8 Best Ryokans in Beppu with Onsen Baths

Picking a ryokan in Beppu is harder than it looks. There are properties right beside the famous Hells, hillside ryokans with bay views, and small traditional inns two minutes from the station.

Here are the eight I’d actually book.

Quick picks: Best Beppu ryokans

Beautiful ryokans in Beppu with onsen baths

1. Kannawaen — best overall

If you want one ryokan in Beppu that gets everything right, Kannawaen is the one I’d look at first.

It sits in the Kannawa Onsen district, a short walk from Umi-Jigoku (one of the famous Hells of Beppu).

But once you step inside, it feels completely separate from the crowds. The grounds are built like a small village with koi ponds, stone paths, waterfalls, and even a Noh theatre.

All rooms come with a private onsen, which already puts it ahead of most places in Beppu.

But the bigger draw is the spring itself. It comes from two sources on-site, flows naturally, and has a distinct cobalt-blue tint that you don’t really see elsewhere in the city.

For dinner, you can choose between kaiseki or teppanyaki. Kaiseki leans heavily on local seafood and wagyu, while teppanyaki feels more interactive and works well for special occasions.

After dinner, don’t miss Bar Verde. It opens facing the lit Noh stage, and that’s where the atmosphere really shifts.

• Best for: first ryokan stay in Beppu, special occasions.
• Price range: $$
• Room tip: I’d choose between a villa for privacy or the Sora room for views and in-room dining.
• Note: Tattoos not allowed in public baths, but fine in your private bath.

2. Beppu Showaen — best private villa ryokan

Beppu Showaen has a backstory unlike any other ryokan in Beppu.

The site was a working gold mine during the Edo period. And when the ground became too difficult to dig, hot springs emerged from the shafts instead.

Instead of one main building, you get nine standalone villas spread across a large garden. You cannot hear your neighbors, which is rarer than it sounds.

The spring water is known as “Bijin no Yu” (Beauty Water), drawing from the old gold stream. It’s a soft, skin-smoothing soak, and you’ll notice it after just one session.

Each villa has either an indoor hinoki cypress bath or an open-air rock bath. And because every bath is within a private villa, you don’t have to worry about tattoos.

Dinner is kaiseki served in your own room. The kitchen makes its own dashi, ponzu, and pickled garnishes from scratch.

Pay attention to breakfast too. The handmade dried fish is simple but most guests love it.

• Best for: private villa stay, couples, in-room dining, quiet atmosphere.
• Price range: $$
• Room tip: I’d pick a villa with both indoor and outdoor baths. Entry-level options feel more limited.
• Getting there: 7–8 minutes from Beppu Station by shuttle or taxi.

3. Ryotei Matsubaya — best views

If the view is a big part of the stay for you, Ryotei Matsubaya is where I’d go.

The ryokan sits on a hillside above Beppu, so wherever you are, your room, your bath, or the dining space, you’re looking out over the bay and the steam rising from the city below.

There are two wings, so I’d choose based on the kind of stay you want. Oka no Sou feels more traditional, with tatami and wood, while Tsuki no Sou is more modern and offers private onsen baths and better views.

If you’re staying in Tsuki no Sou, make use of the lounge. It offers free-flow beer, whisky, wine, coffee, and snacks from 3 pm to 10 pm, exclusively for guests in that wing.

Don’t miss the 5 baths here. Each has a character: Yakushi no Yu is carved from a single rock with pine tree views, the Couple’s Bath uses two teacup-shaped pottery tubs, and the Rabbit Bath is an indoor family bath with a moon-rabbit design.

Dinner depends on what you book, but if you go for the premium kaiseki, there’s no menu. You find out what’s being served as it comes out, based on what the chef picked that day.

Breakfast includes the local Oita dumpling soup and coffee brewed using drinking-quality water from Yakushi no Yu.

• Best for: panoramic views, couples, hillside ryokan stay.
• Price range: $$
• Room tip: I’d pick Tsuki no Sou for views and the lounge, or Oka no Sou for a more classic feel.
• Getting there: about 15 minutes by taxi from Beppu Station.

