Beppu Onsen, Hot spring area in Beppu, Japan
Beppu Onsen is a large hot spring area in the city of Beppu, on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is made up of eight distinct spring zones, each producing water with different mineral content and temperature, and together they offer bathing options that include warm sand, steam rooms, and mud pools.
The hot springs of Beppu have been used for centuries, but the area grew into a major resort destination during the Meiji era in the late 19th century. The arrival of rail connections made it far easier for visitors from across Japan to reach the city, and bathing culture became central to how the town developed.
Visiting an onsen in Beppu is part of everyday life, not just a tourist activity. In some neighborhoods, steam rises visibly from the ground through vents and pipes, giving the streets a look that feels unlike most other cities in Japan.
The bathing zones are spread across the city, so comfortable walking shoes are useful when moving between spots. Some facilities restrict entry for visitors with tattoos, so it is worth checking the rules of each place before you arrive.
One of the bathing options in Beppu is sunamushi, where visitors are buried up to the neck in warm sand on a beach, heated naturally by underground springs. This kind of sand bathing in an open coastal setting is rarely found elsewhere in Japan.
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