Where should you view attractions and walk?
Choose Beppu Jigoku Meguri for hot-spring activity up close, or Beppu Ropeway for mountain views. For a slow onsen-town walk, continue from Yufuin streets to Lake Kinrin. Give Usuki and Usa separate days for Stone Buddhas and shrine history. Hell viewing is not bathing; Usuki and Usa require station–facility return transport.
Attraction fees and access
Beppu Jigoku Meguri
別府地獄めぐり
This is a trip to view hot-spring activity. A combined ticket does not let you enter the hot-spring water. Allow half a day for five facilities and visit the other two the next day. Reduce the number visited to fit entrance walks and return services.
- AdmissionThe seven-hell combined ticket costs JPY 2,400 for senior high school students and older or JPY 1,200 for primary and junior high school students. It allows one visit per facility on the purchase day and following day.
- HoursAll seven facilities open year-round 08:00–17:00. These are not accommodation bathing hours.
- Getting thereTake route 5 towards Kannawa from Beppu Station west-side stand 3 to Umi Jigoku-mae or Kannawa. Walk between the five nearby hells, then arrange separate travel to Chinoike and Tatsumaki about 3 km away.
Combined ticketAccess to both hell groupsRoute 5 APU-bound timetable
Beppu Ropeway
別府ロープウェイ
Ride Beppu Ropeway up Mount Tsurumi for mountain views and walks near the summit. Allow half a day for travel and viewing; change plans for strong-wind or maintenance suspensions. Check official weekday and weekend timetables to ensure your return route 36 bus actually stops at the ropeway. Some last services skip it. Bus fare JPY 500 one way is separate from the ropeway ticket. Add ticketing and boarding waits to the approximately one-minute stop–facility walk.
- AdmissionReturn tickets cost JPY 1,800 for junior high school students and older or JPY 900 for ages four through primary school. City buses and bathing cost extra.
- HoursThe first departure is at 09:00. From 15 March–14 November, the last ascent is at 17:00 and last descent at 17:30. From 15 November–14 March, the last ascent is at 16:30 and last descent at 17:00. There are no regular closure days, but bad weather, maintenance or inspections may suspend operation. The ride takes about 10 minutes each way.
- Getting thereTake a Yufuin-bound route 36 bus from Beppu Station west-side stand 1 to Beppu Ropeway. The official tourism guide lists about one minute on foot to the facility. The lower station is Beppu Kogen and the upper station is Tsurumi Sanjo. Adult bus fare is JPY 500 one way or JPY 1,000 return, with ropeway tickets separate. Services marked 不 skip the ropeway, so choose your return first.
Beppu city official tourism: ropeway fares and hoursOita tourism association: ropeway bus stop and stationsWeekday route 36Separate timetableCurrent combined fare table
Lake Kinrin
金鱗湖
Continue from Yufuin's streets to Lake Kinrin for a waterside rest. Allow separate time for lakeside walks and cafes. Mist sometimes forms on cold mornings but may be absent depending on weather. Allow half a day from the station for return walking and lunch. Cafes and private facilities cost extra. For ryokan pickup, allow time to return to the station.
- HoursSeparate lakeside walks from cafe and shop hours. Autumn and winter morning mist depends on temperature and weather and may not appear.
- Getting thereWalk from Yufuin Station towards Yunotsubo Street. The city tourism map lists about 25 minutes to Lake Kinrin; shopping, photos and rests are not included in that walking estimate.
Prefectural tourism bodyCity tourism map
Usuki Stone Buddhas
臼杵石仏
See faces and poses carved into rock at Usuki Stone Buddhas. The National Treasure statues form several groups, which you can compare along the viewing path. Allow a day from Beppu for return transport and viewing. These itineraries reserve a sightseeing taxi from Usuki Station to the Stone Buddhas and back; JR and taxi fares are separate from the subtotal.
- AdmissionAdmission costs JPY 550 for senior high school students and older or JPY 270 for primary and junior high school students.
