About
Hyotan Onsen's traditional entrance and grounds in Kannawa district, Beppu. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Hyotan Onsen stands as Beppu's most prestigious onsen facility, earning the distinction of being Japan's only three Michelin-star hot spring—an achievement maintained for seven consecutive years. 🔗 Founded in 1922 by Junsaku, who originally dug the onsen to help heal his wife's rheumatism, the facility takes its name from the gourd-shaped (hyotan) stone bath, inspired by samurai leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legendary war councils held in gourd-shaped baths. 🔗
Located at the gateway of Kannawa district on Yukemuri Road, Hyotan Onsen offers 100% natural, free-flowing hot spring water from Beppu's abundant geothermal resources. 🔗 The facility developed its own innovative bamboo cooling system to regulate water temperature from the source's 100°C down to a comfortable 45°C for bathing. 🔗
What sets Hyotan Onsen apart is its comprehensive approach to traditional onsen culture while remaining exceptionally welcoming to international visitors. Unlike many traditional onsen, Hyotan has been tattoo-friendly since its inception, and recently began offering halal food options to accommodate the growing Islamic community and Southeast Asian visitors. 🔗 🔗
Cultural & Historical Significance
The facility underwent renovations while maintaining its traditional character, now offering an impressive variety of bathing experiences: multiple indoor baths, outdoor rotenburo (open-air baths), waterfall massage baths (utase-yu), steam baths (mushiyu), sand baths (sunayu), and 14 private family baths. 🔗 This combination of traditional authenticity, therapeutic variety, and international accessibility explains why it has become one of Beppu's most beloved onsen facilities for both locals and travelers.
The facility's innovative bamboo cooling system represents a unique engineering solution to managing extremely hot geothermal water, demonstrating the creativity applied to traditional onsen culture. 🔗
Visiting Information
Hours: 9:00 AM - 1:00 AM (next day), open daily 🔗
- Note: Temporarily closed Wednesday, October 29, 2025 for inspection
Admission:
- Public bath: Adults ¥780, Children (6-12) ¥530 🔗
- Sand bath: Additional ¥380 (includes yukata rental) 🔗
- Private family bath: ¥2,150 per hour (up to 6 people) 🔗
Access:
- From Beppu Station: Oita Kotsu Bus to "Kannawa Onsen" or "Jigokubara" stop + 2 min walk (~25 min total) 🔗
- From Beppudaigaku Station: 10-minute walk through Kannawa district 🔗
- From Kannawa accommodations: 5-10 minute walk
- By car: 10 minutes from Beppu Interchange, on-site parking available 🔗
Reservations:
- Public baths: First-come, first-served (no reservations) 🔗
- Private family baths: Can be reserved by phone or website 🔗
- Weekend/holiday private baths limited to 1 hour (no extensions when crowded) 🔗
Tattoo Policy: Fully tattoo-friendly since 1922 - no cover-up requirements 🔗
International Features:
- Multilingual signage 🔗
- Halal food options (butter chicken curry, halal bread) 🔗
- English website and information 🔗
Bath Types and Experiences
Waterfall Massage Baths (Utase-yu) - Signature Feature: 19 waterfalls in men's bath, 8 in women's bath. Water falling onto shoulders, back, and neck provides pressure massage effects similar to professional massage therapy, relieving stiff muscles, easing back pain, and improving blood circulation. Visitors consistently praise this as the most therapeutic experience. 🔗 🔗
Large Public Baths (Gender-Separated): Multiple indoor pools of varying temperatures with 100% natural, free-flowing hot spring water. Medical records and mineral analysis available. 🔗
Outdoor Bath (Rotenburo): Beautiful open-air bath offering quintessential Japanese onsen experience. In November, enjoy the contrast of cool autumn air (10-16°C) with warm onsen water while viewing autumn foliage. 🔗 🔗
Steam Bath (Mushiyu): Natural steam bath filled with ~50°C steam from hot springs, functioning like a natural facial treatment. Uses abundant geothermal resources of Kannawa area. 🔗
Sand Bath (Sunayu - Mixed Gender): Uses sea sand heated with 100°C natural hot spring steam to ~50°C, making it milder and more comfortable than other facilities. Visitors wear yukata, allowing mixed-gender use. Many report falling asleep during this deeply relaxing experience. 🔗 🔗
Private Family Baths: 14 separate private baths accommodating up to 6 people, offering mixed-gender bathing for families and couples. Must be reserved in advance. 🔗
Additional Features: Foot bath, inhalation station (drinking hot spring water), walking baths, salt baths, pebble baths, tiled pools, wooden pools, rock pools. 🔗 🔗
Practical Visiting Tips
Recommended Sequence (Official Suggestion):
- Start with sand bath (sunayu) - wear yukata provided 🔗
- Shower thoroughly to wash off sand
- Experience steam bath (mushiyu) 🔗
- Enjoy large public baths and outdoor rotenburo
- Try waterfall massage baths for therapeutic benefits
- Optional: Jigoku steam cooking (order 20-30 minutes before eating)
Cultural Etiquette:
- Full nudity required in gender-separated bathing areas 🔗
- Thoroughly wash entire body at washing stations before entering any bath 🔗
- Hair must not touch water - tie up long hair 🔗
- Small towel should never touch onsen water 🔗
- Maintain quiet, respectful atmosphere
Crowd Avoidance:
- Visit early morning before breakfast (quietest period) 🔗
- Early afternoon before dinner rush is second-best 🔗
- Weekdays significantly less crowded than weekends/holidays 🔗
November Visit Advantages:
- Cooler temperatures (10-16°C) create perfect contrast with warm onsen waters 🔗
- Beautiful autumn foliage visible throughout Beppu 🔗
- Bathing in open-air onsen during light autumn rain offers unique natural massage 🔗
- Tail end of Beppu Art Month 2025 (Sept 27 - Nov 16)
What Makes Hyotan Special:
- Only Michelin three-star onsen in Japan (seven consecutive years) 🔗
- Exceptional variety of bath types 🔗
- International accessibility - tattoo-friendly since 1922, halal options 🔗
- Outstanding value at ¥780 public bath admission 🔗
Onsen Steam Cuisine: Experience traditional "hell steam cooking" where food is steamed using natural hot spring steam. Halal options include halal bread and butter chicken curry. Cooking takes 20-30 minutes. 🔗 🔗
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/beppu/hyotan-onsen.md