Gotouen — Local services in Beppu

Amazing onsen, only private baths! Entrance is ¥500 per person for one hour, if you are only one person it will be ¥800. Shampoos are provided, you need to bring your own towel. Operating hours 10:00-18:00 (Winter), longer during the Summer (until 20:00), closed on Tuesdays (if its a national holiday it will be open), there is parking. You go up some stairs, 1st small wooden structure is the toilets, after that there is the reception where you pay your entrance fee and receive washing bowls if you want to use. The granpa owner is really nice, polite and straightforward. There are five private hot spring cabins to choose from, all of them have an outdoor tub sometimes with a roof in case of rain. There is really a lot of space inside the cabin which is made entirely of wood, really nice! Leave your shoes outside, change the sign from "open" to "close" to show the cabin is occupied and you enter the changing area. It has baskets for your clothes, separated by a wooden wall from the tub so your stuff will definitely stay dry. There is an area with a proper shower head which can also be placed high up so you can actually take a proper western style shower to wash up. Of if you want, you can fill up the big stone bucket under the shower head with hot water and pour from there. A clock is hanging to remind you the time. The tub medium to big size made of rocks. The water contains sulfur and you can see the small little particles inside the water, it is strong with minerals, after bathing for 15 minutes I felt a bit dizzy when I stood up so take it easy with breaks. In the corner of the room there was a small little bamboo tree growing. The place is really in a mountain side surrounded by tall trees and lots of greenery, he has his own chickens and growing shiitake mushrooms as well. Bathing with a blue sky under the trees and listening the sounds of the chickens was very relaxing. The facilities were excellent and very clean. Further more, for just ¥200 you can use the onsen steamers (up to 3 hours) to steam whatever you want, you need to bring your own ingredients, plates and chopsticks, one steamer per group of people. Take the basket from the small wooden hut, place your ingredients, put it in the steamer and close the lid, there is a note for how long you are supposed to steam depending on your food. There are many tables to enjoy your food, wash everything at the small tap after and clean up the table using the small towels provided. There is a vending machine in case you need any drinks (no alcohol). Amazingly, this place has its own small geothermal power plant (!) which you can see next to the parking. Even though it's a bit out of the main way, this place is really recommended! Simple sulfuric spring, pH: 6.1, metasilicate: 73.2mg, gensen...

This is my favorite onsen (ranked #1) and I’ve been to many as an onsen passport holder. It is away from the big resorts and more into the forest. There are tsubaki/camelia bushes and trees beautifully placed around the grounds - I think I even saw a mikan/tangerine tree. Despite inflation, the price is still ¥500/person/hour for two or more people and ¥800 if it’s only you. This is very affordable for private onsens, which usually have you paying ¥1200 to ¥2600. The facility is well cleaned and maintained by the ojīsan, who is a kind man of a few words. They have shampoo and body soap, but bring your own towel. They even had hangers, which is great for our big coats during the winter. If no one is at the entrance booth, call the phone number that is written there and someone will be down quickly. It was such a nice time and I will be back frequently to relax my muscles, get some fresh air, maybe steam some food, and to gaze at the camelia bushes and...

had the most lovely experience at the Gotouen onsen!! the owner is very friendly, kind & loyal! I forgot my rings here after we left and came back the next day & he had them sitting nicely in a bag for me. I thought they may be gone! I was so grateful for that. The onsen itself is so beautiful, I love how it feels like you are in nature. My favourite onsen on our trip here in Beppu. Thank you again!!!☺️ would love to come...