Myouban Hot Spring Tsurunoyu
Hot Spring Overview
"Myoban Onsen Tsurunoyu" (Crane Hot Spring) is a natural hot spring located in Tsurumi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture. It is known as one of the "Three Secret Hot Springs of Beppu" and is highly regarded among locals and hot spring enthusiasts. Its main characteristic is being an open-air bath in a natural environment that is kept remarkably clean.
Tsurunoyu is a free hot spring maintained by volunteers and is accessible 24 hours a day. However, as it is located beyond the Tsurumi Cemetery, the area becomes quite dark at night, and for safety reasons, it is advised that women should not visit alone. In 2010, there was an incident where a female nurse on a hot spring tour was murdered, prompting the city to install security cameras and take other safety measures.
While there is no detailed analysis chart displayed at the site, the water quality appears to be sulfurous, evident from the yellowish deposits and the characteristic egg-like sulfur smell. The water temperature is on the higher side, sometimes exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. According to regular visitors, the source spring emerges at nearly 80 degrees Celsius and naturally cools down without any added water before reaching the bath.
In terms of facilities, it is well-maintained for a natural hot spring, featuring a wooden changing room with a tiled roof and a private changing area for women. As it is a mixed-gender bath that is often crowded (mainly with male bathers), women are advised to bring bathing clothes. The bath consists of two stone-built pools, and the appeal lies in the openness that allows visitors to enjoy a hot spring experience in nature.
Hot Spring Details
Practical Info
Visit Log
Facilities
Access Information
Access to Tsurunoyu is relatively easy, with the following routes available:
By public transportation:
From JR Beppu Station on the Nippo Main Line, take a taxi for about 20 minutes to Tsurumi Cemetery, then walk for about 5 minutes
Take a Kamenoi Bus and get off at "Myoban Clinic Mae" (note that there is no "Cemetery Front" bus stop), then follow the signs to Tsurumi Cemetery
By car:
From Beppu IC on the Oita Expressway, take Prefectural Road 11 and National Road 500 toward Myoban Onsen for about 5km
Park along the roadside near Tsurumi Cemetery (there is no dedicated parking lot)
Once you arrive at Tsurumi Cemetery, go up the side road of the cemetery, and at the end, enter the mountain path on the left. As you continue along the path, you'll see a stream flowing (which is actually hot spring water), and beyond that, a tile-roofed hut (changing room). The entire journey from the bus stop takes about 20 minutes on foot.
While access is relatively close to the city center, and many people visit by car or motorcycle, there are few signposts, so it's recommended to check a map application when visiting for the first time.
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About Secluded Rating
Access (Difficulty to Reach)
Unpaved 15min
t's possible to reach the location by car, and access is not that difficult.
However, the changing room is rudimentary and the bath is mixed-gender. Considering the facilities and water quality comprehensively, I've rated it as Level 3.