Hot springs resorts are one of the most famous options for accommodations in Japan. Onsen (hot springs) can be large or small, modern or traditional, but all encourage guests to have a great experience.
With thousands of individual hot springs, the city of Beppu in Japan’s Oita Prefecture is considered the Onsen Capital of the World. In the past, the Beppu area was considered a cursed land because of the sulfurous smoke, heat and humidity emitted by the hot springs. Now, it’s a popular location for both domestic and overseas tourists.
Many of the hotels, inns and ryokan located in Beppu have their own onsen baths. Each accommodation offers varying facilities with different price ranges, types of hot springs, and even scenery. There are standard public baths, indoor hot springs, pools designed with stones, and even hot springs with views of the forest or the sea.
Visitors who have never been to onsen or hot springs houses before are advised to read up on the etiquette required before arriving. Getting into a public bath is quite different from bathing at home. Guests enter the public bath nude. No need to worry, though, as the bathing areas are separated between men and women (unless you have booked one of the private springs as a couple). Remove your clothes and store them in a locker in the changing room, then wash your body with soap and rinse off before entering the bath. Do not put your towel in the bath. Don’t stay in the bath for more than 20 minutes to avoid dizziness and dehydration, then leave and rinse off your body again before dressing.
Accommodations in the area are quite affordable, starting from about 3,000 yen. The Kita Ishigaki area of Beppu, located near Beppu Bay, is popular as it is walking distance from Beppu Station. It is also near a bus stop for visitors who want to go sightseeing. Beppu into eight specific hot spring areas named Hamawaki, Beppu, Kankaiji, Myoban, Horita, Shibaseki, Kamegawa and Kannawa. Each area has its own unique history, some of which dating back to the 8th century. In 1924, the eight districts were combined to become Beppu Hattou, the Beppu Eight Hot Springs.
