Coming to Beppu for two days? 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 two day ititnerary to spend in Beppu.
Top 5 things to do in Beppu
- Visit the Seven Hells (Jigoku) – Must visit hot springs like Umi Jigoku and Oniyama Jigoku.
- Soak in the Onsen – Beppu is the most famous place in Japan for hot springs (onsen).
- Takasakiyama Monkey park – An open park with Monkey’s that can be observed from foot distance.
- Kifune Castle – Visit a white castle that is protected by a white snake with a amazing view of Beppu.
- Enjoy Local Food – Local Izakaya at Engawa or try Ramen at Ganso Beppu Ramen.
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:
Day 1 Morning – 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.
Day 1 Morning – 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. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with the geyser (I mean I did not know what else I expected because a geyser is a geyser), but the others are definitely worth it! You can buy a combo ticket for all seven hells (2200 yen) or visit individual ones for 400 yen each. Below you can buy a ticket beforehand via Klook. I usually buy all my workshops, experiences and tours via Klook as they give the most competitive price on the market. If you are going to buy the ticket in Beppu on the spot, there is usually a long line.
Bonus: Stop by the cute café in the Jigoku Onsen Museum for coffee and pastries between hell visits. Visit the Beppu Onsen musuem.
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
Day 1 Noon – 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 potential lines, though—it’s a local favorite.
Address: 12-13 Ekimaecho, Beppu, Oita 874-0935
Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Day 1 Noon – 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.
Day 1 Afternoon – 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
Day 1 Afternoon – 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
Day 1 Afternoon – 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
Day 1 evening – 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.
Day 1 evening – Final Evening Onsen
There’s nothing like ending the day with a relaxing soak. For all my onsen recommendations click here to my special Beppu onsen blog. I share my favorite private, non private, traditional and affordable onsen here!
Day 1 night – Sleep and Goodnight
After a day full of exploration and relaxation, it’s time to rest up and recharge for day 2.
Day 2 morning – Breakfast/Brunch
The best way to start day 2 is with a good coffee. Depending on your hotel, if you are looking for cute coffee cafe’s I share my favorite cafe’s in Beppu in this blog. But a shortlist is here:
- DIG COFFEE (Coffee and desserts)
- Shiya coffee (Coffee, desserts and small savoury pastry’s)
- Penguin bakery (many different types of sweet and savoury pastry’s)
- Starbucks (soo basic, but they have great Western breakfast item and the shop is comfortable)
- Coffee-tei (simple nostalgic breakfast cafe, close to the city center)
Day 2 morning – Optional: Beppu Kifune Castle & Hidden Ghibli style cafe
On top of a small hill, is Kifune castle. A white castle that is protected by a (live) white snake. No worries, the snake is sunbathing all day in a closed ‘box’/room. The reason why I recommend visiting this castle, is because there are no tourists and it is a really pretty castle. It also has a great view of Beppu, where you can view the whole town. The best way to go there is by car.
If you go to Kifune castle by car, I highly recommend afterwards going to my favorite cafe in Beppu: Atelier on the hill Overlooking the sea (yes that’s the full name). It is truly a cafe as in Studio Ghibli. This cute cafe has an amazing lookout on the city, and the staff is very nice. They have a selection of simple coffee, tea and desserts. I do have to say, you come here for the cafe and the aesthetic and not so much the quality of the drinks. Check it out in my Beppu cafe blog.
Address: Kifune Castle 926 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0000
Hours: Daily 8 AM – 5 PM
Admission: 300 yen
Day 2 Noon – Lunch
Close to Beppu station is 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.
Day 2 Afternoon – Takasakiyama Monkey Park
If you’re a fan of monkeys or animals, this is a must-visit destination. Even if you’re not, you should still check it out! This is one of my favorite places in Beppu because the monkey park is unlike any other in Asia. It’s an open park where monkeys roam freely, choosing to come and go as they please. The monkeys here are calm and unbothered, generally avoiding interaction with visitors. You can walk right alongside them and observe their behaviors from a close distance.
It’s important to follow all guidelines set by the staff and refrain from trying to interact with the monkeys. The park is conveniently located near Beppu, with easy bus access. Nestled in the hills, the atmosphere is peaceful and beautiful. The Monkey ‘park’ has a Japanese style house and ‘shrine’, so it is not just a standard monkey park but has cultural elements as well. For those who may have difficulty walking uphill, there’s a small cable lift available. However, the walk to reach the monkeys is only about 10 minutes.
Address: 3098-1 Kanzaki, Oita, 870-0802
Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM
Admission: 520 yen
Day 2 evening – Onsen
After dinner, I recommend once again to have a dip in the onsen. Check out my Onsen Guide to see which one suits you the best!
Thank you for reading this blog, and I hope you have a great time in Beppu.
24 hours in Japan 
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