A Cycling Journey Through Beppu with Guide Mr. Moon

2026.02.10

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Introduction to the Beppu Area

 

A Beppu Cycling Route Through a City of Rising Steam

 

With the sea and mountains close at hand, Beppu is a city where you can fully experience its charm by cycling. Riding along the coast of Beppu Bay, you’ll enjoy the sparkling ocean and refreshing sea breeze. In the hot spring districts filled with drifting steam, quiet backstreets reveal the local atmosphere and everyday life of the residents. When you need a break, you can easily stop by one of the many hot springs or footbaths scattered throughout the city—making Beppu a perfect area for cycling.

 

Guide (Local Guide) and Route Introduction

 

Guide Profile: Mr. Moon Mujae

Originally from Korea, Mr. Moon came to Japan at the age of 28. Through his work, he became deeply drawn to the people and natural environment of Beppu, which inspired him to start his own business with the goal of becoming a bridge between Japan and Korea.

 

With the theme of connecting people to people and people to regions through travel and sports, he founded Moon bridgede Co., Ltd. While working as a cycling guide, he proposes new and unique ways for visitors to enjoy Beppu.

 

About This Route

Route duration: Approximately 3–4 hours (including meal time)

This course begins with a ride along Beppu Bay, where you can feel the pleasant sea breeze, and then focuses on the Kannawa area, one of the famous Beppu Eight Hot Springs (Beppu Hatto). Although the hot spring town has many slopes, electric bicycles make the ride comfortable and easy. The route is filled with Beppu-style experiences such as jigoku-mushi (steam-cooked cuisine) and footbaths.

 

In this area, the long-cherished traditional hot spring culture carefully preserved by locals coexists with the fresh appeal of a lively tourist destination. Cycling allows you to discover unique perspectives and hidden charms that you might otherwise miss.

 

Stopover Spot

 

WANDER COMPASS BEPPU (Beppu Tourist Information Center) — A tourist information center filled with love for Beppu, guided by staff who truly adore the city —

Located near the East Exit of Beppu Station, this is the “gateway to travel” for visitors from outside the prefecture and overseas.

 

Phone: 0977-75-8716
Address: 11-17 Ekimae-cho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Inside Ekimachi 1-chome BIS South Building
Hours: 8:45–18:00
Closed: None
Instagram: @wander_compass_beppu

 

The tourist information center WANDER COMPASS BEPPU serves as the starting point for the cycling tour. Electric bicycles are available through the rental cycle service.

 

This information center is well known for its kind and attentive service.

 

While it mainly provides tourist information about Beppu, it also calls itself an “interactive tourist information center.” True to its name, the staff’s love for Beppu is unmistakable. They carefully listen to visitors’ needs and share insider tips that only locals can offer, all to help guests enjoy an even better Beppu experience.

 

Inside the lively center, which is constantly bustling with visitors, you might spot the sustainable new idol “YUZAME.”
This mascot is made from upcycled used linens collected from hotels and ryokan in Beppu. Proceeds from these upcycled products are reinvested into promoting tourism in Beppu.

 

Its irresistibly relaxed expression is sure to bring a smile to your face.

 

Mochigahama Seaside Park — A refreshing seaside stroll while pushing your bicycle —

An open location where the sea and sky stretch endlessly before you—enjoy it all to yourself.！

 

Address: Wakakusacho, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

 

Mochigahama Seaside Park, located in Wakakusacho, Beppu City, is a relaxing seaside spot featuring a promenade of about 700 meters and a stretch of white sandy beach. The open scenery, where green lawns meet the blue sea, is beautifully expansive, and you’ll often see locals taking leisurely walks while watching the sunrise or sunset.

 

The long beach is a remnant of its past as a swimming area, and on clear days, the views extend as far as the mountains of Shikoku—another of its many charms.

 

Across the sea, you can see the industrial area of Oita City. At night, the distant factory night views create a unique and atmospheric scene.

 

A straight path runs along the coast, where you can feel the sea breeze blowing in from Beppu Bay and admire the beautiful gradation of sea and sky. While cycling is not permitted on this path, it feels wonderful simply to walk while pushing your bike at a relaxed pace.

 

On the tour, participants are invited to shout loudly toward the sea—your goals, your dreams, or even a heartfelt confession of love to someone special!? It might feel a little embarrassing, but once you try it, you’ll feel refreshed and liberated.

 

Shoningahama Park — A blissful break at a foot bath overlooking the sea —

From Mochigahama Park to Shoningahama Park
On clear days, you can see the Kunisaki Peninsula beyond the sea.

 

Address: 504-1 Shoningahama-cho, Beppu City

 

Walk along the seaside promenade from Mochigahama Seaside Park toward Hiji Town to reach Shoningahama Park. This is the only seaside park in Beppu where a natural coastline remains.

