Beppu Onsen Town, located in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, stands out from all the other Japanese cities I’ve visited. It has an inviting atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. In Beppu Onsen, there’s a sense of belonging that comes effortlessly, allowing you to relax and just be yourself. It’s the kind of place where you can embrace who you are without a second thought, and nobody will judge or mind. This unique vibe sets Beppu apart and makes it more than just a famous hot spring destination.
Beppu Onsen Town was one of the highlights of my 7-day Northern Kyushu adventure. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful region, be sure to check out my comprehensive 7-day Northern Kyushu itinerary for tips and recommendations!
Hot Springs of Beppu
While it is certainly one of the lesser known destinations among foreign travellers, Beppu is a place where you’ll definitely get more of a real feel for Japanese culture and the laid-back life in the countryside. Not only that, this city is rich in natural resources, such as mountainous areas, hot springs, waterfalls and relaxing beaches. It also features eight Jigoku (hell springs), which are spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing.
So, what did I do on my first day in Beppu Onsen Town? I pretty much just walked around aimlessly. I got an English map at the tourism office, bought a bento box at a nearby bento factory, bought a matcha ice cream for dessert (Thank God for Matcha!) and took random photographs while I was walking. Below are some of my photos, hope you’ll enjoy this virtual tour of Beppu!
These watermelons remind me of Suikawari, a popular beach game in Japan. The rules are similar to piñata. A watermelon is laid out, and participants one by one attempt to smash it open. Each is blindfolded, spun around three times, and handed a wooden stick, or bokken, to strike with. If you’re an anime fan like me, you probably have seen how it’s done!
Beppu Park
This family was playing badminton when I sat down at one of the benches inside the park. When they decided to go home, they walked near the place where I was seated and they said konnichiwa. Almost everyone I met on that day either greeted me in Nihongo or smiled at me. I really felt like a local! Haha
I have little regrets that I didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to in Beppu on my first day. Because of its laid-back vibe, I gave into the lazy vibes. Lol. But the next two days were eventful, a perfect ending to my summer trip to Japan!
