Kannawa hot springs tour Beppu: Hells & local streets

See the hells on foot, meet the locals who live among them

This is a guided walking tour of Beppu's Kannawa district, covering the Sea Hell and Mud Hell hot springs, a foot bath soak, and a stroll through local streets where geothermal activity shapes daily life. The tour runs three hours and includes a live guide in English or Japanese, plus public transportation. You can add pickup from your hotel and lunch depending on which option you choose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kannawa's hot springs and streets

• Visit Sea Hell (Umi Jigoku) hot spring
• See Oniishibozu Jigoku mud hot spring
• Enjoy a hot-spring foot bath
• Stroll through Kannawa's hot spring district
• Visit local shops and meet locals

The experience

The tour starts at the Sea Hell, a naturally bright aqua-blue hot spring pool too hot to enter. You view it from the boardwalk and can soak your feet in the onsite foot bath if you bring a towel. From there you move to the Mud Hell, a rust-colored pool with the same viewing setup and foot bath access. These two sites are the centerpiece, but the real shape of the tour emerges in what comes after: a walk through Kannawa's narrow streets where the steam and mineral-rich water have carved out a distinct way of living.

Between the two hells and the foot bath time, you'll pass through local shops and meet people who live and work in the district. The guide points out how the geography (the constant heat, the mineral deposits, the sulfurous air) has shaped everything from building design to daily routines. If you're a cat lover, the Kannawa area is known for its stray population, and you'll likely spot a few during the stroll. The operator notes that specific stops can shift if a site closes, but any swap will be a suitable alternative in the same area.

Pickup is available from your hotel if you book that option. Otherwise, you'll meet the guide at the starting point. Public transportation runs nearby if you prefer to get there on your own. Lunch is optional and can be added at checkout. The whole outing takes three hours and is designed as a light, easy-going pace, not a rushed sprint through highlights.

What’s included

• All entry fees and taxes.
• public transportation during the tour.
• a live guide in English or Japanese.
• access to foot bath facilities at both hot spring sites.
• hotel pickup (on the option you select).
• lunch (on the option you select).

Options for this experience

4 options

Tour onlyGuide in English or Japanese · 10:00 and 14:30Lasts 2 hours. Meal not included. Meeting point: Cafeteria Umi, the cafe next to the Umijigoku entrance.

Pick-up option: tour onlyGuide in English or Japanese · 09:30 and 14:00Lasts 3 hours. Meal not included. Public transport (bus): bus fare included. Meeting point: Beppu Station Tourist Information Center, Wander Compass Beppu. Pickup is included.

Tour + LunchGuide in English or Japanese · 10:00Lasts 3 hours. Hot spring steamed lunch: fare included. Meeting point: Cafeteria Umi, the cafe next to the Umijigoku entrance.

Pick-up option: tour plus lunchGuide in English or Japanese · 09:30Lasts 4 hours. Hot spring steamed lunch: fare included. Public transport (bus): bus fare included. Meeting point: Beppu Station Tourist Information Center, Wander Compass Beppu. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 10:00, 14:00 and 14:30

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Space Beppu

Is this one for you?Choose the pickup option if you're staying in Beppu and don't want to navigate to Kannawa on your own. The tour itself is a three-hour walk at an easy pace, so it suits anyone with moderate fitness who can stand and stroll without strain.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

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 exactly is the Sea Hell and why can't you swim in it?

The Sea Hell is a naturally heated hot spring pool with striking aqua-blue water, but it reaches temperatures far too high for bathing. You view it from a safe distance and can use the onsite foot bath instead, where the water is cooled to a comfortable temperature.

Do I need to bring anything special for the foot bath?

Bring a towel to dry your feet after soaking. The foot bath facilities are provided, but you'll want your own towel to stay comfortable during the rest of the walk.

Is this tour just about looking at hot springs, or do you actually explore the neighborhood?

After the two main hot spring pools, you take a leisurely stroll through Kannawa's local streets, stopping at small shops and meeting residents. The walk shows you how the geothermal landscape shapes the way people live and work in the district, so it's as much about the community as the natural features.

Can I book this tour with hotel pickup and a meal included?

Yes. You can choose the tour alone, add hotel pickup, add lunch, or book all three together. Select the option that fits your needs at checkout.