The 21 best pool spots in Beppu

The colour is very pretty! Has a large selection on their omiyage (gifts). I recommend going to this place. You get to see water lily garden, and the red hell. There's also greenhouse, but it's just very small section.

A short bus ride (20 mins, bus 41) from Beppu Station is Umi Jigoku hot springs. Too hot to swim and they describe it as “hell” as resembling what hell might be like. Lots of tourists and a good gift shop. Walk up to the Shrine and enjoy the green environment and ponds with water lillies.

Only this onsen is worth visiting in Beppu. The blue colour and steaming is stunning m. The place is well maintained and has a nice walking path around the pond. Honestly, the other hells are quite similar and not really worth the time, just go visit this one is enough.

Of the three jigoku that we saw this was my favourite. Two beautiful springs to view but more importantly the hot foot bath, which fixed my very sore feet. We paid at each venue, as three was enough for us. If you are only doing one this might be the best. No lines, went straight in.

🔥💧 Today I explored the famous 7 Hells of Beppu – each hot spring with its own unique color, steam, and character. From the bubbling blue sea hell to the steaming mud hell, it truly felt like stepping into another world. An unforgettable onsen adventure in Japan! 🇯🇵♨️

During our Fukuoka tour with Gogoday Travel, we visited Umi Jigoku as a backup stop and it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. The site is beautifully serene, featuring soothing blue hot springs that create a peaceful atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the tranquil foot bath, which was both relaxing and refreshing after a day of sightseeing. The area is well maintained and offers great photo opportunities. Helen, our guide, provided insightful information about the site, adding to the overall experience. Umi Jigoku is highly recommended as a calm and unique destination worth visiting.

Visiting Umi Jigoku is like stepping into a surreal, vibrant hot spring dreamland—perfect for anyone traveling through Beppu. Here’s what makes it unforgettable: • Striking Azure Waters: The onsen’s iconic cobalt-blue pools are truly mesmerizing. Their tranquil color and rising steam clouds transform the landscape into an otherworldly spectacle—like a portal to another realm. • Themed Attractions: Beyond just soaking in the sights, Umi Jigoku offers fascinating experiences: • A steaming mud bath, known for its soothing properties. • Pathways lined with colorful thermal ponds, each bubbling up its own steamy secrets. • A small but charming foot-onsen, where you can dip your feet in warm water while gazing at the scenery. • Pleasant Visitor Experience: The site is well-maintained with clean, informative signage. A café on-site serves refreshments and the infamous beaten egg boiled in onsen water, a quirky must-try when you’re here. • Cultural Insight: Umi Jigoku isn’t a bathing facility for everyday use—it’s one of Beppu’s renowned “Jigoku Meguri” (Hell Tour) destinations, a captivating cultural showcase that explores the amazing diversity of volcanic hot springs. • Convenient & Scenic: Easily accessible by car or public transport, it also features souvenir shops selling local treats and Beppu branding. The gardens nestled around the onsen ponds create picturesque spots for photography. ⸻ 🔖 Highlights: ✓ Iconic blue hot spring pools ✓ Mud bath experience ✓ Relaxing foot onsen ✓ On-site café and snacks ✓ Pro-grade photo opportunities ⸻ 🎯 Final Verdict: Umi Jigoku is more than just a hot spring—it’s an experience. Whether you’re into volcanic geology, serene landscapes, or quirky local culture, it’s impossible not to be captivated. Make sure it’s high on your Beppu “Hell Tour” list!

Not too crowded. This hotspring is a bit further away from the rest. Need to have car or use public transportation. Not recommended for walking from other hotspring because its a slope road!

Hot spring with red colour unique appearance. Fee admission is 500¥/person now.

This and the Umi hell are my favourite. It also has one of the largest shopping area. Good to have it as your last stop to do all the shopping for hell that you want.

Fair warning, Chinoike Jigoku is pretty far from the rest of the hells, and the other hells also have red pools, so if you’re short on time I probably would skip the two over here and instead visit the other hells that are lumped together. But if you have too much time like me and like seeing stuff it’s a pretty cool red steaming pool! 😂👍

Came on weekends and we did the short tour. Cost 5k yen. It’s just a small sight of the pool. U can also soak ur feet

Almost end spot of Hell tour. Has good foot onsen so you could rest your feet with view of hell Has very big shop

This was the last of the 7 sevens hills for our visit. It is a 2 min walk from another of the hells but a 10 min drive to the first 5. If you plan on visiting all 7 hells, get the book as it's 2400 instead of 500x7 if you pay individually. As for this hell, it is a beautiful red color hense the name bloody hell. There is a great gift shop and footbath as well

The lake is absolutely beautiful but I was really disappointed by the fish, they are so beautiful... Can't you make some bigger tanks for them with greens, rocks, places to hide ? It would be so much better! But for now it's really terrible... I honestly felt very sad for them

Very small and certainly getting less impressive as this is the fifth out of seven that we visited. Still, I recommend anyone to buy the 7 in 1 package as they are all different hells/onsen.

One of the less awe-striking hells of the Beppu area. While you can clearly see the effects and uniqueness of the other hells, this one mainly looks like a steaming lake. But I guess that’s part of it’s charm!

Came here as part of a klook tour experience, honestly its quite alright. There is an entrance fee of 500 yen. Its a small hot spring park. There is a small area where you can soak your leg. You can purchase onsen boiled eggs.

Heartbreaking conditions for fish bred for no reason other than tourist excitement. Many fish were half the size of their dirty, empty tank and multiple looked on the verge of death. Skip this location and just google the hot spring for images.

Back here in 2025 again after 7-8 years. Still the same type of weird fishes in the aquarium.

Dark greenish pond with plant of fish to see of course not in the pond, there's a separate aquarium.

One of the better hells in the Beppu area, with multiple different kinds of hot springs in different colours. If you don’t want to visit all the hells, I recommend checking out this one to get the most out of the experience

Spot has lot of activities. Can drink hell can smell and feel hell with its vapors. Also can eat Onsen Tamago(Egg) with soda while enjoying foot onsen. Here offer free rent towels which is unexpected offer

All the Beppu Hells are amazing to visit, but I really enjoyed this one. Their pudding and especially the onsen eggs, served with salt and yuzu ponzu sauce, are delicious. You can enjoy looking at the different pools, the footbath, drinking some hot spring water (a little salty, I recommend it), and breathing in the steam.

