Kyushu Hot Spring Tour
Embark on a journey through Kyushu's proud hot spring resorts: Beppu, Yufuin, and Kurokawa Onsen. Experience the diversity of spring qualities, beautiful scenery, and traditional hot spring cure culture, and discover the deep appeal of a Japanese hot spring trip that heals both mind and body.
May 4, 2026ยทโ๏ธ olablogยทโฑ 3 min read
Embark on a journey through Kyushu's proud hot spring resorts: Beppu, Yufuin, and Kurokawa Onsen. Experience the diversity of spring qualities, beautiful scenery, and traditional hot spring cure culture, and discover the deep appeal of a Japanese hot spring trip that heals both mind and body.
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Kyushu is an attractive region home to some of Japan's leading hot spring resorts. In particular, Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen in Oita Prefecture, and Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto Prefecture, each attract visitors with their distinct personalities. In this guide, we will delve deeper into the charms of these three hot spring areas and offer tips to make your Kyushu hot spring tour even more enriching.
Beppu Onsen: Diverse Spring Qualities and a Hot Spring Town Experience
Beppu is a hot spring city that boasts the largest volume of hot spring water discharge and the highest number of hot spring sources in Japan. The sight of steam rising from all over the town is truly a symbol of a "hot spring town." Here, you can enjoy the "Beppu Hatto" (Eight Hot Springs of Beppu), which feature eight different spring qualities. As a tourist attraction, the "Jigoku Meguri" (Hell Tour), with its unique colors and landscapes that are not for bathing, is famous. A variety of bathing experiences, such as sand baths and mud baths, are also unique charms of Beppu. Before entering a hot spring, it is basic Japanese bathing etiquette to wash your body.
Yufuin Onsen: A Scenic and Healing Retreat
Yufuin Onsen, spreading out against the backdrop of Mount Yufu, is characterized by its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful rural scenery. Sophisticated shops and art museums are scattered throughout, and simply strolling around can soothe the mind. The morning mist over Kinrinko Lake is especially fantastical, captivating many tourists. Yufuin is recommended for those who wish to quietly enjoy the hot springs and relax, forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life. Many ryokan offer charming open-air baths where you can enjoy bathing while feeling the nature of the four seasons.
Kurokawa Onsen: Satoyama Charm and Hot Spring Hopping
Nestled quietly in the mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kurokawa Onsen is a hot spring resort where the traditional Japanese satoyama (rural landscape) scenery remains strong. It is characterized by a unified landscape, with wooden ryokan and stone-paved paths creating an atmospheric ambiance. By purchasing an "Nyuto Tegata" (Hot Spring Hopping Pass), you can enjoy "yumeguri" (hot spring hopping), visiting the open-air baths of multiple participating ryokan. Each ryokan's uniquely designed open-air bath has a different charm, allowing you to experience the depth of Kurokawa Onsen through hot spring hopping.
Kyushu's hot spring resorts each possess distinct histories, cultures, and spring qualities. Use this information to find the perfect hot spring destination for you and fully enjoy Japan's bathing culture to your heart's content.
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