Tattoo-Friendly Onsen in Beppu: Prices, Sand Baths and Private Rooms

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

Beppu is a rewarding place to enjoy hot springs with tattoos. The city says its municipal baths accept tattooed bathers, and local tourism guides also identify privately operated options. Whether you want a neighborhood soak, a sand bath or a private room, you can choose an experience that fits your itinerary and budget. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

For a first visit, try Takegawara Onsen for its historic building and sand bath, Hyotan Onsen for a variety of baths in Kannawa, or Hananoyu for an inexpensive private room. Prices at the municipal baths below start at ¥200 per person; the private rooms listed here start at ¥1,800 for an hour.

How to choose a tattoo-friendly bath

Beppu’s municipal facilities include ordinary shared baths, open-air baths, steam baths and family baths. A Beppu City document states that people with tattoos can bathe at city-operated onsen. These include Takegawara, Kannawa Mushi-yu, Hamawaki, Shibaseki, Horita and Nagaishi. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

For privately operated facilities, the policy belongs to the operator. The Beppu tourism guide to Hyotan says tattoos can be left uncovered in its main baths. Its Hananoyu article lists tattoos as allowed. A separate sand-bathing guide lists Takegawara, SHONIN PARK and Hyotan as tattoo-friendly sand-bath choices. (enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com)

A family bath, or kazoku-buro, is a private room for your party. Friends and couples can use one as well as families. At a shared bath, men and women normally use separate bathing areas.

Shared baths and steam baths

The prices below are for the ordinary bath or steam bath, per person. Municipal adult prices apply to junior-high-school students and older.

Holiday closure arrangements vary by facility. At Hamawaki, “1:00 a.m.” means the following morning. For the municipal baths in the table, elementary-school children pay ¥100 for the ordinary bath and preschool children enter free; Kannawa Mushi-yu is open to junior-high-school age and older. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Hyotan Onsen: the all-rounder in Kannawa

Choose Hyotan if you want to spend more than a quick stop at a bath. Its facilities include indoor and open-air baths, waterfall baths, steam and sand bathing. The local tourism guide describes the main baths as welcoming tattoos without a cover. (enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com)

The operator’s price list charges ¥1,160 for age 13 and up, ¥400 for ages 7–12 and ¥280 for ages 4–6; children three and under enter free. A towel costs ¥250 and a rental bath towel costs ¥200. Hyotan accepts Japanese yen in cash, so bring enough for extras as well as admission. (hyotan-onsen.com)

Takegawara: a classic central-Beppu bath

Takegawara’s distinctive curved roof and high-ceilinged lobby make it a memorable stop even if you choose the ¥300 ordinary bath rather than the sand bath. The present building dates from 1938. The bathhouse has no showers: use the washing basins provided, and bring toiletries or buy them at the facility. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

The city price list lists an original towel at ¥350 and a shampoo, conditioner and soap set at ¥100. The bath is at 16-23 Motomachi; use the Takegawara map when walking there. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Kannawa Mushi-yu: an herbal steam bath

At Kannawa Mushi-yu, you lie on fragrant sekisho herbs in a stone chamber heated by hot-spring steam. It is a different experience from soaking in a pool. Bring a T-shirt and shorts to wear inside, or rent a robe for ¥220 on top of the ¥700 admission. The city says each gender-separated chamber accommodates four people at a time, so allow room in your schedule for a possible wait. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Shibaseki, Horita, Hamawaki and Nagaishi

Pick Shibaseki for a mix of indoor, open-air and steam bathing in a greener setting. It also has a private family bath and a barrier-free family bath. Horita is a useful choice for an open-air soak on Beppu’s western side; its facilities include an entrance ramp, an accessible toilet and a bath wheelchair. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

For a simple, inexpensive neighborhood bath, Hamawaki has warmer and cooler pools and stays open until 1:00 a.m. Nagaishi, near central Beppu, is another ¥200 option. Both close for cleaning from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., so plan lunch or another stop for that hour. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Sand baths: prices and how to book

In a sand bath, you change into a light cotton robe and lie in naturally heated sand. At Takegawara and SHONIN PARK, staff cover you with sand; afterward, you wash it off and use the regular bath.

