7 Best Ryokans In Beppu, Japan (With Private Onsen)

For many people, one of the best parts of traveling to Japan is the opportunity to stay in a traditional ryokan.

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese experience with a little bit more privacy than what the traditional onsen experience offers, a ryokan with a private onsen is the perfect option.

Private onsens offer a level of privacy and relaxation that you simply can’t find at a public bathhouse. You can enjoy the soothing waters of the hot spring without having to worry about who might be watching or overhearing you.

Beppu is a city located on the island of Kyushu in Japan, one of the most popular onsen destinations in Japan.

The city is known for its hot springs, which are said to have healing properties. The springs are so popular that there are over 2,000 of them in Beppu. Visitors can enjoy soaking in the springs, as well as other activities such as hiking and visiting temples.

Not surprisingly, the city is home to some of the best ryokans in the country, many of which boast private onsens, or hot springs baths.

It is important to note that because of their popularity, ryokan rooms with their own private onsen tend to get booked out weeks (or even months) in advance. My tip to you is once you’ve set your eyes on the ryokan you love, it’s best to try and book that room as soon as you can.

Read on for our picks for the best ryokans with private onsens in Beppu, Japan!

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!


What Is A Ryokan?

In a nutshell, a ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that provides guests with a unique and authentic Japanese overnight experience.

Staying at a ryokan generally involves sleeping on futons on tatami mats, and wearing yukata robes while relaxing in the common areas.

Other activities that guests can enjoy while staying at a ryokan include soaking in an onsen hot spring, taking part in a tea ceremony, and dining on kaiseki cuisine.

When staying at a ryokan, visitors can expect to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine and hospitality. Truly, the food and staff are both an experience of their own!

Ryokans are typically located in scenic areas such as by the ocean or in the mountains, and many offer views of nearby gardens or temples.

Whether you’re looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, or simply want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, staying at a ryokan is an unforgettable experience.

Read More: What To Expect At A Ryokan In Japan (+ Review Of My Ryokan Experience)


7 Best Ryokans With Private Onsen In Beppu, Japan

Amane Resort Seikai

Price Range: $$ – $$$

Amane Resort Seikai ryokan hotel is hands-down one of the best ryokans in Beppu.

The most notable feature of this ryokan is that it boasts luxuriously large guest rooms, almost all with open-air hot spring baths overlooking the ocean.

Fitted with dark wooden flooring and chic furnishings, each spacious room offers great ocean views. And being able to see the sunrise from your private onsen? You’re definitely going to feel like you’re in luxury here.

Amane Resort Seikai Rooms - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

The Seikai provides large public baths and hot tubs on both the ground floor and the top floor.

Fancy a massage or spa treatment after your hot spring soak? Spa Sheer Pearl offers many ways to relax with its massages and treatments. 

Now, let’s touch on the food. If your motivation for staying at a ryokan is for the food, then this resort is fit for gourmands! The food at dinner and breakfast (Both Japanese style) is immaculate.

Gen serves traditional Japanese cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. Eitaro restaurant offers various fresh seafood meals, while Japanese-Western fusion dishes can be enjoyed at Ban-ya.

Amane Resort Seikai - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

From start to finish, the hotel staff will make your visit feel super special. If you enjoy a stellar oceanside hotel view, we highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable stay in Beppu.

Ryokan Details

  • 5-star ryokan
  • Western-style beds
  • The property overlooks the ocean.
  • Amane Resort Seikai is a 7-minute walk from JR Beppu Daigaku Station. 

Amane Resort Gahama

Price Range: $$$ TWE RECOMMENDED CHOICE

Amane Resort Gahama Kaiseki - Ryokans In Beppu Japan
Courtesy of Booking.com

Experience a perfect ryokan stay at Amane Resort Gahama (formerly known as Gahama Terrace).

Conveniently situated in the Beppu part of Beppu, this seaside villa overlooking Beppu Bay puts you close to all the attractions and dining options the town offers!

