Welcome to Beppu
The
richest hot spring source in Japan, with the greatest variety of hot
springs
Beppu
City is an area blessed with rich 'onsen' or hot spring sources. There
are 2,909 hot spring vents within the city, and these account for more
than 10% of the 27,644 hot spring vents in Japan, according to a survey
conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 2004. Staistics from
the Beppu City Hall show that more than 130,000 tons of hot spring
water gushes from the ground every day. This is the second largest
amount of hot spring water discharge in the world, and the largest
amount in Japan. Beppu is also an area blessed with various types of
hot springs; it boasts 10 types of the 11 classified types of hot spring
water.
There are 8 groups of hot springs within the city known as the 'Beppu Hatto',
meaning the 8 groups of hot springs in Beppu. Beppu Hot Springs has developed
in the central city area around Beppu Station. Kannawa Hot Spring still remains
the traditional hot-spring cure culture. Kankaiji Hot Springs offers a breathtaking
bird's eye view of Beppu Bay, and the 'yunohana' huts where hot spring bath
salts are produced can be seen from Myoban Hot Springs. Shibaseki, Hamawaki,
Kamegawa, and Horita form the remaining 4 groups of hot springs, and each group
of hot springs is a unique spa resort with its own characteristics regardless
of the scale.
The
hot spring resort that played a role in the modernization of Japan
Beppu is described as an 'onsen' hot spring resort area in the historical records
'Bungonokuni Fudoki' and 'Iyonokuni Fudoki', written as far back as the 8th
century. In the Kamakura era, Saint Ippen developed the 'mushiyu' (steam bath)
utilizing the steam of hot springs in the Kannawa area. This technology has
been touted to be the origin of the Japanese bathing culture. The method of
extracting 'yunohana' bath salts (literally meaning 'flower of sulfur') in
the Myoban Hot Springs area that has been in use since the Edo era has also
been designated a National Important Intangible Folklore Asset.
Beppu is also attributed with being the earliest in the world to develop digging
technology for creating man-made hot springs using the 'kazusa-bori' technique
established in the Meiji era. The exceptional sight of hot springs fumes in
this area bear testament to the achievements of this technology.
As a result of the development in hot spring technology, a large number of
hot spring facilities and hotels sprung up in the area. While there had been
less than 80,000 tourists in the early Meiji era, the number grew to an astonishing
2 million at the beginning of the Showa era. Beppu became the largest hot spring
resort in Japan.
At the time, most of the visitors were from the coal mining area in northern
Kyushu or the industrial areas in Setouchi who visited the hot springs for
pleasure. However, as hot springs became increasingly utilized for their medicinal
properties, and related research at the former military and naval hospitals
as well as at the Institute of Balneotherapeutics of Kyushu University yielded
results, more people flocked to Beppu to receive medical treatment.
Beppu has also played a leading role in the domestic tourism industry. By putting
efforts into maintaining transportation networks such as the Setouchi sea route
and Yamanami Highway, introducing the Jigoku Meguri Tour and the first female
tour bus guides in Japan, Beppu has provided an advanced demonstration of the
excursion type tourism model. These factors, among others, pin Beppu down as
a symbolic hot spring resort that has contributed to the modernization of Japan.
Efforts to preserve and utilize historical 'onsen' hot spring architecture through cooperation between the government and the private sector
In
Beppu, 'ryokan' (traditional Japanese inns), hot spring resorts, villas,
and other historical buildings constructed between the Meiji era and
the early Showa era have been preserved and are being utilized.
Fujiya Ryokan in the Kannawa Hot Springs area was built in the Meiji era. Restored
by its owner a while ago, it has been given a new lease of life as a gallery.
The Institute for Geothermal Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University
where research on earth science is carried out, as well as the Noguchi Thyroid
Clinic and Hospital Foundation that serves as a medical services center, are
examples of architecture from the Taisho era. Both located in the Beppu Hot
Springs area, and these are still being utilized as research and medical facilities.
Takegawara Onsen in the Beppu Hot Springs area was built in the early Showa
era. State subsidies for urban development provided the needed funds for refurbishment,
and it has continued to be a popular hot spring facility still now. On the
other hand, the old and decaying Hamada Onsen in the Kamegawa Hot Springs area
was restored through generous contributions from the citizens and has now become
a resource center for information on hot springs.
Cho-cho-kaku in the Beppu Hot Springs area-the former residence of a wealthy
man in the early Showa period-was maintained by a private owner and is now
open to the public. It gives visitors a glance of the best residential architecture
in the early Showa period.NPO Beppu-Hatto Trust and other civic organizations
are involved in various activities to help preserve the historical onsen architecture.
The 'onsen' as a part of daily life
There
are close to 200 community hot spring baths in Beppu city and many citizens
use them every day. Community hot spring baths are often attached to
community centers in Beppu. They form the center of the local community
and are thus an integral part of the citizens' daily lives.
Statues of Oyakushi-sama* are set in place in most community hot spring baths
and are worshipped by people in the community. The Yakushi Festival of Hamawaki
Hot Spring area and the Yuami** Festival of Kannawa Hot Spring area are representative
events during which the community gives thanks for the blessing of hot springs.
Beginning several years ago, April 1st has been designated 'Onsen Thanksgiving
Day'. On this day, more than 100 community hot spring baths, hot spring baths
of the local ryokan as well as other hot spring facilities in Beppu are open
to all visitors for free. This event has been taken up throughout the city
and grows in scale every year. The integration of the hot springs into the
daily lives of citizens is a distinctive feature of Beppu city. It is the genuine
side of a hot spring city that ranks among the top in the world.
* 'Oyakushi-sama' refers to a Buddha who gives medicine to the ill and diseased.
** 'Yuami' means to take a bath or receive treatment in a hot spring.
 Beppu
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