Top 10 Recommended Public Bathhouses in Beppu! From Popular Classics to Hidden Gems
Beppu is Full of Public Bathhouses!
Beppu is home to everything from casual, easily accessible *sento* to fully equipped public bathhouses, making it easy to enjoy hot springs in your daily routine. With many facilities opening early in the morning or located conveniently near tourist spots, it is easy to incorporate a visit into your travel plans. Each bath has a different atmosphere, so whether you are looking for an old-fashioned feel or want to relax in a spacious bath, you are sure to find a match. While there is a sense of comfort in returning to the same spot, choosing a different one based on your schedule or how tired you are allows you to experience the true depth of Beppu as a hot spring destination. The luxury of being able to drop in for a moment of relaxation is something you can only find in Beppu. The pleasure of walking through the town after a bath and discovering new ways to enjoy yourself every time is all part of the charm. It is also perfect for a change of pace.
Top 10 Recommended Public Bathhouses in Beppu
Takegawara Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
As you stroll through the hot spring streets of Beppu, a stately building with a traditional "karahafu" gabled roof will catch your eye. Founded in 1879, "Takegawara Onsen" is a municipal communal bathhouse that represents Beppu. The current building dates back to 1938, and once inside, the high-ceilinged, retro lobby makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the early Showa era.
The baths are located in a semi-basement in a traditional style, featuring stone tubs filled with flowing hot spring water. The water quality consists of chloride and bicarbonate springs, and a unique point is that the male and female baths differ. The water temperature is generally on the hotter side, and it is said to warm you to the core, making it difficult for the body to cool down after a bath. At the famous sand bath, you can experience being buried in sand heated by the spring’s heat, which is popular with couples and families alike. With good access about 10 minutes on foot from JR Beppu Station, it is a great spot to drop in while sightseeing in Beppu.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 16-23 Motomachi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | None |
| Operating Hours | Regular bath 6:30–22:30, Sand bath 8:00–22:30 |
| Fee | Regular bath: Adult 300 yen, Child 100 yen; Sand bath: 1,500 yen |
Ekimae Koto Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
Just a short walk from JR Beppu Station stands a charming Western-style building with white walls and a green pointed roof. Founded in 1924, "Ekimae Koto Onsen" has long been loved by the people living in Beppu. It features a style where you choose between a "hot" bath or a "warm" bath at the entrance; the hot bath is a direct flow of source water that is quite hot, while the warm bath allows for a more relaxed soak, so you can enjoy whichever suits your preference.
The spring is a simple thermal spring that is gentle on the skin, making it easy for even small children to enter. It is well-regarded in reviews for keeping you warm long after the bath. The bathroom is located in a semi-basement, and the retro style of walking down the stairs is full of charm. A hand bath is also available in front of the building, so feel free to stop by while strolling. It is very close, about a 3-minute walk from the station, making it perfect for when you want a quick soak during your Beppu sightseeing trip.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 13-14 Ekimae-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (5 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 8:00–23:00 |
| Fee | Adult 250 yen, Child 150 yen |
Shibaseki Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
"Shibaseki Onsen," counted as one of the Beppu Hatto (eight hot springs), is a municipal communal bathhouse surrounded by the greenery of the mountains. Its history is very ancient, and it is said that an emperor visited for medical treatment during the Heian period. Designated as a National Health Onsen Spa, it features high-quality water suitable for therapeutic use. The indoor bath has two tubs—a hot one and a warm one—allowing you to choose your preferred temperature. It is a simple spring with a soft feel that is highly rated for the sensation of loosening the body from the core.