Nice place to visit if you are in the area. Must try boiled eggs. Entrace fee was 500yen.

Bright blue pond lots of them, you can soak out feet at the designated area too. There's food sold here too like buns steamed with the Onsen produced steam.

¥500 for each jigoku you wanna visit. All in there's 7. We only chose the more noteworthy ones

If you come on. A cold rainy day the heat coming from the spring is really nice, the staff is super friendly and the spring are very mystical, i was also told they change colors depending on the weather, in my case the big pond was blue.

Perhaps the worst place I've visited in japan. Incredibly cruel and inhumane conditions for the crocodiles. Almost all of the animals have open wounds, and large chunks of flesh and toes missing, and scarring from fighting. There are far too many animals kept together in small and filthy concrete pits. This is not right and we should not be supporting this business.

*ANIMAL CRUELTY* Please do not support this jigoku by visiting. It needs to be SHUT DOWN! Crocodile hell indeed! I am an Aussie vet with a passion for reptiles and a lot of experience in keeping them, which may add some weight to the following. I was absolutely disgusted by the conditions these crocs are kept in. The enclosures were filthy, grossly overcrowded and most had insufficient water (to submerge themselves) and were without shade. There was absolutely nothing in the way of enrichment or an attempt to make the cages look ‘natural’. They had nowhere to hide or escape the crowds. There is one smaller croc indoors which is kept in a TANK so small, the poor creature could barely turn around. It was just sitting there, breathing heavily (clearly stressed) while people pressed their faces in and tapped on the glass! Appalling! The crocodiles themselves are in horrendous condition. Most had open wounds (some with flies hanging around), presumably from fighting each other as a result of overcrowding. Many were missing digits and at least one was missing a forelimb. The digits that were present were worn right down as a result of walking on concrete instead of a natural substrate. Most also had deformed scales and teeth growing at odd angles - likely a result of old injuries and/or dietary insufficiencies. I visited as part of the 7 Hells multi-pass and regrettably did not research it prior. Had I known the sort of hell those crocodiles are living, I would not have visited. If you happen to read this review, please don’t visit, help spread the word and let’s get this place shut down! Maybe those incredible creatures have a shot at freedom still 🙏🏼🐊

This crocodile park is aptly named to be one of the 7 hells - HELL FOR THE CROCODILES, that is. TLDR; Please don't support this place with your visit! The animal abuse is so blatant it is ridiculous. This place needs to be closed down!! It was so upsetting seeing such powerful and fearsome creatures reduced to motionless statues, cramped into such a tiny space that they ended up fighting. I saw so many with wounds and missing limbs/toes, including one with a cheek gouged out, and the piece still dangling by the last bit of skin attached. When I went indoors, what I saw was so heartbreaking I couldn't even take a photo for proof. A 9 year old Caiman crocodile, ALIVE, is stuffed into a tank where it cannot even turn around in. All it can do is stand in that spot and look at you 💔 These crocodiles are likely brought in as an attraction to an otherwise plain place of just colorless boiling water. I didn't research the places at all and bought the all-access pass without realizing there was a crocodile park. I deeply regret it because I would have never have supported it otherwise after reading the reviews.

It was horrible to see how these crocodiles have to live!! I am sad I supported this and bought a ticket. The are clearly depressed on some of them even hurt. Please give them more space. Dont keep so many at the same spot and give them some vegetation or places to hide.

The crocodiles are living cramped together and many of them are either without a limp or have open wounds. There is also one that is kept in a tank that is so small that it seems like the crocodile cannot even move. Feels like hell for the crocodiles...

Milky white pond with crocodile farm. I'm Malaysian and get to know these crocodile are from Malaysia really amaze me. No wonder they look so familiar. There the biggest crocodile Ichirou the first dies and his decendennt Ichirou the third was still Alive in the farm. Crocodile is non native to Japan don't know If it is a good idea have so many of them.

ANIMAL ABUSE Went to this Jigoku as part of the tour of the seven hells of Beppu. Hot spring known for housing some crocodiles. These huge, majestic animals are kept enclosed in small cages with no resemblance to their natural habitat. This place deserves to be closed down.

Unique hot spring mainly made of mud, it’s very interesting to see the bubbling mud!

Honestly one of the weirder hells and that’s why you have to go. The hot springs look like wet cement but then you see the hot spring water bubbling up from below. The footbath at 坊主地獄 is also not too hot, just right, and it felt really calm and relaxing while we were there soaking our feet watching dragonflies zip by. If this is hell, I’m ready to face my maker.

This is a small park with boiling hot springs in it. The park is very well manicured, really pretty. There are places where you can soak your feet. Unfortunately, it was winter and we didn’t bring towels to dry our feet (not provided in the park as well) so we skipped the feet soaking unlike some other guests. This park is one of the 7 in the Jigoku group. Not all parks are part of this group. You can buy a group ticket to see all the parks or you can buy entrance to each park individually.

Visited as part of the Hells experience. Lovely setup and ease of access. Nice that you can used the foot bath after viewing the mud pools. Lovely atmosphere.

Muddy bubbling pond with, a few of them here. Really enjoyed it.

This is one of the iconic 7 hot spring Jigoku Meguri or The Hells Tour spots in Beppu. You can see bubbling mud here which is so mesmerising to see. The place is clean and well maintenanced. There is also a footbath, which is very relaxing after a long walk from the tour.

Less beautiful than the onsen next door but still quite nice to walk around. Has a creamy look to it. ¥2200 for entrance tickets to visit all the onsen like this in the area.

I did like this hot springs the most! There was 4 type of bath you can go in, and cost 300 yen. Hot and regular bath, rotten, steam bath. I really enjoyed all of the bath, I wish I could stay longer. After I visit chijigoku and tastumaki jigoku, I walked up the road for 10-15 mins to get there. Apparently, in between 14:00 to 15:00 is closed for cleaning. I was told by local. After 15:00 was busy. There was a locker for 100 yen. You’ll need to bring your own towel and amenities.

Probably the most value for money Onsen in Beppu. For 220 yen you get 3 bath options, steam bath and shower. You need to bring your own towel and soap. You can also buy them at counter. The area is beautiful and it’s so close to the city. A most come if you are visiting the jigoku nearby. Nothing or eat in this area though which was unfortunate.

