Zen Meditation Retreat, 3462-4, Toyoka, Hiji-machi Hayami-gun, Oita, 879-1507, Japan (view phone number here)

The closest train station is Bungo Toyooka (3 stops from Beppu station). It is then a 10-minute walk from Bungo Toyooka station to the Beppu Zen Retreat guest house. We are happy to pick you up by car if you tell us your arrival time. Please call us from the station if we are not there when you arrive. Get the phone number here.

Find your essential ARRIVAL and CHECK-IN instructions here.

TYPICAL & RECOMMENDED ROUTES to Beppu Zen Retreat: the short version

Closest Airports: Fukuoka (FUK) and Oita (OIT). We always recommend that you check flights and connections for both airports using flight metasearch engine or a flight comparison website such as Google Flights for the best price and itinerary.

From FUKUOKA Airport: take the direct bus from the airport to Beppu. Before you get to the final destination of Beppu, you should get off at the HIJI bus stop. If you somehow end up in Beppu, don't worry, just take the train 10 minutes to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station)

From OITA Airport: take the direct bus from the airport to Beppu. Before you get to the final destination of Beppu, you should get off at the BEPPU KITAHAMA bus stop just before Beppu. If you somehow end up in Beppu, don't worry, just take the train 10 minutes to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station)

From almost Anywhere in Japan: the train is a popular and convenient choice. Well the train will be slower than air travel for longer distances, many people prefer it because of the very flexible schedule and a pleasant and less stressful approach to travel. Trains in Japan run frequently and constantly except late at night. Consider a Japan Rail Pass to save money if you're traveling extensively by train inside Japan. When asking for the train route or train tickets for longer distances, ask for travel to BEPPU. You will then take a local train from Beppu to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station) the small local station closest to the retreat.

FERRIES are an interesting alternative travel choice from certain destinations. The OSAKA to BEPPU overnight ferry is one of the more popular options here.

Booking Your Transport in Advance?
Of course it's necessary and recommended to book air travel in advance, however, for BUS and TRAIN travel it's not usually necessary to book in advance (except perhaps during “Golden Week” 29 April to 5 May, the biggest travel holiday week in Japan.)
Train: There is generally no need to book your trains in advance. Go to any Japan Rail ticket office. They will determine your most efficient train route at the time you wish to travel. Trains run continuously throughout the day, and there is (almost) always another train coming soon.
Airport Bus: Direct airport buses from either one of the nearest airports will drop you off fairly close to the retreat. These buses run continuously and there's generally no need to book them in advance. Just ask get on the next available bus.

!IMPORTANT! ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN TIMES: 
PREFERRED CHECK IN TIMES ARE 9:00 - 17:30 (9AM-5:30PM)
STRICT LIMIT: 9:00 -21:00 (9AM - 9PM) We do not accept new arrivals after 9pm.
IF YOU NEED TO CHECK IN BETWEEN 5:30PM and 9PM (17:30-21:00) you must make arrangements with the host to beforehand. Your host will contact you by email one or two days before your arrival to confirm your planned check-in time.
If you encounter some unusual delay please call AND email to let us know. In exceptional circumstances, and IF YOU LET US KNOW YOU WILL BE LATE, we can receive you later. (Please do not call or arrive after 23:00 (11pm) as everyone will be sleeping. You will need to make alternative lodging arrangements in this case and arrive at the retreat the following day.)

CHECKOUT TIME/DEPARTURE DAY: before 5 PM (17:00) you may check out anytime before 5 PM. However, if other guests are arriving, you may be asked to vacate your room earlier in the day. Feel free to enjoy the retreat for the day and even stay for lunch, but please note that you may be asked to vacate the room as early as 10 AM. Please be considerate and courteous, regarding cleaning of the room, and possible arrival of other guests on your departure day. We kindly ask that you depart the retreat before 5 PM and do not extend beyond this.

Getting to Beppu Zen Retreat: extended version

From Oita Airport （45-60 minutes）

take the direct bus from the airport destined for Beppu. Before you get to the final destination of Beppu, you should get off at the BEPPU KITAHAMA bus stop just before Beppu. If you somehow end up in Beppu, don't worry, just take the train 10 minutes to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station)
From there you can walk to the retreat, take a taxi, or call us for a ride.
There may be alternate routes by train or by bus. You can also take a taxi from Oita airport if you wish.
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Insider tip…
Should I fly into OITA or FUKUOKA airport?
Although Oita airport (OIT) is closer to the retreat, Fukuoka airport (FUK) may be a better option for international travellers. Fukuoka is an international airport and travel hub for Southern Japan, while Oita is a small domestic airport. Prices and and connections for international flight tend to be much better for FUKUOKA. Be sure to check both!

