Steam Cooking Center
Beppu's hot springs generate not only abundant amounts of water but also a lot of steam that can be seen blowing out here and there across the city. For centuries, people have been harnessing the naturally hot steam for cooking food. The resulting dishes are called "Hell Steam Cuisine" and are simple and healthy due to the gentle, additive-free cooking method. The naturally mineral-laden steam is also said to bring out the true flavors of the food.
Tourists have the opportunity to steam their own meals at the Jigokumushi Kobo Steam Cooking Center (地獄蒸し工房鉄輪, Jigokumushi Kōbō Kannawa) near the hells of the Kannawa District. Staffed by volunteers, the center is a mix between restaurant and public kitchen with rows of steam chambers that can be rented to cook food in.
Visitors can either bring their own food or purchase a variety of reasonably priced, prepared plates of vegetables, chicken, seafood, pork buns, rice bowls and other dishes for between 150 and 4000 yen, although most meal-sized portions cost around 1000 yen. Ice cream and drinks are also available, but note that alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the premises.
Once you have your food, head over to the kitchen area and rent your steam chamber. There are two types of steam chambers: large ones and small ones which are priced differently. One of the volunteers will guide you to a steam chamber and help you set up the food. Set a timer and come back to take out your food when it is done.
The center has indoor tables plus a nice outdoor terrace that you can eat on when the weather is good. Tea, utensils and condiments are provided, so there is no need to bring your own. As the cooking center is staffed by volunteers, once you are finished eating, you are expected to return your plates and clean up your area by yourself.
A few steps down the street from the steam cooking center are two foot baths: one is a regular water bath as seen in many other hot spring resorts across Japan, but the other one is a rather unique steam foot bath. To use it, sit in one of the chairs, insert your legs into the steam chamber, and cover them with the provided box. Both baths are free to use.
Getting there and around
The Beppu Steam Cooking Center is located a few steps down the street from the Kannawa bus terminal which can be accessed by frequently departing buses from JR Beppu Station in about 15 minutes. Bus number 5 and 7 are the fastest.
How to get to and around Beppu
Hours and Fees
Hours
Closed
Admission
600 yen for the first 15 minutes
300 yen for 10-minute extensions
Small chambers:
400 yen for the first 15 minutes
200 yen for 10-minute extensions
Food is sold separately for between 200 and 3000 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Beppu
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Beppu Hatto Onyado Nono BeppuFeaturing 3-star accommodation, Beppu Hatto Onyado Nono Beppu is set in Beppu, 20 km from Resonac Dome Oita and 500 metres from Beppu Station. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Statue of Kumahachi Aburaya, Select Beppu and Yayoi Tengu. Oita Airport is 38 km away.View on Booking.com -
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AMANE resort GAHAMAAMANE resort GAHAMA features a hot spring bath and free private parking, and is within 24 km of Resonac Dome Oita and 4.4 km of Beppu Station. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a lift and full-day security, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The ryokan has family rooms. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. The ryokan offers some units with sea views, and units are fitted with a balcony. The units are equipped with heating facilities. A bar can be found on-site. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the garden. Oita Station is 16 km from the ryokan, while Kinrinko Lake is 24 km from the property. Oita Airport is 33 km away.View on Booking.com -
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AMANE resort SEIKAIBoasting luxurious guest rooms with open-air hot spring bath overlooking the ocean, AMANE resort SEIKAI is a 7-minute walk from JR Beppu Daigaku Station. It features spacious public hot spring baths and a spa salon. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the public area, and parking is available at no charge. Fitted with dark wooden flooring and chic furnishings, each spacious room offers great ocean views. Guests can unwind on comfortable sofas or tatami (woven-straw) mats, and watch Blu-ray movies on a flat-screen TV. The Seikai provides large public baths and hot tubs on the ground floor and top floor. Spa Sheer Pearl offers ultimate relaxation with delicate massages and treatments. A gift shop and drink vending machines are available on site, and luggage can be stored at the 24-hour front desk for free. JR Beppu Station is a 15-minute drive and Oita Airport is a 40-minute drive from the property. Beppu Jigoku-meguri hot springs are within a 15-minute drive. Umitamago Aquarium is a 30-minute drive away. Gen serves traditional Japanese cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. Eitaro restaurant offers various fresh seafood meals, while Japanese-Western fusion dishes can be enjoyed at Ban-ya.View on Booking.com -