There is also an outdoor bath where you can soak while admiring the trees, perfect for a leisurely, long soak in the milder water. Private family baths are also available, so those with small children can enjoy them without worry. Situated in a quiet location away from the center of Beppu, it offers a relaxing time different from the hustle and bustle of tourist areas. Parking is also available, making it convenient for those arriving by car.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-1 Noda, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (35 spots) |
| Operating Hours | Regular bath 7:00–20:00, Family bath 9:00–20:00 |
| Fee | Adult 300 yen, Child 100 yen |
Horita Onsen
Located right off the Beppu IC, "Horita Onsen" is a municipal communal bathhouse at the western entrance to Beppu. A relatively new facility opened in 2003, it features spacious indoor baths and an outdoor bath with plants and rock arrangements. The spring quality is simple thermal, but the water—a direct, flowing source with floating white *yunohana* (mineral deposits) and a faint scent of sulfur—is highly rated in reviews. It is gentle on the skin, and guests say it is easy to enter even for those who are not accustomed to hot springs.
The changing rooms are equipped with baby beds, and the tubs and walkways have handrails, making the design friendly for families with small children and seniors. After the bath, you can relax in a lounge with views overlooking Beppu Bay. The two baths have different styles and alternate between men and women on a weekly basis, so you won't get bored no matter how often you visit. With ample parking, it is a convenient spot to drop in while driving toward the Yufuin area.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-kumi, Horita, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 5 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (approx. 30 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:00 |
| Fee | Adult 300 yen, Child 100 yen |
Kaimonji Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
About a 5-minute walk from JR Beppu Station, located near Kaimonji Park, "Kaimonji Onsen" is a municipal communal bathhouse popular with both locals and tourists. It became a municipal hot spring in 1936 and was renovated in 2010. With a calm, Japanese-style exterior, the entire facility is barrier-free, so wheelchair users and those with small children can use it with peace of mind.
The bathroom has two tubs, a hot one and a warm one; if it is your first time in a Beppu hot spring, we recommend starting with the warm one. The spring is a sodium bicarbonate spring, characterized by a crisp, refreshing feel. It is well-regarded for making the skin smooth after soaking in the direct, flowing spring water. Rarely for a municipal bathhouse, it is equipped with showers, so you can easily stop by during your travels. There is also a "Yukake Jizo" (hot water pouring deity) next to the entrance, so it is fun to pay your respects before bathing. It is the perfect hot spring for when you want a quick soak near the station during your sightseeing.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-3-2 Kitahama, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (3 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 250 yen, Child 100 yen |
Furosen
Source: Nifty Onsen
About a 5-minute walk from JR Beppu Station, "Furosen" is a historic municipal communal bathhouse that has continued since the early Meiji period. It is said that even the Showa Emperor, when he was the Crown Prince, visited during the Taisho period. The current building, renovated in 2014, features the largest bathing area among the municipal communal bathhouses, and the charm lies in being able to soak in a relaxed manner.
The bathroom has two tubs, a hot one and a warm one, both filled with colorless, transparent simple thermal water flowing directly from the source. It is a mild, slightly alkaline water that is well-regarded for leaving skin smooth after a soak. Following Beppu tradition, the style of ladling water from the tub to wash your body is also full of charm. Equipped with baby beds and a resting space, the facility is designed to be easy for families to use. Its accessibility, allowing you to stop by while waiting for a train, is also a welcome benefit for Beppu sightseeing.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-16 Chuo-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (9 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 250 yen, Child 100 yen |
Tanoyu Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
About a 5-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Beppu Station, tucked away in a residential area, "Tanoyu Onsen" is a historic municipal communal bathhouse said to have been founded in the Edo period. It is said the name comes from the fact that this area was once all rice fields, and people would come from far away along the ridges to soak in the bath. The white walls and innovative exterior design are markers, and inside, a clean, bright bathroom awaits.
The spring is a bicarbonate spring with plenty of natural, flowing water. The somewhat hot temperature warms you to the core, and locals say it’s hard for the body to cool down after a soak. The tub is compact, but the ceiling is high, providing a sense of openness. The little interactions with the bathhouse attendant or regular patrons are another joy unique to Beppu's communal baths. In an unpretentious atmosphere without any "touristy" feel, experience a soak that blends into the daily life of Beppu.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-23 Tanoyu-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | None |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 200 yen, Child 100 yen |
Nageshi Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
Located in the heart of Beppu, "Nageshi Onsen" is a municipal communal bathhouse affectionately known by locals as "Nageshi." It is also called the "Overnight Onsen" due to a legend that it was built in a single night, giving it a unique history. The exterior, with its copper-colored roof, is impressive and stylish—it’s even called a "mini-Takegawara Onsen." The traditional design, where you walk down stone steps from the changing room into a semi-basement bathroom, makes you feel the charm unique to Beppu's communal bathhouses.
