Bringing Beppu Home: Your 2025 Souvenir Guide
After days spent soaking in heavenly hot springs and savoring unique, steam-cooked cuisine, leaving the onsen paradise of Beppu is never easy. The best way to keep the memories alive? Bringing a piece of it home with you. A Beppu souvenir is more than just an item; it’s a taste of the local culture, a bottled spa experience, and a reminder of this enchanting city of steam.Forget generic souvenirs. We’ve created a curated guide to the 7 most unique and authentic Beppu souvenirs for 2025, categorized to help you find the perfect gift for yourself, your friends, or your family.
For the Spa Lover: Onsen-Inspired Gifts
This is what Beppu is famous for. These gifts let you recreate the blissful onsen experience long after you’ve left.
1. Yunohana Bath Minerals & Skincare
If there’s one essential Beppu souvenir, this is it. Yunohana (“hot spring flowers”) are crystallized minerals extracted from the steam of the hot springs in the historic Myoban district. They are made in “yunohanagoya,” unique thatched-roof huts—a technique found nowhere else in Japan.
- What to buy:
- Bath Salts: The most popular product. Add these to your bath at home to mimic the mineral-rich, skin-softening waters of a Myoban onsen.
- Skincare Products: The Yunohana minerals are infused into soaps, moisturizing mists (which can even be used over makeup), face masks, and hand creams. They are renowned for their gentle, healing properties.
- Best for: Anyone who needs a little relaxation and pampering back home.
For the Foodie: Delicious Beppu Gifts & Souvenirs
Beppu’s food culture is as rich as its hot springs. These edible gifts are a fantastic way to share the taste of your travels.
2. Jigokumushi “Hot-Spring Steamed” Jam
In the Kannawa district, food is cooked using a traditional method called Jigokumushi, or “hot-spring steaming,” which harnesses natural volcanic steam. This unique technique is used to create incredible jams. Steaming the fruit at a low, consistent temperature preserves its fresh, vibrant flavor and fragrance. Look for unique local flavors like kabosu citrus, Japanese plum, or summer orange.
- Best for: The gourmet traveler who appreciates unique food culture and culinary techniques.
3. Beppu Reimen Noodle Kits
You might not expect cold noodles to be a hot spring town specialty, but Beppu Reimen is the city’s signature soul food. Inspired by Korean cold noodles (naengmyeon), the Beppu version features a lighter, Japanese-style dashi broth, chewy noodles, and toppings like kimchi and boiled egg. Grab a take-home kit to recreate this surprisingly refreshing dish.
- Best for: Foodies who want to bring back an authentic taste of Beppu’s local cuisine.
4. Kabosu Citrus Treats & Seasonings
Kabosu is the signature citrus fruit of Oita Prefecture. Its sharp, refreshing flavor is somewhere between a lemon and a lime, and you’ll find it everywhere in Beppu. It makes for a light and packable souvenir.
- What to buy:
- Kabosu Green Tea: A fragrant, preservative-free blend of local green tea and kabosu.
- Kabosu All-Purpose Seasoning: A citrusy spice mix that pairs perfectly with grilled meat, fish, or vegetables.
- Best for: A versatile gift that’s easy to pack and unique to the region.
5. Kushi Dango (Sweet Skewered Dumplings)
This is a classic Japanese treat with a Beppu twist. These chewy rice cakes (dango) are filled with sweet red bean paste, flavored with yomogi (Japanese mugwort), and coated in fragrant kinako (roasted soybean flour). Often sold in adorable packaging shaped like an onsen washing bowl, they are the perfect, shareable sweet snack.
- Best for: A fun and delicious gift for friends, family, or coworkers.
For the Connoisseur: Unique Local Crafts & Drinks
Look beyond the edible for these timeless, artisanal gifts that truly capture the spirit of the region.
6. Takezaiku (Traditional Bamboo Crafts)
Beppu is a national center for takezaiku, the ages-old art of bamboo weaving. Local artisans create stunningly intricate and durable products that are both beautiful and functional. While a full-sized basket might be difficult to pack, you can find smaller items like woven coasters, chopsticks, vases, and handbag accessories.
- Best for : Someone who appreciates high-quality, handmade craftsmanship.
7. Oita’s Local Sake & Shochu
Oita Prefecture is famous for its high-quality barley shochu (a distilled Japanese spirit) and its excellent sake (rice wine), thanks to the region’s pure water. A bottle of local brew is a sophisticated gift that offers a literal taste of the local terroir. Staff at liquor stores or souvenir shops can help you choose a popular local brand.
- Best for: Someone you want to thank, or anyone who enjoys fine spirits and drinks.
Your Beppu Shopping Guide: Where to Find the Perfect Gift
Now that you know what to look for, here’s where to find it.
For Onsen Goods & Specialty Foods: Myoban Yunosato
Located right in the heart of the Myoban onsen area, this shop is the best place to stock up on authentic Yunohana skincare and bath products. They also carry a wide range of Oita’s specialty foods and snacks.
For Local Art & Artisan Crafts: SELECT BEPPU
Housed in a beautiful 100-year-old building, this is not just a shop but a gallery. It features a curated collection of products from local artists and craftspeople, including exquisite Takezaiku bamboo works and unique art prints. This is the place to find a truly special, one-of-a-kind Beppu gift.
For One-Stop Souvenir Shopping: Beppu Station
The area in and around JR Beppu Station is packed with shops offering a huge variety of souvenirs. You’ll find all the popular snacks, noodle kits, and kabosu products conveniently located in one place, making it perfect for efficient shopping.
For Last-Minute Gifts: Oita Airport
If you’re short on time, don’t panic! Oita Airport has an excellent selection of the region’s most popular gifts, from sweets and foods to sake and classic souvenirs. It’s the perfect place to grab anything you might have forgotten.
A Quick Note Before You Buy
Remember that many countries have restrictions on bringing in certain items, particularly fresh produce, meat, and some liquids. The pre-packaged food items and sealed cosmetics mentioned in this guide are generally fine, but it’s always wise to be aware of your home country’s customs regulations.
Cherish Your Beppu Memories
A souvenir from Beppu is a wonderful way to hold on to the warmth and charm of Japan’s onsen city. Whether it’s the taste of a local delicacy or the scent of a relaxing bath, we hope your chosen gift brings you joy long after your trip has ended.
