Making the most of Beppu
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port of Beppu is located in the western part of Beppu Bay. As a tourist and hot spring resort promoting internationalization, Beppu Port is improving its large-scale passenger wharf as a seaside gateway to the city.
The port is very convenient as an access to the famous sightseeing spots of Kyushu, such as the onsens (hot springs), Mt. Aso, the largest caldera volcano in Japan, USA-jingu Shrine and the Kunisaki peninsula with its many ancient temples. There are now eight berths including the 12 meter-deep Ishigaki Area No.3 wharf, which has been constructed for ocean liners and has an extensive passenger and car ferry terminal.
The town is about 2 km from the dock.
Beppu is renowned as a spa city that is surrounded by beautiful seas and mountains. There is a variety of hot springs, including "sand baths" and "steam baths"
Beppu is along the coast but pressed by the mountains. As a result of the city, while not very large, is rather long. Most of the most well-known onsens and the tourist attractions, including most of the Jigoku or "hells", are in the Kannawa area which is almost on the opposite side of the city from the train station. Buses to and from the Hell areas come around every 30 minutes. Many of the onsen are open very late, so many tourists opt to stay in one of the onsen areas.
Getting around
JR Beppu Station (30mins on foot, 10 mins by bus/car)
The town itself is walkable.
The Hells and other sites can be easily reached via the tourist-centered bus system. Departures are outside JR Beppu Station. The Foreign Tourist Information Office inside JR Beppu Station sells one-day bus passes for ¥900 (¥700 students), which is likely the best deal for most. Busses every 30 minutes.
Money
The currency in Japan is the yen. It comes in denominations of ¥10,000, ¥5,000 and ¥1,000 notes, as well as ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5 and ¥1 coins.
ATMs in Japan are becoming more useful, and most can be used to withdraw funds from overseas accounts. Post offices also offer ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted at a majority of stores and restaurants in large urban areas, but if you plan on spending any time in rural areas, be sure to carry sufficient cash. Japan is still very much a cash society and some stores, hotels and restaurants-regardless of location-refuse credit cards.
Don't tip, as it's considered rude!