Oita Prefecture is the hot spring capital of Japan by output, and two of its best-known stops fit into a long day from Fukuoka. Beppu is a steamy port city where vapour rises from vents across the hillsides, and its famous jigoku, or hells, are hot spring ponds that are for looking at rather than bathing in: one is a vivid cobalt blue, another a blood-red, and others bubble with mud or spout geysers on a timer. Yufuin is a small town beneath twin-peaked Mount Yufu with a lake that mists over on cool mornings, a main street of craft shops, cafes and dessert stands, and a setting that suits strolling. Together they give a fair sampler of the region, and a guided day tour solves the awkward logistics of reaching both from Fukuoka. Itineraries differ between departures and sometimes add a brewery or Dazaifu, so check the stop list before you choose.
The Beppu hells are a collection of distinct sights, and tours usually take in a few rather than all of them. They are ticketed individually or by a combined pass, the ponds are far too hot for swimming, and many sell eggs and puddings steamed in the vents. Expect a light sulphur smell, crowds at weekends and short walks between exhibits. Some tours add the Beppu ropeway, a cable car that rises towards the hills above the town for broad views over the bay when the weather is clear.
Yufuin is a slower, prettier place. Visitors walk the main street from the station towards the lake, browsing small galleries, sweet shops and craft stores, and stopping for a coffee or a cake. The mountain behind the town gives the whole setting a good backdrop. It is a favourite of Japanese weekend visitors, so it can be very busy on weekends, in autumn colour season and on public holidays.
The town has many ryokan with their own hot spring baths, and a day visitor can sometimes use a bath for a fee, but a tour schedule rarely leaves enough time.
The distance is the main challenge. The drive from Fukuoka to Beppu and Yufuin takes a couple of hours each way, which makes a ten-hour day on the coach, and the best tours keep the stops efficient. Dress for the weather, because winter days can be cold in the highlands, and bring a small towel if you plan to use a foot bath, which several of the hells provide free.
If you would prefer to soak properly, consider staying overnight in Yufuin or Beppu instead of rushing the trip. Cash is useful for entry fees, souvenirs and snacks.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day guided coach trip to Oita Prefecture, visiting steaming hot-spring ponds in Beppu and strolling the shops and lakeshore of Yufuin.
Best time
Autumn for colour and winter for crisp, steamy air. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends in Yufuin.
How long
About nine to ten hours with a couple of hours of driving each way.
Tips
Check which hells and extra stops your departure includes, carry cash for entry fees and snacks, and bring a small towel for foot baths.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a taste of Kyushu hot spring culture without staying overnight.
- Families
- Children like the colourful ponds and steamed eggs, but the day is long and the sulphur smell can be strong.
- Couples
- A scenic stroll in Yufuin and the drama of the hells, ideally on a weekday to avoid crowds.
- Pair with
- Mount Aso or Takachiho Gorge on another day, or a hot spring night in Yufuin for a slower trip.
- Time needed
- Allow a full day, with a return to Fukuoka in the early evening.
Good questions
Can you bathe in the Beppu hells?+
No. The jigoku are hot spring ponds for viewing, and they are far too hot for bathing. Some provide free foot baths nearby.
How long does it take to get there?+
The drive from Fukuoka is a couple of hours each way, so most visitors choose a full-day guided trip.
When is Yufuin busiest?+
Weekends, public holidays and the autumn colour season are the busiest. Weekdays are much calmer.
Are all departures the same?+
No. Some add a brewery, the Beppu ropeway or Dazaifu, so read the stop list for your date before choosing.
Can I soak in a hot spring on the day?+
Sometimes, for a fee at a bathhouse or ryokan, but tour schedules rarely leave time. An overnight stay is the better way to enjoy a proper soak.
