Known as "Onsen Prefecture Oita," Oita Prefecture boasts the highest number of hot spring sources and the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan. In addition to famous hot spring areas like Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen, there are numerous hidden gems ranging from wild hot springs to secluded mountain lodges. Here we introduce a wide selection of Oita's hidden hot springs, from wild springs to accommodating secret hot springs.
1. Myoban Onsen Okamotoya Ryokan (Beppu City)
A historic ryokan located at the highest elevation of Myoban Onsen, one of the Beppu Hatto (eight hot springs). Founded in 1875, this historic inn continues the tradition of yunohana (hot spring mineral) production that has been ongoing since the Edo period.
The beautiful celadon-colored Myoban sulfur spring is rich in sulfur components and displays a mystical hue. At Myoban Jigoku, where traditional thatched yunohana huts line up, visitors can observe the yunohana manufacturing technique, designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The scenic outdoor bath "Yama-no-yu" offers panoramic views of Beppu Bay and Mount Takasaki.
- Spring Quality: Sulfur-containing sodium/calcium chloride/sulfate spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=1
- Source temperature: 80°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available (Yama-no-yu ¥500)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round
2. Yufuin Onsen Mori-no-yu Yufuin Taiyo (Yufu City)
A secret hot spring inn located on a quiet hilltop in Yufuin Onsen, famous for its rare "blue hot spring" waters found throughout Japan. It sits in an excellent location overlooking the Yufuin townscape at the foot of Mount Yufu.
The main feature is the mystical water that changes from colorless and transparent to blue, then white over time. The beauty when it turns cobalt blue is exceptional, and it's highly rated as a beauty spring with a smooth, silky texture. It's popular among hot spring connoisseurs, and the moisturizing effect on skin after bathing is well-known.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=7 (including private baths)
- Source temperature: 56°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available (¥700, small bath only)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round
3. Tsukahara Onsen Kakou-no-izumi (Yufu City)
A medicinal hot spring located on Tsukahara Plateau at the foot of Mount Yufu, boasting Japan's second-strongest acidic spring quality. With a pH of 1.4, the acidity is so strong that if you boil an egg in the source spring, the shell dissolves completely in 3 hours.
This strongly acidic isotonic hot spring is extremely rare nationwide and is known as a precious hot spring. Famous as one of Japan's three major medicinal hot springs, it attracts many visitors for therapeutic purposes. The luxurious 100% source spring flow-through allows you to experience the true power of hot springs.
- Spring Quality: Acidic iron/aluminum sulfate/chloride spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=1, Outdoor=1
- Source temperature: 52°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available (Adults ¥500)
- Accommodation: Not available
- Operating period: Year-round
4. Nagayu Onsen Daimaru Ryokan (Taketa City)
A historic ryokan in Nagayu Onsen, known as "Japan's best carbonated spring." Founded in 1917, this historic inn was beloved by many literary figures including Yosano Tekkan and Akiko, and Osaragi Jiro.
The characteristic feature is enjoying two different spring qualities: low-temperature pure carbonated spring at around 32°C and high-temperature carbonated spring at nearly 50°C. Carbonated springs where bubbles can be seen with the naked eye are rare in Japan, and this precious hot spring creates silver bubbles that attach to your entire body within about one minute of bathing. The external bath Ramune Onsen-kan is also popular.
- Spring Quality: Carbon dioxide-containing sodium/magnesium bicarbonate spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=2
- Source temperature: 32°C・50°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round
5. Nagayu Onsen Gani-yu (Taketa City)
A free wild hot spring that has become a symbolic presence of Nagayu Onsen. It's a mixed outdoor bath under a bridge over the Seri River, with natural openness and no fences or enclosures.
Hot spring with legends of crabs and beautiful maidens, free bathing available 24 hours a day. The riverside features iron-rich muddy hot springs, and since skin becomes invisible once you enter, swimwear is also permitted. During firefly season, you can enjoy firefly watching while bathing in Gani-yu.
- Spring Quality: Carbon dioxide-containing sodium/magnesium bicarbonate spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Outdoor=1 (mixed bathing)
- Source temperature: 38°C
- Bathing fee: Free
- Operating hours: 24 hours
- Facilities: Changing area under the bridge
6. Sujiyu Onsen Utase Daiyokujou (Kokonoe Town)
A famous public bathhouse in Sujiyu Onsen, located at an elevation of about 1000m with over 1000 years of history. Famous as "Japan's best utase-yu (falling water bath)," featuring 18 utase-yu falling from a height of about 3 meters.
