Onsen City - Onsen Life!

A hotspring bathing guide to the city of Beppu and vicinity, Onsen capital of Japan!

The city of Beppu has the highest concentration of “Onsen” or natural hot spring bathing facilities anywhere in the world. Located in Oita prefecture on the southernmost large island of Kyushu, Beppu is a famous tourist center especially well known among Japanese domestic tourists seeking a little rest and regeneration. The unique feature of the natural hot springs of Beppu are the particular mineral contents of the water which are believed to impart special health and healing benefits to bathers.

The term “onsen” simply means “hot spring” in Japanese and always refers to bathing experiences featuring naturally heated volcanic deep ground water. There are also “sento” which are public bath houses where the baths are filled with heated tap water. Onsen are special, the experience and the effects are noticeably different, and the availability of onsen is limited by unique geography offering us the special gift of natural hot spring waters.

By regulation in Japan, in order for a bathing facility to be called an onsen it must be over 25℃ and contain a minimum level of naturally occurring minerals.

Much more than a place to get clean, onsen are a quintessential part of Japanese life and culture and considered an essential part of a good life and healthful living in Japan. “Toji” is the practice of treating illness or injury by soaking in an onsen.

Beppu is undoubtedly the best place in the world to experience onsen culture with an astounding 180 or so individual onsen facilities in the region ranging from the ultra luxurious to free, outdoor, public facilities. There are 8 main Onsen districts in Beppu referred to as “Beppu Hatto”, each district fed by a different primary deep underground spring. These are Beppu, Kanawa, Kankaiji, Myoban, Kamegawa, Shibaseki, Horita and Hamawaki. The mineral content and water quality in each area is noticeably different, and locals usually have their own favourite.

There’s a taboo around tattoos in Japanese onsen culture that stems from a historical association between tattoos and society’s criminal elements, most notably the Yakuza (the traditional Japanese mafia). However absurd this association seems in modern times, many onsen still discriminate openly against tattooed visitors, Japanese or otherwise, often posting large signs letting tattooed people know they are not welcome in any public area of the bath where their tattoos might be visible to other guests. Fortunately, more and more onsen are taking a more progressive and inclusive approach that no longer discriminates, even advertising themselves at “tattoo-friendly”. Here are a few different lists of tattoo-friendly onsen facilities. These are helpful, but not complete or comprehensive, as the situation is always changing. Slowly but surely more and more onsen are choosing tattoo-acceptance. The Onsen Magazine : Tattoo-Friendly - Oita • tattoo-friendly.jp : Oita • Extensive Google Map of Tattoo-Friendly Onsen

Beppu Zen Retreat presents our

Regional Onsen Directory

Ebisuya (Yuya Ebisu)

VISIT WEBSITE / SEE MAP
Tattoos: Allowed
Towels: bring your own OR buy one on site
Shampoo and body soap: provided
Price: 1200 yen

Features: Large complex with a variety of amenities, massage, coffee shop, meditation room, lounge, sauna, indoor and outdoor facilities. The two bathing floors are slightly different and access alternates daily by gender. Unique blue-white water special to the Myoban district.

First floor
・ One indoor cedar wood jacuzzi bath
・ 3 outdoor natural baths
・ traditional Onsen water sauna boxes
・ one cold water plunge bath (one person at a time)
2nd floor
・ multiple indoor baths including special cave bath
・ one semi-outdoor natural bath
・ one large cold water plunge bath, multiple bathers
・ special tourmaline crystal infused bath with view
All-access
・ meditation room
・ coffee shop
・ sauna
・ lounge

Ebisuya is perhaps our favourite onsen in Beppu is located in the well known Myoban area of Beppu located up in the mountains on the outskirts of the city. Its about 30 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by taxi from the Beppu central train station. Tourist and bus information is available in English at the train station.
Why is Ebisuya onsen so special? It is a large, clean, and very well equipped onsen and spa facility that is friendly to foreigners and allows those with tattoos to use the facilities freely. The water quality is excellent, its natural volcanic spring water has a unique blueish hue and offers special health benefits. It’s also in a stunning location with exceptional views overlooking Beppu. It features indoor and outdoor bathing facilities with a lot of variety in temperature and pool type. In addition, there are 2 floors of bathing facilities, both floors being quite different, men and women having access to the different floors on alternating days. Ebisuya also features a convenient coffee shop and an interesting gift shop, a round meditation room with a large crystal formation in the center. For private onsen bathing (individual small bath and private room for families or couples) or overnight stays there is another entrance and reception just a five minute walk down the road (and lower down the mountain).

Beppu Suginoi Hotel

VISIT WEBSITE / SEE MAP

Tattoos: NOT Allowed
Towels: provided
Shampoo and body soap: provided
Price: 1800 yen (may vary)
Features:
・ One indoor bath
・ Outdoor bath: 1 (very large)
・ Sauna
The bath is very large and the view is good.
However, there are many people.
Located in a famous hotel.

Other information: This is a very inexpensive no-frills “local” onsen experience usually with a lot of regular locals there at all times of day. A great place to experience simple, everyday onsen culture. Its a new building but the onsen site and water source itself goes back hundreds of years.

Umezono

Bokai

VISIT WEBSITE / SEE MAP

Tattoos: NOT Allowed
Towels: bring your own OR buy one on site
Shampoo and body soap: provided
Price: 500 yen

Features:
Type of bath
・ One outside bath

Other information:
Hot spring on the roof of the hotel.