This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Beppu.
Beppu is a city in the southern part of Kyushu, the third largest island of Japan. Nestled in between Beppu Bay and volcanic mountains, Beppu has been a spa destination since it was founded in 1924.
Budget-minded visitors should be able to find at least one hostel in Beppu. Just as in many small towns in exotic locales, a hostel in this city likely will be rustic yet clean. Guests tend to appreciate the proximity to public transportation. Wifi, water, and coffee are usually complimentary. The main complaint of Beppu’s hostel guests seems to be the lack of onsite bath facilities. There may be few showers or limited hours of service, so your hostel in Beppu might recommend that you use nearby public bath facilities. Since this is a hot spring hot spot, travelers will find plenty of public baths in the vicinity.
In fact, tourists are drawn to the area’s fuming vapors created by the natural hot springs, otherwise known as the Eight Hells of Beppu. Amidst the hot fog, visitors feel like they are walking in a heavenly type of hell where warm pools of water beckon tired feet to seek refuge after a long day of sight-seeing.
The geothermal pools are dispersed over the Kannawa and Shibaseki districts and are easily accessible via Beppu’s public bus system as well as on foot. If you wish to visit all of the “jigoku,” or hells, you can purchase a day-pass for a discount. Otherwise, visit just the most popular hot springs, or “onsen,” and pay separate entrance fees.
Another recommended attraction is the Beppu Fireworks Festival in late July. At that time, about five thousand fireworks are launched from boats in the middle of the bay for a breathtaking aerial presentation.
You can also opt to visit the top of Mount Tsurumi in the west by taking a cable car ride uphill. For the children and kids-at-heart, Beppu has amusement parks, including Kijima Kogen Park and Beppu Rakutenchi. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the Otobaru Waterfall and Shidaka Lake, which will quench their thirsts for natural beauty.
Written by local enthusiast for Beppu hostels
Jakob Lombardi