Beppu & Yufuin Day Tour from Fukuoka: Frog Shrine & Hot Springs

Frog statues, volcanic peaks, misty lakes, and boiling blue hot springs in one day from Fukuoka

This 8–9 hour day tour from Fukuoka takes you to Beppu and Yufuin with a live English or Chinese-speaking guide. You visit Nyoirin-ji Temple, where thousands of frog statues symbolize good fortune; stand at the base of Mount Yufu, Kyushu's iconic volcanic peak; stroll Yufuin's charming hot spring town; pause at mist-covered Kinrin Lake; and explore two of Beppu's famous geothermal "Hells": Umi Jigoku with its striking cobalt-blue boiling pond and Kamado Jigoku with its multicolored steaming pools. Admission to both Beppu attractions is included. Entry to Yufuin's onsen is optional and paid separately. The tour requires a minimum of four participants.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Beppu and Yufuin highlights

• Visit Nyoirin-ji Frog Shrine
• View Mount Yufu entrance area
• Stroll Yufuin town streets
• Relax at Kinrin Lake
• See Umi Jigoku hot spring
• Explore Kamado Jigoku hot springs

The experience

If you're based in Fukuoka with a free day and no rental car, this tour solves the logistics of reaching Beppu and Yufuin, two of Kyushu's most visited destinations. The guide handles the route and timing, leaving you to move between stops without planning transport or reading maps. You start at Nyoirin-ji Temple, a Buddhist site where thousands of frog statues in different sizes and expressions cover the grounds: a spiritual space that doubles as one of Japan's most photographed temples, especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

From there, the day moves through landscape and natural phenomena. You stop at the base of Mount Yufu, often called "Bungo Fuji" for its resemblance to Mount Fuji, where you can photograph the dramatic twin peaks and breathe the fresh mountain air without committing to a full hike. Yufuin itself is a charming hot spring town built around boutique shops, dessert cafes, and art museums along Yunotsubo Street. You have time to walk and sample regional snacks, with lunch available at your own expense. Kinrin Lake comes next: a tranquil spot partly fed by hot springs that create a gentle mist over the water during cooler seasons, especially early morning, turning the reflections of sky and mountains into a serene photograph.

The final stops are Beppu's two most striking geothermal attractions. Umi Jigoku features a cobalt-blue boiling pond created by volcanic activity, surrounded by landscaped gardens and footbath areas where you can soak your feet. Kamado Jigoku shows multiple hot spring pools in different colors and temperatures, with steaming vents where locals traditionally cook food. You can try onsen-steamed eggs or snacks while learning how Beppu's residents have used geothermal energy for centuries. Both sites are admission-included, and the guide provides context for what you're seeing rather than leaving you to guess at the geology or history.

What’s included

• Admission to Umi Jigoku and Kamado Jigoku.
• live guide in English or Chinese.
• transportation between Fukuoka and all stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 49

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TrevoTour Travels

Is this one for you?This is a shared group tour with a guide handling the route and timing, so it suits travelers arriving in Fukuoka without a rental car who want to see both Beppu's geothermal sites and Yufuin's countryside in a single day. The 8–9 hour duration and fixed schedule mean you move through five distinct stops rather than lingering at any one, which works well for a first visit when you want breadth over depth.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Frog Shrine and why are there so many statues there?

Nyoirin-ji Temple, known as the Frog Shrine, is a peaceful Buddhist temple where thousands of frog statues of different sizes and expressions cover the grounds. In Japanese culture, frogs symbolize good fortune and safe returns, making them a meaningful offering at temples. The site's traditional wooden structures, stone pathways, and seasonal flowers create a calm spiritual atmosphere that draws visitors year-round, especially during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.

Do I get to hike Mount Yufu on this tour?

No, this tour stops at the entrance area and base of Mount Yufu rather than undertaking a full hike. You can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, photograph the dramatic twin peaks, and breathe the fresh mountain air, but the stop is designed for viewing and photography rather than climbing.

What exactly are the "Hells" of Beppu, and can I bathe in them?

Beppu's "Hells" are geothermal hot spring attractions created by volcanic activity. Umi Jigoku features a striking cobalt-blue boiling pond too hot for bathing, but includes footbath areas where you can soak your feet and landscaped gardens to explore. Kamado Jigoku displays multiple bubbling pools in various colors and temperatures, with steaming vents where you can observe geothermal steam being used to cook food and try onsen-steamed eggs or snacks.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You have free time in Yufuin to explore shops, cafes, and restaurants and eat at your own expense. Kamado Jigoku also offers onsen-steamed eggs and snacks you can purchase.

What happens if there are fewer than four people booked on the tour?

This tour requires a minimum of four participants. If the minimum is not met, you can book an alternative date instead of proceeding with a smaller group.