How do I get from Fukuoka to Beppu?

The fastest option is the Sonic limited express train from Hakata Station (Fukuoka) to Beppu Station, taking approximately 2 hours and costing around ¥5,500 as of 2026. JR Pass holders travel free. Highway buses (Nishitetsu or JR Bus) are slower at around 2 hours 15 minutes but cost approximately ¥2,500–¥3,100 without a rail pass — a budget alternative. High-speed ferries also connect Osaka to Beppu via the Osaka Beppu route (Sunflower Ferry or Meimon Taiyo Ferry, overnight).

What is the best way to visit the Hells (Jigoku Meguri)?

The eight hells are split into two clusters: Kannawa (6 hells) and Shibaseki (2 hells — Oniishi-bo and Yama-jigoku). A Kamenoi Bus day pass covers the route between them and the station. Alternatively, many visitors hire a taxi for the full circuit in 2–3 hours — approximately ¥6,000–¥8,000 for a private taxi covering all eight. Cycling between the Kannawa cluster hells is straightforward (flat, 10 minutes between sites).

Do I need a bus pass in Beppu?

If you plan to visit the Kannawa Hells, Takasakiyama Monkey Park, and other spread-out sights in a single day, the Kamenoi Bus 1-Day Free Pass (approximately ¥1,000 as of 2026) easily pays for itself. For visitors spending the day at one onsen and the city centre, pay-as-you-go is fine.

Can I walk between Beppu Station and the Kannawa Hells?

The Kannawa district is approximately 6km north of Beppu Station — a 75-minute walk uphill that most visitors skip in favour of the bus (approximately 25 minutes, ¥370 as of 2026 by bus). Cycling is feasible, though the uphill gradient on the return is moderate.

Getting Around Beppu | The Japan Guides

Beppu is Japan’s most celebrated hot-spring resort, with eight distinct geothermal areas scattered across a hilly coastal city in Oita Prefecture. Getting around requires more planning than a compact sightseeing city — the famous Jigoku Meguri (Hell Circuit) hells are spread across two clusters, and the city’s main beach and monkey park add further spread. Kamenoi Bus handles most of the heavy lifting.

Getting to Beppu

From Fukuoka (Hakata)

The Sonic limited express on the JR Nippo Main Line is the standard route from Fukuoka to Beppu.

Departure	Journey Time	Fare (approx, 2026)
Hakata (Fukuoka) → Beppu (Sonic)	2 hr	¥5,500
Kokura → Beppu (Sonic)	1 hr 20 min	¥3,680
Oita → Beppu	15 min	¥350
Oita Airport → Beppu (bus)	55 min	¥1,600

JR Pass holders travel free on the Sonic express — Beppu is straightforward to combine with Fukuoka and Hiroshima on a multi-city pass itinerary.

By highway bus: Nishitetsu Bus and JR Kyushu Bus run services between Fukuoka (Hakata Bus Terminal) and Beppu Kitahama Bus Terminal. Journey time approximately 2 hours 15 minutes; fare approximately ¥2,500–¥3,100 as of 2026. Useful for visitors without a JR Pass.

By overnight ferry: Sunflower Ferry operates an overnight Osaka–Beppu route (approximately 12 hours). This is popular with visitors including Beppu in a Kansai–Kyushu road loop.

For private transfers from Oita Airport to Beppu hotels, Kiwitaxi offers fixed-rate bookings.

Kamenoi Bus — The Primary Local Network

Kamenoi Bus (亀の井バス) operates the majority of routes relevant to sightseers in Beppu. Most routes originate from Beppu Station (Nishiguchi / West Exit).

Key Routes for Visitors

Route	Destination	Journey Time	Single Fare (2026 approx)
Route 2 / 5 (Kannawa)	Kannawa Hells	25 min	¥370
Route 41 (Umi-jigoku)	Umi-jigoku stop	25 min	¥370
Route 26 (Takasakiyama)	Takasakiyama Monkey Park	15 min	¥330
Route 16 (Hamawaki)	Beach / Beppu Tower area	10 min	¥200

1-Day Free Pass

Approximately ¥1,000 for adults as of 2026. Covers unlimited rides on all Kamenoi Bus city routes within the Beppu urban area. Available from the driver on boarding or from the Kamenoi Bus ticket office outside Beppu Station (West Exit).

Break-even: Two return trips to Kannawa (¥370 × 4 = ¥1,480) exceed the pass price — the pass pays for itself if you make more than two bus trips to spread-out sights.

