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Bathhouse · Beppu, Oita
Takegawara Onsen
A public bathhouse near Beppu Station, in a wooden building with a curved roof, famous for its hot sand bath, which is done wearing a yukata and with attendants covering you in sand.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Takegawara Onsen in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
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Discover
About Takegawara Onsen
Takegawara Onsen is one of Beppu’s oldest public bathhouses and a symbol of the city’s old center. It opened in 1879 with a bamboo roof that gave rise to the name, “bamboo tiles.” The current wooden building, with a curved karahafu-style roof over the entrance, was built in 1938 and continues to operate as the neighborhood bathhouse.
The high-ceilinged entrance hall with exposed beams preserves the atmosphere of early 20th-century bathhouses. There are two types of baths. The common bath is a deep, hot thermal pool, segregated by sex, where locals come every day; you bathe nude after washing. The sand bath is what draws visitors: wearing a yukata provided by the house, you lie down in sand heated by the thermal water while staff cover you with shovels, leaving only your face exposed.
The sand bath lasts about 10 minutes. The heat settles into the body and makes you sweat; afterward you rinse off and go into the thermal water to remove the sand. The number of people allowed at once is limited, and on busy days there can be a wait.
The bathhouse sits in a maze of narrow lanes between the station and the sea, surrounded by small bars, old houses, and neighborhood shops. A few minutes away are the bayfront and the Kitahama district, with hotels and restaurants.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour including the sand bath, waiting time and rinsing; 30 minutes for the common bath.
Best time
In the late afternoon or evening, after visiting the hells. On weekends and public holidays there may be a queue for the sand bath; weekdays are usually calmer. The sand bath closes earlier than the common bath; confirm times before you go.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Beppu Station toward the sea, down an alley between the station avenue and the waterfront.
Tip
Bring a small towel and soap, which are not included with the common bath, and drink water before the sand bath. For photos, use the façade seen from the alley; photography is not allowed inside the baths.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Takegawara Onsen
Do I need to be nude for the sand bath at Takegawara?
No. For the sand bath you wear the yukata the house lends you. Only the common thermal bath is nude, and it is segregated by sex.
How long does the sand bath last?
About 10 minutes covered by hot sand, plus time to change and rinse. Allow about an hour in total, with possible waiting on busy days.
Does Takegawara accept people with tattoos?
Rules on tattoos vary from bathhouse to bathhouse in Japan. Confirm on site or with the tourist information center before you go.
Do I need to bring a towel?
Yes, or buy one at the counter. The house usually does not provide towel and soap for the common bath; for the sand bath, the yukata is lent to you.
Beyond the guide
