Ōita is famous for being the prefecture with the most hot springs in Japan. In particular, Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen in Ōita are visited by many tourists not only from Japan but also from abroad. This is a very famous tourist destination for hot spring lovers.
In this article, we will introduce 7 nightlife spots that you should definitely visit to enjoy Ōita at night.
Highlights and features of Ōita at night
Ōita, the number one hot spring area in Japan, is distinguished by many hot spring-related tourist attractions even at night. There are hot spring facilities where you can soak while admiring the night view of Ōita, and locations where you can see the scenery of hot spring steam rising.
In addition to hot springs, Ōita’s local cuisine is also very attractive. Popular foods among tourists include steaks made from Bungo beef, a brand of beef, Ōita’s specialty Toriten (fried chicken), and fresh seafood caught in nearby waters. The unique feature of Ōita’s nightlife spots is that you can enjoy Ōita’s unique cuisine while also enjoying Japan’s best hot springs.
Nightlife spots in Ōita
Recommended #1: Yukemuri Observatory
“Yukemuri Observatory” is where you can see the hot spring town of Kannawa Onsen in Beppu city. This is a famous spot where you can see hot spring steam rising from all over the place. The view of steam rising from the ancient town of Kannawa Onsen was once voted the second most beautiful landscape nationwide in the “100 most beautiful Japanese landscapes that need to be preserved in the 21st century”, only after Mount Fuji. In addition, in 2010, the night view from the observatory was also recognized as a “Night View Heritage of Japan”.
Beppu boasts the largest number of hot springs’ source (the number of places where hot springs gush out from the ground) in the world. So hot steam rises from all over the hot spring town. At night, the illuminated steam creates a night view unique to Kannawa Onsen town. This is a scene that you won’t see in other hot spring areas in Japan. This is a must-see tourist spot when traveling to Ōita.
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| Official website | https://beppu-tourism.com/spot/yukemuri-tenbodai/ |
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The Yukemuri Observatory is free to use. Parking is also available and you can use it for free.
Recommended #2: CITY SPA Tenkū
(Source: https://www.jroitacity.jp/cityspatenku/)
“CITY SPA Tenkū” is a hot spring facility directly connected to JR Ōita Station. It is located on the 19th to 21st floors of the same building as the “JR Kyūshū Hotel Blossom Ōita”. The open-air rooftop bath, located 80 meters above ground, offers a panoramic view of Ōita’s nightscape while bathing.
In addition to the open-air rooftop bath, it also has facilities such as a sauna and a Cafe & Bar. After refreshing in the hot springs and sauna, it’s great to sip a cold beer at the Cafe & Bar and take in the views of Ōita cityscape. This is an ideal place not only for those who want to enjoy themselves with friends, but also for those who want to spend some relaxing time alone.
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| Official website | https://www.jroitacity.jp/cityspatenku/ |
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If you stay at JR Kyūshū Hotel Blossom Ōita, you can use the bath in the morning (6:00~9:30). This time is not available to day-trippers, so you can avoid crowds.
Recommended #3: Beppu Tower
“Beppu Tower” is a 100m high observation tower located in Beppu City, Ōita Prefecture. Since its construction in 1957, it has long been a popular symbol of tourism in Beppu. This is the third tower built in Japan and has a longer history than the Tōkyō Tower.
From the observatory deck, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful night view of Beppu city and Beppu Bay. Another feature is that the exterior of Beppu Tower itself is lit up in colorful gradations. This is a recommended tourist spot for couples.
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| Official website | https://bepputower.co.jp/ |
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In addition to the observatory deck, there are also plenty of facilities, including restaurants, cafes, BBQ areas and karaoke, so you can enjoy a variety of activities.
Recommended #4: Hyōtan Onsen
(Source: https://www.hyotan-onsen.com/)
“Hyōtan Onsen” is a day trip hot spring facility located in the Kannawa area of Beppu. In addition to the standard bathing style of soaking in a bathtub, Hyōtan Onsen offers a variety of unique bathing styles, including a “sand bath” (Suna-yu) where you are buried in sand and heated by geothermal energy, and a “steam bath” (Mushi-yu) where you are heated by steam generated from the hot spring.
There are up to 14 types of family baths, mean private hot springs that can be rented out to enjoy with family and friends. There are also 8 types of indoor bathtubs and 6 types of open-air baths, so you can choose according to your preferences. This is an ideal destination for those traveling with family. In addition, it is open until 1:00 am, which is a great point for those who want to relax for a long time.
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| Official website | https://www.hyotan-onsen.com/ |
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Recommended #5: Somuri Beppu Honten
(Source: https://www.somuri.net)
“Somuri Beppu Honten” is a famous steak restaurant in Ōita. You can enjoy steaks made from Bungo beef, Ōita’s famous beef brand. Bungo beef is a Wagyū beef brand that is increasingly popular as a premium beef with a sweet taste.
“Somuri Beppu Honten” is characterized by its specialty of Bungo beef. The interior of the restaurant has a retro and relaxed atmosphere, so you can enjoy the Bungo beef at your leisure. Therefore, it is a recommended restaurant for those who want to enjoy authentic Ōita gourmet in a relaxed atmosphere.
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| Official website | https://www.somuri.net/beppu/index.html |
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Recommended #6: Ekimae Kōtō Onsen
Ekimae Kōtō Onsen is a public bath located about a 2-minute walk from JR Beppu Station. It features an appearance resembling a small Western-style building. The building was built in 1924 and has remained that way, giving it a retro atmosphere.
At Ekimae Kōtō Onsen, you can choose between two types of baths: hot bath (43~44 degrees Celsius) and warm bath (40~41 degrees Celsius). The attractive point is the extremely reasonable price. The second floor is a lodging facility (no meals served) and is also very affordable. Because it is located near JR Beppu Station, it is also recommended as a base for sightseeing in Ōita.
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| Official website | https://onsendo.beppu-navi.jp/y7/ |
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Recommended #7: Restaurant Tōyōken
Restaurant Tōyōken is a Chinese restaurant located in Beppu city. It is known as the birthplace of “Toriten” – a specialty of Ōita. Toriten is a dish made by deep-frying chicken. It looks similar to “Karaage” but since there is no chicken skin, it is considered healthier.
Toriten is a representative local dish of Ōita, so you can eat it at a variety of restaurants. But if you’re traveling to Ōita, it’s best to try the original Toriten at its birthplace. Restaurant Tōyōken is very popular not only with tourists but also with locals. This is a recommended restaurant for gourmets.
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| Official website | https://www.toyoken-beppu.co.jp/ |
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