About Oita
Oita Prefecture occupies the northeastern coast of Kyushu, its terrain of volcanic mountains, forested highlands, and deep bays generating the most abundant hot spring output of any prefecture in Japan — and indeed, any region in the world. Oita's onsen produce more than 290,000 liters of thermal water per minute, roughly a quarter of Japan's total hot spring output, creating a prefecture where soaking in natural hot water is simply a way of life.
Beppu, on Oita's eastern coast, is the most concentrated hot spring resort in Japan, with eight distinct spring zones called 'Beppu Hachito' producing different chemical compositions and temperatures. The 'Hells of Beppu' — nine spectacularly colored thermal pools that cannot be bathed in due to their extreme temperatures — are Beppu's signature tourist attraction: blood-red Umi Jigoku, sea-blue Umi Jigoku, and grey mud pools that bubble like molten pudding create an otherworldly landscape that steams visibly from the city's streets.
Yufuin, inland in a highland basin above Beppu, offers a completely different hot spring experience — intimate inns surrounded by vegetable fields, artisan galleries, and Mt. Yufu's distinctive twin-peaked silhouette providing a dramatic backdrop. Yufuin's boutique inns (ryokan) are among Japan's most sought-after accommodations, combining outdoor cypress-wood baths with sophisticated kaiseki cuisine prepared from local highland vegetables and mountain river fish. The town has managed its growth carefully to preserve its rural character against the pressure of enormous visitor numbers.
Featured Spot: Beppu Hot Springs
Beppu's Eight Hells (Jigoku Meguri) are a collection of naturally occurring thermal pools of extreme temperature (50–98°C) and varied mineral composition that render them unsuitable for bathing but spectacular for viewing. The most dramatic is Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), a brilliant cobalt blue pool caused by dissolved iron sulphate, ringed by tropical plants that thrive in the constant heat and steam. Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) is a vivid red-orange, colored by iron oxide deposits, and was used for centuries to produce the coloring for traditional Beppu cosmetics. Tatsumaki Jigoku features a natural geyser erupting every 25–40 minutes.
What to Experience
- Soak in outdoor baths with mountain views at a Yufuin luxury ryokan
- Tour the spectacularly colored Hells of Beppu — thermal pools too hot to enter
- Taste Oita's toriten chicken tempura with a splash of ponzu dipping sauce
- Hike Mt. Kuju, Kyushu's highest volcanic peak, through highland flower meadows
Best Seasons to Visit
Oita's hot springs are spectacular year-round — winter bathing under snow or stars is particularly magical. Autumn (October–November) brings vivid foliage to the highland Aso-Kuju National Park. Spring wildflowers bloom across Mt. Kuju's highland meadows from May through July. Summer is warm but the mountains and forest areas of Yufuin provide cool retreats. The Beppu International Festival in November offers cultural performances alongside onsen experiences.