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Soak in one of Beppu’s most renowned hot springs at Hyotan Onsen, the only hot spring facility in the world to earn three Michelin Green Guide stars seven times in a row.
Hyotan Onsen (ひょうたん温泉) is one of Beppu’s most famous onsen resorts. It offers open-air baths, indoor baths, sand baths, and a waterfall bath. Every bath uses 100% free-flowing hot spring water.
Hyotan cools the water naturally using Yumetake, their signature bamboo cooling system. Most other facilities use cold tap water to adjust the temperature. The spring water carries natural moisturizing and muscle-relaxing properties. The entire complex is also tattoo-friendly, which is still rare for onsen in Japan.
What is Hyotan Onsen
Hyotan Onsen is a large onsen resort in the Kannawa area of Beppu, Oita Prefecture. The facility separates public baths by gender and also offers private family baths for groups. Sand baths, a restaurant, and a jigokumushi steamed cuisine station round out the experience. Hyotan holds a three-star rating from the Michelin Green Guide Japon and has earned it seven consecutive times.
Quick Facts
- The only onsen facility in the world to earn three Michelin Green Guide stars seven consecutive times
- Uses 100% free-flowing hot spring water cooled naturally by the Yumetake bamboo system
- Women’s section: 11 types of baths. Men’s section: 8 bath types. 14 private family baths (10 indoor, 4 open-air).
- Tattoo-friendly
- Hours: 9:00–1:00 am (public bath closes midnight, sand bath closes 22:30, private bath reception until midnight). Irregular maintenance closures. Public bath from 1,020 yen for adults; private bath from 2,400 yen per 60 minutes.
My Experience at Hyotan Onsen
The public baths use a combination of granite and hinoki cypress. The cypress gives off a calm, distinctive aroma that enhances relaxation. Both the men’s and women’s sections include steam baths and waterfall baths. Try both. The waterfall bath in particular is unlike anything in a standard onsen. After your soak, pick up a cold glass of milk from the courtyard. It is a long-standing onsen tradition and a refreshing way to finish.
Sand Baths
The sand baths offer something genuinely different from a regular onsen. Rent a yukata, lie down, and let the staff bury you in warm sand heated by hot spring steam. The heat builds gradually. It promotes circulation and relaxes muscles in a way that a standard bath does not. It takes some getting used to, but most people come out feeling noticeably different.
Private Family Baths
My personal favorite at Hyotan Onsen is the private family baths. Hyotan offers 14 to choose from: 10 indoor and 4 open-air. The outdoor baths are the ones to book. There is nothing quite like soaking in hot spring water while a cool breeze moves across the surface. Each private bath includes a changing room with a hair dryer and basic amenities. These baths fill up fast, especially the outdoor ones. Book in advance through the official Hyotan Onsen website.
Jigokumushi and YU-RA-RI
After your bath, try the jigokumushi, or hot spring steamed cuisine. Choose a meat or seafood platter, or go for a vegan and vegetarian option with seasonal vegetables and tofu. Place your bamboo basket into the hot spring steam pots and wait. The cooking uses no seasoning, so the flavors stay light and natural. Dip your food in soy sauce to add depth. It is one of Beppu’s most beloved food traditions and a perfect way to finish the visit.
If you prefer a sit-down meal, YU-RA-RI inside the complex serves tempura, udon, curry, and other Japanese classics.
Andy’s Travel Tips
These simple tips will help you when you visit.
- Book a private outdoor bath in advance. The four open-air family baths fill up quickly. Reserve through the official Hyotan Onsen website before your visit, especially on weekends.
- Try the waterfall bath and the steam bath in the public section. Both are included in the entry fee and are well worth the extra time.
- Do the sand bath at least once. Rent a yukata at the front desk. The staff handles everything from there. Allow about 30 to 40 minutes for the full experience.
- Grab a cold glass of milk from the courtyard after your bath. It is a classic Japanese onsen tradition and a genuinely satisfying way to finish.
- Stay for jigokumushi. Steaming your own food in hot spring water is a distinctly Beppu experience. Budget an extra hour and try the seafood platter if it is available.
- Hyotan is tattoo-friendly, which is still uncommon for onsen in Japan. No need to cover up or check policies in advance.
How to Get to Hyotan Onsen
Bus
Taking the city bus network is the absolute most practical method of public transit, bringing you straight into the geothermal district.
- From Beppu Station: Walk out to the bus terminal at the East Exit or West Exit. Board the Kamenoi Bus Route 5, 7, or 9 bound for the Kannawa district.
- The bus ride takes about 25 minutes. Disembark at the Kannawa bus stop.
- From the bus shelter, the entrance to the hot spring complex is a flat, easy 5-minute walk navigate through the historic, narrow lanes filled with rising geothermal steam plumes.
Car
Driving is incredibly straightforward since the facility sits closely linked to the region’s main highway gateways.
- From Beppu Interchange (IC): If you are arriving via the Oita Expressway, exit here. The drive down the mountain pass to the hot spring gates takes only 10 minutes.
- From central Beppu: Head north out of the downtown grid along Route 10 and pivot toward the hills following the road markers for the Kannawa district.
Train
- Beppudaigaku Station: While the main transit hub is Beppu Station, this local rail stop on the JR Nippo Main Line is geographically closer to the baths.
- From Beppudaigaku Station, you can travel on foot directly to the bathhouse entrance in about 10 to 15 minutes, bypassing the need for a city bus transfer.
Taxi
- A taxi hailed directly from the stand at Beppu Station will take you straight to the entry courtyard in approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- The fare typically runs between ¥2,000 and ¥2,500, making it a highly useful alternative for families or small travel groups.
Is Hyotan Onsen Worth Visiting?
Yes, and it earns its Michelin stars. The natural bamboo cooling system sets it apart from most onsen in Beppu. The private outdoor baths are among the best I have used anywhere in Kyushu. Add the sand bath and the jigokumushi and you have a full half-day experience. For anyone visiting Beppu, this should be near the top of the list.
More to Explore Nearby
Hyotan Onsen is one of Beppu’s most beloved bathing spots, but the city’s hot spring culture is just the beginning. There’s plenty more to explore across Oita and beyond.
- Beppu Ropeway — Ride to the summit of Mount Tsurumi for sweeping views over Beppu, the bay, and the distant Kuju mountains.
- Beppu Bamboo Weaving — Beppu is one of Japan’s premier centers for bamboo craft. A fascinating side of the city beyond the baths.
- Yufuin: Yunotsubo Kaido — Yufuin’s charming main street, lined with cafes, sweets shops, and local boutiques. A relaxed day trip from Beppu.
- Oita Food Guide — From Beppu’s signature toriten to local takes on dango jiru, a guide to the best eating across Oita Prefecture.