This 5-star property is packed with in-house facilities to improve the quality and joy of your stay. In a nutshell, you’re going to get a huge maisonette room, comfortable beds, an amazing private onsen, a terrace with an ocean view, and delicious meals.

Let’s start with the rooms. The accommodations provide private in-room hot spring baths, free WiFi throughout the property, and family rooms. But perhaps the most outstanding feature is that each room has a private indoor and outdoor onsen as well!

Amane Resort Gahama Kaiseki - Ryokans In Beppu Japan
Courtesy of Booking.com

In terms of food, you can bet that the breakfast and dinner will be really good too (and very filling). Truly, there will be no reason to eat anywhere else during your stay!

Amane Resort Gahama Kaiseki - Ryokans In Beppu Japan
Courtesy of Booking.com

If you want privacy and comfort, this is one of the best modern ryokans in Beppu. You’ll truly enjoy the villa-like atmosphere of the property and be able to relax no matter where you are at the ryokan.

Ryokan Details

  • 4.5-star seaside villa ryokan
  • Western-style and Japanese-style beds are available
  • This hotel is very close to bus stops, so getting around in Beppu by bus is easy.
  • Popular points of interest near Kannawaen include Hyotan Onsen, Yukemori Observatory and Oita Fragrance Museum.

Kannawaen

Price Range:  $$ – $$$ TWE RECOMMENDED CHOICE

Kannawaen - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

Kannawaen is one of those ryokans that offer visitors a chance to relax and rejuvenate both in its natural hot springs and out.

Kannawaen is a family-friendly ryokan located in the heart of Beppu and is just a short walk from the city’s famous Hells of Beppu hot springs.

The ryokan has rooms with their own private hot springs baths as well as public onsens which guests can enjoy for free. The spacious public bath is not to be missed, featuring lovely views of the mountains.

The public onsens are gorgeous and relaxing, as are the in-room private onsens. In addition to the baths, you can enjoy the property’s lovely garden, terrace and bar.

All 30 rooms are super spacious and have comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning.

If you’re traveling with family members or larger groups with different sleeping styles, this hotel is awesome in that it has both western beds and Japanese-style tatami sleeping options all within the same room!

The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries, and certain rooms will provide you with mountain views.

Kannawaen - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

In terms of location, it simply can not be beaten, are you are going to be right in the middle of the Beppu Hells.

And if you’re wondering if you should opt for the kaiseki dinner and breakfast package, you 100% should. It elevates the entire ryokan experience that much more!

Ryokan Details

  • 4.5-star ryokan
  • Western-style and Japanese-style beds are available
  • The property is 350 feet from Hells of Beppu and 1,650 feet away from Jigokumushikobo Kannawa.
  • Popular points of interest near Kannawaen include Hyotan Onsen, Yukemori Observatory and Oita Fragrance Museum. Oita Airport is 19 mi away.
  • Free shuttle to and from the train station

Bettei Haruki

Price Range: $$ – $$$

Bettei Haruki - Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

Bettei Haruki is another wonderful option for the best ryokans in Beppu, Japan. This little ryokan is located in a traditional Japanese building and offers guests a truly unique experience.

The property is small, with about 6 rooms in total, so if you’re looking for a more authentic private ryokan experience, this is going to be a great option.

You’ll find that even the public areas are very quiet and with fewer people around, you’ll rarely have a problem getting into one of the private group onsens during your stay.

In addition to some rooms having their own open-air baths, there are a total of 3 hot spring baths for guests to enjoy, all of which are private baths.

Bettei Haruki - Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen Baths
Courtesy of Booking.com

Bettei Haruki also serves amazing food for dinner and breakfast, which you’re able to enjoy in the comfort of your own room. Don’t want to ever leave your room to eat? You don’t have to!

We definitely recommend opting for the Kaiseki dinner and breakfast package when booking.