So, my friend and I visited this onsen after we went to all seven of the hells of Beppu. This onsen is near the last two Jigoku. I highly recommend this onsen. It's tucked away in a mountains a bit and feels detached from all the super touristy onsens in Beppu. Staff were very kind and helpful. When you arrive, you first have to buy a ticket from the machine. It costs 300 yen for an adult. If you don't being your own towl, shampoo, conditioner, etc. you'll need to purchase them from the machine like I did. The bath area was very clean and well kept. If I ever visit Beppu again, I will definitely go to this onsen again!

It's a clean and nice onsen. Also, you can enjoy your time in a steam sauna. But you should bring your shampoo and body soap. If you want to dry your hair you have to put 30 yen coins into a machine and can use for 3 minutes

Great bargain local onsen! Entrance ¥210 (¥1620 for the private bath/max 4 people). You need to bring your own shampoos and towel (otherwise you can buy amenities ~¥50 - ¥160). Operating time 07:00 - 20:00, there is parking. You can't see your stuff while bathing, lockers available for ¥100. Situated towards the mountain, it's a popular onsen with many locals. Onsen stamp at the reception. Five places to wash up with mirror, shower head and stools (during the busy time you might need to wait for a bit to get your place). Two medium size indoor pools (normal temperature and hot), a nice really hot steam sauna and a mild temperature, small size outdoor pool with rocks (for after the sauna). Excellent bargain for the price, recommended. Gensen kakenagashi, simple spring (sauna sodium-hydrogen carbonate spring).

Historically interesting onsen, cheap and frugal (no soap). The outside pool is uncomfortably small during busy days.

Onsen a little further in; hard to find at night. Really cheap to enter but you have to bring your onsen kit and all to wash up. Nice facility; just a little old looking. There are both indoor and outdoor onsen, and a sauna.

It was our first trip with our 18-month-old baby, and we had a truly wonderful time. The staff were very friendly, and the variety of facilities kept us entertained throughout our stay. Enjoying delicious meals with a great view was also a healing experience for us as parents. We would love to come back again, this time with our parents.

The 宙館hotel room is new and clean with modern design. The bed is comfortable. We are travelling as a family of 5 including one baby. When I booked the room, I mentioned it’s 3 adults, 1child and 1 infant. Just 3 bottles of water is given. There is only two adult and two children tooth brushes in the bathroom so one adult need to use the kid one. The onsen is good on the 13/F 宙館. The most disappointed part is the dinner part. When I checked in, I noticed there is nicer restaurant in 宙館, so I asked the front desk if I can pay more to go to the closer restaurant as I travel with a baby. The front desk said no. I explained that I couldn’t choose the nicer restaurant when I make the reservation. The front desk staff said we cannot change even I m willing to pay more. Anyway, we went to the ceada palace to have dinner. The place is really crowded, the air conditioning is not working well n feeling too hot inside, There is no napkin provided. The most important is the food quality is not good either. We don’t enjoy eating there at all. In a conclusion, we haven’t been visited the hotel 10years ago and our experience was really good so we come back again, but this time is so disappointed about paying 96,000 yen for one night in exchange not very fun experience. I won’t recommend my friend to come.

One of the best hot spring hotels in Beppu, this place offers an exceptional experience for visitors. We stayed at the newest hotel building, Hoshi, which opened in late January 2025 and boasts modern facilities with a luxurious touch. The Hoshi building is designed for convenience, allowing guests to enjoy a buffet breakfast and dinner in the same building. The buffet featured a variety of local dishes and fresh seafood, prepared with care and full of authentic flavors. The dessert section was impressive, offering a wide range of options that were not only plentiful but also incredibly delicious. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the sunrise views from the hotel were absolutely breathtaking, adding a magical touch to our stay. Whether you're looking for great food, stunning views, or a relaxing hot spring experience, this hotel truly delivers.

This was our fourth time in this hotel, and Sorakan was the best. Our family had the great time from this stay. The food of buffet and the facilities of the hotel are very nice. We'd like to come again soon.

Pros All inclusive pricing (drinks included) Cons Food is mediocre at best, cold grilled fish, not enough variety (this is not a Cesar’s palace) Staff is overwhelmed by the volume of people Taking a van to spa/restaurant in 50 degree weather outside. Takes too long to dine or bath, unless you stay at pricier wing. Room doesn’t have any towel bars except one for the shower door. Don’t offer enough amenities for $200 plus rooms. Not enough chairs for the room. Blind is used for the partition between the sink and the beds, it would wake you. Conclusion Beppu doesn’t offer much lodging to choose from. It is simply a countryside town. Please look carefully when you book.

My friends and I stayed 1 night at Sora Kan, a very new, comfortable, spacious and luxurious room. Food was also excellent. However, the highlight of our stay is the service which was beyond expectations. We had left jackets behind in the room and headed to our next hotel in Fukuoka. Through email, the hotel was quick to respond and assisted with arranging our jackets to be sent over to us at our next hotel! And even more amazing was the packaging of the jackets… neatly folded and bagged! We cannot express enough our sincere gratitude for the customer service team at Suginoi Hotel. Thank you so very much!!!

I visited Sorakan three times in January, April, and December 2024. The guest rooms and large public baths are very nice, and the open-air bath experience is great every time you visit. In particular, the beautiful view of the mountains and sea during the day and the stars at night from the open-air bath are mesmerizing. However, compared to January and April, the meals at 'Dining Sora' in December seemed to be a bit lacking in the variety of food and quality of ingredients. But I am willing to visit again.

The ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa gave me the most unforgettable memories of my entire journey through Japan. From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a view so breathtaking it felt almost unreal — the city and surrounding landscape unfolding far below like a living painting. The hotel’s design is a masterpiece in itself, where every line, texture, and detail has been meticulously curated to create an atmosphere of serene elegance. The spa is nothing short of extraordinary — the most beautiful I have ever experienced in Japan. The staff embody warmth and professionalism, elevating every interaction into something memorable. Breakfasts here are an indulgence to savor, and each meal is a flawless blend of flavor, artistry, and freshness. This is not simply a place to stay — it is an experience that lingers in your heart long after you leave. I will undoubtedly return.

