Beppu Makes Booking.com's Trending Destinations List

The onsen hub is making waves

Kim Bergström   - 2 min read

Beppu, located on the island of Kyushu, has earned the reputation of being the hot spring capital of the country – and for good reason. The region is home to an abundance of geothermal activity, making it a popular destination for those who want to soak up Japan's onsen culture.

It's also gaining in popularity among Booking.com users, with the accommodation website listing the city as one of its top 10 trending travel destinations for 2024. Along with the incredible onsen experiences visitors can have in this part of the country, the cuisine is also a worthwhile reason to plan a visit. There are places in Beppu where travelers can try jigoku mushi (hell-steamed) foods, such as Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa, and the unique experience also manages to be thoroughly delicious.

Steamed buns, veggies, and meat at Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa
Steamed buns, veggies, and meat at Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa (Photo: Kim)

One of their recommendations for a place to stay is the Amane Resort Seikai (formerly known as Shiosai no Yado Seikai), which offers a modern take on the Japanese ryokan experience. Many of the guest rooms here have in-room private onsen facilities overlooking Beppu Bay, plus meals are served on-site and they're typically included in the room rate. The accommodation spot can be easily reached in under 10 minutes on foot from Beppudaigaku Station, which is convenient for travelers using public transport.

For more information on things to see and do in the Beppu area, be sure to explore some of the articles on our site. We have a dedicated page covering the region here.

Getting there

Beppu can be accessed by plane from Tokyo's Haneda Airport via various airlines (search for flights from HND to OIT), with the flight time taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes. For those visiting by train, the city's main rail transport hub is Beppu Station which is served by JR Kyushu's Nippō Main Line.

Kim Bergström

Kim Bergström @kim.b

Almost 12 years living in Asia. Passionate about Japan's off-the-beaten-path spots, family-friendly travel, flower events (all of them!) and the amazing tea culture here.  🍵🌼🌸