What to do

• Walk the Jigoku Meguri hell circuit, especially the cobalt-blue Umi Jigoku and the deep red Chinoike Jigoku.
• Try a steamed-in-hot-spring-vapor snack (jigoku mushi) sold near several of the hells.
• Soak in one of Beppu's many public bathhouses, such as Takegawara Onsen, for the classic hot spring experience.
• If time allows, ride the ropeway up Mt Tsurumi for a wider view over the town and Beppu Bay.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: a combined ticket for the seven hells is cheaper than paying at each site individually and is valid for two days from purchase, with one entry per hell. Prices and included sites can change, so confirm current rates before visiting.

Getting there

Take a JR train to Beppu Station. The hells are spread across two clusters (Kannawa and Shibaseki), reachable by local bus from the station in about 20 to 25 minutes; a bus day pass is convenient if you plan to see most of them.

Nearby

Consider pairing Beppu with Yufuin, a quieter hot spring town about 50 minutes away by bus, or Usa Jingu Shrine further north.

What to do

• Stroll Yunotsubo Street, lined with cafes, craft shops, and small museums, for about 1.2 km.
• Walk to Lake Kinrin at the end of the street, where morning mist and a small lakeside shrine are the main draw.
• Soak in one of Yufuin's onsen ryokan or a day-use bath if you want the classic hot spring experience.
• On a clear day, look for twin-peaked Mt Yufu framing the town; a full hike to the summit takes about 90 minutes each way with no facilities on the trail.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: Yufuin itself has no entry fee, but individual attractions, day-use baths, and museums each set their own hours and admission, so check specific venues if you have a tight schedule.

Getting there

From Beppu Station, take bus 36 to Yufuin (around 50 to 55 minutes) or the JR Kyudai Line via Oita Station (around 1 hour 15 minutes with a transfer). From Fukuoka, the Yufu limited express train runs directly to Yufuin Station in about 2 hours.

Nearby

Yufuin is often combined with Beppu Onsen, roughly 50 minutes away by bus, for a two-town hot spring itinerary.

What to do

• Pass through the vermillion Nanchu Romon gate on the approach to the main shrine buildings.
• Visit the honden (main hall), a nationally designated important cultural property showing a distinctive shrine architecture style.
• Walk the wooded shrine grounds, which stay cool and quiet even away from the main buildings.
• Look for the shrine's connection to the wider network of over 40,000 Hachiman shrines across Japan that trace their origin here.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: general shrine grounds are free to enter; treasure hall or inner-precinct access, where offered, may carry a modest separate admission. Confirm current hours before visiting since they can vary by season.

Getting there

From JR Usa Station on the Nippo Main Line, take the Daiko Hokubu bus toward Yokkaichi or Nakatsu to the Usa Hachiman bus stop in front of the shrine. A limited number of direct buses also run between Oita Airport and Usa Jingu.

Nearby

Usa Jingu is a longer trip from the coast, but can be combined with Beppu Onsen for travelers routing through northern Oita by car or train.

What to do

• Walk the paved footpath along the gorge rim for views down to Manai Falls and the basalt cliff walls.
• If conditions allow, rent a rowboat to go out on the river directly beneath the falls for the classic photo.
• Check boat operation status before you commit time to this stop, since the boats are suspended whenever the river rises from rain or upstream dam releases.
• Walk over to Takachiho Shrine in the town center, a short drive or taxi ride from the gorge, especially if you plan to see an evening Kagura dance performance.

Tickets and fees

Checked in July 2026: gorge access itself is free. Boat rentals are reservable online from two weeks up to two days in advance through the official Takachiho Town Tourism Association site, and same-day boat availability is not guaranteed. Boats close for the day without notice when the river level rises, so treat a boat ride as a bonus rather than something to plan your schedule around, particularly during Kyushu's rainy season and typhoon season.

Getting there

Takachiho has no train station; most visitors arrive by rental car or highway bus. From Miyazaki city it is roughly a 2 to 2.5 hour drive north. From the Oita side, Takachiho is a common stop when combining Miyazaki with Aso or Beppu, at around 1.5 to 2 hours by car from central Oita. Local shuttle buses connect Takachiho bus center to the gorge in about 10 minutes on foot from the center, or a short taxi ride if you have luggage.

Nearby

If you are working through Miyazaki's coastline as well, pair this trip with Aoshima Shrine and its surrounding rock formations, or Udo Shrine further south, though note these are a long drive from Takachiho and better treated as a separate day.