Wondering how to spend one day in Beppu? Here is the perfect itinerary from a Beppu ‘local’!
One year ago, my family bought a house in Beppu and I have been to Beppu many times. In this itinerary I will give you the perfect 24 hour ititnerary to spend in Beppu. Although I recommend to visit beppu two or even three days. 24 hours should be enough to try the onsen, eat…
Top 5 things to do in Beppu
- Visit the Seven Hells (Jigoku) – Must visit hot springs like Umi Jigoku and Oniyama Jigoku.
- Soak in Takegawara Onsen – Beppu’s oldest onsen for a quick, relaxing dip (100 yen).
- Stroll Beppu’s City Center – Explore charming streets, food, and cafés.
- Relax at Hyotan Onsen – Private or shared onsen (2000–3000 yen).
- Enjoy Local Food – Sushi at Hama Sushi (800 yen) or ramen at Ganso Beppu Ramen (1000–1500 yen).
Google Maps (car) route for this itinerary > https://maps.app.goo.gl/8aaJUQe5cKkNHij26
How to get to Beppu
From Fukuoka to Beppu
🚂By Train:
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: ¥6,500
- Details: Travel on the Sonic limited express train from Hakata Station. The journey is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass. A discounted set of two one-way tickets for one or two persons is available for ¥7,600, valid for one month.
🚌 By Bus:
- Time: 2.5 hours
- Cost: ¥3,250
- Details: Multiple highway buses operated by Nishitetsu Bus run daily. Buses stop at Hakata Station and Tenjin Station in Fukuoka, and at Beppu Kitahama bus stop in Beppu. Online reservations can be made through Willer.
From Oita Airport to Beppu
🚌 By Bus: Buses connect Oita Airport with Beppu’s Kitahama bus terminal.
Time: 50 minutes
Cost: ¥1,600
Proposed itinerary:
11:00 AM – Arrive in Beppu
Depending on how you arrive, Beppu has excellent bus connections to get around. You can also rent bikes at Beppu Station or grab a taxi if you prefer convenience.
11:30 AM – Visit the Seven Hells (Jigoku)
As the name suggests, there are seven “hells” to explore in Beppu. While they’re mostly close together, two—the geyser and the Blood Pond Hell—require a slight detour. You can buy a combo ticket for all seven hells (2200 yen) or visit individual ones for 400 yen each. My top picks are the ones that already lie together:
- Umi Jigoku: Stunning bright blue waters.
- Oniishibozu Jigoku: Bubbly, muddy pools that feel otherworldly.
- Kamado Jigoku: A mix of pools with onsen cooking, snacks, and foot baths.
- Oniyama Jigoku: A crocodile park where crocs lounge in the hot water!
Bonus: Stop by the cute café in the Jigoku Onsen Museum for coffee and pastries between hell visits.
Address: 559-1 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0000
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: 2200 yen (combo ticket) or 400 yen per hell
1:30 PM – Lunch
Sushi: If you’re near the hells, head to Hama Sushi. Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s the best sushi chain I’ve ever tried! For just 800 yen per person, you’ll leave full and satisfied. Be prepared for lines, though—it’s a local favorite.
Address: 12-13 Ekimaecho, Beppu, Oita 874-0935
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Ramen: If you’re willing to go back to Beppu Station (my recommendation), try Ganso Beppu Ramen. Run by an older couple, their ramen and broth are delicious, and the daily sashimi is some of the freshest I’ve ever had. Prices range from 1000 to 1500 yen.
Address: 3-14-23 Kitahama, Beppu, Oita 874-0920
Hours: Closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday and, Monday. Other days open from 12pm until 3pm.
2:30 PM – Stroll Around Beppu Center
After lunch, take a relaxing walk through Beppu’s small but charming city center. The streets are lined with little shops, and you’ll even find small food stalls and foot baths. If you’re a coffee lover, there’s a fantastic café tucked away in the area—perfect for a quick pick-me-up.