From Fukuoka Airport（About 2-3 hours) Fukuoka (FUK) is the closest International Airport to the retreat and is the international travel hub for all of Kyushu. If you are arriving internationally and your primary destination in Japan is Kyushu, you are best to search for flights arriving direct to Fukuoka (FUK)

BY BUS: Most Efficient option! Take the direct bus from the Fukuoka airport to Beppu. Before you get to the final destination of Beppu, you should get off at the HIJI bus stop. If you somehow end up in Beppu, don't worry, just take the train 10 minutes to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station)

BY TRAIN:

1. Get from Fukuoka airport to Hakata Station (Fukuoka’s central train station). This is only about 5 minutes on the local subway or you can take a taxi.

2. From Hakata station, go to the ticket office and ask for a ticket to BEPPU. They will determine your most efficient train route at the time you wish to travel. Trains run continuously throughout the day, and there is generally no need to book your trains in advance. There is always another train coming soon.

3. When you arrive at beppu Central Station you should then take the local train 10 minutes to Bungo Toyooka station (3 stops from Beppu station).

4. When at Bungo Toyooka station please call us for a ride or walk to the retreat (about 15 minutes, see walking route map.)

From Elsewhere in Japan…

Tokyo and Osaka: Train travel to the retreat from Tokyo or Osaka is about 7 hours and 4 hours respectively. There are multiple trains throughout the day and tickets can generally be purchased on the day of travel.

There are also flights from many major airports to both Oita and Fukuoka. These can be much less expensive than the train if using the budget airlines, however, limited flight times or fully booked flights on short notice may be a limiting factor. Japan’s standard domestic airlines, JAL and ANA, offer more frequent flights but the cost is similar to, or higher than, the train. We always recommend that you check flights and connections for both airports using flight metasearch engine or a flight comparison website such as Google Flights for the best price and itinerary.

OTHER CITIES: From other major cities in Japan, the situation is similar to that described above for Tokyo and Osaka, although with varying travel times. Be sure to compare all your options for the travel plan that suits you best.

There is generally no need to book your trains in advance. Go to any Japan Rail ticket office. They will determine your most efficient train route at the time you wish to travel. Trains run continuously throughout the day, and there is (almost) always another train coming soon.

Flights Within Japan: Alternately there are inexpensive flights from Tokyo or Osaka directly to Oita on Jetstar.com. These cost about $100USD after all fees and luggage charges. Costs for these flights are highly variable. This link may be useful as well to explore some other Japanese domestic airlines.

Tips and tricks for efficient travel to the retreat…
Should I fly into OITA or FUKUOKA airport to get to the retreat?
Although Oita airport (OIT) is closer to the retreat, Fukuoka airport (FUK) may be a better option for international travellers. Fukuoka is an international airport and travel hub for Southern Japan, while Oita is a small domestic airport. Prices and and connections for international flights tend to be much better for FUKUOKA while Oita is fine for domestic flights. Be sure to check both!
This means: If your main destination in Japan is the retreat and the Kyushu region, and you are coming from another country, you should most likely choose Fukuoka (FUK) as your point of arrival in Japan and then take the train to the retreat. If you are visiting other parts of Japan and have already booked flights into another major flight hub from your country of origin, Oita (OIT) might be a good option for domestic flights. We always recommend that you check flights and connections for both airports using flight metasearch engine or a flight comparison website such as Google Flights for the best price and itinerary.

Connecting through Tokyo or Osaka?
Watch out for change-of-airport requirements when connecting through Tokyo or Osaka! Both of these cities have 2 airports! Making an airport change in these big cities can be quite a hassle. Make sure you are arriving and leaving from the same airport if your flights are on the same day.

In ALL cases, when you plan an itinerary to the retreat, be sure the arrival time allows time to get to the retreat before 9pm, or you will be stuck getting a hotel somewhere.

If this is the case, and your best/cheapest flight packages get you in too late, I can provide additional details on making the best of this situation by staying somewhere interesting and fun.

Are you finding all this a little confusing? Having trouble determining the best way to get to and from the retreat? The best way to travel will depend of what your priorities are (time, cost, comfort) and where else you are planning to go in Japan.
If you would like detailed, personalized travel planning assistance, we can arrange a live video session together HERE.

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