4. Yamada Bessou — best historic atmosphere

Yamada Bessou is the one I’d choose if you care more about character than polish.

It started as a private villa in the 1930s and still feels closer to a lived-in home than a hotel.

The architecture is a real Showa-era blend of Japanese and Western: a pseudo-European reception room with plaster ceiling decorations and period lamps at the entrance, and Japanese-style tatami rooms beyond.

Writers, artists, and cultural figures have stayed here for decades, and small art events are occasionally still held on-site.

The private outdoor bath is what most people come for. You sign up at reception, walk through the garden, and arrive at a hidden rock-lined bath.

You can still use the indoor bath whenever you want, but I’d make sure you don’t skip the outdoor one. It’s one of the nicest private bath experiences in Beppu.

Breakfast is also worth paying attention to. Ingredients are sourced locally, and everything is served on traditional Onta ware pottery from Hita City.

• Best for: historic atmosphere, quiet stay with private bath access.
• Price range: $$
• Room tip: I’d choose an upper-floor room for more space and better garden views.
• Note: Shared toilets are standard. Adults only.
• Getting there: 8-minute walk from Beppu Station.

5. Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki — best for food

If food is the main reason you’re booking a ryokan, I’d look here first.

Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki only accepts a small number of guests each day, so everything feels more focused. You’re not one of many tables being served at the same time. The pace is slower, and the attention is noticeably different.

The kaiseki is what you’re really coming for. It leans heavily on local ingredients like Bungo beef and Oita seafood, with local sake pairings and detailed attention to dietary needs.

The onsen side is more low-key, but still well done. Some rooms have their own baths, and the rest use private session baths. The water is natural and flows directly from the source.

• Best for: food-focused stay, couples, guests with dietary preferences.
• Price range: $$$
• Room tip: I’d book a room with an in-room bath if you want full privacy.
• Note: Limited number of guests, so book early. Guests aged 13 and above only.

6. Beppu Nagomitsuki — best private onsen in every room

The defining feature of Beppu Nagomitsuki is simple: every room has a private open-air onsen on the balcony with 24/7 free-flowing spring water straight from the source.

The baths are semi-enclosed to block the wind, so you get the open-air feeling without being fully exposed to the elements. And because every bath is private, tattoos are not a concern at all.

Staff speak multiple languages, and dinner is explained course by course, so it helps if it’s your first ryokan stay.

Meals lean toward wagyu and seasonal seafood. If you’re staying more than one night, the menu changes too.

It sits in a quiet residential area, so you’ll need the free station shuttle or a taxi to get around. But most people who book here aren’t planning to leave much anyway.

• Best for: private onsen in every room, couples trip, quiet stay.
• Price range: $
• Room tip: Rooms are compact, so I’d pack light or let them know in advance if you have large luggage.
• Note: Adults only, children 12 and under not accepted. Evening curfew at 10 pm.

7. Kannawa Bettei — best for complete privacy near the Hells

If you want a ryokan where you won’t see other guests at all, Kannawa Bettei is an excellent choice.

There are only six rooms, each set as a separate structure within a bamboo and forest garden. No communal baths, no shared spaces.

Each room comes with its own bath, either indoor or both indoor and outdoor. I’d go for one with an outdoor bath if that’s part of why you’re booking.

The location also works well. You’re close to the Hells of Beppu, but still far enough that it feels quiet.

The in-room kaiseki dinner is excellent. Oita wagyu and fresh shrimp (ebi) sashimi is consistently well-reviewed.

• Best for: full privacy, in-room dining, quiet stay near the Hells.
• Price range: $$$
• Room tip: Book a room with the outdoor bath if open-air soaking is the goal. Indoor-only rooms are still excellent.
• Note: Tattoo-friendly for in-room baths. Check-in by 6 pm if you’re having dinner.

8. Ryokan Sennari — best location, easiest for first-timers

Ryokan Sennari is one of the best ryokans in Beppu with an excellent location.

It’s a two-minute walk from Beppu Station, which is a big difference if you’re arriving with luggage or planning to explore during the day. Even with that location, the ryokan itself feels quiet, with rooms set around a small garden.

