Hebi no Yu

Category: Onsen

Entrance: Free
Tubs: 4 outdoor mixed, varrying temperatures from very hot to mildly warm.

Highly Recommended! Some very natural tubs along a slightly cooler creek - there is no problem finding the ideal temperature. On your way in, at the top of the path, there is a perfect place for camping. There is also a toilet/outhouse up near the parking. There's also a small changing hut by the tubs, for the shy.

From Beppu city, take the #500 west from the #10 (the main highway running near the shore). Follow the #500, turning right at the `african safari` with the highway. After you go under the expressway, go straight when the highway turns right. This will take you into a residential area. At the first opportunity, turn left (it may look like a private access), and follow that road up towards the onsen area. From that point, follow the Google map for when and where to turn - just note that the distances are all rather short. Some portions are gravel or pot-hole-filled pavement, but it wasn`t too much of a problem with our motorcycles. The bath itself is fairly easy to locate - it`s about 800m after the fenced-off water-treatment facility. There is a parking lot to the left, and to the right is a short road and then a path leading down to the spring. From the road, you can just see a small building at the end of the short road.

We found this spring by accident - quite a pleasant suprise - while looking for Nabeyama no Yu - which apparently wasn`t as nice. The people there were very friendly, and with 4 different tubs along the creek, there was room for everyone who came.