Why Choose a Private Onsen or Room with Open-Air Bath in Beppu?
Welcome to Beppu, the hot spring capital of Japan! While the traditional image of an onsen is a large communal bath, many visitors seek a more personal and secluded experience. If you’re looking for a private onsen sanctuary, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing a private onsen is the perfect way to enjoy Japan’s most famous tradition on your own terms. It’s an ideal solution for:
- Couples seeking a romantic and private experience.
- Families who want to enjoy bathing together comfortably.
- First-time visitors who might feel shy about communal bathing.
- Visitors with tattoos who prefer not to worry about entry rules or stares.
Beppu offers an incredible variety of private onsen options, from ultimate luxury stays to easily accessible day-use baths. This guide will help you find the perfect one for your trip.
Which Type of Private Onsen Is Right for You?
To start, it’s helpful to know the two main ways you can enjoy a private onsen in Japan:
- A Hotel or Ryokan with a Private Onsen in Your Room: This is the peak of luxury. Your guest room comes with its own onsen bath, often on a balcony with a stunning view. You can soak anytime you wish, in complete privacy.
- A Day-Use Private Bath: In Japanese, this is called “kashikiri-buro” or “kazoku-buro,” which means a bath you can rent. This is a private bath that you reserve for a set time (usually 50-60 minutes). Many hotels offer this to their guests, and there are also facilities dedicated solely to day-use visitors.
The Ultimate Indulgence: Beppu Hotels & Ryokans with Private Onsen in Your Room
For a truly unforgettable stay, booking a Beppu hotel or ryokan with a private onsen is the way to go. Waking up and having a steaming, mineral-rich bath waiting for you on your private terrace is an experience like no other.
What Awaits You in a Room with a Private Onsen
These rooms are the premium offerings at a Beppu ryokan or hotel. They often feature an open-air bath (rotenburo) on a balcony or in a small private garden, letting you soak under the open sky. This is the ultimate way to relax and immerse yourself in the onsen culture without leaving your room.
Beppu Stays You Should Experience at Least Once
Beppu offers many excellent resorts, but a few stand out for their luxurious rooms with private open-air baths. If you’re searching for an unforgettable stay, consider renowned places like these:
- ①AMANE RESORT SEIKAI / ②GAHAMA terrace: Two luxury resorts located side by side on the coast, famous for offering private open-air onsen baths with ocean views in every room.
- ③Suginoi Hotel: A massive resort known for its spectacular “Tanayu” terraced baths, also offering rooms with private onsen in its new Sorakan wing.
- ④Ryoutiku-Bettei: A more traditional and tranquil ryokan with private onsen rooms, offering a classic Japanese experience.
- ⑤Ryokan Sennari: A traditional ryokan boasting excellent access, just a 2-minute walk from JR Beppu Station. Setting itself apart from large resort hotels, its charm lies in the meticulous hospitality offered in its intimate, 8-room space. Staying guests can privately enjoy several different styles of bookable baths (kashikiri) to quietly soothe away their travel fatigue. This inn is especially recommended for those who value both “convenience” and “an authentic Japanese ryokan atmosphere
Recommended Private Onsens for Day Use in Beppu (Kazoku-buro)
Don’t want to splurge on a luxury room but still want to enjoy private bathing? Beppu has dozens of fantastic facilities where you can rent a private onsen by the hour. These are perfect for a refreshing break during your sightseeing.
Quick Comparison: Top Day-Use Private Onsen in Beppu (As of 2025)
Here is a quick comparison of some popular day-use facilities. Prices are approximate for one-hour sessions and may be subject to change, so please check the official website for the latest information.
| Onsen Name | Area | Approx. Price (60 min) | Key Features |
| ⑥Hyotan Onsen | Kannawa | From ¥2,500 | Michelin 3-Star, various bath styles, includes sauna |
| ⑦Sakura Yu | Horita | ¥2,000 – ¥3,000 | 20 different family baths, offering a wide variety of options |
| ⑧Shibaseki Onsen | Shibaseki | From ¥2,100 | A nationally recognized health resort, offering great value |
| ⑨Myoban Yunosato | Myoban | From ¥2,000 | Milky sulfur hot spring water, with iconic yunohana huts views |
| ⑩Oku-Myoban Sanso | Myoban | ¥500 | Authentic sulfur spring for just one coin (¥500) |
In-Depth Look at Must-Visit Spots
Hyotan Onsen
Hyotan Onsen is a Beppu institution and the only onsen in Japan to earn three Michelin stars. It offers 14 unique private rooms, with both indoor and open-air bath options. Each private session includes access to their signature steam bath, making it an incredible value. After your soak, be sure to try the famous onsen-steamed “Jigokumushi” cuisine at their restaurant.
- Location: Kannawa
- Website: https://enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com/onsen/hyotan-onsen/
Sakura Yu
If you love having options, Sakura Yu is your place. With 20 different private family baths of various sizes and styles, you’re sure to find one that fits your mood. In spring, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms right from your bath window. The facility is modern, clean, and very popular with families and couples.
- Location: Horita (near the Beppu IC)
- Website: https://enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com/onsen/sakurayu-enjoy-an-enchanted-garden-with-20-different-types-of-private-hot-spring-baths/
Myoban Yunosato
Located in the scenic Myoban area, famous for its steaming landscape and traditional yunohana (mineral flower) huts, this facility offers a truly unique experience. The private baths feature milky, sulfur-rich water that is fantastic for the skin. The view of the surrounding hills and steam vents from your bath is unforgettable.
- Location: Myoban
- Website: https://enjoyonsen.city.beppu-jp.com/onsen/myoban-yunosato-soak-in-silky-blue-hot-springs-among-traditional-japanese-huts/
How to Book and Enjoy Your Private Onsen
- Booking: Popular places like Hyotan Onsen don’t accept reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared for potential wait times on weekends, so allow yourself extra time. For hotel-based kashikiri, you can often book a time slot upon check-in.
- Etiquette: Even in a private onsen, the basic rules apply. Use the shower in your private room to wash yourself thoroughly before getting into the bath.
- Time’s Up: A staff member will usually give you a call or knock on the door a few minutes before your time is up.
Your Private Onsen Sanctuary Awaits
Whether you choose the ultimate luxury of a hotel room with its own bath or a relaxing hour in a day-use kashikiri facility, Beppu provides the perfect private escape. Now that you know your options, you can book your trip with confidence and look forward to a blissful, restorative soak in Japan’s onsen capital.
