Beppu Private Tour: Customize Your Hot Spring Adventure
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Overview
Experience Beppu your way on a private 6-hour tour with a licensed, multilingual guide! This is a great way to see Beppu, a town famous for its hot springs and the steam rising from the ground. You get to pick what you want to see and do!
Explore famous spots like Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) with its blue waters, or see the bubbling mud at Oniishibozu Jigoku (Shaven Monk's Head Hell). Visit Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) to see the red waters, or see the boiling mud at Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell). You can even go to Mount Tsurumi for amazing views or relax at Shoningahama Beach Sand Baths. The guide will help customize the tour to your group's interests, so it's perfect for families, friends, or anyone wanting a personal adventure. This tour gives insight into local culture and the natural beauty of Beppu.
The tour includes a friendly, English-speaking guide who knows Beppu well. Please note that the tour price does not include transportation, entrance fees, lunch, or personal expenses. It also does not include a private vehicle. Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect. Come explore Beppu's hot springs and more!



Highlights
See Beppu Your Way: Create your own trip to see the hot springs and sights you want!
Friendly Local Guide: A licensed, English-speaking guide will show you around and tell you all about Beppu.
Hot Spring Fun: Visit famous hot springs like Sea Hell and Blood Pond Hell.
Easy to Customize: Pick 3-4 places from the list of places to visit to make the perfect tour for you.
Sentiment Analysis
Customers generally enjoy the private Beppu tour because it is customized to what they want to see and do, with very friendly and knowledgeable guides. However, some were surprised by the extra costs for transportation and entry fees.

Visitors love having a private, customized tour of Beppu.
They really enjoy the guide's knowledge and how friendly they are.
Many appreciate that the tour can be changed to fit what they want to see.
Customers highlighted that the guides were flexible and took them to locations of interest that were not part of the normal itinerary.
Some visitors were not clear that they had to pay extra for transportation and entry fees.
A few people wished they had more time at each stop.
The Journey
Jigokumushi Kobo
Jigokumushi Kobo offers a captivating culinary adventure in Beppu, a city celebrated for its geothermal activity. Here, you can experience 'hell steaming,' a traditional cooking method utilizing natural hot spring steam to prepare fresh, local ingredients. Choose from a variety of vegetables, seafood, and eggs, and enjoy a hands-on cooking experience that perfectly blends Beppu's natural wonders with its delicious regional flavors. Please note that participation in the cooking experience is subject to a fee.
Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)
Umi Jigoku, or 'Sea Hell,' is a mesmerizing spectacle featuring a pond of boiling, cobalt-blue water, a result of natural geothermal heating and mineral composition. Stroll through its serene gardens adorned with smaller, orange-colored 'hells' and a tranquil clear water pond showcasing vibrant lotus flowers. The lotus leaves are remarkably strong, capable of supporting the weight of small children, making it a delightful experience for families. This stunning contrast of color and nature is a must-see.
Oniishibozu Jigoku (Shaven Monk's Head Hell)
Oniishibozu Jigoku, or 'Shaven Monk's Head Hell,' presents a unique geothermal display where mud bubbles emerge from boiling mud pools, resembling the smooth, shaven heads of monks. Relax and rejuvenate in the adjacent foot bath filled with clear, soothing water. For a more comprehensive spa experience, a public bath with multiple pools is conveniently located next to the hell, available for an additional fee of 620 yen. Discover the tranquility and humor in this distinctive Beppu attraction.
Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell)
Shiraike Jigoku, or 'White Pond Hell,' enchants visitors with its milky-white pond of hot, mineral-rich water. The ethereal pond is beautifully framed by a meticulously maintained garden, creating a peaceful and picturesque setting. Adjacent to the pond is a small, albeit slightly aged, aquarium offering a glimpse into local aquatic life. Explore the delicate balance of natural beauty and quiet contemplation in this serene corner of Beppu.
Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell)
Kamado Jigoku, or 'Cooking Pot Hell,' is a vibrant and interactive geothermal park. Featuring several bubbling boiling ponds and a striking demon statue dressed as a cook, this 'hell' provides a sensory-rich experience. Visitors can sample the naturally heated hot spring water, indulge in revitalizing hand and foot baths, and inhale the therapeutic hot spring steam. Additionally, a variety of snacks cooked or steamed using the hot spring's geothermal energy are available for a unique culinary adventure.
