Stay in Beppu or Yufuin?
Choose Beppu for hells and mountain views, or Yufuin for hot-spring town walks and an overnight stay. Usuki and Usa lie in different directions; visit on separate days and check return access from each station.
Choose hells, mountain views or hot-spring town walks
Beppu Hells Tour is for viewing hot-spring scenery; the ropeway provides Mount Tsurumi views. In Yufuin, walk through town to Lake Kinrin. For Stone Buddhas or shrine history, compare courses visiting Usuki and Usa on separate days.
Itineraries by trip length
Compare staying in Beppu for buses to hells and ropeway, or moving to Yufuin for an evening and morning in the hot-spring town. Each trip length’s two courses differ in bases and areas visited. They use Oita Airport; plan bathing and hotels separately from sightseeing charges.
1 night, 2 days
Choose Beppu’s two hells clusters across two days, or one Yufuin night for Yunotsubo Street and Lake Kinrin. Beppu requires a daytime arrival on day one. Adjust final-day sights around airport buses and procedures.
2 nights, 3 days
Compare two nights in Beppu with hells and ropeway on separate days, or one Beppu night followed by one in Yufuin. The Yufuin course needs a first-day arrival early enough for mountain views and stays in Yufuin on day two.
3 nights, 4 days
Choose the same Beppu hotel with a Yufuin day trip, or two Beppu nights followed by one in Yufuin. The hotel-move course visits Usuki Stone Buddhas on day two using a return sightseeing taxi reserved by the previous day; JR and taxi costs are extra.
4 nights, 5 days
Choose hells and mountain views in Beppu followed by one Yufuin night, or four Beppu nights with separate Usuki and Usa days. The two areas lie in different directions; add their JR and local transport separately from the subtotals.
Where should I stay?
Beppu Station and Kitahama
This area is convenient for airport buses, JR and meals. The airport Airliner checked for this guide does not stop at Beppu Station, so arrange separate travel from Kitahama to your hotel.
Kannawa
Stay in Kannawa for convenient access to the five nearby hells. The other two are farther away and require a bus. Viewing the hells and bathing at your hotel are separate.
Yufuin Station to Yunotsubo Street
Explore the hot-spring town and Lake Kinrin on foot. Check the station-to-lake distance and your ryokan’s meal and shuttle times before planning the walk.
Prefectural tourism authorityCity tourism mapOfficial Lake Kinrin guide
Oita Station area
Consider this base for JR travel towards Usuki. For several days in Beppu and Yufuin, also compare travel times when staying in each area.
Spend more time on hells or the hot-spring town?
Beppu Hells Tour
Visit Kannawa’s five hells on one day and Chinoike and Tatsumaki on the other. Hells facilities are for viewing hot springs and scenery; plan bathing separately at a hotel or bathing facility.
Beppu Ropeway
This ropeway climbs Mount Tsurumi, not Takasakiyama. Take route 36 from Beppu Station’s west side to the ropeway stop. Mountain views depend on weather, so check operation and visibility before leaving.
Official Beppu tourism: ropeway fares and hoursWeekday route 36
Yufuin and Lake Kinrin
Walk from the station to Lake Kinrin through the hot-spring town. First choose a Beppu day trip or a Yufuin overnight stay. Morning mist depends on temperature conditions on cold days.
Official Oita Yufuin and Beppu guideOfficial Lake Kinrin guide
Distinguish Beppu Station’s east and west stands
To Kannawa and the two farther hells
On day one, take route 5 from Beppu Station west stand 3 for Kannawa’s five hells. On day two, take route 26 from east stand 5 to Chinoike and Tatsumaki and return on route 16. Allow walks between entrances and Tatsumaki eruption waits separately from bus riding time.
Access to the two hells clustersAPU-bound route 5 timetableOfficial Mini One-Day Pass fares and Beppu hells area
Towards the ropeway and Yufuin
Both use route 36 from west stand 1, but check destination and stop marks. Some services skip the ropeway, so choose the return bus from the mountain first. On a Yufuin hotel-move day, do not add a Beppu return; go from the station-front bus centre to your booked hotel.
To Usuki Stone Buddhas and Usa Jingu
For Usuki, reserve station departure, Stone Buddhas viewing and station return with the taxi company by the previous day, then choose return trains. For Usa, take a bus from Usa Station to Usa Hachiman, follow the city map’s approach to the main shrine and retrace it to the stop. Do not combine both areas on one day.
Usuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxi and previous-day bookingOfficial Usa City map: Usa Hachiman stop and shrine approachOperator Usa Station–Usa Hachiman weekday and weekend timetables
Check Oita transport and passes
Between airport and hotel
Beppu courses use Kitahama for airport arrivals and departures. It is separate from Beppu Station; arrange access for your hotel address. Yufuin courses use the station-front bus centre. Check departure direction and time for your date.