Room: Clean, spacious, and comes with a private onsen. The suite includes a free minibar with all kinds of alcohol, even generous Regent selections. Service: All staff can speak English and are very friendly. The service is quick, and what surprised me most is that they even offer fruit cutting service. Location: Very close to Umi Jigoku, which is convenient for sightseeing. Transportation: The hotel provides pickup and drop-off service. You just need to email them to confirm. Since the car only has four seats, if there aren’t enough seats, they’ll arrange a taxi instead and cover the cost. Their onsen is excellent, with a beautiful night view of Beppu. I recommend going before dinner, around 6 to 7 pm, when it’s quiet and sometimes you can have the whole place to yourself.

I stayed here about four months ago, and I still find myself thinking back to that incredible experience. The onsen was absolutely world-class—the view from the outdoor bath alone was worth the trip. It was peaceful, luxurious, and truly unforgettable. Room service was another highlight: not only was the pricing surprisingly reasonable for a hotel of this level, but the food was genuinely delicious and exceeded expectations. What stood out the most, however, was the staff. Every single person we encountered was kind, professional, and attentive. I especially want to thank an employee named Lee—I was struggling with Japanese, but he kindly approached me in Korean, helped me right away, and even remembered my name throughout my stay. That small gesture meant so much to me and made me feel truly welcome. I can’t wait to return. In fact, thanks to this amazing stay, I’ve even signed up for the InterContinental membership. Highly, highly recommended.

One of the best intercontinentals in Japan! Amenities and services are top tier. Staff are all caring and helpful. Thanks for making our Bepou trip great! Onsen has great views and doesn’t smell like sulfur. The only thing I think the hotel can improve is food. Breakfast has very limited choice. Club lounge has some extra choices for breakfast but after we stayed here for 4 days it kinda ran out of options. Afternoon tea and night cocktail at lounge were not impressive either. Hopefully the hotel can improve the food section then it will be a perfect resort in Beppu! We look forward to coming back again.

We had an absolutely amazing stay at ANA InterContinental Beppu! From the moment we booked, the hotel went above and beyond—reaching out before our arrival to arrange a pickup at Beppu Station, which made our journey seamless. The staff were incredibly warm, welcoming, and always ready to help. We stayed in a room with an onsen right in our room, and it was pure bliss! Every detail felt thoughtful and luxurious. Exploring Beppu was made even easier thanks to the staff, who kindly arranged taxis for us when our Uber app didn’t work (and when we struggled to pronounce some locations!). Their kindness and attentiveness truly stood out. The hotel features two beautiful hot springs that alternate between male and female guests daily, allowing for a fresh experience each day. Breakfast was included with our stay, and the selection was fantastic—freshly made omelets, great coffee, and a wide variety of delicious options. We also dined at Atelier, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, and the fixed menu was simply phenomenal. Every course was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Overall, this stay was unforgettable, and we can’t wait to return. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Beppu!

Yamada, her service at the lounge was nothing short of exceptional. An incredibly attractive and meticulous approach that truly stands out. Not only was careful in every detail, but she also had the perfect balance; thoughtful and sweet without being overbearing. Her care made my experience exceptional, and I genuinely enjoyed every moment because of it. Truly impressive!

I recently stayed at ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa and had an absolutely wonderful experience. From the moment I checked in, the service was warm, attentive, and genuine. Although there was no twin suite available on my first night, the staff kindly helped arrange an upgrade for my extended stay. The communication was smooth and thoughtful, which made me feel very welcomed and well taken care of. The resort itself is stunning — beautifully designed, tranquil, and offers breathtaking views of Beppu. What really stood out to me, however, was the level of personalized service. One evening when I needed a ride and couldn’t find a taxi outside no bus, the hotel staff quickly assisted me in securing transportation. Small moments like this truly reflect the team’s dedication and care. I’m also grateful for the housekeeping team, who not only kept the room spotless throughout my stay, but even helped return a forgotten item after I checked out — promptly and with great care. Thank you to everyone at ANA InterContinental Beppu for making this stay so special. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

It’s the geyser hot spring. I was lucky enough to visit during “showtime” (when the geyser is most active). And wow, the geyser really spits out a lot of hot pressured water! Unlike the other parks, this one doesn’t have a big hot spring. Only a small one surrounding the geyser. A commonly missed thing about the park is that there’s a garden path behind but most tourists would just gather around the geyser.

Tatsumaki Jigoku is perhaps the smallest of the Seven Hells of Beppu, however it stands out with it's geyser which regularly erupts every 30-40 minutes. There are benches and stone steps set out for people to sit and watch the eruption. There is also a sign next to the geyser explaining when it erupts and more information about it. Tatsumaki Jigoku also has a gift shop, and outside the premises is a toilet block. It was cool to see the geyser erupting, but it was quite a way to get to Tatsumaki Jigoku. I would recommend to anyone that you get the bus or drive to this Hell if you're looking to complete the Hells tour. There's also not a lot to do at this Hell specifically.

Shaded seating available. Got lucky and arrived while the geyser was active. according to signboards, the geyser remains active for 6-10min, then goes dormant for 30-40 minutes before becoming active again - it could have been a long wait. I think the geyser would have been more spectacular if it had been allowed to reach its natural height of ~30m as explained, instead of being covered within a 2-3m structure.

Note: There are certain times it erupts so take some time if you're not sure when. We were just lucky to get there on time but we were in a rush. Nice to look at for a while. Would recommend getting the ticket for all 7 hells as you would save money on it.

This is the most interesting in the sense that it is erupting. Also, as it only erupts every 30-40 mins, if you are unlucky, you might have to wait a while. We were lucky and reached there when it was erupting and the staff did not even took tickets from us and just hurried us to go in and view. So nice and trusting!

Pretty cool if you want to a geyser, the hot spring is pretty small but it seems that the geyser is active at pretty reliable times so you’re quite sure to see it spew! Pretty far away from the rest of the hells so not recommended if you’re short on time.

Functioning geyser contained in an artificial rock wall for safety. Worth seeing once. May have to wait up to 30 minutes for a 10-minute eruption. Part of the Seven Hells of Beppu so should be seen to complete the set.

