Beppu Onsen Beppu Showaen

The natural setting around the Ryokan is gorgeous, with rushing water right outside the balcony. There are two private onsens you can reserve, as well as a public one. We visited in summer, so the open-air baths were ideal. In winter, though, I’d be cautious because the changing areas don’t seem to have heating. We didn’t realize until we arrived that our booking through booking.com covered only the room. Dinner and breakfast were already closed and couldn’t be added, which was a huge disappointment since we’d thought we’d booked the full experience. I wondered if the very small staff, only two workers that we saw, had something to do with that. The buildings are quite old, with old TVs, bedding, and bathrooms. Some updating would help while keeping the place’s charm. It was a beautiful, relaxing stay, but it needs a refresh and could be more accommodating.

Everything around our house felt calm, with the stream, bridge, bamboo, and trees all close by. The location and views were beautiful. We had a spacious, lovely house with a balcony overlooking it all. The private baths were warm, included at no extra cost, and could be booked. We were really happy with our stay.

We drove, which made it easy to get around, though you can walk too. Just be aware the place is tucked away in one corner of town. The staff were helpful and friendly, and our room was lovely, clean, and private. Highly recommend, especially for the amazing private outdoor onsen.

The staff were wonderful and worked really hard to make our stay great. Breakfast was amazing, so I’d recommend adding it to your reservation. It’s a peaceful place to unwind without getting too far from the city, about a pleasant 20-minute walk to the station. One warning: rideshares rarely start nearby, so call a taxi if you don’t want to walk. Getting a taxi back is no problem.