Buses depart from numbered bays outside the West Exit of Beppu Station. English route maps are available at the station tourism office.

The Hell Circuit (Jigoku Meguri)

The eight hells are the reason most visitors come to Beppu. They divide into two geographic clusters:

Kannawa cluster (6 hells):

Umi-jigoku (Sea Hell — cobalt blue)
Oniishi-bozu-jigoku (Monk Hell — bubbling grey mud)
Kamado-jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell — multi-coloured)
Oniyama-jigoku (Devil Mountain Hell — crocodiles)
Shiro-ike-jigoku (White Pond Hell — milky white)
Kinryu-jigoku (Golden Dragon Hell — steam dragon display)

Shibaseki cluster (2 hells):

Chinoike-jigoku (Blood Pond Hell — iron-oxide red)
Tatsumaki-jigoku (Waterspout Hell — geyser)

The two clusters are approximately 2.5km apart and linked by Route 2/16 buses. The Kamenoi 1-Day Pass is the most convenient option. A combined entry ticket for all eight hells costs approximately ¥2,200 for adults as of 2026 and is better value than individual entries if visiting all eight.

By taxi, a driver will wait at each hell while you visit — budget approximately ¥6,000–¥8,000 for a full circuit covering both clusters.

IC Cards

Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA, and SUGOCA (the JR Kyushu IC card) all work on Kamenoi Bus routes and JR Kyushu trains through Beppu Station. SUGOCA is the locally ubiquitous card — available from JR vending machines at Beppu and Oita stations.

Top up at JR Kyushu vending machines at Beppu Station. Some onsen facilities, convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson), and restaurants accept IC card payment.

Taxis

Taxis are available from the East and West exits of Beppu Station. They are the fastest option for visiting both hell clusters in sequence without waiting for buses.

Approximate fares from Beppu Station (2026):

Beppu Station → Kannawa cluster: ¥1,500–¥1,800
Beppu Station → Shibaseki cluster (Chinoike-jigoku): ¥1,200–¥1,500
Full hell circuit (waiting time included): ¥6,000–¥8,000
Beppu Station → Takasakiyama Monkey Park: ¥1,000–¥1,200

The GO taxi app works in Oita Prefecture. Most taxis accept IC card payment.

Cycling

Cycling works well for the flat areas near Beppu Station and the seafront. The Kannawa district involves a 100m elevation gain over 6km — manageable on an e-bike, more effort on a standard bicycle.

Rental options near Beppu Station:

Beppu Station area shops: Several cycle rental outlets near the West Exit offer standard bikes at approximately ¥1,000 per day and e-bikes at approximately ¥2,000–¥2,500 per day as of 2026.
Some larger hotels offer guest bicycle loans at no charge or reduced rate.

The Beppuwan Cycling Route follows the coastline south toward Oita City — pleasant for a half-day ride along the sea with views of the bay.

Walking

The immediate station area, Beppu Tower, and the beachfront strip are all walkable within 15–20 minutes of Beppu Station (East Exit). However, most of Beppu’s famous sights — the hells, the Kannawa onsen streets, the monkey park — require transport.

Distances from Beppu Station:

Beppu Tower: 8 minutes (600m, East Exit)
Takegawara Onsen (historic bathhouse): 10 minutes (750m)
Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Shoningahama): 15 minutes (1.1km)
Kannawa Hells: 75 minutes on foot (not recommended — take bus)

The Kannawa district itself is walkable once you arrive — the six hells are spread across approximately 600m of streets and can be explored in sequence on foot in 2–3 hours.

Getting Out of Beppu

Destination	Service	Journey Time	Fare (approx, 2026)
Oita	JR Nippo Line (local)	15 min	¥350
Fukuoka (Hakata)	Sonic Express	2 hr	¥5,500
Yufuin	JR Yufuin-no-Mori (limited express)	50 min	¥2,250
Kumamoto	JR Kyudai/Hohi Lines	2 hr 30 min	¥3,740

Yufuin is a very popular day trip or overnight from Beppu — the scenic Yufuin-no-Mori train is a reserved-seat limited express with distinctive green wood-panelled interiors, bookable at JR vending machines.

Transport essentials for Beppu: The Japan Rail Pass covers the Sonic express from Fukuoka and the Yufuin-no-Mori excursion train. For taxi bookings and private transfers, Kiwitaxi covers the Oita region. If you want to explore the wider Kyushu backcountry — Aso crater, the Kunisaki Peninsula — car hire in Japan is significantly more flexible than public transport.

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