 

In the past, this area was dotted with natural sand baths that made use of hot springs bubbling up through the beach. It was a famous Beppu attraction beloved by visitors seeking therapeutic hot spring stays, but disappeared due to road expansion and other developments.

 

Later revived as Beppu Seaside Sand Bath, the area was redeveloped once again, and in the summer of 2025, SHONIN PARK was born—a new integrated destination combining a park, hot springs, dining, and accommodation. It has since been reborn as a lively new tourism hub.

 

The hot spring water is a simple hot spring, offering a luxurious free-flowing foot bath straight from the source.

 

Within the grounds, there is a foot bath that anyone can use for free. While gazing out at the calm sea, you can casually enjoy a luxurious hot spring experience. It’s the perfect place to soothe tired legs after cycling and experience Beppu’s hot spring culture firsthand.

 

Kannawa Mushi-yu Foot Steam — A new-style hot spring experience in a town where hot-spring healing culture lives on —

It feels like your body warms up from the core in a shorter time than soaking in hot water.

 

Phone: 0977-67-3880
Address: 1-kumi, Kannawa Kami, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Hours: 7:30–19:30 (last entry 19:00)

 

Located at the heart of Kannawa Onsen, where the aptly named streets Atsu no Yu-dori and Suji Yu-dori intersect, Kannawa Mushi-yu is a steam bath said to have been founded by Ippen Shonin during the Kamakura period. It remains a place where the culture of hot-spring healing is still very much alive.

 

The foot steam bath at the entrance allows visitors to enjoy steam bathing using geothermal steam. When you place your feet into the wooden box, warm steam rises and gently heats your legs. Loved by both tourists and locals, it has become a small communal space where conversations naturally spring up—even between strangers sitting side by side.

 

Place your legs below the knees into the box and cover it with the wooden lid, and the warmth of the steam slowly seeps in.

 

Nearby stands a statue of Yukake Ippen Shonin, modeled after Ippen Shonin. There is a custom of pouring hot water over the part of the statue that corresponds to the area of your own body you wish to heal, while praying for recovery. Seeing visitors pouring water over the statue is one of the iconic sights of Kannawa.

 

Offer your wishes to Ippen Shonin, who devoted himself to developing Kannawa Onsen into a major hot spring resort.

 

Bamboo Hot Spring Cooling System “Yume-take” — Traditional wisdom that preserves hot spring minerals —

By passing through this system, high-temperature spring water is cooled to a comfortable temperature of around 40°C.

 

Address: 171 Furomoto, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

 

As you pedal along a narrow local road barely wide enough for cars to pass, you suddenly hear the powerful sound of flowing water. Continuing forward, an unusual structure appears before you. This is the bamboo hot spring cooling system, a symbol of Kannawa’s hot spring culture.

 

The source water of Kannawa Onsen averages around 80°C, far too hot for bathing as-is. This system was developed to cool the water to a suitable temperature by letting it flow through bamboo pipes and branches, exposing it to the air. Because no additional water is needed, the hot spring minerals remain intact. Using only bamboo—without fuel or electricity—it is also gaining attention as an eco-friendly cooling method.

 

Step closer to the structure to feel the steam and scent of the hot spring.

 

Experiencing this ingenious system born from ancestral wisdom before bathing will surely make your hot spring experience even more special.

 

The sparkling droplets of hot spring water and rising steam are so beautiful that you’ll want to stop and take photos.

 

Kannawa Rokkaku Store — A neighborhood greengrocer filled with seasonal local vegetables —

Located on the main street of Kannawa Onsen, bustling daily with tourists.

 

Phone: 080-6318-0173
Address: 5-gumi, Furomoto, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–18:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Instagram: @kannawa.rokkakustore

 

Walking up Ideyu-zaka, you’ll spot a stylish greengrocer emerging through the steam—Rokkaku Store. Blending beautifully into Kannawa’s retro townscape, its warm atmosphere naturally invites you to stop by.

 

Displayed out front are seasonal vegetables personally selected by the owner from markets and local farms, including some rare varieties you may have never seen before. This is where you pick up ingredients for Beppu’s specialty Jigoku-mushi (hot spring steam cooking). With the Jigoku-mushi Vegetable Set, the staff selects vegetables based on your group size and preferences and even cuts them into easy-to-cook portions.

 

Pick up your perfectly chosen Jigoku-mushi Vegetable Set!

 

You can also choose your favorite vegetables one by one.

 

In addition to soups, salads, and fresh juices made with seasonal produce, the store also sells daily side dishes. With a café space inside, it’s a popular spot to take a relaxing break during your stroll.

 

Daikokuya ~Experience Kannawa’s famous “Jigoku-mushi” (hell-steaming) cuisine~

When you open the lid of the steamer, powerful clouds of geothermal steam billow up.

