Beppu & Yufuin Itinerary: 1-Day and 2-Day Hot Spring Adventures

Tucked away in northern Kyushu, Beppu and Yufuin are hot spring gems with distinct vibes, perfect for a joint adventure. Beppu’s a steamy geothermal hotspot—second only to Yellowstone in hot spring flow—with cozy hotels and a bustling feel (110,000 locals). Just a short hop away, Yufuin’s a charming, touristy town with cute shops and cafes (12,000 residents). Together, they make an awesome duo for a chill getaway. photo by Christian Chen | Ingmar Larsen | Tayawee Supan

1-Day Whirlwind Itinerary

• 8:00 AM – Hop on a JR train from Hakata Station in Fukuoka and roll into Beppu Station by 10:15 AM.
• Spend the morning soaking up Beppu’s steamy wonders (check out the must-sees below!).
• 1:20 PM – Catch Bus No. 36 from Beppu (or grab the 1:45 PM one if you’re lingering) and get off at the “Takemoto Kinrinko Entrance” stop in Yufuin by 2:13 PM.
• Wander around Yufuin’s charming streets (more on that below!).
• 5:17 PM – Board the scenic “Yufuin no Mori” train back to Fukuoka, arriving at Hakata Station by 7:28 PM.

2-Day, 1-Night Relaxed Itinerary

Day 1:

• 10:00 AM – Kick things off with a JR train from Hakata Station in Fukuoka, pulling into Beppu Station by 11:54 AM.
• Drop your bags at your hotel and dive into Beppu’s hot spring magic for the afternoon (see highlights below).
• Where to stay? Try Beppu Hatto Onyado Nono, right by Beppu Station with awesome hot springs to unwind in.

Day 2:

• 10:30 AM – Jump on Bus No. 36 from Beppu (or an earlier one if you’re up and at ‘em) and arrive at Yufuin’s “Takemoto Kinrinko Entrance” stop by 11:17 AM.
• Stroll through Yufuin’s cute, touristy vibe (details below!).
• 2:15 PM – Catch the “Yufuin no Mori” train back to Fukuoka, landing at Hakata Station by 4:31 PM.

Getting from Fukuoka to Beppu

Fukuoka is about 150 km from Beppu, and the easiest way to get there is to hop on the speedy Sonic or Super Sonic limited express train straight from Hakata Station.
Travel Time: Around 2 to 2.5 hours
Cost: ~¥6,380 one way
Timetable: jrkyushu.co.jp

Got a JR Pass?
You’re in luck! The Sonic has non-reserved seats, so you can just flash your JR Pass and jump on. During busy seasons, if you’re worried about snagging a seat, you can book one at the ticket counter or use a green ticket machine.

No JR Pass?
Since the Sonic is a limited express train, a Suica card won’t cut it. Head to the station’s ticket counter to grab your ticket—staff usually have English cheat sheets, so you can point, smile, and use simple English to get sorted. It’s way less hassle than wrestling with the ticket machines!

Beppu’s Steamy Sightseeing Adventure

1. Start at Beppu JR Station

• Kick off your day at Beppu JR Station. If you’re doing a quick day trip and heading to Yufuin later, grab a 1-day bus pass (¥1,800) at the nearby tourist info center—it’s a steal for hopping around. For a 2-day, 1-night trip, skip the pass and just tap your Suica card for each ride; it’s cheaper that way.

• You can also pick up a Combined Hell Hot Springs Pass (¥2,400 for adults, ¥1,200 for kids) here or at Umi Jigoku. That said, most folks save more by buying individual tickets, so do the math!

2. Head to Umi Jigoku
From Beppu JR Station, catch bus routes 1, 2, 5, 7, 24, or 41 to the “Umi Jigoku-mae” stop (22 min, ¥390, Suica works—just tap on and off). In a rush? A taxi takes about 15 min and costs around ¥2,200.

