brown and black house on rock formation near body of water

Beppu

Beppu is a hot-spring city on Kyushu, known for seven boiling springs to view, more than 150 onsen to bathe in, and food steamed over hot spring vents.

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Beppu is a hot-spring city on the west end of Beppu Bay, in Ōita Prefecture on Kyushu, one of Japan's main islands. Beppu is known for its onsen: the city has eight main hot spring areas, called Beppu Hattō, and more than 150 onsen facilities open for bathing. Its more than 2,300 sources make up about a tenth of Japan's total. More than 8 million tourists have visited the city each year.

The Hells of Beppu are seven boiling springs you view but do not bathe in. Five sit in Kannawa within walking distance of each other, and Umi Jigoku is known for its cobalt-blue water. Between sights, try a sand bath at Hyotan Onsen or jigoku-mushi, food steamed over hot spring vents in Kannawa. August is the hottest month at about 26.2°C, January the coldest at about 4.3°C, and September the wettest, so bring a rain jacket then. The Beppu Jigoku Meguri sightseeing bus runs five times a day from Beppu Station and takes about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Beppu in five

Buy the Hells combined ticket at your first stopSeven hells for ¥2,400 (adults), valid the day you buy it and the next day, one entry each. The hells open 8:00–17:00 every day.Beppu Hells guide
Split the hells between Kannawa and ShibasekiFive hells sit close together in Kannawa. The other two, Chinoike and Tatsumaki, are in Shibaseki, a short bus ride away. Buses from Beppu Station take about 15–20 minutes to Kannawa.
Look at the hells, soak elsewhereThe hells are boiling ponds and mud pools you view, not baths. For a soak, use a public onsen, a sand bath or the bath at your ryokan.
Stay a night for an evening soakBeppu has eight onsen districts, known as Beppu Hatto. A day trip from Fukuoka leaves little time to bathe; one night in a ryokan or business hotel with a bath fixes that.
Add Yufuin as a half dayYufuin, a lake and craft town, is about an hour from Beppu by bus. It works as a half day or as a quieter place for the second night.

Things to do in Beppu

See all attractions in Beppu

a pile of woven baskets sitting next to each other

Museum · BeppuBeppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center

a tall brick tower sitting on top of a lush green field

Viewpoint · BeppuBeppu Tower

Landmark · BeppuOniishi Bozu Jigoku

Our things to do guide for Beppu

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BeppuPut the places you like in Beppu on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Getting there: Sonic express from Hakata, about 2–2.5 hours
Getting around: Local buses to Kannawa and Shibaseki; walk in the center
Best base: Near Beppu Station for buses; Kannawa for steam and ryokan
Time needed: 1 day for the hells; 1 night to soak properly
Hells ticket: Adults ¥2,400, children ¥1,200; 8:00–17:00, open daily Read more

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cold, steamy
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Blossom late
AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Cherry blossom
MayRain12 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Golden Week
JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Rainy season
JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Hot, humid
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hottest, typhoons
SeptemberRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Typhoon risk
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Clear, mild
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Autumn color
DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold, warm baths

Average daily high and low in Beppu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Beppu

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 7°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 10 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Beppu

07:37 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+9

Today19°15°2%Tuesday: Clear. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 2%.
Wed19°16°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 8%.
Thu21°18°71%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 71%.
Fri20°13°22%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 22%.
Sat15°9°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun17°10°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 2%.

Updated 05:31 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY

Amount

Converted to

JPY · Japanese Yen

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Yufuinabout an hour by busA lake, craft shops and small cafes; busiest at midday.
Usukiabout an hour by trainCarved stone Buddhas in the hills and an old merchant quarter.
Fukuokaabout 2–2.5 hours by Sonic expressThe obvious next stop for ramen, yatai and the airport.Read the guide

Before you go to Beppu

Rail from Fukuoka to BeppuSonic express: singles or a passSee pass prices

Beppu and Yufuin toursGuided routes, hells includedCompare day trips

eSIM for JapanData on arrival, no counter queueRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover for visitors to JapanRead the guide

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Rules for Beppu, checked

Check visa and entry rules with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan or the nearest Japanese embassy before you fly.Source
Some medicines are restricted in Japan. Check the Japan Customs website before you pack prescription drugs.Source
Some onsen refuse guests with tattoos. Check the policy at each bath before you go.
Wash at the washing area before you enter a bath, and keep your towel out of the water.
Tipping is not the custom in Japan. Pay the amount on the bill and leave no tip.

All Beppu guides

a group of people standing around a pool of water

Things to doBeppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri): tickets, onsen and etiquetteChecked Oct 3, 2026

Plan around Beppu

Where to stay in Fukuoka

The usual gateway base before or after Beppu.

Read the guide Is the JR Pass worth it?

Price the Sonic and other Kyushu legs first.

Read the guide Best time to visit Japan

Blossom, autumn color, rainy season and typhoons.

Read the guide Best eSIM for Japan

Data plans compared, installed before you fly.

Read the guide

Beppu FAQ

Is Beppu worth visiting?

Yes, if you want onsen. The Beppu Hells are a quick, unusual sight, and the public baths and sand baths are the real draw. If baths do not interest you, a half day is enough.

How many days do you need in Beppu?

One full day covers the seven hells and one bath. Stay a night if you want a ryokan dinner and an evening soak, and add half a day for Yufuin.

How much are the Beppu Hells tickets?

The combined ticket for seven hells is ¥2,400 for adults and ¥1,200 for children, valid the day you buy it and the next day. Each hell allows one entry, and all open 8:00–17:00.

Can you bathe in the Beppu Hells?

No. The hells are scalding ponds, mud pools and steam vents for viewing only. For a soak, use a public onsen, a sand bath or your hotel's bath.

Are tattoos allowed in Beppu onsen?

It depends on the bath. Some accept tattoos, some ask you to cover small ones, and some refuse. Ask before you go, or book a private bath, which many ryokan rent by the hour.

Can you visit Beppu as a day trip from Fukuoka?

Yes, but it is about 2–2.5 hours each way by Sonic express. That leaves time for the hells and one bath. Stay a night to enjoy the town in the evening.