Visiting Japan for an ultimate hot spring experience? If yes, you can’t miss out on the popular Beppu Onsen, dotted with several onsen baths for complete relaxation. Plus, did you know this onsen town has the world’s most hot spring sources?
Beppu is in Oita Prefecture and features breathtaking sea views surrounded by lush mountains and forests. The fresh air helps make your onsen experience magical – a perfect getaway when you want to unwind and enjoy your “me” time. Moreover, you’ll be amazed by how Beppu’s city skyline is completely filled with steam from the hot springs in this onsen town.
Why not make the most out of your hot spring experience in Beppu by spending a night in one of the beautiful ryokans with private onsens? You’ll get the privacy, peace of mind, and calmness you deserve after working hard. Curious to learn more? This guide presents the best ryokans in Beppu with private onsens. Keep on reading to find out.
1. Yamada Bessou
First on the list used to be a private villa during the ancient Showa Period, so staying at Yamada Bessou feels like traveling back in time. Despite being recently renovated, you can still sense the nostalgia when you step into this 90-year-old ryokan.
Yamada Bessou offers Japanese-style rooms, complete with spacious spaces, futon bedding, and tatami floors. The private open-air onsen is available for reservation for free if you book a room in this ryokan. Moreover, you can also use the public indoor bath that’s available daily for 24 hours.
Yamada Bessou serves Japanese-style breakfast daily, with ingredients sourced from local farms and harvests. It also has a spa center where you can reserve massage treatments for a therapeutic experience.
Book It Here: Yamada Bessou
2. Ryokan Sennari
Ryokan Sennari is accessible via train; it’s only 2 minutes from Beppu Station. Despite its location in the city center, staying at Ryokan Sennari offers the calmness and quietness you need to relax and unwind.
A traditional Japanese garden surrounds Ryokan Sennari. It’s one of the most intimate ryokans on this list because there are only 8 rooms. Additionally, you can choose from different hot spring baths: a large rock bath, an open-air bath, a small rock bath, and 3 other private baths.
Ryokan Sennari is an adult-only ryokan in Beppu; guests should be 13 years old and above to enter the premises. All rooms are Japanese-style, while all dishes are seasonal. We highly recommend trying the meals in this ryokan because they are always made fresh and authentic.
Book It Here: Ryokan Sennari
3. Yunosato Ryokan
Yunosato Ryokan is another traditional ryokan that offers Japanese rooms with tatami floors. This accommodation is one of the most budget-friendly ryokans on this list, so it’s perfect for families or group travelers.
Yunosato Hayama features a semi-open-air private onsen that offers overlooking views of the entire Beppu town. Additionally, you can also rent out the other indoor and outdoor private onsens for a private dip in the hot spring waters. There’s also a public rock bath if you want to meet the other guests.
Besides the private and public onsen baths, Yunosato Ryokan’s on-site restaurant is also a must-try! It serves authentic Japanese cuisine, with dishes made from fresh local ingredients.
Book It Here: Yunosato Ryokan
4. Bettei Haruki
Another old-fashioned ryokan in Beppu is Bettei Haruki, featuring a serene atmosphere. Like Yamada Bessou, it also has an old-fashioned Japanese style, with rooms that feature tatami floors and shoji paper screens. You can find Bettei Haruki near the Haruki River, in a more secluded area away from Central Beppu.
Bettei Haruki has three public onsens for all the guests, but you can book any of the 4 rooms with a private bath if you want quiet while dipping in the water. Additionally, this ryokan calls the hot spring baths “hanroten” or half open-air onsens. You’ll find a roof that covers the bath partially and windows you can open and close.
Book It Here: Bettei Haruki
5. Beppu Showaen
Beppu Showaen is a popular accommodation, known for its hot spring bath that moisturizes the skin and helps in relieving joint pain and muscle stiffness. This traditional ryokan has a convenient location. Moreover, it also offers a free bus ride if you’re coming from Beppu Station.
Onsen facilities at Beppu Showaen are surrounded by a serene forest, offering breathtaking views you can enjoy while dipping in the relaxing water. But if you want something more private, you can relax in your room’s private onsen. Moreover, these private onsens have two types: open-air rock-made and a hinoki onsen. We highly recommend the hinoki onsen, made with Japanese cypress that provides a pleasant, woody aroma.
