Private Beppu & Yufuin tour: Hells, Mt. Tsurumi, hot springs

Six hours, your own pace, through Beppu's volcanic landscape and Yufuin's mountain town

A private six-hour tour of Beppu and Yufuin with an English-speaking guide and dedicated car, visiting Umi Jigoku and Oniishi Jigoku's geothermal pools, riding the Beppu Ropeway to Mt. Tsurumi's summit, then exploring Lake Kinrinko and Yufuin's hot spring town. The itinerary adjusts to your interests and pace. Hotel and port pickup are available, and cruise guests can coordinate with ship times.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Beppu and Yufuin hot springs

• Visit Umi Jigoku hot spring
• Explore Oniishi Jigoku hot spring
• Ride Beppu Ropeway to Mt. Tsurumi
• Stroll around Lake Kinrinko
• Walk along Yunotsubo Kaido street
• Soak in Yufuin hot spring onsen

The experience

Six hours means you move through Beppu's most striking geothermal sites without rushing. Umi Jigoku (the cobalt-blue pool formed 1,200 years ago by volcanic explosion) sits at nearly 98°C, too hot to enter but ringed with footbaths and gardens where you can try jigoku-mushi, steamed pudding cooked in the natural heat. Oniishi Jigoku, the red-colored boiling pool fed by iron-rich earth, draws fewer crowds. Its thick steam and raw energy contrast with manicured gardens and a relaxing footbath. Your guide stays with you at both stops, pointing out what the landscape reveals and adjusting the time you spend based on what interests you.

The Beppu Ropeway carries you up Mt. Tsurumi in ten minutes to 1,375 meters, where the air cools and panoramic views open across Beppu Bay, the cityscape, and Mt. Yufu in the distance. On clear days the Kuju Mountains appear at the horizon. Walking paths at the summit pass small shrines and seasonal flowers: cherry blossoms in spring, vivid foliage in autumn. The ropeway itself becomes part of the experience, not just transport between stops.

The drive to Yufuin takes you into a mountain hot spring town where your guide introduces Lake Kinrinko, a small lake whose name means "Golden Scale Lake" after a legend of a sacred fish. Early mist rises from the water where hot springs feed the lake bottom. The walking path around it and the lakeside cafés offer quiet moments between exploring. Yunotsubo Kaido, the main street, fills with local shops, craft galleries, snack stands and cafés serving fresh croquettes, cheese tarts, dango and matcha sweets. Your guide knows which spots reward a stop and which hidden local places most visitors miss. The tour can end with a soak in one of Yufuin's traditional onsen (a private bath in a ryokan or a public bathhouse like Shitan-yu) to ease the day's walking and settle into the town's rhythm.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned private vehicle.
• English-speaking local guide for the full six hours.
• Beppu Ropeway ride to Mt. Tsurumi's summit.
• access to all stops including Lake Kinrinko and Yunotsubo Kaido street.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.

Options for this experience

2 options

Includes a guide and driverGuide in English · No fixed timePrivate car

Private Beppu and Yufuin nature tourGuide in English · No fixed timePickup included. Duration: 6 hours. Japanese or Western lunch, depending on the guest. Prius or VW.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 2,500

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Your_beppu_tour

Is this one for you?The private format and adjustable itinerary suit travelers who want to linger at sites that catch their interest (the footbaths at the Hells, the summit views, a longer wander through Yufuin's cafés) without being pulled toward the next scheduled stop. Cruise guests can time the tour to their ship's schedule and return directly to the port.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 6): free.

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

Umi Jigoku and Oniishi Jigoku are geothermal hot spring pools created by volcanic activity. Umi Jigoku's vivid cobalt water and Oniishi Jigoku's red-colored boiling pool both reach temperatures too hot to enter safely, but both sites have separate footbaths where you can soak your feet and enjoy the geothermal landscape.

How long does the Beppu Ropeway ride take and what will I see from the top?

The ropeway ascends Mt. Tsurumi in ten minutes, rising to 1,375 meters. From the summit, you see panoramic views of Beppu Bay, the cityscape, Mt. Yufu, and on clear days the Kuju Mountains. Walking paths at the top pass shrines and seasonal flowers.

What is Lake Kinrinko and when is the best time to visit it?

Lake Kinrinko is a small lake at the edge of Yufuin where hot springs flow from the lake bottom. Early mornings are especially striking, when mist rises from the water. The area has a riverside walking path and lakeside cafés, making it a peaceful stop between exploring the town's busier shopping streets.

Can I add a hot spring bath to the tour in Yufuin?

Yes. Your guide can arrange a soak at one of Yufuin's traditional onsen. Options range from rustic public bathhouses like Shitan-yu to ryokan with private baths and views of Mt. Yufu. A hot spring bath at the end of the day is a popular way to finish the tour.

How does pickup work if I'm arriving by cruise ship?

The tour coordinates with your ship's arrival and departure times and returns you directly to Beppu Port. Hotel pickup is also available if you're staying in the area.