The baths are all private and reservable, so it’s a great choice for your first onsen experience. You book a time slot, use the bath on your own, and don’t need to think about shared spaces.

The kaiseki dinner here is great too. You’ll get to try Bungo Channel seafood: sekiaji horse mackerel sashimi, Bungo beef, grilled seasonal fish, and fugu in winter.

• Best for: first ryokan stay, easy access, solo travelers.
• Price range: $$
• Room tip: I’d upgrade to the Maki room for a private open-air bath. Adults only (13 and above).
• Note: Dinner check-in by 6 pm. No in-room WiFi, lobby only.

What makes Beppu’s onsen different

Beppu feels different from other onsen towns because it isn’t built around one spring. It’s spread across eight districts, each with its own type of water, temperature, and atmosphere.

Kannawa is the one you’ll notice most. The steam here is strong enough to cook with, which is where jigoku mushi comes from. Some ryokans still use that steam in their meals, so the onsen becomes part of the food as well.

You’ll also see the famous Hells of Beppu. They’re not for bathing, but they’re worth visiting once. Umi-Jigoku (bright blue), Chinoike Jigoku (red), and Tatsumaki Jigoku (geyser) are must-visit. Most of them are in Kannawa, so it’s easy to visit before check-in.

If this is your first onsen trip, check out my onsen etiquette guide. The rules are simple, but knowing them in advance means you can relax from the moment you get in the water.

How to get to Beppu

Beppu is on the eastern coast of Kyushu in Oita Prefecture.

From Fukuoka (Hakata), it’s about two hours by limited express train. From Osaka, the fastest route is via Kokura, which takes around three hours total.

A Japan Rail Pass covers the limited express routes and earns its cost quickly if you’re combining Beppu with other Kyushu destinations.

From Oita Airport, it’s about 45 minutes by bus or taxi.

Most ryokans offer a shuttle from Beppu Station, but you’ll need to book it in advance. If not, taxis are easy and relatively affordable.

How much does a ryokan in Beppu cost?

Prices vary more in Beppu than in most onsen towns, depending on location, onsen type, and meal plan.

Budget ($, under $200 per room)

Beppu Nagomitsuki is the most affordable on this list. You still get natural hot springs and the full ryokan atmosphere, just without the premium extras.

Mid-range ($$, around $200 to $300 per room)

This is where most of the list sits. Beppu Showaen and Yamada Bessou land here. You get private onsen baths, good kaiseki, and in most cases a genuinely memorable setting.

Luxury ($$$, $300 and above per room)

Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki and Kannawa Bettei are the two that stand out. Both are small, intimate, and charge accordingly for the level of personalized attention and food quality they deliver.

If you want a deeper breakdown, my ryokan cost guide goes into more detail.

When to visit Beppu

Autumn (October to mid-November) is the most beautiful time to visit Beppu. The foliage on the hills around the Kannawa district turns deep red and orange, and the contrast with the steam rising from every surface is something that’s hard to describe until you see it.

Spring cherry blossom from late March to early April is a close second.

Summer is hot and humid. The heat changes how the onsen feels, especially during the day. If you’re visiting then, I’d book somewhere with an ocean-view bath and use the early morning hours.

Weekends and public holidays book out quickly. If you have flexibility, a midweek stay is easier to book and often better value.

If you can only pick one

For a first Beppu ryokan stay, I’d book Kannawaen. It offers private onsen in every room, the cobalt-blue spring, the Noh theatre grounds, and a location right next to Hells of Beppu.

→ Check availability at Kannawaen.

If you’re still comparing, check out Booking.com, Agoda, and Trip.com. Prices vary more between them than you’d expect.

Most Beppu ryokans take non-refundable deposits well in advance, so I’d sort out travel insurance before confirming anything. SafetyWing and VisitorsCoverage both take a few minutes to set up.

For mobile data while navigating trains and finding your ryokan in the evening, I usually set up an eSIM with Airalo before flying.

If you’re visiting Kyushu more broadly, Yufuin is about 45 minutes from Beppu by train and pairs well as a two-destination trip. A Japan Rail Pass covers both routes.