Beppu Kannawa Onsen Oniyama Hotel
8,8/10 Excellent - Based on 60 reviews
Beppu Kannawa Onsen Oniyama Hotel sits in the Kannawa hot-spring quarter of Beppu, offering a blend of traditional ryokan hospitality and practical hotel conveniences. Perched above the town, the property funnels natural spring water from the nearby Oniyama geothermal sites into its bathing facilities, while seaward rooms and public spaces take in views toward Beppu Bay and the surrounding peaks. The hotel presents itself as a ryokan with onsen in Beppu, with décor and room types ranging from tatami-style suites to a limited number of larger top-floor “special” rooms that emphasize space and seasonal outlooks.
The bathing programme centers on a large open-air bath designed to accommodate multiple guests under the sky and a family-sized private bath that guests may use without advance reservation; both draw directly from local thermal sources. Bathing hours are arranged so the public baths operate in the afternoon and late evening and reopen for a morning session, with periodic gender swaps for the outdoor pools; this layout suits both those seeking a social onsen experience and visitors who prefer short private-family soaks. The property also maintains an indoor option and barrier-free bathing facilities to support mobility needs.
Rooms are equipped with modern essentials such as flat-screen TVs, kettles and refrigerated storage, alongside traditional futon layouts and a small selection of western-style bed rooms, while communal areas include a modern Japanese restaurant serving locally sourced seafood and seasonal dishes and a breakfast buffet focused on regional produce. Practical conveniences include parking and luggage storage, and the hotel places guests within easy walking distance of several of the famed Jigoku thermal sites and steam-cooking demonstrations, making it a convenient choice for travelers seeking a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita while exploring the hot-spring circuit.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Beppu Kannawa Onsen Oniyama Ho…
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen facilities
Multiple reviewers praised the hotel's hot-spring offerings — rooftop, outdoor and ground-floor public onsens as well as private/family baths — describing them as clean, well-equipped and a major highlight of the stay.
Very convenient location near Beppu attractions
Guests repeatedly noted the hotel is right by the Kannawa/Jigoku area and within a short walk of many of Beppu’s main 'hells' and local attractions, making sightseeing easy.
Friendly, helpful staff and service
Many reviews highlighted warm, attentive staff who speak some English, assist with luggage/requests and generally make guests feel welcome and well cared for.
Clean, renovated and comfortable traditional rooms
Several guests mentioned spotless rooms, comfortable tatami-style accommodations and recent renovations in public areas; rooms were described as spacious by multiple reviewers.
Good food and breakfast selection
Reviewers praised the breakfast buffet (variety and filling offerings) and several noted excellent dinner experiences when they booked hotel meals, with some recommending room-packages that include dining.
Negative Reviews
Unattractive room views for some rooms
A number of guests reported poor views from their rooms, seeing rooftops, chimneys or nearby industrial structures rather than scenic vistas.
Dining limitations and cost issues
Several reviewers said nearby restaurants close early, making dinner hard to find unless you drive; some found on-site dinner prices high and noted the buffet could be repetitive across consecutive mornings.
Occasional room-condition and odor problems
A few guests experienced issues such as traffic noise, moldy closet walls or rooms smelling of previous smokers; some also found futons or pillows uncomfortable in certain rooms.
Access and location inconveniences for some stays
Reports included difficulty accessing the hotel during construction (temporary entrance problems) and a small number of guests finding the exact location or convenience for their needs less ideal.
Public-bath privacy/comfort and wayfinding
A minority of guests felt uncomfortable with public bathing arrangements or had trouble finding/using the rooftop onsen; one report mentioned partner discomfort in public bathrooms and another noted confusion locating the rooftop bath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include small Western rooms and larger Japanese-style rooms; the biggest Japanese rooms can host up to ten people, while only six rooms have beds and many rooms use futon bedding for groups.
The hotel has a large open-air bath, indoor baths and a family-sized private stone bath; baths operate from mid-afternoon into late evening and reopen early morning, with seasonal time variations, and the men’s/women’s baths are swapped for about 15 minutes each evening.
A family-sized private bath is available free to staying guests and generally does not require advance reservation; use is subject to the facility’s posted operating hours.
The hotel does not advertise a regular airport shuttle; guests typically arrive by taxi or public bus, and you should contact the hotel directly to ask about any ad‑hoc pick‑up options or local transfer assistance.
By car or taxi it’s roughly 15–30 minutes from JR Beppu Station and about 45 minutes from Oita Airport; local buses to the Kannawa area also serve the hotel’s neighborhood.
The property’s primary language is Japanese; the website offers English information but English spoken at reception may be limited, so contact the hotel in advance for special requests or clarifications.
The on-site restaurant (Shunsai Nagomi) serves dinner and the hotel offers a breakfast buffet; please inform the hotel ahead of time about allergies or dietary restrictions so they can accommodate where possible.
The Kannawa Jigoku (Beppu ‘Hells’) geothermal sites are a short walk (around 5–10 minutes), Jigoku-mushi steam kitchens and a pocket park are next door, and attractions like the Beppu Ropeway, Umitamago aquarium and safari park are within a 20–30 minute drive.
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 pm and check-out is by 10:00 am; if you expect a late arrival, notify the hotel in advance so they can note your arrival and advise reception arrangements.
Pets are not permitted at the hotel; there are small shops and souvenir stalls in the Kannawa hot-spring area and larger convenience stores or supermarkets in central Beppu—ask the front desk for the nearest options.