Utase-yu has massage effects and is effective for muscle fatigue and ailments such as stiff shoulders and back pain, which is how "Sujiyu Onsen" got its name. Popular with climbers of the Kuju mountain range for healing climbing fatigue, and with winter skiers as the hot spring doesn't cool you down easily.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=1 (18 utase-yu)
- Source temperature: 58°C
- Bathing fee: ¥400
- Operating hours: 6:00-21:30
- Operating period: Open year-round
7. Sujiyu Onsen Daikokuya (Kokonoe Town)
A simple accommodation inn created by renovating a historic ryokan in the center of Sujiyu Onsen town. The charm lies in the quiet environment where you can relax while listening to the murmuring of the river.
Features two source spring flow-through family baths, with access to three nearby public baths including "Japan's best utase-yu." Also includes a restaurant serving fresh charcoal-grilled chicken using local poultry, available for use without staying overnight.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Family baths=2
- Day-trip bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available (simple stay)
- Operating period: Year-round
8. Amagase Onsen (Hita City)
An ancient hot spring area scattered along the Kusu River, upstream of the Chikugo River, with hot springs and steam rising from outdoor baths located throughout the riverbank. With about 1300 years of history, it's recorded in the Nara period "Bungo-no-kuni Fudoki."
Hotels and ryokan line both banks of the narrow Kusu River valley, with semi-natural outdoor baths scattered along the rocky riverbed. The red bridge spanning the Kusu River evokes the romantic atmosphere of a hot spring resort.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring, sulfur spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Benefits: Rheumatism, skin diseases
- Day-trip bathing: Varies by facility
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round
9. Kan-no-jigoku Onsen Kan-no-jigoku Ryokan (Kokonoe Town)
A historic secret hot spring that opened in the late Edo period in 1849. A member inn of the Japan Secret Hot Spring Protection Association founded in 1928, boasting abundant spring output exceeding 2 tons per minute.
The main feature is the 13-14°C cold spring, which gave rise to the name "Kan-no-jigoku" (Cold Hell). The "ととのう" (totono-u) experience combining the newly installed wood-fired sauna with cold spring has become a hot topic, attracting hot spring enthusiasts from across the country. You can also enjoy Bungo beef in the warm space around the hearth.
- Spring Quality: Simple sulfur spring (cold spring)
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Cold spring=2, Hot spring=3, Wood-fired sauna=1
- Source temperature: 13-14°C (cold spring), 60°C (hot spring)
- Day-trip bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round (Closed Wednesdays)
10. Kabeyu Onsen Ryokan Fukumotoya (Kokonoe Town)
A single inn nestled along the Machida River, famous as a natural cave hot spring. The foot-source spring has enough volume to completely replace the bath water every 5 minutes, allowing you to enjoy one of Japan's freshest hot springs.
At about 37°C, it's perfect for long soaking. Fresh spring bubbles, evidence of the spring's freshness, cling to your body. Bathing while viewing the river is exceptional, and it continues to be beloved as a famous historic hot spring that opened during the Kyoho period.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Foot-source spring flow-through
- Baths: Mixed outdoor=1, Women-only=1, Indoor=2, Private=2
- Source temperature: 39°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available (Adults ¥400)
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round
Hokkein Onsen Sanso (Kokonoe Town, Bogatsuru)
A mountain hot spring inn known as Kyushu's highest-altitude hot spring. Originally a major sacred site of the Tendai sect that flourished as Kuju-san Hokkein Hakusui-ji Temple founded in the Kamakura period, it began operating as a mountain lodge in 1882.
Beloved by many climbers for Bogatsuru Sanka (Bogatsuru Hymn) and Miyama-kirishima azaleas, it remains busy throughout the seasons as the center of the Kuju mountain range. You can climb to 1700m-class mountains in about 2 hours, and enjoy Miyama-kirishima flowers while bathing.
- Spring Quality: Simple spring
- Source spring flow-through
- Baths: Indoor=2, Outdoor=1
- Source temperature: 48°C
- Day-trip bathing: Available
- Accommodation: Available
- Operating period: Year-round (reservations required)
Oita Prefecture's secret hot springs each possess unique characteristics and history. From the liberating feeling of wild hot springs to the prestige of historic ryokan, you can enjoy diverse hot spring experiences throughout Oita Prefecture. When touring hot springs, please check operating hours and closed days in advance, and observe proper etiquette during use.
Notice
- Information is the latest available at the time of research, but there may be errors, so please check official websites for the most current information.