The fourth article in our selection series is “The 10 Onsens You Should Visit in Oita.” Oita is the #1 prefecture in terms of the amount of hot spring water used. Beppu and Yufuin are very famous and popular destinations, but there also are many other good hot springs. I’ve selected 10 onsens which I highly recommend throughout Oita prefecture.

1.  Atami Onsen

If you want to take a bath as soon as you arrived at the JR Oita station, Atami Onsen is a good choice. This onsen is located just three-minute walk from the station. Of course, the quality of the hot spring is excellent as well as the accessibility. The moor hot spring is not recycled and always fresh, which will give you a relaxing bath time and get rid of your fatigue after the travel to Oita.

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2. Takegawara Onsen

Takegawara Onsen is the symbol of Beppu. If you visit Beppu for the first time, don’t miss this onsen. Everything, including the building and bathroom, still keeps the atmosphere of the traditional hot spring resort. Takegawara Onsen is a good place for both sightseeing and a bathing experience. Also, you can enjoy a sand bath here, which is said to improve blood circulation.

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3. Teruyu Onsen

Teruyu Onsen in Beppu is famous for its cleanness and its gentle touch of water. The bathrooms are cleaned by the owner’s husband every day, he uses a sponge to wipe off every tiny water spot to prevent mold. The colour of the hot spring water changes depending on the weather conditions, it can be blue and can contain deposited minerals called “Yu no hana.”

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4. Ichinoharu Kyodo Onsen

I would say Ichinoharu Kyodo Onsen is the most nicely-aged onsen in Beppu. The bathtub was built using granite stones 80 years ago and it still used as is in 2017. A full stone-built bathtub is quite rare even in Beppu. If you like a nostalgic atmosphere, Ichinoharu Kyodo Onsen is highly recommended.

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5. Ukenokuchi Onsen "Shinseikan"

If you like a big bath or turbid hot spring, Shinseikan will meet your interest. The open-air bath is really big, and 500 liters of hot spring water is supplied per minute. The temperature is about 41°C|105.8°F which is moderate for everyone. In May, you can enjoy bathing while watching beautiful green leaves in the daytime and Milky Way in the night.

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6. Nagayu Onsen "Ramune Onsen Kan"

Ramune Onsen Kan is a must-go place in the Nagayu Onsen area. The first time you soak in the bath in Ramune Onsen Kan, you would be surprised. The hot spring water contains carbon dioxide and is sparkling, therefore your body will be covered with bubbles as soon as you get in the bath. Also, the building designed by Terunobu Fujimori has lovely architecture, and is worth seeing.

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7. Nagayu Onsen "Naganoyu"

There is one more recommendation in the Nagayu Onsen area. That is Naganoyu, this onsen is full of nostalgic charm. The bath temperature is hot, and the hot spring water contains a large amount of carbon dioxide gas. Onsen geeks are classified into some minor groups such as “Hot onsen geek” and “Alkaline onsen geek”, and one of those groups is called “Gas geek.” Naganoyu is very popular among the gas geeks. If you want to be a member, please try Naganoyu. Also, don’t worry the room is properly ventilated.

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8. Kabeyu Onsen "Fukumotoya"

Fukumotoya offers a cave bath where natural hot spring water flows out of cracks in the rocks. The water of onsen is amazingly clear, I would say this is one of the most clear hot spring water I’ve ever seen. In Fukumotoya, you can see a saying “1-hour soak is not enough for experiencing the excellence of the bath, you must take at least 2-hour soak.” I’m sure you will agree with that after taking a bath.

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9. Tsukahara Onsen "Kakó no Izumi"

Kako no Izumi is an unusual hot spring even in countless hot springs in Oita. It is the second strongest acidic hot spring in Japan with the pH value of 1.4. The hot spring water is light-green coloured, and the taste is amazingly sour like lemon. Also, the water contains the largest amount of iron ions and the second largest amount of aluminium ions, and can therefore make the skin smoother.

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10. Myoban Onsen "Tsuru No Yu"

If you want to soak in a hot spring pond in the wild environment, there is Tsuru no yu in Beppu. Enjoying a relaxing bath time in such atmosphere would be an unforgettable experience. However, if you visit Tsuru no yu, make sure not to go alone because they are a little bit far from the centre of the city.

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Others

Although I selected 10 onsens in Oita, there are a lot more good onsens. Click the following button to see others.