Tours Recommended by the Tourist Information Center staff

Tsukahara Onsen Kako-no-Izumi is located on the western side of Mt.Garandake, which is 1045 meters high. It is a historical hot spring that has been gushing out since the Heian period and is said to be one of the three major medicinal hot springs in Japan. The crater you can visit is about 800 meters above sea level. The hot water underneath Mt. Garandake is said to be the source of all eight Beppu hot springs. In the processing tour, you can see the jigoku up close and you can feel the power of nature along with Mt.Yufu in the distance. In addition, Tsukahara Kako-no-Izumi contains the highest amount of metal ions of all hot springs in Japan. It is a strong acid hot spring that is ideal for hot spring treatment. In addition to its healing effect, it is also a great place to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The color of the acidic hot spring water and the lush greenery surrounding it are a wonderful sight to see if you are visiting this area.

Those who want to enjoy Beppu's deep hot springs after soaking in the Tsukahara Onsen, we recommend the onsen at Okumyoban Sanso, which is a famous spring in Beppu. It is located in the outskirts of Myoban Onsen, and when feel the power of nature, you can quietly face the onsen. The owner, who was originally a hot spring enthusiast, has his impact can be seen everywhere. All three rooms are reserved for private use. Thinking "hot spring lovers would want to have the hot spring all to themselves," a quaint private bath was created. It is recommended not only for hot spring enthusiasts but for families as well. The hot springs are milky white and contain a lot of ionic components, and are popular for hot springs treatment. There are many hot spring mineral deposits, and the combination of the great outdoors in the nature and hot springs is very relaxing. Please note that reservations cannot be made and guests are accepted in the order in which they come.

If you want to enjoy Beppu Onsen naturally, Beppu Onsen Hoyoland is recommended. The area has utilized jigoku mud for more than 1300 years, and it is the representative onsen for all Beppu hot springs. It is famous for its cloudy open-air bath, and is one of the few hot springs that offers mixed bathing for men and women. However, please be assured that the entrances for men and women are separated so that the body cannot be seen. One of the charms of the convalescence area mud baths is that they are strongly acidic. It is said to be good for various symptoms such as skin diseases and neuralgia, and has been visited by many people as a treatment for illness for a long time. The indoor bath especially has strong hot spring ingredients and stimulation, so children of elementary school age or younger are not allowed to take a bath. Therefore, it is suitable for those who want to spend a relaxing time in nature, and for adults who can expect effective treatment due to the acidity of the spring. There are also accommodations and restaurants on the premises, so you can enjoy traditional Japanese hot springs.

After relaxing in the hot springs, head to the Kannawa Onsen area of Beppu. First, stop by the Kannawa Tourist Information Center to get a map of the Kannawa area and ask for recommendations. Don't forget to get a discount voucher. Kannawa Onsen, which was also used for the shooting of "Otoko wa Tsurai Yo,” is a town bustling with tourists all year round. You can enjoy the old time cityscape while being enveloped in steam typical of a hot spring town. To get a nostalgic feeling, stroll through the streets of the town. It will make you feel like you traveled back in time to an old time hot spring town full of life. There are also hot spring spas, souvenir shops, and street stalls. It’s a great place to take a walk while looking for food, foot baths and the like. The famous butaman (Chinese pork bun) and jigokumushi pudding are so delicious you’ll want to gobble them up.

Yumetake is located in a back alley accessed from the main street "Ideyuzaka" in the Kannawa area. If you go straight along the narrow alley next to Jigokubaru Onsen, you will see the "Yumetake” hot spring cooling system made of bamboo of Hyotan Onsen along the road. If you go straight ahead along the device used to cool the hot springs in Beppu to the right temperature, you will see the "Taninoyu” public bath. When you enter the alley, you can see the face of the hot spring town rooted in the life of the citizens in the rising steam.

Rest your tired legs after walking. "Pocket Park" next to Jigokumushi Koubou has foot baths that use the steam of hot springs. They also have facilities for drinking hot spring water. All of this is free, so I was surprised. If you do not have a towel, you can buy it at Jigokumushi Koubou. The foot bath can accommodate about 6 to 7 people, so even families can use it casually. However, don't forget to limit your bath about ten minutes because others are waiting. You may not be able to use foot steaming when the amount of hot water runs low.

Kifune Castle is further up from the Yukemuri Observation Deck. In this castle, the Great White Snake, a guardian deity, is enshrined. When you enter the castle, you will be able to touch the 3-meter long white snake, which is considered a sacred body. A white snake has been said to be the incarnation of a god since ancient times. It is a powerful force that seems to know if you have a guilty conscience. If you go up to the top of the castle tower of Kifune Castle, you can get a panoramic view of the city of Beppu. Actually, this is the best spot where you can get a superb view. There is a small shrine outside the castle where the former white snake is kept in formalin. It has a big, thick body. Talismans in empty shells are also sold.

Takegawara Onsen is a historical hot spring founded in 1871 that has an overwhelming presence. Beppu's long-standing hot spring looks like something you would see in a movie. Built in 1938, the current building is an impressive structure. Takegawara Onsen is famous for its Showa era old time indoor baths and sand baths. The method of bathing in the sand bath is to lie down on sand heated in the hot spring wearing a yukata robe. The warm sand is comfortable and makes you perspire like a stone sauna or ordinary sauna. It facilitates the efficacy of the onsen and improves blood flow, and seems also effective for stiffness, sensitivity to cold, arthritis, and sleep disorders. You can enter the indoor bath at any time, but the sand bath is a time-shifting system with a limited number of people. It is especially crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, so be sure to allow sufficient time when you visit.