Horrendous Experience! Insect Overload! Background We booked one night at this hotel, including a Kaiseki dinner and a Japanese-style breakfast. The total cost was 5,449 HKD (around 702 USD or 619 EUR). Pros • The Kaiseki dinner was delicious. Cons 1. Rushed Dining Experience In the email, we were informed that the last order time was 7:30 PM. We arrived promptly at 7:00 PM and were asked to dine before checking in, which was fine. The Kaiseki dinner consisted of 9 courses, served individually. However, the waitress repeatedly brought the next dish before we finished the current one. I politely asked her to slow down, but the pace didn’t change. When I asked again, she blamed us for being late, claiming the last order time was 7:00 PM. I showed her the email confirming the 7:30 PM cutoff, and she apologized, asking me to ring a bell when ready for the next dish. This rushed experience took away from the enjoyment of the meal. 2. Spiders and Insects in the Room We booked the Seaside Maisonette, which features both indoor and outdoor hot springs separated by glass and a net panel to keep insects out. The indoor hot spring area also contains the shower-there is no other shower or bath in the room. When I undressed to enjoy the hot spring, which was supposed to be the highlight of our trip, I was horrified to find the room infested with insects: 4 spiders, several flying insects, and many crawling on the walls! I was frightened but had no choice but to shower with insects all around me. After showering, I hesitated to enter the hot spring because there were 3 spiders there as well. When I finally stepped in, the water was scalding hot and burned me. There should definitely be a warning sign about the water temperature and instructions to test it before entering. We called the hotel to report this, and they offered to move us to another room. My husband checked the new room first and confirmed the glass and net panels were tightly closed, with no visible insects. However, I was too traumatized to use the hot spring again during our stay. 3. Insects in the New Room After moving, I thought we were free from insects-but I found 2 spiders in the new room: one upstairs and one downstairs. My husband caught them, but I still felt uneasy throughout the night. 4. Lack of Front Desk Response The next day, I expected the front desk staff to acknowledge our terrible experience and offer some form of apology or care, but they said nothing about the previous night’s issues. 5. Disappointing Breakfast The Japanese-style breakfast was bland, and the fish contained many bones, making it difficult to enjoy. Summary While the Kaiseki dinner was tasty, the rushed service, insect infestation, scalding hot spring water, and lack of customer care made this stay extremely disappointing. I cannot recommend this hotel based on our experience.

One of the best hotels that we've stayed in. Fantastic dining experience. Rooms are clean and all details (including covers for outdoor slippers) are attended to. The staff is friendly and many are fluent in English. Very quiet hotel with lots of parking. We will definitely stay there again.

One of the nicest hotels I have stayed in while traveling Japan. Beppu was an amazing city and this hotel made it even better. The staff were extremely friendly and took care of all my needs. The room was phenomenal, it was comfortable, large, and had an onsen and patio. You can totally bug out here on a romantic getaway. The breakfast was also delicious and they had so much variety. I highly recommend you stay here during your visit it's worth every penny.

Great experience onzen with the panoramic ocean view. Quiet place suitable for resting relaxing. I love.

disappointed stay here with onsen didn't work in the morning. i can't imagine this is the "surprise" we got from this luxury hotel.

Booked a Seaside Masionette in Dec 22 and it was a real treat. The room was two stories with enough space for 4 pax. The hotel does not have any public bath as every room has their own private onsen bath which was really convenient. Breakfast is in the sister hotel next door (sekai). There are two options for dinner which you can state prior before arriving. The hotel does not provide any pick up service from Beppu station. It is nearer BeppuDaigaku station but it is not too expensive to get a cab. Really enjoyed the experience.

We stayed in antique villa and the place wsa so nice to stay. Villa has a private onsen and garden. cozy and fabulous. We had breakfast at Matsuhide, in house restraunt, foods and service was very good. Actually we had dinner at Eitarou, sister restraunt, while staying. Compared to Matsuhide, dinner at Eitarou was terrible rxperience since the rice bowl had stones and the serving person had attitude problems I can"t believe Eitarou is a fine restraunt. I recommand Matsuhide for meals than Eitarou.

Great spot to get away from the city and enjoy Kyushu nature in an easy way. I was here on a hot summer day so it is so cool and refreshing up in the mountain. I wish I have brought picnic mats and lunch with me. I do recommend people stay for 1-2 hours to climb to the top, siting quietly in the forest solely feels nice too.

It's a missable attraction. And that's coming from someone who loves these kind of funny transport things. The view at the top is nice don't get me wrong but there's literally nothing to do once your up there other than catch the view and then head back down. The gondola has quite a cool retro vibe as well which is nice but yeah it's not a must but if you happen to be passing and have some time to kill its more fun than sitting on your hands. Also when I went it was pretty empty but they were still running every 20min so I had very little wait. If there was any kind of waiting or crowds I honestly wouldn't bother unless you know what your doing

Fabulous couple of hours spent here. After hoping off the ropeway at the top, we hiked that little bit further to reach the top even though I was wearing inappropriate shoes. The views are breathtaking. Well worth the effort to get to and money well spent.

The Beppu Ropeway is easily accessible, taking only about 40 minutes by bus from Beppu City. The ride up Mount Tsurumi is quick and offers amazing panoramic views of Beppu Bay and the city's steaming landscape, with spectacular scenery year-round. ​The 15-minute hike from the upper station to the 1,375m summit is definitely worth it for the full 360-degree vista. At the top, you can follow a short, interesting unique pilgrimage path to visit shrines dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods. Totally rewarding new experience

Fun activity if you're in the are, it offers amazing view of Beppu city. The ride up takes about 10 minutes and there is a small gift shop along with a walking track for visiting the 7 deities . It gets very windy at the top so hold on to your hats!

Great place to be if you want to feel nature. After riding the cable car, there’s a mountain and a pilgrimage you can explore. Would definitely check out if you are in Beppu!

No crowd today when we got there before 4pm. The ride up to the top took about 10 minutes and the view going up was fantastic. However at the top, it was blustery and very cold (-2C) and the conditions (over cast and misty) didn't allow a clear view of the scenery but can imagine it would be really lovely on a clear day. I was lucky to see some hoar snow on the ground when we climbed up to the top ! I'm glad I went but I'm not sure about my partner who found it too cold!

Its more of an animal farm rather than an attraction. Entry was 500 yen.

Such a sad place. Honestly if I was Japanese I would denounce them to the authorities. The animals are crowded, dirty, and visibly depressed. The smell of excrement is overpowering. The lone geyser is small and unimpressive. Totally overpriced but also just so incredibly disturbing to visit. We sped through to get out of there. Maybe the saddest thing was the lone goat tied to a post near the exit. This place is just inhumane and cruel. It needs to be shut down. I’m so sad after visiting.