Bettei Haruki - Ryokans in Beppu
Courtesy of Booking.com

All in all, this is probably one of the best value-for-the-money ryokans in the area. You’ll get reasonable pricing, amazing food, and excellent service throughout your stay. The best thing is the private onsen bath!

Ryokan Details

  • 4-star ryokan
  • Western-style and Japanese-style beds are available
  • Popular points of interest near the accommodation include the Oita Fragrance Museum, Yama Jigoku, and Hells of Beppu.
  • You will need to walk a bit or take a bus/taxi from the train station. It takes about 12 minutes by taxi from JR Beppu Station to the property.

Galleria Midobaru

Price Range: $$

Galleria Midobaru - Ryokans in Beppu

If you’re looking for more of a modern ryokan stay that gives off more “art gallery” than hotel vibes, the newly built Galleria Midobaru definitely fits the bill.

The ryokan is situated in a convenient location near many of the city’s attractions, including the Beppu Hot Springs and Hells of Beppu. Galleria Midobaru offers its guests modern accommodations and traditional Japanese-style hospitality!

It’s a truly magnificent property — from the moment you see the building from the outside, you’ll realize it’s quite different from other hotels/ryokans in the area. And once you get inside, you’ll be blown away by the breathtaking art and architecture.

The ryokan has a total of 36 guest rooms, each of which is decorated in a modern, airy style and comes equipped with western beds and an en suite bath. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including twin rooms, double rooms, and even triple rooms and multi-bedroom family suites.

Best of all, many come with an in-room onsen so you can enjoy a relaxing soak without having to leave the comfort of your room.

Galleria Midobaru - Ryokans In Beppu
Galleria Midobaru Food
Courtesy of Booking.com

Lastly, in terms of food, you can expect more American-style fare for dinner and breakfast.

Ryokan Details

  • 4-star ryokan
  • Western-style beds
  • The property is closer to the mountainside of Beppu. Bike rentals are available at the property.
  • You will need to take a bus/taxi from the train station. It takes about 9 minutes by taxi from JR Beppu Station to the property.

Beppu Nagomitsuki

Price Range: $ – $$

Beppu Nagomitsuki - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

Beppu Nagomitsuki ryokan is a beautiful example of a typical Japanese inn, located in the hot spring town of Beppu.

The inn is situated in a quiet residential area, just a short walk from the famous Beppu Hot Springs.

Nagomitsuki has been welcoming guests for well over 100 years, and its traditional Japanese atmosphere is sure to please any traveler. The inn offers both Western-style and Japanese-style rooms, each with its own private bath.

Personally speaking, I think their private onsen baths are by far the most charming on this list!

Beppu Nagomitsuki Room - Best Ryokans in Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

A stay at Nagomitsuki ryokan is the perfect way to experience traditional Japanese hospitality.

The friendly staff will be happy to help you with any needs you may have, and the delicious breakfast and dinner meals are sure to satisfy even the most discerning traveler.

Beppu Nagomitsuki Food - Best Ryokans In Beppu with Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

Ryokan Details

  • 3-star ryokan
  • Western and Japanese hybrid-style beds
  • The property is closer to the seaside of Beppu.
  • JR Beppu Station is 3 miles away, and Beppudaigaku Station is a 9-min walk from the property.

Terrace Midoubaru

Price Range: $$

Terrace Midoubaru - Best Ryokans In Beppu With Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

Terrace Midoubaru is one of the most popular (and budget-friendly!) ryokans in Beppu, Japan. In addition to private onsens in the rooms, the ryokan has a large outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy the view of Mt. Yufu or views of the ocean.

Terrace Midoubaru features Japanese-style guestrooms with tatami areas and private semi-open-air baths. With each room comes a terrace with either a view of the sea or the mountains!

The ryokan also has a communal hot spring bath and a sauna, perfect for relaxing in after a day of sightseeing.

Terrace Midoubaru - Best Ryokans In Beppu With Private Onsen
Courtesy of Booking.com

All in all, this ryokan is an amazing mix of traditional and modern amenities. The private onsen in the room will be perfect after a long day, and the food (both breakfast and dinner) will be delicious and is well worth the price.

