Oita and Beppu: How to Combine Japan's Twin Onsen Cities in One Trip

Why Combine Oita and Beppu

Oita city and Beppu sit side by side on the northeast coast of Kyushu, separated by just 12 km of coastline. A local train on the JR Nippo Main Line (日豊本線) connects the two stations in about 20 minutes for ¥220 (~$1.50), with departures every 15-30 minutes throughout the day. This makes them one of the easiest city pairs to combine in all of Japan.

The two cities complement each other well. Oita is the prefectural capital — urban, practical, with good dining and transport connections to the rest of Kyushu. Beppu is Japan's onsen capital, famous for its volcanic hot springs, sand baths, and the dramatic Jigoku Meguri (地獄めぐり, "hell tour") circuit. Together they cover urban convenience and onsen immersion without requiring a long journey between them.

For a broader look at the region, see our Oita Prefecture overview and all Oita city guides.

What Each City Offers

Oita City: Urban Base and Local Food

Oita city is not a typical tourist destination, which is part of its appeal. The area around JR Oita Station has shopping arcades, izakaya streets, and local Kyushu cuisine. The city works well as a practical base with reliable transport connections — the JR Sonic limited express reaches Hakata (Fukuoka) in about 2 hours.

The standout attraction near Oita city is Umitamago Aquarium (うみたまご), a seaside marine park with dolphin shows and seal feeding. According to the official site, admission is ¥2,700 (~$18) for adults and ¥1,200 (~$8) for children. Hours are 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Tuesdays except holidays.

Oita also serves as a gateway to the wider prefecture. From Oita Station, you can reach Yufuin by train in about 1 hour — see our Yufuin village guide for details.

Beppu: Onsen Capital and Jigoku Meguri

Beppu is one of Japan's most prolific hot spring cities, with steam rising from streets and hillsides throughout the town. The main draw for day visitors is the Jigoku Meguri — a circuit of 8 "hells," each a natural hot spring vent with distinctive colors and characteristics. These are viewing spots, not bathing spots.

According to the Beppu Jigoku official site, the common ticket covering all 8 hells costs ¥2,800 (~$19) for adults and ¥1,400 (~$9) for children. Hours are generally 8:00-17:00 daily. The 8 hells are spread across two areas about 3 km apart, so plan on walking or using the local sightseeing bus.

Beyond the hells, Beppu offers sand baths (砂蒸し風呂) where you're buried in naturally heated volcanic sand for 10-15 minutes — a unique Beppu experience. Many visitors on TripAdvisor recommend trying a sand bath in addition to (or instead of) a regular onsen.

Getting Between Oita and Beppu

The JR Nippo Main Line connects Oita Station and Beppu Station directly.

Option	Time	Cost	Frequency
Local train	~20 min	¥220 (~$1.50)	Every 15-30 min
Limited express (Sonic)	~15 min	¥1,100-2,100 (~$7-14)	Hourly
Car	~15 min	—	Via Route 10

According to JR Kyushu, trains run from approximately 5:10 to 23:20. The local train is frequent and cheap enough that you can hop between cities multiple times in a day without planning.

If you hold a JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass (3 days ¥10,170 or 5 days), it covers unlimited travel on this route including limited express trains — making the Oita-Beppu commute essentially free.

By car, the drive along Route 10 takes about 15 minutes. Parking is available at most Beppu attractions.

Suggested Itineraries: 1 to 3 Days

One Day: Best of Both Cities

• Morning: Explore Oita Station area, breakfast at a local kissaten or bakery
• Late morning: Train to Beppu (20 min)
• Afternoon: Jigoku Meguri circuit (allow 2-3 hours for all 8 hells, ¥2,800)
• Late afternoon: Sand bath experience
• Evening: Return to Oita for dinner, or stay in Beppu for onsen ryokan

This is a popular pattern. Many visitors on Reddit confirm that one day covers the highlights of both cities comfortably.

Two Days: Deeper Exploration

• Day 1: Full day in Beppu — Jigoku Meguri in the morning, sand bath and public onsen in the afternoon, evening steam-cooked dinner (jigoku mushi)
• Day 2: Oita city — Umitamago Aquarium, shopping arcades, local cuisine

A two-day split lets you soak in Beppu's atmosphere without rushing. Consider staying one night in a Beppu ryokan for the full onsen experience.

Three Days: Adding Yufuin

• Days 1-2: Oita and Beppu as above
• Day 3: Day trip to Yufuin (1 hour by train from Oita) for its lakeside village atmosphere and art museums

For broader Kyushu trip planning, see our Oita in a Kyushu itinerary guide.

Where to Stay: Oita vs Beppu

	Oita City	Beppu
Vibe	Urban, practical	Onsen town, steamy
Best for	Business hotels, transport hub	Ryokan, hot spring immersion
Dining	Wide variety, izakaya streets	Jigoku mushi, onsen-area restaurants
Transport	Shinkansen/express connections	Closer to hells, onsen
Price range	¥6,000-12,000/night	¥8,000-25,000+ (ryokan)

For a one-night stay, Beppu gives you the full onsen experience — stay in a ryokan with dinner included. For two or more nights, a split stay works well: one night in a Beppu ryokan and one in a practical Oita business hotel.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

• Beppu's hells are for viewing, not bathing: The Jigoku Meguri circuit showcases dramatic hot spring vents, but the water is far too hot. Public baths and sand baths are the bathing options.
• Sand baths require a swimsuit: Beppu's sand bath facilities are mixed bathing areas. Rental swimsuits are available.
• Use IC cards: SUGOCA, Suica, and other IC cards work on JR trains between Oita and Beppu.
• JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass: If you're traveling more broadly in Kyushu, this pass covers the Oita-Beppu trains and saves money on limited express fares. See our Oita travel essentials for more.
• Beppu in summer is hot: The combination of volcanic steam and summer humidity makes the Jigoku Meguri uncomfortable in July-August. Winter is the most atmospheric time for sand baths.
• Closed Tuesdays: Umitamago Aquarium in Oita closes on Tuesdays (except holidays). Plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit both Oita and Beppu in one day?

Yes. Trains run every 15-30 minutes on the JR Nippo Main Line, and the ride takes just 20 minutes for ¥220 (~$1.50). A common plan is to spend the morning in Oita city and take an afternoon train to Beppu for the Jigoku Meguri and a sand bath before returning in the evening.

How much does the train between Oita and Beppu cost?

A local train costs ¥220 (~$1.50) one way, taking about 20 minutes. The limited express Sonic costs ¥1,100-2,100 (~$7-14) with a reserved seat and takes about 15 minutes. The JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass covers both options.

Should I stay in Oita or Beppu?

Beppu is the better choice if you want an onsen ryokan experience — hot springs, traditional dinner, and steamy atmosphere. Oita city is better for urban dining, business hotel convenience, and transport connections to the rest of Kyushu. For two or more nights, consider splitting between both.

Does the JR Kyushu Rail Pass cover Oita-Beppu trains?

Yes. The JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass (3-day or 5-day) covers unlimited travel on the JR Nippo Main Line between Oita and Beppu, including limited express Sonic trains. This makes commuting between the two cities essentially free during your pass validity period.