Beppu lets you bury your whole body in geothermally heated sand — a bathing style called sunayu — at three very different onsen. Takegawara Onsen downtown and the seafront SHONIN PARK both time your session at 15 minutes; Hyotan Onsen in Kannawa has no limit at all. Even though they all offer sunayu, the experience can be quite different depending on which one you choose.
WHY BEPPU HAS THREE SAND BATHS
Beppu draws from roughly 2,200 hot spring sources across eight distinct onsen districts — known collectively as Beppu Hatto — each with its own history and character. Sand bathing is part of that, too, developing independently in three different parts of the city: downtown, the coast, and the hillside district of Kannawa.
- Takegawara Onsen (Motomachi) — a public bathhouse dating to the Meiji era and a landmark in downtown Beppu
- SHONIN PARK Sand Spa (Shoningahama) — opened July 2025 inside a new seafront resort complex
- Hyotan Onsen (Kannawa) — founded in 1922, with a unique sand bath heated by onsen steam
Few cities offer three sand baths this different from one another. The question isn’t which one is “correct” — it’s which one fits how you want to spend your afternoon.
QUICK COMPARISON: WHICH OF THE 3 SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
| Takegawara Onsen | SHONIN PARK | Hyotan Onsen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Downtown, near Beppu Station | Shoningahama, along the coast | Kannawa |
| Founded / Opened | Meiji era | July 2025 | 1922 |
| Sand bath duration | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | No time limit |
| Reservations | Not accepted (first-come, first-served) | Recommended (online booking available) | Not specified (family baths only) |
| Typical hours | 8:00 AM–10:30 PM | 8:00 AM–6:00/8:00/10:00 PM, by season | 9:00 AM–1:00 AM |
Takegawara Onsen carries more than a century of history, and the building itself — a wooden structure steeped in decades of onsen steam, with the current structure dating to 1938 — is as much a part of the experience as the sand. SHONIN PARK’s reservation system makes wait times predictable, and the view over Beppu Bay is part of the draw. Hyotan Onsen is the only one of the three that doesn’t watch the clock, making it a popular choice for ending the day after exploring the Kannawa jigoku (hell) circuit.
First time trying a Beppu sand bath? Takegawara is the easiest starting point. Want to relax with an ocean view? Go to SHONIN PARK. Prefer to take your time, or want to stop by late at night? Hyotan Onsen is your best bet.
TAKEGAWARA ONSEN — THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CHOICE
Ten minutes on foot from Beppu Station’s east exit, this wooden public bathhouse sits in the heart of downtown. Hand-painted signs and a ceiling darkened by decades of steam tell you how long it’s been here — more than 100 years.
Staff known as sunakakesan — sand bath attendants — shovel warm, damp sand over you from the feet up to the shoulders. The sand holds a steady temperature, and its weight settles over your body like a gentle, full-length compress. After 15 minutes, you can change and head straight to the general bath in the same building for another soak.
Takegawara Onsen — Practical Info
| Address | 16-23 Motomachi, Beppu |
| Sand bath hours | 8:00 AM–10:30 PM (last entry 9:30 PM) |
| Phone | 0977-23-1585 |
| Access | 10-min walk from Beppu Station’s east exit. Or ~5 min by bus (15, 16, 16A, 17, 19, or AS60) to Nagarekawa Yumetown-mae, then a 2-min walk |
For the latest information, check the official Takegawara Onsen site.
SHONIN PARK SAND SPA — THE MODERN BEACHFRONT CHOICE
Opened in July 2025 on the Shoningahama coastline, this sand bath sits inside a larger seafront resort complex. In contrast to Takegawara, SHONIN PARK is open-air and modern, with views across Beppu Bay. After your sand bath, you can relax in the seaside footbath and spend time at the on-site restaurant.
The sand bath itself runs the same 15 minutes as at Takegawara, but online reservations are available, which cuts down on same-day waiting.
SHONIN PARK — Practical Info
| Address | 795-1 Shoningahama-cho, Beppu |
| Hours (Apr–May) | 8:00 AM–8:00 PM (last entry 7:00 PM) |
| Hours (Jun–Oct) | 8:00 AM–10:00 PM (last entry 9:00 PM) |
| Hours (Nov–Mar) | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM) |
| Phone | 0977-75-6360 (Sand SPA direct line) |
| Access | ~15 min by bus (routes 20, 26, 26A) from Beppu Station, or ~4 min by train to Beppu Daigaku Station plus a 3-min walk |
For the latest information, check the official SHONIN PARK Sand Spa page.
HYOTAN ONSEN — THE KANNAWA STEAM-HEATED CHOICE
In the heart of Kannawa, this bathhouse has been running since 1922. What sets it apart from the other two is how the sand itself gets hot: Hyotan Onsen uses dry, light sand heated from below by onsen steam. The feel against your skin is noticeably different from the damp, heavier sand at Takegawara or SHONIN PARK.