Buses for day two’s two hells
The day using route 26 for Chinoike and Tatsumaki and route 16 return includes a 1,100-yen Mini One-Day Pass. Day-one route 5 return uses separate ordinary fares of 780 yen. One pass is not applied across two days; hells admission is separate too.
Official Mini One-Day Pass fares and Beppu hells areaCombined ticketAccess to the two hells clusters
JR Northern Kyushu Pass or ordinary tickets
For Hakata travel to Beppu and Yufuin, compare covered JR sections and return dates. Airport buses, Kamenoi buses, ropeway and hells admission are separate. Oita–Usuki is outside Northern Kyushu Pass coverage. Eligibility requires a non-Japanese passport, residence outside Japan and entry for tourism as a Temporary Visitor. Check the passport entry stamp or sticker and carry your passport while using the pass. If using automated immigration gates, ask airport staff for the stamp or sticker.
JR Northern Kyushu Pass trains, exclusions and consecutive days
Day trip from Fukuoka or stay overnight?
For travel between Hakata and Beppu or Yufuin, choose return trains first. On a day trip, focus on one area for hells or Lake Kinrin; for a hot-spring town evening and morning, consider one night locally. Check actual Northern Kyushu Pass sections and consecutive validity days. City buses, bathing and hotels are separate.
JR Northern Kyushu Pass trains, exclusions and consecutive days
What to eat in Beppu and Yufuin
Near Beppu Station or Kitahama, look for toriten or Beppu cold noodles. On a Kannawa hells day, check hell-steaming facilities’ methods and waits before planning meals.
Toriten and dango-jiru
Toriten is battered fried chicken served with ponzu, mustard or yuzu pepper. Dango-jiru uses stretched wheat dough and vegetables cooked in miso broth. Look for them on lunch or dinner menus.
Beppu cold noodles
Beppu cold noodles combine wheat and buckwheat noodles and Japanese-style broth with cabbage kimchi and beef toppings. Check individual menus for noodles and ingredients. Fit a meal near Kitahama or Beppu Station before returning to your hotel.
Kannawa hell steaming
Ingredients are steamed with hot-spring steam. Some Kannawa facilities let you steam food yourself; first check the method, waits and whether you may bring ingredients. Hells admission does not include meals or steaming activities.
Separate admission, bus fares and extra costs
Bathing, hotels, meals and flights are outside the subtotals below. The Beppu Hells Tour is viewing, not bathing. Usuki and Usa courses also require separate JR and local access costs.
| Trip length | Beppu-focused course A | Course B with other areas |
|---|---|---|
| One night, two days | 7,480 yen: hells combined ticket 2,400 yen; day-one route 5 return 780 yen; Kitahama airport buses both ways 3,200 yen; day-two Mini One-Day Pass 1,100 yen for route 26 outward and route 16 return. | 4,000 yen: two ordinary airport–Yufuin single tickets at 2,000 yen each |
| Two nights, three days | 10,280 yen: hells combined ticket 2,400 yen; route 5 return 780 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Kitahama airport buses both ways 3,200 yen; day-two Mini One-Day Pass 1,100 yen for route 26 outward and route 16 return. | 7,500 yen: airport–Kitahama 1,600 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Beppu–Yufuin 1,100 yen; Yufuin–airport 2,000 yen. |
| Three nights, four days | 12,480 yen: hells combined ticket 2,400 yen; route 5 return 780 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Kitahama airport buses both ways 3,200 yen; Yufuin day-trip buses both ways 2,200 yen; day-two Mini One-Day Pass 1,100 yen for route 26 outward and route 16 return. | 8,050 yen, excluding Usuki JR and per-vehicle sightseeing taxi: airport–Kitahama 1,600 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Stone Buddhas 550 yen; Beppu–Yufuin 1,100 yen; Yufuin–airport 2,000 yen. |
| Four nights, five days | 11,780 yen: hells combined ticket 2,400 yen; route 5 return 780 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Beppu–Yufuin 1,100 yen; airport–Kitahama 1,600 yen; Yufuin–airport 2,000 yen; day-two Mini One-Day Pass 1,100 yen for route 26 outward and route 16 return. | 10,830 yen, excluding Usuki and Usa JR and local transport: hells combined ticket 2,400 yen; route 5 return 780 yen; Stone Buddhas 550 yen; ropeway return 1,800 yen; route 36 ropeway buses both ways 1,000 yen; Kitahama airport buses both ways 3,200 yen; day-two Mini One-Day Pass 1,100 yen for route 26 outward and route 16 return. |
Airport faresCombined ticketCurrent full fare tableOfficial Mini One-Day Pass fares and Beppu hells areaOfficial Beppu tourism: ropeway fares and hoursFacility admission and accessUsuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxi and previous-day booking
Choose consecutive hotel nights or a hot-spring town stay
Beppu Station and Kitahama area
Consider both locations for several nights in Beppu and buses to hells and ropeway. Hells and Yufuin buses use Beppu Station’s west side; airport buses use Kitahama. Check your hotel address to plan access to each boarding point.