Came here to see the capybara (which they do have). Walking into the small animal area was heartbreaking as there was a dead bunny right when you walked in surrounded by alive bunnies crammed into a small space. Then there are the guinea pigs which are crammed into an even smaller area, panting because of the high heat with no way to cool off. Almost all of them looked sick or had something wrong with them.

Here, look for the mountain by name. I don't know where I am. The surrounding area is like a small zoo zone. Where many animals live together. If you want to get close, you can also buy food for the little ones.

This place is miserable. Their water is dried up and they are in beyond cramped conditions. They are visibly depressed, i wish i checked the reviews before coming in. In Australia this place would be shut down, those poor poor animals. They are straight lazy enclosures, the goats keep escaping from their tiny closure and they were ravaging the tufts of weeds and grass which was the only nice thing i saw in there was their moments of freedom. This ruined my day. I do not recommend anyone support them

It’s a very small zoo. It took around 30mins to get here from the station. There was just 1 sad and lonely capybara and it wasn’t even in the onsen.

A very small zoo, in which the animals are not kept well. On the day we visited it was over 30 degrees celcius, and there was a baby goat on a short leash at the entrance. He was there at least for 5 hours as we visited the Hells, and he kept calling for his mom every time we saw him. He had no food, no companions and had to stand on concrete the entire day. Do not visit this zoo for the sake of the animals.

Really nice "designed" hotel. The staff speak the best English of any we have stayed at in Japan to date. There was a wonderful arrangement for free soft drinks in the restaurant each day from 3pm that went through to 10:00pm. If you wanted alcohol you pay a one off 1000yen. A fantastic idea. The onsens and roof top pool were first class... And all this is only a 5 minute walk from the train station

I really liked this place. It’s less than a five-minute walk from Beppu Station and in a super convenient spot. The room was nice and pretty big. They give you a toothbrush, which is great, but I was hoping for a few more things like a brush or washing towel. Maybe they had them and I just didn’t notice or ask. I didn’t try the public bath since I wasn’t sure if tattoos were allowed, but my room had a decent-sized bathtub anyway. And since it’s Beppu, there are plenty of onsens around the city to check out. My only tiny complaint is there wasn’t a trash can near the bathroom sink or toilet. The breakfast buffet was really good and definitely an experience. You get to see all kinds of people there—some go all out since it’s all-you-can-eat, but it’s fun to watch. The staff were super nice and helpful. I’d definitely stay here again the next time I’m in Beppu.

Really great experience. I love that they give you kimonos upon checking in and also have jinbeis in the rooms. The hotel is beautiful, the gym was great, the the rooftop pool/sauna/jacuzzi was amazing. You get such a nice view of Beppu, the mountains and ocean from the pool. Even on a cloudy day it was beautiful. One thing that bummed me out was that I wanted to go for a swim before my late checkout but the pool is closed from 10am-1pm (or something like that?? Basically from the usual check out time to the check in time the pool is closed). Also loved that it was so close to the station and YouMe town💖

We loved our stay. Best rooftop pool I’ve ever been in, great views at all times of day. Best city onsen I’ve been to as they don’t tint/obscure the view for modesty, so great views while you soak! Awesome breakfast, large and clean room, and efficient service, and 5 min walk from the train. Couldn’t have asked for more. Only negative was that there were some noisy Americans staying there.

This was the best accommodation we stayed in during our entire Japan trip. Amazing views in every direction from the rooftop, where the infinity pool, sauna and hot tub are located. Mountain views from the public onsen, which offers both inside and outside bathing areas. You can also see the steam from the hells (geysers) from the rooftop and onsen. Services like in-room massage and food are available for an extra free, as well as morning breakfast buffet for about 3,300 yen, and unlimited alcohol from 14h-22h for 1,000 yen. Free afternoon coffee/latte, tea and orange juice is available from 14h-22h. Pyjamas/loungewear and yukata & obi are also provided for use during your stay, as well as towels.

Amanek was a good and value for money hotel overall. Staff were professional and polite. Rooms was nice and clean. There is also washing machine and dryer in the hotel. The alcohol selection at the lounge area/restaurant were nice. Hotel was also located < 10 minutes away from Beppu station so the location was great too.

This place has enough vegan food in its breakfast buffet for a hearty breakfast! So rare in Japan. We had soy milk, granola (made a cereal bowl with it and soy milk), tofu, soy meat curry, rice, veggie and mushroom tempura, vegan pancakes, strawberry jam, and coffee. The onsen is nice and wasn't busy at all despite there being a lot of guests. The water was quite warm and I had an amazing ocean and city view from the men's onsen. The onsens are segregated by gender and there are no private ones available. The only downside woth this hotel is there are a mere 6 total washing machines for all the guests and it was very competitive to do laundry, though we succeeded twice (second time was at 5:30 in the morning and it wasn't very competitive). Laundry is 600 yen and it accepts ONLY denomination 100 yen coins (not 500, not 50, etc).

I booked a two-night stay, expecting a relaxing and quiet experience. Unfortunately, there was construction noise throughout the entire day, and the room was not soundproof, I could hear water running constantly. The hotel did not inform me about the ongoing construction, and the machines were not functioning properly. Overall, it was not a great experience.

This place is fantastic! The staff are WONDERFUL and sooo helpful. Some of them speak a little English and have translation apps. Maria is the most helpful since she can speak English well enough. Opting for the onsen in the room is the best. Views are great as well as the food. I would definitely come back.

We just stayed at Sekiya Resort Terrace Midoubaru Oct. 1 to Oct. 4, 2025 and it was really wonderful. We really felt a combination of a traditional ryokan with modern style and luxurious bathrobes and linens. The rooms were spacious with a simple and beautiful design. We loved the seaside view and the private onsen bath. We enjoyed wearing our yukatas to dinner. The meals were locally sourced and very very special. The food was so beautifully displayed, so delicious and explained well. The massage service was great. Most of all, the people were so kind and helpful. We really appreciated all of the staff, especially Maria-san and Korogi-san who went above and beyond to help us with transportation and making special accommodations for our group of elderly folks (Seven 70-85 year olds!). Thank you so much!