The spring is a bicarbonate spring with water flowing directly from the source. It is comfortable water that leaves your skin smooth after a soak. The temperature is quite hot, so we recommend splashing yourself with the water to get used to it before entering. As you gaze up at the high ceiling while soaking in the tub, you can feel time flowing slowly. There is also a small space beside the building to catch your breath after the bath. It is within walking distance of JR Beppu Station, so feel free to drop by while you are out exploring.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-2 Minami-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | None |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 200 yen, Child 100 yen |
Hamada Onsen
Source: Nifty Onsen
About a 3-minute walk from JR Kamegawa Station, a stately building with a gabled roof appears in the residential area. Located in the Kamegawa Onsen area, one of the Beppu Hatto, "Hamada Onsen" is a municipal communal bathhouse said to have been discovered around 1897. The facility, renovated in 2002, is designed to be barrier-free, with no level differences in the walkways or bathrooms, allowing wheelchair users to use it smoothly.
The spring is a sodium chloride/sulfate spring, and the hot water has a thick consistency and is gentle on the skin. It is well-regarded for providing a crisp, refreshing feeling after a soak. You can relax in the spacious tub. Across the street is a museum that restores the former Hamada Onsen built in 1935, which has been designated as a registered tangible cultural property of Japan. We recommend visiting it after your bath to touch upon the hot spring culture of old Beppu. Parking is available, so why not add it to your Beppu hot spring tour route?
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 991-6 Kamegawa-Hamada-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (28 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 200 yen, Child 100 yen |
Kiyoizumi
Source: Nifty Onsen
Located in the Kamegawa Onsen area, one of the Beppu Hatto, "Kiyoizumi" is a municipal communal bathhouse with a rare history: it was once buried in the Middle Ages and rediscovered in the Meiji period. It was once so magnificent it was called the "1,000-Person Bath," and has been loved by locals for a long time. The current building, renovated in 2016, is clean and neat, creating an atmosphere that is easy for first-timers to enter.
The bathroom has two tubs, a hot one and a warm one, so you can choose your preferred temperature. The spring is a simple thermal spring characterized by soft, thick water. Reviews say it is highly regarded for the smooth feeling of the skin after a bath. The interior is barrier-free and designed to be easy for wheelchair users and seniors to use. The turtle shell motifs scattered throughout the building are also cute, and it is fun to look for them while you are there. Parking is available, so please check it out when visiting Beppu’s Kamegawa area.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 10-26 Kamegawa-Chuo-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 min drive from Beppu IC |
| Parking | Available (4 spots) |
| Operating Hours | 6:30–22:30 |
| Fee | Adult 250 yen, Child 100 yen |
Let's Fully Enjoy Public Bathhouses in Beppu!
If you want to fully enjoy public bathhouses in Beppu, we recommend picking one that catches your interest and just heading there. Once you actually go inside, you will realize that everything—from the temperature and the feel of the water to the atmosphere of the bath and the surrounding streets—offers a different kind of comfort. One of Beppu's charms is its wide range of enjoyment: there are days when you can enjoy a quick dip nearby, and days when you feel like taking your time and visiting a few spots. Because there are hidden charms you won't discover in just one visit, you will want to go again and again with the changing seasons or your changing moods. It is also interesting how the impression changes depending on the time of day: the exhilaration of a morning bath, the tranquility of an evening stop, or the comfort of loosening your body at the end of a trip. Use your bath time today as an opportunity to find your favorite, perfect bathing spot in Beppu. Look forward to the next time as well!