Once you’re at Umi Jigoku, follow this route to hit the highlights:

3. Dive into Umi Jigoku
Umi Jigoku is Beppu’s star attraction, and you’ll see why! Its massive, turquoise hot spring pool (yep, it looks like a dreamy sea) gives it the name “Sea Hell,” plus there’s a smaller, fiery red pool for contrast. Don’t miss the local treats—steamed buns, hot spring eggs, and creamy pudding are perfect for snacking.
Hours: 8 AM–5 PM
Entry: ¥500 (adults), ¥250 (kids)
Watch: 海地獄　コバルトブルーの池とスイレンが美しい地獄めぐりの定番スポット

4. Stroll to Oniishi Bozu Jigoku
A quick 2-min walk from Umi Jigoku lands you at Oniishi Bozu Jigoku. The hot spring pools here are decent, but the real gem is the foot bath—hands-down the best spot to soak your feet in Beppu!
Hours: 8 AM–5 PM
Entry: ¥500 (adults), ¥250 (kids)
Watch: Japan Walk - Oniishi Bozu Jigoku

Pro Tip:
Right next to Oniishi Bozu Jigoku is Oniishi no Yu, a hidden day-use hot spring (not part of the Jigoku). Pop in for a public bath (¥620 for adults) or splurge on a private family bath for up to 4 people (¥2,000 for indoor only or ¥3,300 for indoor + outdoor, 60-min limit). It’s a bit tucked away, so keep an eye out!

5. Wander to Kamado Jigoku
A 7-min walk brings you to Kamado Jigoku, where you’ll find a colorful mix of hot spring pools—blue, red, and even muddy ones! You can even sip some hot spring water (yep, it’s safe!).
Hours: 8 AM–5 PM
Entry: ¥500 (adults), ¥250 (kids)
Watch: 別府地獄めぐり・かまど地獄

6. Check Out Oniyama Jigoku
Right across from Kamado Jigoku is Oniyama Jigoku. The pools are nothing wild, but the geothermal heat creates a steamy jungle vibe that’s home to about 100 crocodiles—pretty cool, right?
Hours: 8 AM–5 PM
Entry: ¥400 (adults), ¥200 (kids)
Watch: 別府地獄之旅鬼山地獄用地熱養鱷魚的地獄

7. Pop Over to Shiraike Jigoku
A 2-min walk takes you to Shiraike Jigoku. The pools are fairly standard, but the real draw is the tropical fish, Amazon piranhas, and arowanas thriving in the geothermal warmth. Hours: 8 AM–5 PM
Entry: ¥450 (adults), ¥200 (kids)
Watch: 4K【白池地獄】【別府温泉地獄めぐり】

8. Catch the View at Kannawa Onsen Observation Deck
Take a 10-min walk to the Kannawa Onsen Observation Deck for a jaw-dropping view of Beppu’s steam-shrouded cityscape. The white clouds of hot spring steam are most dramatic in the cool morning or evening. Heads-up: It’s not a fancy deck—just a roadside viewpoint, so watch for cars!

9. Back to Beppu JR Station Stroll 6 min to the “Kannawa” bus stop and hop on bus routes 5, 7, 41, 26, or 20 back to Beppu JR Station (16 min, ¥390). That wraps up your Beppu adventure!

This whole loop takes about 3 hours to complete, perfect for a half-day of steamy fun.

  Got Extra Time?
Instead of heading straight back, swing by two more hot spring spots from the “Kannawa” bus stop: Take bus routes 16, 16A, or 29 to “Chinoike Jigoku-mae” (6 min, ¥220):

• Chinoike Jigoku: Blood-red pools that look straight out of a movie. ¥500 (adults), ¥250 (kids)
• Tatsumaki Jigoku: A cool little geyser that erupts every ~35 min for about 5 min. ¥400 (adults), ¥200 (kids)

Watch: ells of Beppu, What to do in Beppu? JAPAN Travel

After, catch bus route 16 back to Beppu JR Station (33 min, ¥460).