Cafe: Coffee stand stairs
Address: 3-6 Motomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0944
Hours: Closed on Monday. Other days open from 12pm until 6pm.
3:00 PM – Visit Takegawara Onsen
One of Beppu’s oldest onsens, Takegawara Onsen is perfect for a quick soak. Entry is only 100 yen, and they offer various spa treatments. Note: Men and women bathe separately, and there are no private facilities. If you’re looking for private onsens, check out my blog for recommendations!
Address: 16-23 Motomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0944
Hours: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission: 300 yen
3:30 PM – Vintage Shopping
If you’ve got energy left, Beppu is a hidden gem for vintage shopping. Japan’s vintage shops are unmatched, and with the weak yen, you can snag amazing deals—like Levi jeans for just 800 yen! My favorite spot is West Coast Thrift shop. It’s enormous, not busy, and has incredibly low prices. For designer items, check out Second Street and BOOKOFF (their 2nd floor).
West Coast Thrift shop: 11-134 Wakakusacho, Beppu, Oita 874-0925
Second Street Address: 3-14-23 Kitahama, Beppu, Oita 874-0920
Kindal Address: 3-32 Funakojimachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0922
5:30 PM – Beach Stroll
Not a must – but if you feel like it you can visit Beppu’s coastline. Take a walk along the beach—it’s especially refreshing in the summer when you can even take a dip.
Address: Sekinoe Beach
6:30 PM – Dinner
BBQ: My go-to spot is Yakiniku King, a chain my family and I love. For around 3000 yen, you can enjoy unlimited wagyu beef, meat, and side dishes. It’s always busy, so be prepared to wait! You can make a reservation online to skip the lines (this is what the locals do).
Address: 9-13-2 Mochigahamacho, Beppu, Oita 874-0924
Hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Izakaya: For a fancier izakaya option (3000–5000 yen per person), try Engawa in Beppu’s city centre. The dishes are creative, beautifully plated, and perfect for a date night or family dinner.
Address: 4-4 Motomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0944
Hours: Closed on Sundays, other days open from 06:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
8:00 PM – Final Evening Onsen
There’s nothing like ending the day with a relaxing soak. For a private onsen experience, I highly recommend Hyotan Onsen. It’s best to call ahead to reserve but each time I went there to book a private onsen I was lucky to get one on the spot as they have around 10+ private onsen rooms. Prices are around 2000–3000 yen per hour per room. Hyotan Onsen is also great for non-private onsens, so if you’re okay with shared baths, you can enjoy their facilities without the need for a reservation.
Hyotan Onsen Address: 159-2 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0042
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission: 2000–3000 yen (private onsen), 800 yen (non-private)
If you’re looking for a non-private onsen that doesn’t break the bank, I recommend Yumetamatebako Onsen. They are just 20 meters further than Hyotan onsen. They offer both outdoor and indoor onsen, and the atmosphere is more local and relaxing. Whenever I got to the onsen with my mom, we go to this one. They also have private onsen but it is not as pretty as Hyotan’s private onsens. ( This onsen is non findable/incorrect on Google maps, the location below is the right one)
Yumetamatebako Onsen Address: Japan, 〒874-0840 Oita, Beppu, 北中１−163
Hours: 7:00-10:00, 15:00-24:00 (last entry 22:00)
Admission: weekdays adult: 1,200 yen
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays , and busy days adult: 1,600 yen
9:30 PM – Sleep and Goodnight
After a day full of exploration and relaxation, it’s time to rest up and recharge for tomorrow. Sweet dreams! If you enjoyed this itinerary, please like this blog or follow my newsletter !
” Beppu is a must visit for Onsen lovers and it has an amazing surrounding landscape”
Google Maps (car) route for this itinerary > https://maps.app.goo.gl/8aaJUQe5cKkNHij26
24 hours in Japan 
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