Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

  • Home
  • About
    • About me
    • About this site
    • About my photography
    • Privacy and Disclosure Policy
  • Recipes
    • Visual Archive
    • Regional Italian Recipes
  • Books
    • The Cool Side of Summer
    • Manu’s Christmas Menus
    • MsM’s Mobile App
  • Work With Me
    • Affiliate Sign-Up
    • Featured On
  • Out & About
    • Africa
      • South Africa 2019
    • Americas
      • Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize
      • CHILE AND ARGENTINA 2018
    • Asia
      • India
      • Japan 2015
      • Japan 2017
      • Japan 2018
      • Singapore
    • Europe
      • Slovenia and Croatia 2019
      • Italy 2019
    • Oceania
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti) 2017
      • French Polynesia (Tahiti)
      • New Caledonia
      • New Zealand
      • South Island – New Zealand Guide
  • Blogging Tips
    • Blogging Platform
    • Web Hosting
    • Technology Tips
    • Food Photography
    • Increasing Traffic to your Blog
    • Links
      • MsM in Your Kitchen
      • Events
        • 150 years of the Unification of Italy
        • Olio, Erbe e Fantasia – LILT
  • Tips
    • Techniques
      • Pasta and Gnocchi
      • Pizza and Other Doughs
      • Sauces and Other Basics
      • Decorations
    • Cake and Cookie decoration
      • Cake & Marshmallow Pops
        • Flowery Cake Pops
        • Hello Kitty Cake Pops
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake Pops
        • Christmas Tree Cake Pops
        • Sea Marshmallow Pops
      • Fondant Cakes
        • Moo Cake
        • South Pole Cake
        • Lola Cake
        • Hello Kitty Yogurt Cake
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Yogurt Cake
        • The Little Mermaid Fondant Cake
        • Sweet Sushi Mini Fondant Cakes
        • Peppa Pig Cake
        • Tinkerbell Cake
        • Miffy Cake
        • Olaf Yogurt Cake
        • Frozen Cake
      • Sugar Cookies
        • Heart Sugar Cookies
        • Dorothy the Dinosaur Sugar Cookies
        • Christmas Tree Ornament Sugar Cookies
      • Eggless Sugar Cookies
        • Chinese New Year Cookies
        • St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
      • Shortbread Cookies
        • Shortbread and Chocolate Hearts
        • Baby Shower Shortbread Cookies
        • Flounder Shortbread Cookie Pops
      • Easy Chocolate Cookies
    • Conversion Tables
    • Gift Ideas
      • Christmas 2010
      • Christmas 2011
      • Christmas 2012
      • Christmas 2013
      • Christmas 2014
      • Christmas 2015
    • Ingredients
    • Where I Shop for Italian Food in Sydney
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Japanese / Beppu – Japan Guide

Beppu – Japan Guide

April 22, 2019 By Manu 3 Comments

During our latest trip to Japan, we also visited the southern island of Kyushu and we stayed 2 nights in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts.

Even though Beppu is a modern looking city, it offers an unmatched range of baths to be enjoyed, including ordinary hot water baths, mud baths, sand baths, and steam baths.

In addition, the Hells of Beppu are several spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing. These places reminded me of New Zealand’s North Island.

SIGHTSEEING

Beppu has eight different springs: Beppu Onsen, Kannawa Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen, and Shibaseki Onsen, each featuring public baths and ryokan with bathing facilities. Together they produce more hot spring water than any other onsen resort in Japan!

What makes Beppu different from other onsen resorts is the wide range of bath types that can be enjoyed here. Aside from conventional hot water baths, Beppu offers sand baths where bathers are buried in naturally heated sand, steam baths that are heated by the steam of a hot spring, and mud baths which are basically muddy hot water baths!

BEST BATHS

Tanayu

Tanayu is the main hot spring facility of the Suginoi Hotel, a leading ryokan in town. The massive complex offers elegant outdoor pools on the building’s roof with spectacular, unobstructed views over the city. Visitors can also use the mixed-gender Aqua Garden hot spring facility next door which is enjoyed in bathing suits.

Onsen Hoyo Land

This run down, yet atmospheric public bath complex is an onsen enthusiasts’ favourite and offers rare mud baths and steam baths in addition to conventional hot water baths. While the indoor baths are gender separated, the outdoor zone is partly mixed.

Takegawara

First constructed in 1879, Takegawara Spa is Beppu’s most famous bathhouse, offering sand and regular baths in an atmosphere of the past.

