Located in Oita Prefecture, the city of Beppu is known as Japan’s hot spring capital. In this article, we will introduce a popular hot spring nestled in the heart of Beppu’s Kannawa district—Hyotan Onsen.
With its Michelin three-star rating, this onsen offers unique experiences that make visitors want to return, including private baths, sand baths, and Beppu’s famous “jigoku mushi” cuisine.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this onsen welcomes everyone—guests with tattoos included!
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Table of Contents
2. Large Public Baths and Rest Areas
3. Jigoku Mushi (地獄蒸し): Hell-Steamed Cuisine
4. Nearby Hotels and Ryokans: Where to Stay
Hyotan Onsen (ひょうたん温泉)
Established in 1922, Hyotan Onsen has been a hot spot for onsen-lovers for over a century. Unlike some other onsen, its baths use 100% hot spring water, allowing you to soak in all of the health benefits.
Hyotan Onsen is also considered an “onsen theme park,” where you can easily spend all day bathing and relaxing. There is no wonder why this is the only Michelin 3-Star onsen in Japan! 🌟
Nervous about going to an onsen for the first time? Don’t worry, our blog team has you covered! Check out our article on onsen etiquette.
Operating Hours (9:00 am to 1:00 am)
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- *Family baths reception is up to 24:00 (12:00 AM).
- *Large communal bath closes at 24:00, sand bath closes at 22:30/can use it until 23:00.
Access
How to Enter and Buy Tickets
1. Enter the main reception area and don’t forget to take off your shoes! Store your shoes in a locker.
2. Proceed to the ticket vending machine, and select your course and any additional amenities.
*You can change the menu language to English!
3. Hand your ticket(s) to the staff, and they will give you a key for the changing room lockers.
4. Staff will take your shoe locker key and hold onto it until you are ready to leave.
5. Change into the provided sandals and enter the adjacent courtyard leading straight to the baths.
Bathing fee (large communal bath):
♨️Adult (13+) – 1,020 yen, 7-12 years old – 400 yen, 4-6 years old – 280 yen (*free under 3 years old)
Private onsen (family bath):
♨️Basic 60-minute course (max 3 adults) – 2,400 yen
*You can add guests, and extend the time for an additional fee.
See Hyotan Onsen website for details.
Yukata rental (for sand bath):
👘Adults – 760 yen
👘Children – 530 yen
*If you need other amenities (towel rental, razors, etc.), those are also available for purchase.
Hyotan provides 2-in-1 shampoo, body wash, and hairdryers in the public and private baths!
Large Public Baths and Rest Areas
Hyotan means “gourd,” and even after the facility’s renewal, much of the architecture incorporates a gourd motif. This harks back to when the original onsen had a large gourd-shaped observation deck! Both the women’s and men’s public baths feature indoor and outdoor areas, and a waterfall hot spring.
With 11 different types of baths in the women’s area and 8 baths in the men’s, you can take advantage of the health benefits of each one.
After the bath, feel free to relax in the courtyard area, where you can buy boiled eggs steamed from the onsen, beverages, and ice cream. You can also check out the indoor rest area next to the restaurant Yurari. Inside, you’ll find a tatami room with bean bag chairs where you can sit and relax. It is a large space great for families with children.
Private Baths and How to Reserve
Private or family baths are perfect for guests who want to have the onsen experience, but would like privacy. Reservations start from one week in advance, so you can call ahead to reserve for your trip. Visiting without a reservation can be a bit risky, but you may get lucky, or you can wait until a bath opens up by killing time at the restaurant or courtyard area.
You may want to know which bath is the most popular or which one is outdoors. This is where having worry-free internet access on your trip comes in handy! With our service, you can use your Sakura Mobile SIM or pocket Wi-Fi to contact Hyotan Onsen directly about the baths and see the latest information.
On-site only reservation: 4 rooms (*There are some select family baths that can only be reserved once you are on-site!)
Sand Bath (砂湯)
The sand bath, or sunayu (砂湯), is a unique experience where you bury yourself with sand that is warmed by the hot spring steam. The warm sand makes you sweat, which is a great way to detox your body. It may be difficult to bury yourself, so Hyotan recommends having your friend or family help bury you. Once your body is covered, just sit back and relax (and sweat!).
The recommended course is to take the sand bath first, wash off in the shower room, and then enter the large communal bath. You must wear the rental yukata to enter the sand bath, and the provided disposable paper shorts (you can’t wear underwear). The sand bath is a “mixed bath” (men and women), so you can enjoy the experience together with your friends or family!
Steam Bath (むし湯)
Another bath that makes you sweat! The natural steam from the sauna or mushiyu（むし湯) can wash away your fatigue. As your body heats up and you start sweating, your skin also softens and appears smoother. Steam baths can be found in the large communal bath areas as well as in the private onsen rooms, so why not give them a try? Just make sure to stay hydrated since the temperature is around 50 degrees Celsius!
Jigoku Mushi (地獄蒸し): Hell-Steamed Cuisine
Although Beppu can be considered “heaven” for onsen-lovers nowadays, thousands of years ago residents were terrified of its lakes of boiling water, bubbling hot mud, and gas fumes. This geothermically active area was considered “jigoku” or “hell,” and this is where the name “jigoku mushi,” or hell-steamed food, comes from. It is a special cooking method which uses hot spring steam.
How to Enjoy Hyotan Onsen’s Jigoku Steam Kitchen
♨️Pay for the “jigoku steam kitchen fee” and ingredients via the ticket vending machine, and go to the kitchen to exchange the tickets.
♨️There are various seasonal ingredients, from vegan and vegetarian-friendly options such as tofu and vegetables to a whole chicken you can steam!
♨️Head towards the pots billowing with steam, and carefully place the bamboo basket with ingredients inside. Then just wait for the food to cook!
*Guests with dietary restrictions may bring their own ingredients and only pay the jigoku steam kitchen fee!
Open: 11:00 am ~ last order 21:00 (for both restaurant Yurari and Jigoku Steam Kitchen)
Besides cooking your food yourself, you can also check out the on-site restaurant Yurari. In addition to delicious local foods and set meals, Yurari offers Halal/Muslim-friendly options such as jigoku-steamed butter chicken curry and bread. Make sure to have their famous onsen custard pudding for dessert!
Nearby Hotels and Ryokan: Where to Stay
Check out our article on private onsen in Beppu for more ideas on where to stay!
Conclusion
With a variety of baths, including private/family baths, tattoo-friendly public baths, and the rare sand bath experience, Hyotan Onsen is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Beppu. Affordable and welcoming to all, it is truly a gem in Japan’s onsen capital that makes you feel like you are staying at a ryokan without the price tag!
Currently, Hyotan Onsen does not provide Wi-Fi access at their facility, so you may be out of luck if you want to browse on your phone after the bath. Ensure you’re fully prepared by securing an e-SIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi through Sakura Mobile. Not only can you navigate Beppu with ease, but you can also use your Sakura Mobile SIM to contact Hyotan Onsen directly for reservations or inquiries!
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By reserving online before departing, you can
-
-
- Lower your rental fees
- Avoid stock shortages at the airport
- Start your trip with internet data
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To learn more about data and WiFi options for your trip, check out our products below.
