Beppu arts and crafts walking tour: Meet local artisans
Watch bamboo artisans at work, then step inside a century-old Japanese house turned gallery.
This small-group walking tour of Beppu takes you through downtown neighborhoods where local artists and craftspeople actually work, skipping the tourist circuit. You'll visit a bamboo craft factory operating since 1908, meet residents of Kiyoshima Apartment artist residence, and end at Space Beppu—a renovated century-old house with a history room, art gallery and included drink. Admission to each stop is covered; the route may shift if businesses change their hours.
2h–2h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore local arts, crafts, and culture
- Visit local market and meet residents
- Observe bamboo craft making and shop
- Attend bamboo craft workshop (if available)
- Meet artists at Kiyoshima Apartment
- Relax at Space Beppu with drink
The Experience
Two hours through downtown Beppu means you're moving through the streets where artisans live and work, not the packaged sightseeing zones. The walk starts at a local market where residents buy fresh fish and vegetables—a place tourists don't usually see, and where you can talk to people who actually live here. From there you move into the craft side of the city: a bamboo workshop that's been operating since 1908, where you watch skilled workers shape local Oita bamboo into finished pieces. You can buy directly from the makers if something catches your eye.
The tour includes a stop at Kiyoshima Apartment, a creator residence and art studio where artists have set up their working spaces. You might see someone mid-project, or just walk through and look at what's on display—it depends on the day and who's there. This is the rare chance to see work being made, not finished and mounted in a gallery. Then the route takes you to Space Beppu, a community space inside a renovated century-old Japanese house. There's a history room with old photographs of Beppu's past, a small gallery showing more work from the Kiyoshima residents, and a drink included so you can sit and absorb the mix of old architecture and contemporary art.
Because this is a small-group tour with a live guide, the pace and the stops are set—you're not navigating or deciding what to skip. The guide speaks English or Japanese. One thing to know: the itinerary can shift if a business changes its hours or closes for the day, so the exact sequence isn't guaranteed, but the core stops and the character of the walk stay the same.
What’s included
- Admission to the bamboo craft factory, Kiyoshima Apartment, and Space Beppu.
- one drink at Space Beppu.
- live guide in English or Japanese.
- small-group format.
Operated by Space Beppu
Is this one for you?Choose the shared group tour if you want to meet other travelers and keep the cost lower, or book the private option if you'd rather have the guide's attention focused on your group and the flexibility to linger longer at any stop that interests you most.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What's the bamboo craft factory like, and can I buy something there?
The bamboo workshop has been making crafted products since 1908 using local bamboo from Oita Prefecture. You'll watch artisans at work shaping the pieces, and yes, you can purchase finished bamboo items directly—they make good unique souvenirs since they're made in front of you.
Will I actually meet the artists at Kiyoshima Apartment, or just see their work?
Kiyoshima Apartment is a creator residence, so artists live and work there. You may see someone actively working on a project, or you may just walk through and view finished pieces on display—it depends on who's home and what they're doing that day.
Is there food included, or do I need to eat before or after?
Food and beverages are not included in the tour price, though Space Beppu at the end does include one drink. Plan to eat before you start or after you finish.
Does this tour visit the famous Hells of Beppu?
No. This tour focuses on downtown Beppu's arts and crafts neighborhoods and local culture. The popular tourist sites like the Hells are not part of the route.
How much walking is involved, and what's the terrain like?
The tour lasts two to two-and-a-half hours and covers downtown streets and alleys. You'll be walking on regular urban pavement. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; moderate physical fitness is needed.
Can the route change, or is it always the same stops?
The core stops—market, bamboo factory, artist residence and Space Beppu—stay the same, but the exact sequence and which specific streets you take may shift if a business changes its opening hours or closes unexpectedly.
Beppu arts and crafts walking tour: Meet local artisans
2h–2h 30m · EN · JA
from JP¥ 9,000 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.9040 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