Beppu Beach Sand Bath

The second most famous place to enjoy sand baths in Beppu after the Takegawara Spa, the Beppu Beach Sand Bath offers sand baths along the coast of Beppu Bay.

HELLS – JIGOKU

The “hells” of Beppu are seven spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing. Five of the hells are located in the Kannawa district and two in the more remote Shibaseki district. We only saw the Umi, Oniishibozu, and Shiraike Jigoku.

Kannawa District

Umi Jigoku

Probably the most beautiful hell, also known as the “sea hell” thanks to its blue water.

In its spacious gardens, there are a few smaller hells and a clear water pond with beautiful lotus flowers.

Oniishibozu Jigoku

This hell is named after the mud bubbles which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks.

There is also a foot bath with clear water.

Shiraike Jigoku

True to its name, the “white pond hell” features a pond of hot, milky water.

Kamado Jigoku

The “cooking pot hell” features several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as cook.

Oniyama Jigoku

A large number of crocodiles are bred and kept on the grounds of the “monster mountain hell”.

Shibaseki District

Chinoike Jigoku

The “blood pond hell” features a pond of hot, red water and a large souvenir shop. Apparently, it is one of the more photogenic hells.

Tatsumaki Jigoku

The “spout hell” features a boiling hot geyser, which erupts every 30-40 minutes for about 6-10 minutes.

FOOD

Beppu’s hot springs generate not only abundant amounts of water but also a lot of steam that can be seen blowing out here and there across the city. For centuries, people have been harnessing the naturally hot steam for cooking food. The resulting dishes are called “Hell Steam Cuisine”.

Tourists have the opportunity to steam their own meals at the Jigokumushi Kobo Steam Cooking Centre near the hells of the Kannawa District. Staffed by volunteers, the centre is a mix between a restaurant and public kitchen with rows of steam chambers that can be rented to cook food in.

Unfortunately we did not have time to try this, however, visitors can either bring their own food or purchase it and it sounds like fun!

ACCOMMODATION

RYOKAN

In Beppu, we stayed at Suginoi Hotel, a huge complex up on a hill overlooking the whole city/bay.

I did a lot of research before choosing this place. What mattered the most to me, in this case, was the quality of the onsen. Once realising that Suginoi Hotel had the best onsen in town, I decided to book a room there.

This place is completely different than any other hotel I had ever been at. Well… come to think of it, it did remind me a bit of a place in Las Vegas I went to a few years ago. It is THAT flashy!

First of all, it is divided into 3 buildings: Hon-Kan, Naka-Kan, and Hana-Kan, all with different room types, prices, and inclusions.

I decided to book a room in the Hana-Kan part as it included breakfast and dinner at the Ceada Palace, which seemed like fun (more about later). Besides, it is the closest building to the famous Tanayu onsen and the Aqua Garden. That said, it still took about 10 minutes to get there from our room! If you stay in the other buildings, you may have to walk from outside the hotel or take the shuttle bus.

While walking inside to hotel to get to the onsen area, you pass from a chapel (yes, they have weddings there as well!), a shop that sells all sorts of food/souvenirs…

… and a huge game arcade (bowling alley included!).

It’s like a small town!!

Tanayu is an open-air bath with great views over the city. It consists of a complex of tubs spreading out in five tiers like terraced rice paddies. It commands a magnificent and expansive views of Beppu Bay and the night view of the town.

Tanayu also has various types of baths such as aroma bath, barrel bath, massage bath, observation sauna, and powder room.

It was packed (did I say the hotel is huge??), and although it wasn’t as relaxing and blissful as Kurokawa Onsen, it was still a nice experience.

Another great feature of Suginoi Hotel is the Aqua Garden. It’s basically a huge roof-top hot spring pool (you need to have a swimming suit to access it). Needless to say, the kids loved it. It is in the open-air, so it does get freezing cold at night. However, the water is hot, so it is quite pleasant.

At the Aqua Garden, there are also several illuminated musical “Fountain Shows” with 3-D images. So cool!! Especially if you get to see it from inside the pool!

Ah! They also had some amazing winter illuminations just outside the hotel.

So nice! The girls loved this too!

The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle bus to and from Beppu station, which is really convenient. Also, at the station check out the cute robot!!

The room itself was ok. It was spacious enough and it was half Western style and half Japanese style (with futon). I found the style to be a bit “old”. It reminded me of a room from the 80’s.

