Beppu (Japan Oita)

Beppu (Beppu-shi) is a port city in Japan's Oita Prefecture (Kyushu Island), located at the west end of Beppu Bay. The city has population around 122,000. Port Beppu (locode JPBEP) serves mainly cargo ships and ferries, and is the principal cruise port of the Oita Prefecture.

Regularly scheduled crossings by MOL Ferries link Beppu with Osaka (Hyogo Prefecture on Honshu Island), with travel time 12 hours. On the Beppu-Osaka route are deployed two newbuilds/2023-inaugurated MOL Ferries - Sunflower Murasaki and Sunflower Kurenai.

Beppu City lies between the sea and the mountains and is most famous for its hot springs ("Beppu Onsen"). There are 8 major geothermal springs (aka "eight hells of Beppu") - 6x are in Kannawa District and 2 are in Shibaseki District.

A popular event is the annual Beppu-Oita Marathon (since 1952). The marathon's path is between Beppu and Oita-shi (Prefecture's capital city).

Lake Shidaka is approx 600 m (1970 ft) above sea level.

Otobaru Waterfall is in the city's mountain region, around 20 min walk from the amusement park Wonder Rakutenchi.

Takasakiyama Monkey Park is around 10 min bus ride from the city center. The park has over 1500 Japanese macaques monkeys.

Kijima Kogen resort includes a hotel and an 18-hole golf course alongside an amusement park.

Besides its hot springs, Beppu also has sand and foot baths. A popular spot is ”Beppu marine beach sand bath and foot bath", around 15 min bus drive from the city's main train station.

Beppu Park is in the city center, around a 15-minute walk from the train station.

The annual Beppu Fireworks Festival is in late July. Its fireworks show includes over 5000 fireworks set off from small boats scattered around Beppu Bay.

Another popular tourist event is the art festival held here every 3 years. Bus travel allows access to the Usuki Stone Buddhas (statues into a cliff) and the Mangatsuji Temple, located approx 5 km (3 mi) southwest of Uziki City's downtown.

Beppu cruise terminal