Beppu Onsen in Winter: Snow Views and Illuminated Hell Tour

Steam rising white and thick into the chilled air, snow-viewing open-air baths, illuminations coloring the hot-spring town—Beppu Onsen, which boasts the number-one spot in Japan in both the number of source springs and the volume of gushing water, is in fact a season whose charm increases precisely in winter. The lower the temperature drops, the thicker the steam throughout the town becomes, and the hot-spring sentiment reaches its peak. Winter in Beppu, spent soaking in warm water, is a luxurious time that seems to melt both heart and body.

Steam That Grows Thicker Precisely in Winter

Beppu is literally Japan's largest hot-spring town, boasting about 2,300 source springs and the number-one volume of gushing water in Japan as well. The sight of steam rising from everywhere in the city is unique to Beppu, but this looks most beautiful in winter. The lower the outside temperature, the whiter and thicker the steam trails, and the whole town is wrapped in a fantastical atmosphere. On days when snow lightly piles on Mt. Tsurumi, the contrast of steam and snow shows an exceptional charm.

Snow-Viewing Open-Air Baths and the Hell Tour

The real pleasure of winter Beppu is, above all, the snow-viewing open-air bath. The time spent soaking leisurely in warm water while the cold air caresses your cheeks is blissful. Also, the "Hell Tour" (Jigoku Meguri), where vivid red and blue source springs gush out, is recommended in winter, when the steam grows all the thicker. You can savor the powerful scenery of each distinctive "hell"—Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell), and others—through the steam.

Winter Events and Gourmet

Winter Beppu bustles with events such as illuminations coloring the hot-spring town and light-ups making use of the steam. During the Christmas season, the town shines romantically. For a chilled body, "jigoku-mushi" dishes steamed with the steam of the hot springs, as well as Oita's winter flavors such as Seki aji (horse mackerel), Seki saba (mackerel), and pufferfish, are also perfect. Warming local specialty gourmet is also one of the pleasures of winter.

Best Season and Access

The steam is most beautiful in the cold period from December to February. For access, JR "Beppu Station" is the base, and buses to each hot-spring area in the city are well-developed. From Oita Airport it's about 45 minutes by bus. Combine it with sightseeing in the surroundings such as Yufuin and the Kunisaki Peninsula, and fully enjoy a winter-only bathing experience in Japan's number-one hot-spring town.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best time to see it: The lower the outside temperature falls, the whiter and thicker the steam becomes, so December to February is the highlight season.
• Opening periods and operating hours: The Beppu Hell Tour (the 7 hells of Umi, Chinoike, Tatsumaki, Shiraike, Oniishibozu, Oniyama and Kamado) runs 8:00-17:00 and is open all year round. Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa is open 10:00-19:00 (last orders 18:00) and closed on the third Wednesday of each month (the following day when it is a public holiday).
• Prices: The combined admission ticket for the 7 hells costs 2,400 yen for adults (high school students and older) and 1,200 yen for children (elementary and junior high school students) (revised on February 1, Reiwa 7 / 2025). It is valid for two days, the day of purchase and the following day, and allows one entry to each hell. The combined ticket can be bought at any of the hells. At Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa, use of a steaming pot costs 400 yen for a small one and 600 yen for a large one for up to 15 minutes (each additional 10 minutes costs 200 yen for a small pot and 300 yen for a large one), while entry to the facility, the foot-steaming bath and the foot bath are free of charge.
• Access: JR Beppu Station is the hub. From Oita Airport it is about 47 minutes to Beppu Kitahama on the "Airliner" airport express bus.
• Parking: About 615 spaces in total across the 7 hells (Umi Jigoku 230, Chinoike Jigoku 130, Tatsumaki Jigoku 80, Oniyama Jigoku 60, Shiraike Jigoku 45, Oniishibozu Jigoku 35 and Kamado Jigoku 35). Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa has free parking (26 spaces beside the building and 5 nearby).
• What to wear and bring: In winter the road surface may freeze or be covered with snow, so wear non-slip shoes and warm clothing. Your hair and clothes get damp in the steam and you can chill quickly, so it is reassuring to carry a spare towel.

*Jigokumushi steam cooking uses very hot hot-spring steam, so take great care not to burn yourself when lifting the lid of the pot or taking out the food. Only junior high school students and older may take part. Reservations are not accepted; visitors are called in the order of their numbered tickets. *The hot water at each hell is extremely hot. Follow the instructions on site: do not lean out over the fences, do not take your eyes off small children, and do not step outside the designated paths. *Each type of hot spring water has its own contraindications. Avoid drinking alcohol before or after bathing, do not stay in the bath too long, drink water regularly, and watch out for feeling unwell, becoming dizzy from the heat, and dehydration. In winter, when temperature differences are large, be careful of heat shock as well: be conscious of the difference in temperature between the changing room and the bathroom and get into the water slowly. If you have a chronic condition, consult your doctor beforehand.

(Sources: the official Beppu Hell Tour website of the Beppu Jigoku Association, opening information / the official Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa website, menu and prices / the Beppu City official website "Onsen Encyclopedia: Hot Spring Data" / Oita Kotsu's route guide for the "Airliner" airport bus)