2026 First-Timer’s Guide to Beppu: Hells, Hot Springs, and Hidden Surprises
Beppu was the first stop on my back-to-back-to-back onsen hopping adventure in Kyushu, followed by Yufuin and Kurokawa. Technically, there would be 4th ‘back’
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Beppu was the first stop on my back-to-back-to-back onsen hopping adventure in Kyushu, followed by Yufuin and Kurokawa. Technically, there would be 4th ‘back’
Yufuin was stop two of my back-to-back-to-back onsen escapade in Kyushu. After taking the overnight Sunflower Ferry from Osaka to Beppu, which technically would be a 4th ‘back‘
To kick off my first trip to Kyushu, the southwestern most of Japan’s main islands, I did to do a back-to-back-to-back onsen-hopping trip stopping at Beppu, Yufuin, and Kurokawa –
Most first-time visitors to Japan build their itineraries around Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with maybe an added stop to Hiroshima or Himeji to check off the famous castle.
On my latest trip to Japan, I traveled to Hokkaido and the northernmost parts of Honshu, in search of unique onsen (“hot springs”) bathing experiences.
I have a fascination with bathing cultures around the world. The Scandinavians have their invigorating saunas and polar plunges and the Middle East, its fragrant and decadent Hammams.
In March, I spent two days relaxing in a small village called Shiba Onsen. There, I completed a local tradition of visiting all nine public bathhouses and getting a stamp at each one on a special towel.