Getting from Beppu to Yufuin

Beppu and Yufuin are just 30 km apart—a short hop for a day of exploring! Here are your best options to zip between these hot spring havens:

1. Bus Route 36 (Our Top Pick)
Travel Time: ~47 min
Cost: ¥1,050 (pay onboard or tap with an IC card)
Where to Catch It: Bus stop 1 at Beppu JR Station’s west exit
Timetable: kamenoibus.com
This route’s super popular, so show up early to snag a spot in line.
Hop off at Takemoto/Kinrinko Entrance (not the final Yufuin stop) to kick off your sightseeing without backtracking.

  2. Yufurin Sightseeing Express Bus
Travel Time: ~63 min
Cost: ¥1,100 (grab tickets at the tourist info center near Beppu JR Station)
Where to Catch It: Bus stop at Beppu JR Station’s east exit
Route/Timetable: bokai.jp
Runs once a day on weekdays, more often on weekends.
It’s called “express,” but it’s actually slower than Bus 36—just comfier seats!
Get off at Takemoto Kinrinko Entrance (not “Yufuin”) for the best sightseeing flow.

  3. JR Train
Travel Time: ~1 hr 22 min
Cost: ¥1,300
Trains run often, so you’ve got flexibility.
You’ll need to switch trains at Ōita Station, and it only takes you to Yufuin JR Station, which means backtracking for sightseeing. Honestly, it’s the least hassle-free option.

Yufuin’s Charming Stroll

Yufuin’s sightseeing area is super compact and a breeze to explore. Just wander from Kinrinko (Golden Scale Lake) to Yufuin JR Station—a chill 1.7 km stroll.
The path is packed with cute shops and tasty eateries, and most folks spend 2-3 hours here, including time for a meal or snacks.

Must-See Spots

1. Kinrinko (Golden Scale Lake)
This little lake (just ~400m around) might seem like a glorified pond to some, but don’t sleep on it! Visit on a crisp autumn or winter morning, and you’ll catch magical mist floating over the water, thanks to hot springs at the lake bottom keeping it toasty at ~20°C year-round. That warm water meets cold air to create epic morning fog—perfect for photos!
Watch: 由布院金鱗湖 空拍 DJI Mini 4 Pro

Watch: 湯布院 金鱗湖の朝霧はとても幻想的でした！

2. Yufuin Floral Village
Think England’s Cotswolds, but pint-sized and sprinkled with Ghibli and Sanrio vibes. Built in 2012, this adorable spot is a dream for snapping pics and browsing quirky boutiques. Entry’s free, but the Owl Forest inside costs ¥900/adult for a separate ticket.
Watch: Visiting the Ghibli village in Japan

3. COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN
This sleek museum is a magnet for Instagram lovers, showcasing bold works by artists like Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara, and Yayoi Kusama. Its modern architecture is a vibe all on its own.
Hours: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Admission: ¥1700 (adults), ¥700 (kids)
Official Site: camy.oita.jp
Watch: COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN

Getting Back to Fukuoka from Yufuin

Yufuin is about 120 km from Fukuoka, and the best way to head back is the scenic Yufuin no Mori limited express train. It’s a quick 2 hr 10 min ride for ~¥6,130, landing you at Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Key Tips for the Yufuin no Mori:

Reserve Your Seat:
This train is all reserved seating, so whether you’ve got a JR Pass or not, you’ll need to book a spot. Hit up a JR ticket counter or a green ticket machine as soon as you arrive in Kyushu—especially for the popular 5:17 PM–7:28 PM trip from Yufuin to Hakata.

Why Book Early?
It’s a fan-favorite train, and seats fill up fast!

No Seat on Yufuin no Mori?
No Worries!
If it’s booked, you’ve got backup options:
Yufu Limited Express Train: Offers both reserved and non-reserved seats, but it runs less often.
Local JR Trains: Cheaper and more frequent, but you’ll need 2–3 transfers and about 4 hours total. Either way, you’ll make it back to Fukuoka—no stress!

Watch: JR九州 D＆S列車 「ゆふいんの森」 紹介ムービー

Hope you enjoy your Beppu and Yufuin adventure!
ヽ(´▽`)/