 

Phone: +81-977-66-2301
Address: 3 Kannawa-kami, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Hours: 11:00–15:00 (Jigoku-mushi steamer available) Reservation required
Closed: Irregular
URL: https://kannawaonsen.com/trip/842/

 

Founded in 1945, this historic hot-spring inn offers nostalgic Japanese-style rooms and reservable open-air rock baths with free-flowing natural hot spring water. The calm atmosphere preserves the long-standing tradition of therapeutic hot-spring stays.

 

Here, you can try jigoku-mushi using the outdoor “Jigoku Kama” steamers. Vegetables purchased at Kannawa Rokkaku Store are placed in baskets and steamed inside the pot. Since steaming times vary by ingredient, you set a timer and wait—a peaceful moment far removed from the bustle of tourist areas.

 

⚠️ The steam is extremely hot, so please be careful to avoid burns.

 

Once finished, lifting the lid releases a burst of steam and reveals brightly colored vegetables. Their natural sweetness is intensified, making them delicious even on their own. Trying different seasonings adds new flavors. Fruits like apples and bananas can also be steamed—something to try next time.

 

The vegetables become tender and sweet, while the eggs develop rich, creamy yolks.

 

Coffee & Tea Salon hanayamomo ~Fujiya Ichiya-momo Hall & Gallery – A place to savor refined, nostalgic time~

The only surviving Meiji-period ryokan building in Beppu. The main building and stone walls are registered Tangible Cultural Properties.

 

Phone: +81-977-66-3251
Address: 1 Kannawa-kami-gumi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture
Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last order 16:30)
Closed: Monday & Tuesday
URL: https://www.fujiya-momo.jp/

 

This cultural spot, created by restoring a ryokan built in 1899, is one of Kannawa’s most special places. Simply visiting feels as if time itself begins to slow.

 

The scent of wood, the beauty of exposed beams, and the greenery of the garden gently lead you into a tranquil world away from everyday noise.

 

Stepping inside, you’re greeted by the soft aroma of century-old wood and the warmth of polished floors, creating the sensation that time is quietly rewinding. Today, the preserved space serves as a café offering sweets and drinks made with ingredients from Kyushu and Oita.

 

The Sachertorte enjoyed by the softly lit window has a refined sweetness that never becomes cloying—perfect for a relaxing break during a cycling journey.

 

The sweetness of the cake pairs perfectly with the deep, rich flavor of the coffee.

 

In the gallery space, you’ll find a curated selection of Beppu-inspired items that add beauty to everyday life, including tableware and bamboo crafts. You may just discover a truly tasteful and memorable piece.

 

Yukemuri Observatory ~A spectacular viewpoint overlooking the steam-filled townscape of Kannawa~

 

Address: 8 Kannawa-higashi-gumi, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture

 

The Yukemuri Observatory offers a panoramic view of scenery that perfectly captures the essence of Beppu. Below lies the Kannawa hot spring district, where steam rises endlessly from countless hot spring sources, drifting gently through the town. In the background, the majestic forms of Mt. Tsurumi and Mt. Ougiyama seem to watch over the area, creating breathtaking views that change with the seasons and time of day.

 

While many viewpoints look down from high elevations, this observatory is located halfway up the slope, allowing visitors to enjoy a rare perspective—scenery unfolding upward from the town below.

 

The yukemuri landscape is so beautiful that it was ranked second nationwide in NHK’s “Landscapes of Japan to Preserve in the 21st Century.” It has also been certified as a Japan Night View Heritage, making the hours from dusk to night especially recommended

 

Here, you can enjoy Beppu’s stunning scenery—sea, mountains, and hot springs—surrounded by the blessings of nature.

 

This popular spot attracts many visitors. Winter mornings, when the steam is at its thickest, and clear evenings at sunset are particularly magical times to visit.

 

 

After the Guided Tour

This was a rich and immersive tour that condensed the very essence of “Beppu-ness” through nature, hot springs, and food. It was a journey not only filled with rising steam throughout the town, but also with the warmth of the people.
Beppu has many narrow streets, and exploring by bicycle made it easy to reach more local, off-the-beaten-path spots—something we truly felt throughout the tour.

 

A Message from the Guide, Aya (Bun)

Beppu City is often known for its hot springs and food, but there are many other charms and spots we’d love to introduce. From places only locals can guide you to, to travel experiences that involve connecting with local people, we offer courses that help you rediscover the true appeal of Beppu.

 

Contact Information

Moon bridgede Co., Ltd.
Website: https://moon-bridge.com/
Instagram: @mjmoon115

 

Also on Instagram!

Scenes from the Beppu tour are also shared through short videos on Instagram.
Be sure to check them out for a vivid look at the tour experience!