Ryokan Kiraku

The service was incredible, with so much care in the small details. They offered to put out and pack away our futons each day, laid out our shoes in the morning, and did plenty more thoughtful things. The owner even drove us to Beppu station when we checked out. Dinner and breakfast on both nights were a great spread. The inn is within walking distance of 5/7 of the hells and just two minutes from the main bus terminal. This was my fourth trip to Japan and easily one of my nicest, most welcoming stays. I don't usually write reviews, but it would have felt rude not to.

The seasonal meals were incredible, beautifully presented and explained, including which sauces went with each dish. The hot springs were great too. It took a little while to get used to the different men's and women's schedules, but the baths were clean and well kept. The sand baths were a great experience, and so was the sauna. The facilities were looked after and clean, and the tidy rooms had a distinctive feel that was lovely to return to after a long day. The drive into town was peaceful, with great views along the way. I tried to think of a reason to rate this four stars and couldn't. There's a small parking area that can fit small cars. I'd highly recommend staying a night or two if you're in the area.

A simple, traditional ryokan with very friendly staff, Wi-Fi, and a delicious Japanese breakfast brought to your room. There are two in-house onsens with different setups. The one outside has two pools, a sand bath, and a dark steam room, with men's and women's hours that change. The main-house bath alternates its hours with the outside one and has just a basic pool. Mixed couples can reserve or lock it for private use after hours. The downsides are thin walls and hallways that are likely to feel very cold in winter.

The owners were so helpful, and the room was amazing and super clean. We had our best onsen experience at this ryokan, and the onsen itself was great too. Don't miss it if you're around!