- HoursThe Stone Buddhas open year-round 09:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30.
- Getting thereReserve Usuki Station departure, Stone Buddhas viewing and station return by the previous day, then choose return JR trains from Beppu. The official facility map lists about 15 minutes by taxi from the station. The current flexible city programme runs 1 July 2026–31 March 2027; two-hour hire costs JPY 7,000 per vehicle. Daily vehicles are limited. Agree station boarding, viewing time and the return train when booking. JR and taxi fares are excluded from itinerary subtotals.
Stone Buddhas official bus/taxi access and feesFacility admission and accessStone Buddhas official station–facility access mapUsuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxis and previous-day reservationsUsuki taxi operator 2026 programme
Usa Jingu Shrine
宇佐神宮
Usa Jingu retains a history of Shinto and Buddhism coexisting. Learn about their historical combination before walking the approach for a better understanding of the place. Take a bus from Usa Station to Usa-Hachiman, then walk the shrine approach. Allow a day for return transport and worship, separate from Usuki.
- AdmissionWorship is free; parking costs extra. This does not establish that every associated facility is free.
- HoursThe upper shrine opens 06:00–18:00, with New Year exceptions. Check your chosen area and dated access hours in official guidance.
- Getting thereTake a Yokkaichi-bound bus from Usa-Ekimae to Usa-Hachiman. Cross National Route 10 at Usa Jingu entrance intersection towards the shrine. Continue through Nakamise, Shirobashi, Omotesando and Usa Torii to the main sanctuary. Retrace the approach to the stop and take a Bungotakada-bound bus via Usa-Ekimae. Check on-site restrictions and weekday and weekend timetables. JR and bus fares are excluded from itinerary subtotals.
Tourism association access and operationOperator weekday/weekend Usa-Ekimae–Usa-Hachiman return timetablesUsa city official Usa-Hachiman stop and shrine approach map
Frequently asked questions
Does a hells ticket include bathing?
No. It is admission to view hot-spring activity. For bathing, check accommodation or bathhouse fees and hours separately.
Can I walk between all seven hells?
Kannawa's five hells are about 3 km from Chinoike and Tatsumaki. This itinerary visits the two groups separately by bus.
Does Lake Kinrin have morning mist every day?
No. Mist sometimes forms over the water on cold mornings, depending on temperature and weather. Plan for a lakeside walk even without mist.
How do adult age bands differ for hells, ropeway and Stone Buddhas?
Hells and Stone Buddhas use senior high school and older rates; ropeway adult fares start at junior high school. Check each facility's age bands separately.
Combined ticketBeppu city official tourism: ropeway fares and hoursFacility admission and accessStone Buddhas official bus/taxi access and fees
Does a Beppu Ropeway ticket include bus fares?
A return ropeway ticket costs JPY 1,800, separate from the JPY 1,000 return route 36 fare between Beppu Station's west side and the ropeway. Mini and Wide bus passes do not replace the ropeway ticket. Choose mountain descent alongside a return bus that actually stops here.
Beppu city official tourism: ropeway fares and hoursWeekday route 36Separate timetableCurrent combined fare tableKamenoi Bus official My Beppu Free
Official sources and checked dates
- Combined ticket ·
- Access to both hell groups ·
- Prefectural tourism body ·
- City tourism map ·
- Facility admission and access ·
- Tourism association access and operation ·
- Route 5 APU-bound timetable ·
- Kamenoi Bus official My Beppu Free ·
- Weekday route 36 ·
- Separate timetable ·
- Current combined fare table ·
- Beppu city official tourism: ropeway fares and hours ·
- Oita tourism association: ropeway bus stop and stations ·
- Stone Buddhas official bus/taxi access and fees ·
- Stone Buddhas official station–facility access map ·
- Operator weekday/weekend Usa-Ekimae–Usa-Hachiman return timetables ·
- Usuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxis and previous-day reservations ·
- Usuki taxi operator 2026 programme ·
- Usa city official Usa-Hachiman stop and shrine approach map ·