5 Must-See Tourist Spots in Beppu! | Nippon Travel Guide

• Table of Contents
• Steam Observation Deck
• Beppu Station Market
• Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"
• Jojima Kogen Park
• Beppu Ropeway
• Recommended hotel for sightseeing in Beppu: Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel
• summary

Steam Observation Deck

▲Yukemuri Observatory Image provided by: PIXTA

This observation deck offers a view of Beppu's hot spring steam. You'll be awed by the numerous steam rising from hotels and inns. Oita Prefecture is known nationwide for its number of hot springs and the volume of hot spring water it produces, and the scenery here is emblematic of this. Towering above the cityscape are the majestic Mount Tsurumi and Mount Ogi. You can enjoy watching their colors change with the seasons. Information boards are installed, so you can check the names of the mountains and the relative positions of major tourist attractions while enjoying the view. The parking lot has space for eight cars, including one for the physically disabled, and is free to use from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (10:00 PM from April to October).

Steam Observation Deck

Address: 8-gumi Kannawa Higashi, Beppu City (Royal Town Taikanzan)

Access: Car: Approximately 20 minutes from JR Beppu Station. Bus: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Yunokawa bus stop.

Beppu Station Market

▲Beppu Station Market Image provided by: PIXTA

Located just outside JR Beppu Station, this traditional market operates under an elevated railway. Opened in the 1960s, it is lined with shops that have been loved by locals for over half a century, allowing you to experience real life in Beppu. With its narrow passageways lit by white fluorescent lights, the stores that still retain their original appearance, and the interiors covered in handwritten product information, you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time to the Showa era.

One of the attractions of this area is that you can enjoy shopping while communicating with the shopkeepers, as they are all very friendly. Everyone there is friendly, so you can enjoy a harmonious atmosphere. There is a wide variety of shops, including clothing stores, florists, pharmacies, and even pet grooming salons. As it has long been known as the kitchen of Beppu residents, there are many gourmet shops, including greengrocers, fishmongers, and delicatessens. In addition to being able to get seasonal fish at low prices at the fishmongers, the delicatessens, famous for their thick rolls, are also popular, making it a great place to pick up some snacks to take home.

If you are visiting by car, the nearby parking lot is convenient as it offers 40 minutes of free parking. It is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, as the facility is aging, a renewal project is being planned, and the current appearance will be available until around the end of 2023.

Beppu Station Market

・Address: 6-22 Chuocho, Beppu City

Access: Car: Approximately 10 minutes from Beppu IC Train: 3 minutes on foot from JR Beppu Station

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"

▲Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago" Image provided by: Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago" is located along National Route 10, overlooking Beppu Bay. Based on the concept of "an aquarium where you can become friends with animals," the aquarium displays a variety of marine life, including fish native to the local Bungo Channel. The "Large Circulating Tank" boasts a water volume of 1,250 tons and is home to approximately 1,500 creatures of 90 species. The giant sharks and leisurely swimming rays are particularly impressive and will leave you mesmerized. Also, during afternoon feeding times on weekends and holidays, divers dive in to feed the fish in the tank, providing live commentary.

▲Umitama performance Image provided by: Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"

Umitamago also has a wide variety of animal shows. The performances by the talented walruses are sometimes hilarious and sometimes moving. The interaction time with the walruses after the show is very popular with children! You'll probably get excited when you touch their bushy whiskers.

▲Dolphin performance Image provided by: Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"

Also, "Asobi-chi," with the theme of "playing with animals x playing with art," is full of fun. This is the only place where you can get a close-up look at dolphins swimming freely and leisurely in a pool without glass or partitions. Take a peek into the lives of various animals living in their natural habitat. Another reason for its popularity is the artistic play equipment with a sea creature motif, such as a coral maze and a sardine ball slide.

Oita Marine Palace Aquarium "Umitamago"

Address: 3078-22 Uto, Kanzaki, Oita City

Access: Car: Approximately 20 minutes from Beppu IC. Bus: Get off at Takasakiyama Natural Zoo bus stop and walk a short distance.