What we love most is how affordable this ryokan can be during the off-season!

Ryokan Details

  • 3 to 4-star ryokan
  • Japanese-style beds
  • The property is closer to the mountainside of Beppu. Beppu Ropeway is 0.9 mi from Terrace Midoubaru, while Beppu Rakutenchi is 1.5 mi away.
  • You will need to have a rental car or take a bus/taxi from the train station. It takes about 15 minutes by car from JR Beppu Station.
  • The location is a bit out of the way, so having a rental car is more ideal than not. Either way, you’re going to get phenomenal scenic views.

How To Get To Beppu, Japan

Beppu is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The city is famous for its hot springs and is a popular tourist destination. Getting to Beppu by plane is easy and there are several airports located nearby.

The closest airport to Beppu is Oita Airport (OIT) which is located about 30 kilometers away from town. The airport offers both domestic and international flights and will be the most convenient option if you’re flying into Japan.

To get from the OIT Airport to Beppu, you can take a bus or a train.

Other nearby airports include:

  • Kumamoto (KMJ): 77 km away
  • Fukuoka (FUK): 103.5 km away
  • Matsuyama (MYJ): 127.4 km away
  • Nagasaki (NGS): 152.2 km away

Heading to Beppu from Tokyo?

There are several ways to get to Beppu from Tokyo. The most direct way is to take a flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Ōita Airport, which takes about 2 hours. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Beppu.

Another option is to take the bullet train (shinkansen) from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture. From Hakata, you can take a local train or bus to Beppu. This route takes about 5 hours in total.


Things To Do In Beppu, Japan

Heading to Beppu for the hot springs and not sure what else to do? Here are some fun things to do in Beppu:

  1. Visit the Hells of Beppu: The Hells of Beppu are eight different geothermal hot springs, each with its own unique appearance and properties. Visitors can choose from a variety of activities such as mud baths, steam rooms, and foot baths.
    • The most popular attraction is the Umi Jigoku, or “sea hell”. This spring is bright blue and resembles a boiling ocean. The water is so hot that eggs can be cooked in it!
    • Other notable springs include the Shiraike Jigoku, or “white pond hell”, which has milky white water due to the high sulfur content.
  2. Take a dip in one of the many hot springs: There are over 2,000 hot springs in Beppu and you can find them all around the city. Some of the most popular hot springs include Hamawaki Onsen and Myoban Onsen.
  3. Beppu is also known for its mud baths, which are said to have healing properties. Head to Hoyoland to experience a unique mud bath!
  4. Enjoy soaking in hot sand at Beppu Beach Sand Bath.
  5. Go for a relaxing walk at the beautiful Beppu Park.
  6. Ride the Beppu Ropeway and soak in the incredible landscape views.
  7. Visit the many temples and shrines located in the town.
  8. There are also a number of museums and galleries worth visiting, such as the Oita Fragrance Museum and the Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center.
  9. Take a Yufuin Rickshaw Tour about 1 hour away from Beppu.
  10. Have an amusement park day at the Kijima Kogen Park or Beppu Ratukenchi.

Looking for more Japan travel tips? You may also like:

7 Best Ryokans With Private Onsen In Hakone, Japan

Japan On A Budget: 43 Ultimate Tips On Saving Money While Traveling

The Perfect Kyoto Itinerary: 5 Days In Kyoto, Japan (+ Nara and Osaka)

Best Of Tokyo: The Perfect 5 Days In Tokyo, Japan

Osaka Day Trip From Kyoto: Best Things To Do In Osaka, Japan

Photo of author

AUTHOR

Elle Leung

My name is Elle and I'm a travel blogger and adventurer based in California. I love helping people plan trips and create unique itineraries based on their interests and their budgets. I'm a huge fan of outdoor adventures and doing off-the-beaten-path things in my state (and all around the world too)!

Leave a Comment