Upon checking in, the ryokan’s staff will serve a free cup of green tea. We also highly suggest you try the dishes from Beppu Showaen’s on-site restaurant, made with fresh ingredients and local seafood.
Book It Here: Beppu Showaen
6. Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki
Next on the list is perfect for families and group travelers. You can only find the private onsen in the quadruple room, which also features a small verandah, sliding paper doors, and tatami rooms. Besides this spacious room, the smaller suites are also designed by a local Japanese architect. He made sure to combine traditional Japanese style with modern functionality and amenities.
If you won’t book the quadruple room, Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki also has two public onsens. One is a semi-open-air rock bath, while the other is a relaxing cypress wood indoor hot spring bath. You can also book these public baths for your exclusive use if you want privacy.
Book It Here: Kappo Ryokan Yumesaki
7. Beppu Nagomitsuki
Beppu Nagomitsuki is located in a more remote area in Beppu. You can find it in a serene residential neighborhood, so it’s a perfect escape when you want to unwind and recover. Beppu Nagomitsuki features naogmi as the theme, which translates to the soothing of the soul. What we loved the most about this ryokan was the warm Japanese hospitality as the staff welcomed us.
Rooms in Beppu Nagomitsuki feature a combination of Western and Japanese styles, and they all have a half-open-air onsen for that ultimate relaxation. This ryokan also provides a special separate room with a spacious onsen you can book if you want alone time.
Besides the peaceful onsen experience, we also highly recommend trying out the high-quality meals in its on-site restaurant. Try the authentic steak, hotpot, and fresh seafood.
Book It Here: Beppu Nagomitsuki
8. Ryotei Matsuba House
Ryotei Matsuba or Matsubaya is located in Beppu’s Kankaiji Onsen. This traditional Japanese inn is famous for its hot spring, known to be one of Beppu’s clearest and most transparent onsen waters.
Inside Ryotei Matsubaya are 18 rooms, each designed differently to showcase its individuality. There are several public hot spring facilities, but Ryotei Matsubaya also has 4 private onsen baths you can reserve in advance.
You can also inquire at the front desk regarding massage services for an additional charge. From our experience, the treatment was very therapeutic, and it’s the perfect activity after dipping in the relaxing onsen.
Book It Here: Ryotei Matsuba House
9. Tenku Yubo Seikaiso
If you’re looking for a traditional ryokan near famous sightseeing spots in Beppu, Tenku Yubo Seikaiso is the perfect choice. These sightseeing spots include the Umitamago Aquarium, Beppu Tower, and Beppu Bay.
What we love the most about this ryokan is the observatory onsen on the topmost floor. The panoramic view is just too breathtaking to ignore. You can rent this private bath for 45 minutes and enjoy breathtaking views of Beppu Bay.
Besides the open-air onsen, Tenku Yubo Seikaiso has another private onsen that boasts beautiful ocean views. Hinoki cypress scent fills this bath, complementing the peaceful ocean waves and fresh air. After dipping in the relaxing onsen, head to the Ashiyu or foot bath on the balcony to complete your relaxing experience.
Complete your ryokan stay by trying out the dishes at Tenku Kaien, the on-site Japanese restaurant that serves the best Japanese breakfast. We also recommend ordering its seafood specialties.
Book It Here: Tenku Yubo Seikaiso
10. Beppu Kagaya Ryokan
Beppu Kagaya Ryokan is a retro-style Japanese accommodation, only 10 minutes from the Beppu station. We highly recommend this choice if you want a more secluded vacation because Kagaya only has 10 tatami rooms.
Private baths in this ryokan are available for reservation. You can choose from three types: rock bath, Japanese cypress onsen, and open-air bath. Massage services are also available around the corner and are the perfect nightcap after dipping in the hot springs.
Book It Here: Beppu Kagaya Ryokan
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As a famous onsen town in Japan, Beppu should definitely be part of your itinerary when visiting this beautiful country. Make your trip even more special by booking a stay in our recommended ryokans, and witness a traditional Japanese experience like never before!
If you want to visit another onsen town nearby, make sure you also check out the best ryokans in Yufuin Onsen!
