How do I get from Beppu to Yufuin?

The JR Kyudai Main Line connects Beppu and Yufuin in approximately 1h20m (approximately ¥1,130 as of 2026). The scenic Yufuin no Mori tourist train (reservation required, approximately ¥2,570 including seat fee) runs several times daily and takes a similar time with panoramic mountain views. Buses also run the route in approximately 1h10m.

Is Mt Aso accessible as a day trip from Beppu?

It is a long day trip from Beppu. The most efficient route is JR to Oita then local train/bus to Aso city (total approximately 2h30m–3h each way). The journey is more practical from Kumamoto (1h by bus). For a day trip from Beppu, consider Yufuin or Usuki instead. Mt Aso is better as an overnight.

What is Kitsuki famous for?

Kitsuki is an exceptionally well-preserved castle town on Beppu Bay with terraced samurai districts on either side of a hilltop castle. It is one of the few places in Kyushu where you can walk through intact Edo-period residential streets. The castle (¥350 entry as of 2026) is small but the surrounding townscape is the draw.

What are the Usuki Stone Buddhas?

The Usuki Sekibutsu are a group of approximately 60 Buddhist stone relief figures carved into cliff faces in the 12th century, considered the finest example of stone Buddhist art in Japan. They are designated a National Treasure. Entry costs approximately ¥540 as of 2026. Usuki is 45 minutes from Beppu by JR.

Can I visit the Kunisaki Peninsula as a day trip?

The Kunisaki Peninsula north of Beppu is home to ancient mountain temples and traditional Buddhist culture but has limited public transport. It is feasible as a car rental day trip — a rental from Beppu starts at approximately ¥6,000/day as of 2026. By public bus, access to specific temples is slow and requires careful timetable planning.

Day Trips from Beppu | The Japan Guides

Beppu sits at the hub of a region with an unusually varied set of day trip options: a pristine Edo-period castle town, Japan’s finest stone Buddhist sculpture, an active volcanic caldera, a refined onsen resort, and an ancient peninsula of mountain temples. All the destinations below are accessible by public transport from Beppu Station, though some benefit from a rental car.

Yufuin — Refined Onsen Resort Town

Travel time: Approximately 1h20m by JR Kyudai Line (¥1,130 as of 2026) or 1h10m by bus Yufuin no Mori scenic train: Approximately ¥2,570 including reservation fee, book in advance

Yufuin sits at the base of the twin-peaked Mt Yufu volcano and has developed over the past four decades into one of Japan’s most refined onsen resort towns — quieter and more aesthetically focused than Beppu, with small boutique inns, art museums, and gallery shops lining the main avenue between the station and Lake Kinrin. The lakeside area is Yufuin’s most photogenic zone, particularly at dawn when mist rises from the warm water.

Unlike Beppu, which is primarily a city with onsen, Yufuin is a purpose-built resort destination where the entire town is designed around the ryokan experience. Day visitors can use onsen facilities at many inns (day-use typically ¥500–¥1,500 as of 2026). The Yufu Art Museum and several small craft galleries line the main street. Lunch options include soba noodle restaurants and cafes serving local milk soft-serve (approximately ¥400).

Usuki — National Treasure Stone Buddhas

Travel time: Approximately 45 minutes by JR Nippo Line (approximately ¥700 as of 2026)

The Usuki Sekibutsu (stone Buddha figures) are among the most remarkable surviving examples of Heian and early Kamakura period Buddhist art in Japan. Approximately 60 figures are carved into cliff faces across four groupings — Furuzono, Kojima, Sanmaizono, and Hoshigaoka. The largest standing figures reach approximately 3 metres; the expressions and detail of the stone carving, despite weathering, are exceptional for work from the 11th and 12th centuries. The site is designated a National Treasure. Entry costs approximately ¥540 as of 2026; the site is open daily from 9:00am.

Usuki city also has a preserved castle town district with white-walled samurai residences along a main street — a quieter alternative to Kitsuki that can be explored in an hour or two. The combination of the stone Buddhas and the old town makes for a satisfying half-day.

Kitsuki — Japan’s Most Complete Castle Town

Travel time: Approximately 40 minutes by JR Nippo Line (approximately ¥590 as of 2026)

Kitsuki is described by Japanese preservation bodies as one of the country’s most intact castle towns. The town is built on a narrow ridge with the castle at its centre and two formal samurai residential districts (kami-joya and shimo-joya) descending steeply on either side in terraces — a layout unique in Japan. The Edo-period residential streets are genuinely residential even now; local families still live in the historic buildings, giving the place a less museum-like atmosphere than preserved towns that have been entirely turned over to tourism.

The castle (¥350 as of 2026) is a small three-storey reconstruction with good views over the bay. The Okyakuya historic house museum (¥300) preserves an intact merchant-samurai household. Total visit time is approximately 2–3 hours.

Mt Aso Volcanic Caldera

Travel time: Approximately 2h30m–3h by JR and bus (complex routing; check connections) Easier approach: JR from Beppu to Oita, then shinkansen to Kumamoto, then bus to Aso (approximately 2h total from Kumamoto)

Mt Aso has the world’s largest volcanic caldera, still active, with the Nakadake crater accessible by ropeway (approximately ¥1,500 return as of 2026) when volcanic activity permits. The caldera floor is farmed — a striking sight of paddies and cattle inside the volcanic ring. The ropeway is closed when sulphur dioxide levels are elevated; check the Mt Aso website for current access status before making the journey. An overnight in Aso town or Kumamoto is more practical than a round day trip from Beppu.

Kunisaki Peninsula — Ancient Mountain Temples

Best reached by: Rental car (approximately ¥6,000/day from Beppu as of 2026) By bus: Limited connections; feasible only to major temples like Futagoji

The Kunisaki Peninsula north of Beppu is one of the most important centres of esoteric Buddhism in Japan — a cluster of mountain temples, stone Buddhas, and sacred paths through cedar forests. Futagoji temple is the largest and most accessible (free entry). The hidden temples require off-road walking on paths that have been maintained for over a thousand years. The peninsula is most rewarding for visitors with an interest in Japanese religious history and willing to rent a car in Japan. Allow a full day for a proper exploration.

Spa World Beppu or Alternative Onsen Near the City

For those who prefer to stay close, the villages of Kannawa, Hamawaki, Myoban, and Shibaseki — all within 15–20 minutes by bus from the station — each have their own distinct onsen character and several public bathhouses (from ¥100–¥300 per person as of 2026). Myoban is known for its alum springs and therapeutic sulphur mud; Shibaseki for clear sodium chloride water. Combining two or three different onsen areas in a half-day is a Beppu-specific pleasure.

Make the most of your time around Beppu: Guided day trips from Beppu handle the logistics — transport, guide, and timing — so you can focus on the experience. For airport arrivals and departures, Kiwitaxi offers fixed-price airport transfers with no meter surprises.

Practical Notes

JR passes (Japan Rail Pass or Kyushu Rail Pass) cover the main train connections to Yufuin, Usuki, and Kitsuki. The Yufuin no Mori scenic train requires separate seat reservation. For Kunisaki, a car is strongly recommended — bus frequency is low and the distances between temples are significant. For full coverage of what to see in the city itself, see things to do in Beppu. For accommodation in the hot spring districts, see where to stay in Beppu.

Day Trips from Beppu: Yufuin, Usuki Stone Buddhas, Aso Volcano, and More

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