Jojima Kogen Park

▲Kijima Kogen Park Image provided by: Kijima Kogen Park

This amusement park is located within the complex "Kijima Kogen Resort." It offers a wide variety of attractions, from thrilling rides to more relaxed rides suitable for small children. The highlight of the thrilling rides is "Jupiter," which has been in operation since 1992. This wooden coaster has become a hot topic, and the unique creaking sound of wood allows you to experience a thrill like never before. Meanwhile, children can also enjoy "Mememe no Megamaru Ninja Village," where they can explore a trick house filled with silly ninjas.

▲Kijima Kogen Park Image provided by: PIXTA

Kijima Kogen Park is a highland resort surrounded by greenery, and is equipped with a resort hotel and golf course. Enjoying the magnificent natural surroundings while playing is one of its charms, and there are ways to enjoy the park throughout the seasons. In the summer, a pool called "Chapucha" is open for a limited time from mid-July to early September. The pool is 20cm deep, so even small children can enjoy themselves without changing into a swimsuit. Another plus is the wide range of play equipment, including pump showers and see-saw guns. In winter, one of Kyushu's largest outdoor skating rinks opens. Sled rental services are available, so even children who aren't good at skating can have fun.

Jojima Kogen Park

Address: 123 Jojima Kogen, Beppu City

Access: Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Beppu IC. Bus: Get off at Kijima Kogen Park bus stop.

Beppu Ropeway

▲Beppu Ropeway Image provided by: Beppu Ropeway

The Beppu Ropeway connects the mountainside of Mount Tsurumi, at an elevation of 1,375 meters, to near the summit. Board the ropeway from Beppu Kogen Station, located at an elevation of 500 meters, and travels a 1,816-meter track with an elevation difference of approximately 800 meters. There are no steps when boarding the gondola, making it a safe and secure ride. From inside the gondola, which is one of the largest in Kyushu and can accommodate 101 people, you can enjoy views of the vast Beppu Bay and surrounding cityscape as you approach the summit, and on clear days you can even see Shikoku beyond the ocean. It takes approximately 10 minutes to arrive at Tsurumi-sanjo Station, located at an elevation of 1,300 meters.

▲Beppu Ropeway night view Image provided by: Beppu Ropeway

There is a jumbo thermometer installed near Tsurumi Sanjo Station, and you can see that the temperature is more than 10 degrees different from the ground. It is a great way to escape the heat during the humid summer months. By the way, on designated days during the summer season, the facility is open at night, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful night view from the top of the mountain. In particular, from the observation point facing Beppu Bay, located about a 5-minute walk from Tsurumi Sanjo Station, you can get a breathtaking view of the expansive night view that stretches along Beppu Bay.

▲Beppu Ropeway Autumn leaves Image provided by: Beppu Ropeway

During the autumn foliage season (mid-October to late November), you can enjoy the sight of maple trees and other trees turning yellow and red from the mountaintop to the foot of the mountain, making it a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves. At the foot of the mountain, winter cherry blossoms and October cherry blossoms bloom from October to December, allowing you to enjoy the rare sight of the green of the pine trees, the red of the autumn leaves, and the pink of the cherry blossoms all juxtaposed. One of the highlights of the Beppu Ropeway is being able to see the different faces of the mountain with each season.

Beppu Ropeway

Address: 10-7, Minamitateishi, Kanbara, Beppu City

Access: Car: Approximately 5 minutes from Beppu IC Bus: Get off at Beppu Ropeway bus stop

Recommended hotel for sightseeing in Beppu: Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel

Beppu Onsen Suginoi Hotel

Address: 1 Kankaiji, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

Access: Car) Tosu JCT → Oita Expressway → Higashi Kyushu Expressway → Beppu IC [1 hour 40 minutes] (approximately 5 minutes from Beppu IC) *A free shuttle bus runs between Suginoi Hotel and Beppu Station. (No reservation required)

summary

This time, we've introduced five classic and recommended tourist spots perfect for first-time visitors to Beppu, including amusement parks, aquariums, traditional markets, and scenic spots. Please use this as reference when planning your trip to Beppu.

The content is based on information at the time of coverage. For the latest information, please check the website of the publisher or contact them directly.