Takegawara sand bath

The city lists the sand bath at ¥1,500 for visitors age six and older, including the ordinary bath. It operates from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with last entry normally at 9:30 p.m. On busy days, reception can finish earlier. Both bathing areas close on the third Wednesday, or the following day when that Wednesday is a holiday. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Places are handled on site rather than booked for a requested time by phone. At reception, take the offered time and follow staff instructions. The bathhouse’s guidance says that if you leave while waiting, return at least 15 minutes before your assigned time; late arrival can invalidate the ticket. After the sand bath, use the included ordinary bath to rinse off. Bathing after drinking alcohol is prohibited. (takegawara-onsen.com)

The city also offers free bath-wear loans that require advance reservation. This is a separate arrangement from securing a sand-bath place.

SHONIN PARK: sand bathing by the sea

At SHONIN PARK, the sand-bath and large-bath set costs ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,800 for children ages 6–12. The large bath alone costs ¥1,500 for adults and ¥1,000 for children in that age band. A sand-bath robe and bath towel are available to rent free. (shoninpark.jp)

The park recommends booking the sand bath through the reservation link on its website. Walk-ins are possible when space is available. The sand portion lasts up to 15 minutes; allow roughly an hour for sand bathing and the large bath, plus any wait. Large luggage can be left at the front desk. (shoninpark.jp)

The park’s published November hours differ between its main schedule and FAQ, so call 0977-75-6360 if planning a late visit. The park has irregular closure days. Its address is 795-1 Shoningahama-machi; see the SHONIN PARK map. (shoninpark.jp)

Hyotan: sand bathing at your own pace

At Hyotan, the adult sand-bath robe rental is ¥840 in addition to the ¥1,160 adult main-bath admission: budget ¥2,000 per adult for both. The children’s robe rental is ¥540, with the applicable child admission charged separately. Hyotan’s sand bath is a self-directed experience, making it a convenient addition to a longer visit to Kannawa. Sand-bath reception ends at 10:30 p.m. (hyotan-onsen.com)

Private family baths: prices and reservations

Compare private baths by room price, duration and group size, rather than by admission price alone.

(hyotan-onsen.com)

Hyotan: reserve a room ahead

Hyotan’s family-bath base price covers up to three adults. Additional guests cost ¥700 each for age 13 and up, ¥300 each for ages 4–12, and nothing for age three and under. Some rooms can be reserved from one week before the visit by calling 0977-67-3010. Tell staff your date, preferred time, party size and the length of bath you want. (hyotan-onsen.com)

The family-bath page also describes accessible rooms. If you need a step, a higher bath stool or another accommodation, discuss the room and equipment when calling. (hyotan-onsen.com)

Hananoyu: a private bath surrounded by greenery

Hananoyu is a family-bath-only facility with a greenhouse-like setting, plants and nine kinds of tubs. Its per-room rate makes it attractive for two people: a weekday hour costs ¥900 each when a ¥1,800 room is shared equally.

The operator lists opening hours of 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. and accepts registration at the desk rather than telephone reservations. The local guide lists tattoos as allowed. Hananoyu is at 2-2 Takenouchi; its phone number is 0977-21-8778. (hana-no-yu.com)

Oniishi no Yu: combine a private bath with the Hells

Oniishi no Yu is a practical stop after visiting Kannawa’s Hells, the colorful hot springs viewed as sightseeing attractions. It has five private rooms: three cost ¥2,000 and two cost ¥3,300, each for up to four people for 60 minutes.

The operator does not take family-bath reservations. The facility opens from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and normally closes on the first of the month; if that day is a weekend or holiday, the closure moves to the next weekday. Phone 0977-27-6656 to discuss your chosen room and tattoo policy. (oniishi.com)

Shibaseki and Yamada Bessou: two different settings

Shibaseki’s ¥2,000 family bath suits a group of up to four looking for a municipal bath in a natural setting. Family-bath hours are 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., with last entry at 7:00 p.m. The facility closes for cleaning from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Yamada Bessou offers a private open-air bath at a traditional inn near central Beppu. Day-use bathing is generally offered from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., outside cleaning time, with some unavailable days. Call 0977-24-2121 to arrange a suitable time. The inn is about an eight-minute walk from Beppu Station’s East Exit. (yamadabessou.jp)

