Myoban Onsen Hebin-yu (Snake Hot Spring) is one of the three great secret hot springs of Beppu, known as a natural wild hot spring (noyuu) located in the Myoban Onsen area of Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. It is situated on the mid-slope of Mount Tsurumi, which rises to the west of Beppu city center, and is located in the mountainous area further inland from Myoban Onsen, which is positioned at the highest altitude among the Beppu Hatto (eight hot spring areas). It is positioned as the most remote of the three great secret hot springs of Beppu, alongside Tsuru-no-yu and Nabeyama-no-yu.
This hot spring is a free wild hot spring managed by volunteer locals and is accessible 24 hours a day. It features four distinctive rock baths that seem to integrate with the river. The hot spring water is piped from the mountains and flows into the uppermost bath, then cascades down to the lower baths in sequence. Each bath has a different temperature, with the upstream side (closest to the entrance) being the hottest at about 40°C, and gradually becoming cooler downstream. The lowest bath is positioned so close to the river that you can almost reach the flowing water, allowing you to bathe while listening to the sound of the stream.
The spring quality is simple hot spring water (tanjun-sen) with colorless, transparent, and clear water. It is considered to have the most beautiful scenery among the three great secret hot springs of Beppu, and is popular as a hot spring where visitors can fully enjoy nature in its riverside location surrounded by trees. The baths are over one meter deep and are kept relatively clean for a wild hot spring, though some areas of the bottom can be slippery with moss. As it is a mixed-gender bath, it is recommended that women bring bathing attire.
Access is relatively good, about 30 minutes by car from Beppu Station and about 5 minutes on foot from the parking area. The hot spring is popular with international visitors as well. Security cameras have been installed as a safety measure.
By Car
About 30 minutes from Beppu Station
About 46 minutes from Oita city center
About 58 minutes from Oita Airport
Enter from the mountain-bound branch road near the curve opposite "Ebisuya" in Myoban Onsen town
Turn left on the road before Myoban Onsen "Yu-ya Ebisu" on National Route 500
The paved road changes to rough dirt course, continue for about 2km
The road is narrow and winding, requiring careful driving
By Public Transportation
About 25 minutes by Kamenoi Bus "Myoban" bound from JR Beppu Station, get off at Myoban bus stop
About 2km walk (mountain path) from Myoban bus stop
Parking
Parking spaces available on both sides of the road (about 7 cars)
Free, park along the roadside
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Easy access
Deep forest
Natural hot spring