Hyotan Onsen — Restaurant in Beppu

For the price, you can’t beat it! ¥780 adult entry and ¥380 for sand burry so for ¥1160 (assuming u bring your own towel, shampoo and body wash provided) u have access to multiple, straight from the rock HOT baths, both indoor and outdoor, three separate steam rooms (one low heat). But get this, the sign says no towels in the bath - I guess they mean literally because more than half of the women draped their towel down their front to move between baths 🤔 Ok so if u r modest I guess that’s an option 😳. What I liked most is their water cooling system, run it a long way and it cools down (vs dilute). So if u like it hot, and I DO, go closer to the water source for the pool u r in - yea, that’s where you’ll find me and loving it! The coolest one was the water fall - meh, more like some pipes up high dripping water a long way to a bath below - too lukewarm for me. Maybe start and end here. They even have a cold water small bath - but hay I’m not into cold so I can’t relate 🥶. For the sand, there is a small section that is high heat vs medium - I went Hot and was disappointed that I had to dig my own hole while trying not to disturb anyone. But once I got good and buried, bent knees back support the works - I passed out for like 45 min 😬 so I guess it was better than I thought going into it😆 Hope I didn’t snore 😴!!! Lastly, there is a relaxing area - so thinking it would be like some of the spa in LA I coughed up another ¥300 for a Yakuta to lounge in. STOP do not waste your time or money on this because this is not LA style lounging on the rooftop in plush chairs. NO. To get to the room u walk through the common outdoor area. By this time most people have changed clothes (I’m still HOT and do NOT want to be all bundled up in my clothes just yet!) so it was neither relaxing nor comfortable to pass through this section, naked for all but a robe. When I got to the relaxing room it was just fully clothed men in a small room on tatami mats, hum. Anyway it seems more like a waiting room vs where u can go to “cool down” before u get...

Visited Hyotan Onsen during my 3-night stay in Beppu and found myself drawn back to this awesome place not once, not twice, but three times! It’s truly a haven of relaxation and traditional Japanese bath culture. The highlight for many, including myself, is the optional sand bath. For an extra fee, you're buried in warm sand which is both a unique and invigorating experience. They equip you with shorts and a yukata (a casual robe), ensuring your comfort throughout.

The public bath area is a masterpiece of variety and traditional design. It boasts multiple sections - a stunning rock pool and two other heated baths, complemented by two outdoor areas. The outdoor section features a large rock pool, perfect for soaking in while surrounded by nature. The other outdoor space offers a unique "waterfall shower" experience where water cascades from above, providing a soothing, natural massage.

Entry to the public bath includes both a large and a small towel, which is a thoughtful touch, ensuring you have everything you need for your visit. This convenience extends to the sand bath as well. The facilities are top-notch with shower stools and all the necessary equipment provided, making for a seamless experience.

The onsen doesn’t just stop at baths. There’s a charming small courtyard where you can enjoy onsen eggs and refreshments from a mini-bar. For those interested in dining within the onsen, there's a restaurant accessible through the courtyard. This restaurant specializes in onsen steamed food, a culinary method that’s as intriguing as it sounds. Although I didn’t get a chance to try the restaurant myself, it’s on my list for next time.

Hyotan Onsen is more than just a place to bathe; it’s a comprehensive experience that marries tradition with relaxation. Whether you’re there for the sand bath, the soothing waters of the public baths, or just to enjoy the serene atmosphere, it’s a place that captures the essence of Beppu’s rich onsen culture. Highly...

Hyotan is probably one of the most popular onsen among foreigners. It can get terribly busy as tour buses unload hordes of tourists so it's good to visit really early or quite late. Entrance is ¥750, after 18:00 is ¥560, using the sandbath is an extra ¥330 (for the yukata rental) and finally private bath is ¥2150 per room for one hour. Operating hours 09:00-25:00 (private bath until 24:00). Shampoos are provided, you need to bring your own towel, there is parking. Entering you put your shoes at the shoe locker, use the vending machine to purchase your ticket and give it to the reception together with your shoe locker key, they will give you your free locker key. Proceeding there is an open courtyard with tables which connects to the changing rooms-baths, resting area and restaurant. I have used only the public bath, two times until now. There are many showers to wash and different types of tubs. Rock tub, a wooden cypress tub, another tub shaped as a gourd (hyotan), all these are medium sized tubs, there is a small walking onsen path with pebbles, then there is a large size outdoor tub with rocks, a steam sauna with two rooms, normal around 43 degrees Celsius and hot around 54 degrees Celsius - one room of steam sauna in the female bath, a cold tub to wash off you sweat after the sauna (or cold shower) and finally the "waterfalls", water falling from tubes from above which can massage your body, 19 for male, 8 for female. The 2nd time I visited, there was a used bandaid at the bottom of the rock tub and most of the tubs were not really hot. The installations are impressive but prepared for quite many people, especially during the weekends and holidays. Gensen...