However, it had all we needed. Shower included.

And an amazing view over the bay!

We even had a Yukata each to wear for the night and to go to the onsen.

Booking was very easy. I booked through the hotel website.

DINNER AND BREAKFAST

As I mentioned before, we chose to eat at Suginoi Hotel. It is a bit “far” from the town centre and it was late November (cold!!) after all.

We chose a room plan that included breakfast and dinner at the Ceada Palace.

Both breakfast and dinner were buffet style, which at this point of the holiday, was a welcome change.

There was so much stuff. Both Western and Japanese.

I was absolutely blown away by their pizza. I don’t usually eat Italian food abroad, but I made an exception as it looked so good. Well, it was better than many pizza I have had in Italy itself! There, I have said it. Hats off. I complimented the chefs and they said they were trained in Italy. So, there you have it.

Desserts were another very strong point. Both beautiful to look and delicious to eat.

At dinner time, they also had a live band playing and singing!!

Breakfast was great too. There was everything you could think of: both sweet and savoury.

My kids loved this place so much, I think it was their favourite hotel in Japan over 3 trips! Just saying.

It was also one of the few places where we saw foreigners work. Apparently, there is a University in Beppu that has lots of exchange students from all over Asia and many of them work at this hotel. It was kind of good to be able to communicate a bit more in English.

I highly recommend Suginoi Hotel for a “different” experience. Even if you are not into big hotels (like me!), it’s a fun experience, especially if you like onsen and/or are travelling with kids.

We would definitely be back (ask my kids)!

HOW TO GET AROUND IN BEPPU

By bus!

The five hells in the Kannawa district can be easily accessed by frequently departing buses from JR Beppu Station in about 15 minutes. Bus number 5, 7 and 9 are the fastest. Get off at Kannawa bus terminal, from where all seven hells can be reached on foot.

Bus number 16/16A runs twice per hour from Kannawa to Shibaseki (5 minutes) where the remaining two hells are located. The bus then continues via Kamegawa Station to Beppu Station (40 minutes). Bus number 26/26A runs in the opposite direction of bus number 16/16A.

RESOURCES ON MSM

RECIPES:

Tsukune

Yakitori

Gyoza

Salmon Nigiri

Matcha Ice Cream

Beef Korokke

Matcha Nama Chocolates

Chicken Karaage

Cheese Korokke

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu Sandwich

Sakura Panna Cotta

Onigiri

Japanese Pickled Ginger

TRAVEL IN JAPAN:

Japan Diary 2015

Japan Diary 2017

Japan Diary 2018

Tokyo – Asakusa guide

Miyajima guide – Japan

Hiroshima guide – Japan

Osaka guide – Japan

Koyasan guide – Japan

Nara & Fushimi Inari guide – Japan

Kyoto guide – Japan

Kanazawa guide – Japan

Takayama guide – Japan

Tokyo – Ueno guide

Tokyo – Shinjuku guide

Japan Guide – Geisha

Tsukiji Market – Japan Guide

Nishiki Market – Japan Guide

Haru Cooking Class Kyoto – Japan Guide

Tokyo Off the Beaten Path

Kamakura – Japan Guide

Nikko – Japan Guide

Kawaguchiko – Japan Guide

Nagashima and Nabana no Sato – Japan Guide

Miyajima 2017 – Japan Guide

Hiroshima 2017 – Japan Guide

Kurashiki – Japan Guide 

Himeji – Japan Guide

Onsen Etiquette – Japan Guide

Kinosaki Onsen – Japan Guide

Kyoto Off the Beaten Path

Setsubun and Geisha in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari – Japan Guide

Matsumoto – Japan Guide

Jigokudani Monkey Park Guide – Japan

Shuzenji Onsen – Japan Guide

Osaka 2018 – Japan Guide

Miyajima Autumn 2018 – Japan Guide

Nagasaki – Japan Guide

Fukuoka – Japan Guide

Kurokawa Onsen – Japan Guide

Yufuin – Japan Guide

Don’t forget to pin this post!

HOW TO GET THERE FROM TOKYO

By train

Take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo (via Shin-Osaka) to Kokura Station and transfer to the Sonic limited express train for Beppu. The entire one-way trip takes about 6 or 7 hours.

By air

JAL, ANA, Solaseed and Jetstar Japan operate frequent flights between Tokyo (mostly Haneda Airport, except Jetstar which uses Narita Airport) and Oita Airport near Beppu. Flight duration is 90 minutes.