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GALLERIA MIDOBARUSet in Beppu, 25 km from Resonac Dome Oita, GALLERIA MIDOBARU offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers room service, free shuttle service and free WiFi. Guests can have a drink at the bar. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At GALLERIA MIDOBARU all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet or an Italian breakfast. At GALLERIA MIDOBARU guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Beppu, like cycling. Beppu Station is 5 km from GALLERIA MIDOBARU, while Oita Station is 17 km away. Oita Airport is 40 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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BEPPU HOSTEL U&T250 metres from Beppu Tower, BEPPU HOSTEL U&T is set in Beppu and features a garden and a terrace. The property is close to Beppu Park, B-Con Plaza and Beppu Art Museum. The property is 3.1 km from Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet. Beppu Rakutenchi is 3.6 km from the guest house. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 39 km from BEPPU HOSTEL U&T. Please note that guests are required to specify the number of guests staying at the property, including children, to ensure the correct number of beds are provided.View on Booking.com -
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KannawaenKannawaen is an entirely non-smoking accommodation that features a garden, terrace and bar in Beppu. 100 metres from Hells of Beppu, the property is also 500 metres away from Jigokumushikobo Kannawa. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service for guests. There is an designated smoking area on site. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries, while certain rooms will provide you with mountain views. All units will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. There is an on-site restaurant, which serves a variety of Asian dishes. The property has a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near Kannawaen include Hyotan Onsen, Yukemori Observatory and Oita Fragrance Museum. Oita Airport is 31 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYAProviding city views, Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA is located in the Kannawa Onsen district of Beppu, 26 km from Resonac Dome Oita and 5.5 km from Beppu Station. With a shared lounge, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the ryokan, every unit is equipped with a tatami. At the ryokan, the units are equipped with bed linen and towels. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Yama Jigoku, Hells of Beppu and Oita Fragrance Museum. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 35 km from Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA.View on Booking.com -
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Beppu ShowaenBoasting in-room hot spring baths and seasonal gourmet Japanese multi-course meals, Beppu Showaen provides chic Japanese-style individual house accommodation. Free Wi-Fi is offered in the public area, and parking in available for free. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, spacious houses feature a low table and seating cushions. A flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with tea bags are also provided. Each house comes with an in-room hot spring bath or an open-air bath. The rooms are also provided with local beer and natural water. Special amenities for men and women are provided. See 'Important Information' for details. While staying at the Showaen, guests can request massages or purchase souvenirs from the on-site gift shop. Guests can reserve a spacious hot spring bath for private use at time of check-in, and complimentary green tea is served in the lobby. The property is an 8-minute drive from JR Beppu Station, and free shuttles are available from the station when requested at least 1 day in advance. Rakutenchi amusement park is a 3-minute walk and a 5-minute lift ride away. Fresh seafood and local ingredients are featured in Japanese multi-course meals, which are served in the guestroom with a Nakai (personal attendant) service. Special meal requests can be accommodated.View on Booking.com -
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AMANEK Beppu YULA-REAMANEK Beppu YULA-RE has a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Beppu. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is non-smoking and is situated 20 km from Resonac Dome Oita. The resort will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Guests can relax in the wellness area, including a fitness centre, a sauna and a hot tub, or in the garden. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Beppu Station, Statue of Kumahachi Aburaya and Select Beppu. Oita Airport is 38 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Beppu NagomitsukiBeppu Nagomitsuki in Beppu provides adults-only accommodation with an open-air bath and a garden. There is an on-site restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. Guests can use the hot spring bath and the public bath, or enjoy garden views. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hot tub. At the ryokan, all units are allergy-free. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Resonac Dome Oita is 24 km from the ryokan, while Beppu Station is 4.8 km away. Oita Airport is 33 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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