Beautiful old ryokan, with breathtaking views. The service was so great, we felt like royalty the way we were received. As Dutch tourists the raw squid at dinner and other raw fish at breakfast was a little bit much outside our comfort zone, but that's all part of the fun. Just be aware if you're not so adventurous. Also the public bath was kinda small, but you can use the nice bath in your room with your loved one or as we also did: visit the bath inside Beppu for an hour. The views from the room are great, some things look a little dated, but we didn't mind. Would recommend a visit.

Staff were very nice and welcoming. Welcome drinks and light dessert were served upon arrival. The interior designs and the room we stayed were very spacious, tidy and neat. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious and of great variety. This hotel certainly succeeded in providing a relaxing and serene environment to people who wanted an escape from the daily busy living!

Tips: avoid room 101 and 102 as the view of the cityscape is partially blocked by the common bath building. Room was big, tastefully furnished with Japanese and modern elements. Having a private Onsen was a great experience. The hotel property can be quite tricky to reach for those driving as it is nested among a residential area with narrow and confusion roads.

If you're driving to Beppu, Terrace Midoubaru is a tranquil place to retreat to with a lovely view of Beppu Bay & the city. Without a car, it might be hard to get to. The rooms are well designed and spacious. I wish we had more time to enjoy coffee/tea on the balcony to soak in the view. The private onsen is definitely a key feature of the room, but the only downside to it is that it felt weird/awkward at night when the lights are on and there isn't a privacy screen option. Despite being away from the city, there are still some homes in visible distance. And, with the window opened, you can hear traffic as well from the highway. The shared onsen is small, but is against a floor-to-ceiling window that opens up to allow fresh air in. Breakfast/Dinner were exquisite, featuring local ingredients where possible. There was an abundance of food but without too much excess (only posting a few photos), each dish intentionally prepared and tasty. You can order drinks at dinner; We ordered local sake tasting. We really enjoyed the service as well. Staff spoke English well, which is a bonus. Wakana served us at dinner and we had a lovely chat about Beppu and what there is to offer. (@Wakana - Thank you for the conversation & recommendations in Beppu! We enjoyed the shiitake mushroom ice cream very much)!

Start by taking a queue number at the reception. Then line up to select your order from the machines. Make payment there. Wait till your number is called by the reception prior to handing your meal tickets to them. This will be followed by getting timers from them and collecting your food. Followed the number indicated to head to the steamer area. Staff will hand you protective gear to insert the food into the steamer. When the timer rings, head back to collect the food. Extra costs for different types of sauces. Yuzu pepper sauce tasted good. Free seating. Credit card allowed. Free parking

Awesome unique experience. Glad i was there with few people, so when i arrived i was able.to order immediately. To my rush, i ordered a meal for 2 :( Steamed foods are fresh and taste good. My only critique is that eventhough i don't order meal with shrimp. It tasted and smells like shrimp. But overall i had fun experience here

Food was ok but the waiting time was long. First, you get a queue number. Then you order you food on the ticket machine. And you wait for you queue to be called. While purchasing the food, you need to purchase the mandatory basket for steaming 🤔. When your number is called, you present your food tickets and collect your food. Then proceed to the steam counters to have your food steam for 15 mins. Limited parking lots available and there isn't any paid parking nearby. For the novelty of steaming your own food, ok la. Otherwise, there's better food options around the area. 😉

That sounds like such a unique and fun dining experience! A restaurant where you can steam your own food using hot spring water is definitely something special. It combines the joy of cooking with the excitement of trying something new. The process of ordering from ahř⁶ vending machine, collecting your food, and then steaming it yourself adds a personal touch to the meal

Came on Sunday and parking was difficult. We made many turns and finally saw some people leaving the parking. We had to take a number which is 90mins wait. With that, we can order our meals and wait for our turn to collect food for steaming. I find the food alright. Prawns seemed over cooked.

Enjoyed this place where you can steam your own food with the geothermal steam from the hot spring. Just purchase the meal coupons (I ordered set 2 and 17) and a ¥40 steaming fee coupon from the vending machine and get a number from the reception. When your number is called, pass your meal coupons to the counter and they will prepare the ingredients for you. It’s free-seating so after securing your seat, you bring your tray of ingredients to the steaming area according to the number on the timer provided. There, the staff will guide you through the process of wearing thick gloves and steaming your food for about 15 mins. They provide salt and ponzu as complimentary condiments but if you prefer other condiments like sesame sauce, you’ll need to add additional ¥200 per sauce.

Love the steamed food here despite expecting the place to be gimmicky & mid, experience is definitely fun & interesting for visitors. Would definitely recommend to anyone coming to try their cheese fondue (16)!

Beppu Tower is truly one of the iconic landmarks of Beppu. Even on a rainy or foggy day, the atmosphere around the tower is incredibly romantic and mysterious. At times, it appears to glow in shades of pink, and other times it looks purple, giving off a nostalgic Showa-era vibe that’s both charming and slightly surreal. Originally built in 1957, Beppu Tower was designed by the same architect who designed the famous Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka. Standing at 100 meters tall, it served as a symbol of Japan’s postwar optimism and development. Though modest in size compared to modern towers, it still holds historical and emotional value for locals and visitors alike. Admission to the observation deck is around 800 yen,especially if you’re looking for something a little nostalgic and off the beaten path in Beppu.

This is a fantastic place to drink at night. They sell alcohol at the observation deck on the 17th floor, and there are tables and benches around the floor at which you can drink. A VIP view for drinking at convenience store prices.

What you need to know: •Fee 800Yen at 17th floor. •Location This sits right at the corner of the street, not hard to find. It’s a good 9 min walk from Beppu station. •View I have not been to the Global Tower but this seems to be a better option since it has 360-view and you will see the smokes from a distance and the mountain view and ocean. You can see suspended bridges that connect mountains. Will be great at sunset and evening. I came here when it’s cloudy. •Time The museum closes admission at 4:30pm, so visit this first. The tower is open until 9pm •Food and Nearby spots there’s a beach park behind and a easy to spot yakiniku restaurant. :)

Nice view during the day. Friendly people. Lots of unique souvenirs for Beppu. You can use their binoculars for a fee to see closer.