The one-way bus journey between Oita Airport and Beppu takes 40 minutes and costs 1500 yen. All buses stop at Beppu Kitahama, and a few buses also serve JR Beppu Station. Several rental car companies have an outlet at Oita Airport.

MAP

Share

Related Posts:

  • Yufuin – Japan Guide
  • Kurokawa Onsen – Japan Guide
  • Kunisaki Peninsula – Japan Guide
  • Kitsuki – Japan Guide
  • Fukuoka – Japan Guide

Filed Under: Japanese, Travel Tagged With: Beppu, food, guide, Japan, Japanese, Kyushu, onsen, ryokan, spa, Suginoi, travel

« Easter 2019 Recipe Round Up
Cinco de Mayo 2019 Recipe Round-Up »

Trackbacks

  1. Kunisaki Peninsula – Japan Guide says:
    May 6, 2019 at 6:34 pm

    […] our latest trip to Japan, we also visited the southern island of Kyushu and we stayed 2 nights in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring […]

    Reply
  2. Kitsuki – Japan Guide says:
    May 20, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    […] our latest trip to Japan, we also visited the southern island of Kyushu and we stayed 2 nights in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring […]

    Reply
  3. Kyoto by Night – Japan Guide says:
    August 8, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    […] Beppu – Japan Guide […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome to Manu’s Menu!

Hi! I am Manu, the author of Manu's Menu. I was born and brought up in Italy and my blog can show you how to create authentic Italian food in your own home! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HOMEMADE PASTA MADE SIMPLE – THE BOOK. CLICK TO BUY IT FROM AMAZON NOW!

Homemade Pasta Made Simple

Archives

Categories

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Video Recipe: Orecchiette with Crudaiola Sauce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
foodgawker bowls-150x150
tastespotting150
Tasteologie badge
Pasta & Gnocchi

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book – Click to buy it now! On SALE for only $9.99!

The Cool Side of Summer e-Book

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!
Genesis Theme Framework for WordPress
Community Table Contributor Badge
Sunday Supper Movement

manusmenu

Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Cara Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Vanilla and Miso Caramel Cheesecake Slice.  Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #miso #cheesecake #cake #dessert #japan
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A tradi Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Ragù Bianco. A traditional pasta sauce from central Italy. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #pasta #pastasauce #ragu
Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprisi Now on the blog - Trieste, Italy Guide. A surprising city. Come check it out. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #trieste #holidays #beautifuldestinations #history #food
Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Cre Now on the blog - Sausage and Potato Sourdough Crespelle. The best comfort food. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food #foodgram #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood
Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about Now on the blog - WWI, Italy Guide. A guide about some of the most important landmarks of the Great War. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #war #history
Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use Now on the blog - Sourdough Crêpes. So good. Use up some of your #sourdough discard to make these delicious sweet or savoury crêpes. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #crepes #crespelle #food
Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide Now on the blog - Cividale del Friuli, Italy Guide. Clickable link in my profile.

#manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #travel #travelblogger #italy #tourism #Europe #cividale #friuliveneziagiulia #beautifuldestinations #history #food #italianfood
Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cockt Now on the blog - Hugo. A refreshing Italian cocktail and an alternative to your everyday spritz. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #hugo #spritz #prosecco #drinks #cocktails #elderflower
Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay S Now on the blog - Low Fodmap Pork Meatball Satay Stir Fry. So good. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #lowfodmap #lowfodmapdiet #satay #stirfry #pork #meatballs
Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crun Now on the blog - Quick Pickled Cucumbers. So crunchy and refreshing. Clickable recipe link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #picklingcucumbers #pickles #pickling #garden #cucumber #vegetarian #vegan #video
Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and d Now on the blog - Coffee Panna Cotta. Wobbly and delicious. Clickable link in my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #Italian #pudding #italy #italianfoodbloggers #italianfood #coffee #pannacotta
Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe Now on the blog - Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls. Recipe adapted from the wonderful @jennifer_rodda. The best way to use up some of your Sourdough discard. Clickable recipe link on my profile.

#recipes #manusmenu #manusmenucom #instafood #instayum #foodbloggers #foodstyling #baking #sourdough #sourdoughstarter #pastry #cinnamonrolls #teatime #breakfast
Follow on Instagram

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2011-2020 - Manu's Menu and Manuela Zangara. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more