Beppu City: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Beppu City in Oita Prefecture is a renowned tourist city that has earned high praise both in Japan and internationally as one of the country’s premier hot spring destinations.

The city is home to an exceptional concentration of hot springs, ranking among the highest in Japan in both the number of sources and total water output. Known collectively as the Beppu Onsen area, these hot springs feature a wide range of mineral compositions and long-established bathing traditions. Steam rising throughout the city creates a distinctive landscape that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

In terms of sightseeing, hot spring tourism is central to the Beppu experience, with the famous Beppu Hell Tour drawing visitors to unique geothermal sites such as Umi Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku. Hot springs are not limited to bathing alone, but are closely connected to local experiences including steam cooking, foot baths, and leisurely walks through town, creating a well-organized sightseeing flow.

Beppu’s food culture is also deeply shaped by its hot springs, with jigoku-mushi steam cooking as a signature style. Fresh seafood and mountain produce are prepared using natural geothermal steam, making local cuisine an essential part of the Beppu travel experience.

Historically, Beppu developed as a hot spring resort town for therapeutic bathing, welcoming cultural figures and travelers for generations. This long history has shaped Beppu’s identity as a hot spring city where tourism, history, and food culture come together.