Think you’ve seen all that Beppu has to offer once you’ve dipped your toes into its famous hot springs? Think again. Beyond the steam and sulfur, this city hides a completely different kind of paradise — one made of misty lakes, mountaintop vistas, and lookout points where the world seems to pause.
From a mountain lake that ripples with light to a hillside observatory where streams of onsen steam curl into the air, Beppu’s natural beauty stretches far beyond its baths. Here are five spectacular spots that prove the city’s most breathtaking views don’t always come with a towel.
1. Lake Shidaka
Cradled on the southeastern slope of Mount Tsurumi, Lake Shidaka sits about 600 meters above sea level — a serene mountain lake where swans glide effortlessly across the water.
Visitors can rent swan-shaped paddle boats and drift through the calm surface alongside them, surrounded by lush greenery.
Just beside the lake is Recamp Beppu Shidaka, a relaxed campground where you can pitch a tent and wake up to the sound of birds echoing across the water. It’s an easy escape from downtown Beppu, yet feels like a different world entirely.
- Access: About 30 minutes by car from Beppu Station. Local buses also run toward the lake, stopping at “Lake Shidaka.”
- Tip: It’s cooler up here than in town, so bring a light jacket and maybe a thermos of coffee to enjoy by the shore.
2. Mount Tsurumi (Beppu Ropeway)
Soaring 1,375 meters above sea level, Mount Tsurumi is Beppu’s guardian peak — and the easiest way up is aboard the Beppu Ropeway. The ropeway glides through drifting clouds, and within ten minutes, you’re standing above the city, gazing out over Beppu Bay and the distant Kuju Mountains. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a wild deer wandering through the forest below as you ascend.
At the summit, a network of easy walking trails leads to small mountaintop shrines, each offering its own quiet spot to pause and take in the view.
Visitors often collect postcards showing the mountain’s changing faces — green in summer, fiery in autumn, and softly dusted in winter — reminders of how different the same peak can look through the seasons.
- Access: Drive or take a local bus from Beppu Station to the Beppu Ropeway base station. The ropeway ride to the top takes around 10 minutes.
- Tip: On a clear day, the visibility can extend as far as Shikoku. In winter, the summit often gets frosted in snow — a serene surprise for those expecting only hot steam.
3. Jumonjibaru Observatory
If Beppu had a postcard-perfect viewpoint, this would be it. Perched about 500 meters above sea level, the Jumonjibaru Observatory delivers a sweeping view of the entire city cascading down toward the sea. At dusk, the lights of Beppu shimmer like a constellation that has fallen to earth.
- Access: Around 30 minutes by car from Beppu Station.
- Tip: Arrive before sunset to secure a spot in the small parking area. Once the sun starts to drop, the scene turns cinematic — the kind of view that makes even locals stop and sigh.
4. Yukemuri Observatory
While Jumonjibaru Observatory shows Beppu from above, the Yukemuri Observatory is tucked within a quiet residential area overlooking the Kannawa district, where the townscape unfolds below and plumes of steam rise from every direction. From here, you can take in a sweeping view of the hot-spring town framed by Mount Ohira and Mount Tsurumi in the distance — a scene that captures the very essence of Beppu. As dusk falls and lights begin to twinkle through the vapor, the view feels almost alive — like watching Beppu breathe.
- Access: About 20 minutes by car from Beppu Station.
- Tip: The best time to visit is just after sunset when the rising steam mixes with the city lights, creating a dreamlike glow. Bring a camera with decent low-light capability — it’s one of the most photogenic scenes in Beppu.
5. Beppu Bay Service Area (Inbound/Outbound)
Even a highway rest stop in Beppu comes with a view. The Beppu Bay Service Area on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway sits high enough to overlook the shimmering bay and surrounding hills. The inbound and outbound areas are linked by a pedestrian walkway, so you can freely walk between both sides. It’s a favorite pit stop for drivers, complete with cafés, souvenir shops, and an observation terrace.
- Access: Located along the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway, the service area is accessible from both directions, making it an easy stop no matter which way you’re driving. There’s plenty of parking, so pulling in for a break is effortless.
- Tip: Pop inside the shop for Oita-made snacks and citrus drinks — perfect as road-trip companions or quick gifts for whoever’s waiting at your next stop.
Final thoughts
Beppu’s fame may come from what bubbles beneath its surface, but its true magic unfolds in the open air — in the stillness of a mountain lake, the rush of a cable car through the clouds, and the quiet beauty of steam rising into the evening sky.
So next time you come for the hot springs, remember to look up and out — Beppu’s most heavenly sights might just be the ones untouched by water.