Its biggest advantage is that nobody’s timing you. Takegawara and SHONIN PARK both limit sand baths to 15 minutes; here, you stay as long as you like. Staff also suggest pairing the sand bath with mushiyu (a steam bath), making it a good choice for those who want to take their time warming up.
Hours run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM — later than either of the other two facilities by a wide margin. It’s easy to see why so many visitors use it to close out a day spent touring the Kannawa jigoku. A couple of things worth knowing before you go: the sand bath isn’t offered on its own — you need to pay the general bath fee, plus a separate charge for the sand-bath yukata and paper underwear — and at roughly 25 minutes by bus from Beppu Station, it’s the least central of the three.
Hyotan Onsen — Practical Info
| Address | 159-2 Kannawa, Beppu |
| Hours | 9:00 AM–1:00 AM |
| Phone | 0977-66-0527 (family baths: 0977-67-3010) |
| Access | ~25 min by bus from Beppu Station; ~10 min by car from Beppu IC |
For the latest information, check the official Hyotan Onsen sand bath page.
WHAT TO BRING AND HOW IT WORKS
The Basic Flow (Details Vary by Facility)
- Check-in — Pay at the counter at Takegawara (same-day, first-come, first-served); online booking is recommended for SHONIN PARK; start at the general bath reception at Hyotan Onsen.
- Change — Put on the yukata each facility provides. Remove everything underneath the yukata — the sand needs to be in direct contact with your skin — along with any jewelry or piercings. Tie back long hair.
- Lie down in the sand — Staff shovel sand from your feet up to your shoulders (at Hyotan Onsen, you may do this yourself).
- The sand bath itself — 15 minutes at Takegawara and SHONIN PARK; no limit at Hyotan Onsen. If it gets too hot, move your hands or feet slightly to release some heat.
- Shower and soak — Rinse the sand off thoroughly, then head straight to the general bath at any of the three facilities.
What to Bring
- Cash (card acceptance varies by facility — confirm before you go)
- Something to drink (you may sweat more than expected)
- A hair tie or small towel
- A change of underwear
Budget your time: The sand bath itself takes 15 minutes or more, but plan for 40–60 minutes total from check-in to leaving. At Takegawara and Hyotan Onsen, where a soak in the general bath follows, add another 20–30 minutes.
PRACTICAL INFO & ACCESS AT A GLANCE
| Takegawara Onsen | SHONIN PARK | Hyotan Onsen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address | 16-23 Motomachi, Beppu | 795-1 Shoningahama-cho, Beppu | 159-2 Kannawa, Beppu |
| Phone | 0977-23-1585 | 0977-75-6360 | 0977-66-0527 |
| From Beppu Station | 10-min walk from the east exit | ~15 min by bus (20/26/26A), or ~4 min by train to Beppu Daigaku Station + 3-min walk | ~25 min by bus |
| Closed | 3rd Wednesday of each month (next day if a holiday) | Irregular — twice a month | Not specified — call ahead |
FAQ
Q: How long does a sand bath session last in Beppu?
A: Takegawara Onsen and SHONIN PARK both run 15-minute sessions. Hyotan Onsen sets no time limit, so you soak at your own pace. Allow 40–60 minutes total from check-in to leaving, whichever facility you choose.
Q: Do I need to make a reservation?
A: It depends on the facility. Takegawara Onsen doesn’t take reservations — it’s first-come, first-served. SHONIN PARK recommends booking online, especially for summer weekend evenings, so it’s better to book early. Hyotan Onsen doesn’t specify a reservation system for the sand bath itself; only its family baths require booking.
Q: Can I use these sand baths if I have tattoos?
A: Yes — all three are listed on EnjoyOnsen’s guide to tattoo-friendly onsen in Beppu. Takegawara Onsen’s own guide states tattoos are allowed, and Hyotan Onsen’s owner has welcomed tattooed guests since the business opened in 1922.
Q: Can I bring children?
A: Age brackets differ by facility. SHONIN PARK’s children’s rate covers ages 6–12, Hyotan Onsen has separate rates for ages 7–12 and 4–6, and Takegawara Onsen is free for children below elementary-school age. Check with each facility directly for details.
Q: Which facility should I choose?
A: If it’s your first sand bath in Beppu, Takegawara Onsen is the easiest, most central option. Want to relax with a view of the sea? Go to SHONIN PARK. Prefer to soak at your own pace, or visit late at night after a day in Kannawa? Hyotan Onsen suits you best.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Cash, something to drink, a hair tie or small towel, and a change of underwear. Lockers tend to be basic, so travel light.
