Beppu, Japan

Beppu is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It is famous for its onsen (hot springs), which are regarded as sacred. Beppu is Japan's onsen capital. It has the second largest volume of hot water in the world after Yellowstone in the United States and has the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan. It has eight different hot springs (Onsen) areas: Beppu, Kannawa, Myoban, Kankaiji, Kamegawa, Hamawaki, Horita and Shibaseki.

There are lots of interesting events in Beppu. For example, the "Ogiyama Fire Festival" where the side of Mt. Ohira is set alight, is held on the first Saturday in April. The event is famous for the beautiful spectacle of the burning. "Christmas HANABI Fantasia" is held on December 23rd/24th every year, where elaborately designed fireworks are let off accompanied by music.

Things to See & Do

* Ten hells - multicolored volcanic pits of boiling water and mud, and one geyser
* Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Center
* Takegawara Onsen
* Ogiyama Fire Festival
* Walking tour

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 123,000 approx
Land Area – 125.13 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The port of Beppu is located in the westsern part of Beppu Bay. It is conveniently located close to Beppu’s sightseeing spots.

Travel Links – The nearest airport is in Oita, from which shuttle buses run to Beppu downtown (40 minutes). The Fukuoka airport can be also used thanks to the bus service from the airport through the Oita Expressway coming to Kannawa onsen / Beppu downtown.

The Sonic limited express train runs twice an hour from Fukuoka (Hakata) and Kokura, stopping at Beppu before terminating in Oita.

Uwajima-un'yu ferrry company operates frequent service from Yawatahama, with about 6 crossings per day, going to Beppu port.
Diamond Ferries runs a service from Kobe to reasonably nearby Oita, with no stops. It also runs a service from Osaka to Oita, stopping in Matsuyama on the way.