Takegawara Onsen
竹瓦温泉
A public bathhouse founded in 1879, with the current building dating to 1938 and its gabled roof, a symbol of Beppu's hot springs. Visitors can try sand baths or the 300-yen everyday bath.
Takegawara Onsen was founded in 1879 as a simple bathhouse with a bamboo roof. The current wooden building dates to 1938. Its front features a large karahafu-style gabled roof, which has become a symbol of Beppu's hot springs, and the building is designated a Beppu City Tangible Cultural Property. The regular bath costs only about 300 yen. It keeps the old-fashioned atmosphere of a local bathhouse, and the water runs quite hot. The most popular experience with visitors is the indoor sand bath. Staff bury you in sand heated by hot spring water for about 10 to 15 minutes. After you sweat, you rinse off and soak in the bath. The sand bath costs about 1,500 yen, including a yukata.
Hours: about 06:30 to 22:30. Sand baths are available from 08:00 to 22:30. Closed on the third Wednesday of each month. Bring your own towel, or buy one there.
Getting there: About a 10-minute walk from the east exit of Beppu Station.
Opening hours
6:30 am–10:30 pm (sand bath from 8:00 am); closed the third Wednesday of each month
Nearby sights
- Beppu Tower
- Takasakiyama Monkey Park
- Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Kaihin Sunayu)
- Umitamago (Oita Marine Palace Aquarium)
- Hyotan Onsen
- Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri)
- Beppu Onsen Hoyoland
- Myoban Onsen