Beppu Tower is an iconic landmark in the city of Beppu, so I had to go to the top. Whilst it's not as tall as some of the other towers of Japan, Beppu's views are stunning. You've got the sea, the city and the mountains, all in one view. There are plenty of benches and places to sit, as well as a small gift shop, vending machines, and claw machines. The staff were very friendly. On the lower floor, there was also a space walk area, and a floor piano section which was fun. I got tickets for Beppu Tower included in my Beppu Excursion Pass, though you can also buy a ticket at the tower itself via a vending machine.

Good place to experience a high rise view of the city! Not the biggest place ever but i enjoyed the neon lights and view there!

We are staying in the capsule hostel in beppu tower and it is so lovely. Very modern clean and staff are very helpful. We had a sauna and jacuzzi with incredible views! Highly recommend this place. It was spacious with very comfortable beds. Couldn't have found a better place to stay!

If you love a good view, this is a must go. Even better than the Beppu port tower which overlooks the sea. Global tower is 100m tall with a single elevator leading up to a glass deck with no roof. On a windy day it can be scary, but I managed to convince a friend who was afraid of heights to go up and they had a great time. The views are simply stunning on a good day, you can see the steam rising up from the Jigoku Hells in the distance, as well as most of Beppu's major landmarks. It was so nice that we spent 2 hours up there, while everyone else came for five minutes and then went back down. Most of the time we were the only ones up there. The entry is 300 yen for adults and you get a postcard too. Be aware that there are no restrooms on the tower, the nearest one is in the nearby underground parking lot which is not part of the tower. The location is next to Beppu Park, but is about 25 minutes walk from Beppu Station through residential neighborhoods.

It's not a place you can spend an hour on, but it is worth visiting in the morning or evening; it is up to you if you love taking photos in the morning! If I ever revisit, i will choose winter (best snowing ); you can see all the smoke coming out from different onsens in the whole city, it must be fascinating sense. Underground parking is a few hundred yen per person, and there are only two small floors, both accessible via lift.

A must visit place in Beppu, It's within walking distance from Beppu station. I only happened to know the place because I took a loop bus & saw this magnificent structure, decided to get off at the next bus stop. Ticket box is at the botton of the tower.

It might be the better option than Beppu Tower for those who want to see all around the city. The thing is… I couldn’t find people except few people for it doesn’t have A/C even in the elevator. It was about 34 degrees (93.2F) on that day. Extremely hot without A/C is not acceptable for the tourists. Fortunately, it was comparatively cool on top of the tower. If it’s not extremely hot or cold, this place could be a good place to stop by!

The best place to see the whole Beppu from 100-meter high. The entry fee is surprisingly pretty cheap, only 300 yen per person. I came back here during onsen matsuri to watch the Ougiyama fire, and it was free!

Good view of the city. 300yen ticket to go up.

Awesome place to get a bird's-eye view over Beppu and the harbour. Beppu park is just at the foot of the tower. Admission ticket costs 300 Japanese Yen for adults. The elevator stops at both platforms: 96 m and 100 m, but you can also use the stairs between them. I recommend going there at sunset, so you can get a night image of Beppu city as well. The Global Tower is designed as part of a building complex which hosts a famous convention hall.

Very nice japanese castle. It's small but worth the stop! The entry free is 300¥ and a staff member will present you the guardian of the castle. Then you can visit by yourself and appreciate the beautiful interior.

I have been to so many castle during my Japan tour. I have to said that this one was very special. The building itself is a little small, but it felt so alive with the painted wall and all the old decorations ☺️ You also get a very beautiful view of the city. I highly recommend to stop there during your visit in Beppu! 😊 Thank you for offering such a nice place to visit! どうもありがとう！

Not a very big castle but it offers a marvelous view of the city and the sea. Watch out for the big fish tank at the entrance 😉. The castle inside is quite interesting but only limited access

A lovely small castle experience in Kanawa, Beppu! The entrance fee was 300 yen, and I even got a short guided tour. I don’t speak Japanese, but the guide was very kind and used printed English notes to explain each part. You can even touch a snake there, which was unexpected but fun! From the top, there’s a beautiful view over Kanawa, perfect for taking photos of the rising steam from the hot springs. A charming little stop if you’re exploring the area.

Great place. The original castle was destroyed and they built a replacement. Require a little walk from the bus station. After you get the ticket, the japanese guide with an english note book will take you for the tour around the first floor, and after the guide completes his explanation he will let you explore around at your own pace. Great view of the beppu city. Can even see oita city across the bay in good weather.

Huge shoutout for this place. I was in a hurry for observation tower but was passing by this castle and decided to check it out. The hill is very steep though but still it’s like 5 min walking only. Entrance 300 yen only, very kind staff showed me around and he had simple notes in English, so at least you have basic understanding what’s around you. Yes, they have white python I guess as symbolic protector of the castle (?). The top of the castle has observation area- absolutely stunning view! I didn’t need to go to any other place to make picture of steam above the city- 360 degree from the castle roof - more than enough. Highly recommended!

Requires a small walk or a car to reach but gives views of the whole city, admission is cheap and they very nice staff who speak a little English but have note books you can read from. The castle as likes white snakes and has one preserved as well as a live one which is kept in a mesh bag during the day. That was the singular down point of the whole experience but would recommend spending half an hour if you are on that’s side of town.

Highly recommend this steam bath! A bit small, but nice and cozy. The steam room smelled great and my skin was left feeling smooth.

I did the steam thing. You go in to a room through a low door that you can't stand up in. It has straw on the floor and you wear a yukatta while you get 'steamed'. It was a very...dry steaming. Felt more like a sauna or just hot room tbh rather than a proper steam room. You also get chucked out after 10mins. Then you can use the main hot bath which is just a normal hot onsen bath.

Friendly and helpful Japanese aunties explained the process with gestures and good humour despite lack of English. Good detox reduced my waist by a few inches! Heaps of sweating!

Woman who helped me was very friendly and patient even though I can’t speak Japanese. She talked me through everything and made sure I did it correctly, as this is my first time at an onsen. Amazing experience. Nice and peaceful. Would definitely return.

I tried steam foot bath, it was so relaxing after a day's walk around Kannawa, the most amazing thing it is free 😂😍. You can choose a lot of steam bath and onsen around, I highly recommend the place when you visit Beppu Oita

Great Onsen and friendly staff! Would have been nice to be able to stay longer in the steam sauna but it's understandable since it's rather small and not many people can enter at the same time.

It’s bored..only see different colors onsen,can’t have hot spring.