Getting around and planning your budget

For Hyotan and Kannawa: From JR Beppu Station’s West Exit, the local guide recommends Kamenoi buses 2, 5, 7 or 41 to Kannawa, followed by a walk of about six minutes. The ride takes roughly 15–25 minutes depending on the route. Use the Kamenoi Bus route and timetable page to plan the return, particularly after an evening bath. (enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com)

For Oniishi no Yu: The facility describes a roughly 20-minute bus ride from Beppu Station West Exit to Umi Jigoku-mae. The Kannawa-bound stop is temporarily relocated from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027; use the bus operator’s notice to locate it. The facility is at 559-1 Kannawa; see the Oniishi no Yu map. (oniishi.com)

For a straightforward two-person budget:

• Hamawaki shared bath: ¥400 total for two adults.
• Hananoyu weekday private room: ¥1,800 total for 60 minutes.
• Oniishi ¥2,000 private room: ¥1,000 per person when shared by two.
• Hyotan main bath plus sand bath: ¥4,000 total for two adults.

Add transport, food and any purchased towels to these bath costs. For a relaxed Kannawa outing, allow time for the bus in each direction, a possible wait at a walk-in bath and the full private-room slot.

What to ask and how to bathe

When contacting a private operator, name the exact service: main bath, sand bath or family room. Give the date, time, number of guests and ages of any children. Useful questions include:

• “Are tattoos allowed in the main bath without a cover?”
• “Can a guest with tattoos use the sand bath?”
• “We are two adults. What is the total for a 60-minute private room?”
• “Can we reserve that room, and what happens if we need to cancel?”
• “Do you accept cards, or should we bring cash?”

If speaking Japanese, “Tattoo wa daijoubu desu ka?” means “Are tattoos OK?” You can add “kazoku-buro” for a private family bath or “suna-yu” for a sand bath.

For an ordinary shared bath, remove your shoes where indicated, undress in the changing room and wash before entering the water. Keep your small towel out of the bath and leave photography to places where the facility permits it. If the water feels too hot, get out, cool down and take a break.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a city-run Beppu onsen with tattoos?

Yes. Beppu City states that tattooed guests can use its municipal onsen. Takegawara, Shibaseki, Hamawaki, Horita and Nagaishi are among the city-operated choices in this guide. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Can I enter Hyotan’s shared baths without covering my tattoo?

The Beppu tourism guide says tattoos are welcome without a cover in Hyotan’s main baths. The main-bath admission is ¥1,160 for visitors age 13 and older. (enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com)

Which option is cheapest for two adults?

Among the baths listed here, two adult admissions at Hamawaki or Nagaishi cost ¥400 in total. For a private room, Hananoyu’s weekday 60-minute rate is ¥1,800 per room. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Can children try a sand bath?

Takegawara’s sand bath accepts visitors age six and older. SHONIN PARK lists a ¥1,800 sand-and-large-bath price for children ages 6–12. (city.beppu.oita.jp)

Is Kitahama Onsen Termas still open?

No. It appears in some older tattoo-friendly lists, but Beppu City’s facility record says it closed on March 31, 2022. Choose another bath for your itinerary. (enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com)

References

• Beppu City: municipal onsen tattoo policy
• Beppu City: Takegawara Onsen
• Beppu City: Kannawa Mushi-yu
• Beppu City: Hamawaki Onsen
• Beppu City: Shibaseki Onsen
• Beppu City: Horita Onsen
• Beppu City: Nagaishi Onsen
• Beppu City: Kitahama Onsen Termas facility record
• Hyotan Onsen: prices
• Hyotan Onsen: family baths
• Takegawara Onsen: bathing instructions
• SHONIN PARK: sand spa and prices
• Hananoyu: prices and access
• Oniishi no Yu: facilities, prices and access
• Yamada Bessou: hot springs
• Enjoy Onsen: Hyotan Onsen
• Enjoy Onsen: Hananoyu
• Enjoy Onsen: Beppu sand baths
• Kamenoi Bus: routes and timetables
• Kamenoi Bus: Umi Jigoku-mae stop relocation
• Maps: Takegawara, SHONIN PARK, Oniishi no Yu

Prices and schedules checked November 7, 2026; confirm your chosen bath’s arrangements before visiting.