Weekday route 36Airliner timetableAccess to the two hells clusters
Kannawa area
Consider Kannawa accommodation for more time at hells and hot-spring steam meals. Check your hotel’s bathing hours and transport back to the city and airport. Do not apply standard Beppu Station-based course fares directly to a different hotel address.
Official Oita regional food guideAccess to the two hells clusters
One night in Yufuin
Choose this for an evening and morning in the hot-spring town. A Yufuin day trip from Beppu differs from changing hotels to stay in Yufuin. Check ryokan meals, bathing and shuttles before planning Lake Kinrin walks.
Official Oita Yufuin and Beppu guideOfficial Lake Kinrin guideWeekday route 36
Compare bases for your trip length
| Trip length | Beppu-focused stay | Adding other areas |
|---|---|---|
| One night, two days | Seven hells across two days | One Yufuin night and Lake Kinrin walks |
| Two nights, three days | Hells and ropeway on separate days | One Beppu night, then one in Yufuin |
| Three nights, four days | Stay in Beppu with a Yufuin day trip | Course B: reserved Usuki sightseeing taxi, then one Yufuin night |
| Four nights, five days | Course A: hells and ropeway, then one Yufuin night | Course B: Beppu stay, reserved Usuki taxi and Usa worship |
Official Oita Yufuin and Beppu guideAccess to the two hells clustersOfficial Stone Buddhas bus/taxi access and admissionOperator Usa Station–Usa Hachiman weekday and weekend timetablesUsuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxi and previous-day bookingOfficial Usa City map: Usa Hachiman stop and shrine approach
If suspended services or unconfirmed transport change the plan
If the ropeway is suspended
Check same-day operation before heading to the stop. During suspension, spend the day on meals and rest in Beppu and visit the mountain on another operating day. For extra bathing, check facility hours and fares separately.
Official Beppu tourism: ropeway fares and hoursOfficial Oita regional food guide
If the Usuki sightseeing taxi cannot be booked
Reserve Usuki Station departure, Stone Buddhas viewing and station return by the previous day. The current limited-period plan has a daily vehicle limit. Without a booking or outside its operating period, spend the day eating and resting in Beppu. Reduce Usa Jingu visits according to approach restrictions and return buses.
Usuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxi and previous-day bookingOfficial Usa City map: Usa Hachiman stop and shrine approach
Check cameras before your Oita trip
Check each camera’s location and update time. Beppu city images do not establish visibility on Mount Tsurumi or morning mist in Yufuin. Check ropeway and bus services separately with operators.
Frequently asked questions
Are Beppu Station and Kitahama the same airport bus stop?
They are different. These courses use Kitahama for airport arrivals and departures; arrange hotel access near Beppu Station separately. The Yufuin course uses the station-front bus centre for the airport. Return boarding points may differ from arrival stops, so check official stop guidance.
Do hot-spring town subtotals include bathing and ryokan stays?
The current subtotals exclude bathing, hotels, meals, flights, bag storage and extra travel to your hotel address. Hells tickets are not bathing tickets. Check your booked accommodation’s check-in, shuttles and bathing conditions before planning walks.
Combined ticketAccess to the two hells clustersPrefectural tourism authorityCity tourism map
Official sources and check dates
- Airport fares ·
- Route timetable ·
- Combined ticket ·
- Access to the two hells clusters ·
- Prefectural tourism authority ·
- City tourism map ·
- Facility admission and access ·
- APU-bound route 5 timetable ·
- Weekday route 36 ·
- Separate timetable ·
- Airliner timetable ·
- Current full fare table ·
- Official Lake Kinrin guide ·
- Official Beppu tourism: ropeway fares and hours ·
- JR Northern Kyushu Pass trains, exclusions and consecutive days ·
- Official Mini One-Day Pass fares and Beppu hells area ·
- Official Stone Buddhas bus/taxi access and admission ·
- Operator Usa Station–Usa Hachiman weekday and weekend timetables ·
- Official Oita regional food guide ·
- Official Oita Yufuin and Beppu guide ·
- Usuki tourism association 2026 sightseeing taxi and previous-day booking ·
- Official Usa City map: Usa Hachiman stop and shrine approach ·