Oniyama Jigoku (Monster Mountain Hell)
Oniyama Jigoku, also known as 'Monster Mountain Hell,' is home to a large collection of crocodiles bred and raised on its grounds. Witness these fascinating reptiles in a unique geothermal environment, showcasing the surprising adaptability of life in extreme conditions. A visit to Oniyama Jigoku offers an unusual and engaging experience, blending natural history with Beppu's unique geothermal landscape.
Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
Chinoike Jigoku, or 'Blood Pond Hell,' is one of Beppu's most visually striking geothermal attractions. Its pond of hot, blood-red water is colored by iron oxide, creating a dramatic and photogenic landscape. Alongside the natural wonder, a large souvenir shop offers a wide array of local crafts and mementos, allowing visitors to capture the memory of this unique and memorable sight. A must-see for its sheer visual impact.
Tatsumaki Jigoku (Spout Hell)
Tatsumaki Jigoku, or 'Spout Hell,' features a powerful boiling hot geyser that erupts every 30-40 minutes, showcasing the raw energy of Beppu's geothermal activity. The eruption lasts for approximately 6-10 minutes, although a stone plate strategically placed above the geyser restricts its full potential height. A short, scenic walking trail leads up the forested slope behind the grounds, offering a tranquil escape into nature. Experience the dynamic forces of the earth and the surrounding natural beauty at Tatsumaki Jigoku.
Mount Tsurumi
Mount Tsurumi, towering at 1375 meters, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Beppu and its surrounding landscapes. Ascend via the Beppu Ropeway, which climbs nearly 800 meters up the mountain's steep slopes to a charming park near the summit. Explore the park's network of walking paths leading to multiple observation decks, where you can marvel at vistas of Beppu, Oita City, Mount Yufu, and even the Kuju Mountains on clear days. For the adventurous, a 15-minute walk from the upper ropeway station leads to the actual summit, while more challenging hiking trails connect Mount Tsurumi to neighboring peaks. Alternatively, a two-hour hike from the lower ropeway station allows you to conquer the mountain on foot.
Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM)
The Oita Prefectural Art Museum (OPAM) is a cultural gem located in downtown Oita City, a short 30-minute trip from central Beppu. Designed by the renowned Japanese architect Ban Shigeru, OPAM stands out with its innovative structure incorporating cardboard and paper elements. The museum's wooden facade, resembling woven bamboo handicrafts, and its expansive glass walls that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, are architectural marvels. Inside, a grand atrium welcomes visitors with a museum shop and space for impressive art installations, setting the stage for a memorable artistic journey.
Shoningahama Beach Sand Baths
Beppu is renowned for its unique attractions, and the sand baths are among the most unforgettable. Shoningahama Beach offers an exceptional sand bath experience, where the sand is naturally heated by the hot spring waters bubbling beneath the surface. Immerse yourself in this therapeutic tradition by being buried up to your neck in the warm sand. It's believed that the thermal properties of the sand promote relaxation and relieve aches and pains, providing a truly rejuvenating and uniquely Beppu experience.
Takegawara Koji Arcade
Takegawara Koji Arcade is an enchanting retro alley and shopping street in Beppu, celebrated as the oldest timber arcade in Japan. Leading to the renowned Takegawara Onsen, this atmospheric arcade is lined with charming retro-style shops, including traditional coffee houses, massage parlors, and inviting bars. Legend has it that the arcade was built to protect tourists from the rain as they made their way to the onsen. Stroll through this historic passageway and step back in time, experiencing the nostalgic charm of Beppu's past.
Beppu Park
Beppu Park, situated in the heart of the city, offers a tranquil escape reminiscent of the classic parks found in Tokyo and Kyoto. This green oasis provides a serene environment for relaxation and contemplation. Visit during the springtime to witness the spectacular display of fluffy pink cherry blossom trees in full bloom, or in the fall to admire the vibrant hues of the copper-colored autumn leaves. Beppu Park is a peaceful haven, perfect for a leisurely stroll and an appreciation of nature's beauty.
Know Before You Go
This tour includes a licensed local English speaking guide that will meet you on foot within a designated area of Beppu. The guide's entry fees are only covered for the sights listed under 'What to Expect.' This tour excludes transportation fees, entrance fees, lunch, other personal expenses, and a private vehicle. Note that combining multiple tour groups is not allowed.
Hot Tip
Some reviewers have noted that transportation between sites can add up, so plan your itinerary accordingly to minimize travel time and costs. Also, confirm all entrance fees and transportation options with your guide at the beginning of the tour to avoid surprises.