute taxi ride from Yufuin Station

Read more about Tsukahara Onsen

A historic 1938 municipal bathhouse in Beppu offering traditional hot spring soaking and unique sand baths in a cultural landmark.

What it is

• A municipal hot spring facility originally established in 1879.
• The current wooden structure dates back to 1938.
• A registered tangible cultural property and Heritage of Industrial Modernization.
• Named after the bamboo roofing used on the original building.

What to see

• The distinctive large karahafu style gabled roof on the exterior.
• Traditional indoor baths containing chloride and hydrogen carbonate spring water.
• A dedicated area for experiencing traditional sand baths.
• The second floor which functions as a local community center.
• The nearby Takegawara Koji Arcade, the oldest existing arcade in Japan.

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from JR Beppu Station.

Official site

www.city.beppu.oita.jp

Read more about Takegawara Onsen

A historic hot spring town in a river valley featuring Edo-period stone streets and therapeutic public bathhouses.

What it is

• A hot spring resort in Yufu City designated as a National Health Resort Onsen.
• A historic site dating back to the Kamakura period with sodium chloride and sulfate waters.
• A former filming location for the Tora-san movie series.
• A destination once ranked as West Yokozuna in an early Showa era hot spring ranking.

What to see

• Stone-paved streets originally constructed during the Edo period.
• Four public bathhouses located throughout the town area.
• The scenic landscape of the Kagano River valley.
• The site where poet Santoka Taneda visited in 1930.

Getting there

• Accessible by a short taxi ride from JR Yunohira Station.

Official site

www.yunohira-onsen.jp

Read more about Yunohira Onsen