About this tour
When Ben from our team ran this full-day private tour out of Beppu, we headed south to Usa Shrine — one of Japan's most important Shinto sites and a pilgrimage spot for the imperial family. The shrine sits on sprawling, tranquil grounds that feel genuinely removed from city bustle. We grabbed lunch at a local spot (the region's known for its fried chicken, worth trying), then looped back to Beppu to soak our feet in two of the city's famous hot spring hells — those vivid red and electric-blue geothermal pools that photograph brilliantly. The whole thing runs about 6 hours with private car transport included, so pacing feels relaxed.
Highlights
- Usa Shrine's massive, calm precinct — genuinely quiet despite its significance
- Imperial connection adds weight to the site's history and atmosphere
- Local fried chicken lunch — regional specialty worth sampling
- Foot bath in natural hot springs; legs genuinely felt lighter after
- Two contrasting Jigoku pools: vivid red and striking blue geothermal water
- Private transport means no faffing with local buses or tight schedules
- Guide narrates in English throughout the full day
What to expect
You'll start with a comfortable private pickup and drive south from Beppu to Usa Shrine, arriving at a massive shrine complex that actually feels serene — no tourist crush despite its status. Walking the precinct takes a good hour or more if you're unhurried; the grounds are genuinely beautiful. Lunch happens at a local restaurant (you'll pick; fried chicken is the regional move). Then it's back towards Beppu city to hit the two hot spring hells. These are the Instagram moments — one pond glows deep red, the other electric blue, both heated and sulfurous. You'll get a proper foot soak in the natural springs, which is genuinely soothing after a day of walking. The pace feels manageable; it's not rushed, but it's not a slow meander either. Ben noted the shrub-covered hillsides and quiet roads made it feel like proper countryside despite being close to a city.
What travellers say
- Private car removes transport friction; you control the pace
- Usa Shrine's scale and quiet atmosphere genuinely impressive
- Two visually striking hot spring pools; worth the camera time
- Foot bath in natural hot springs soothing and different from city onsen
- Full English guiding; no language barriers during the day
- Walking and uneven terrain — not for anyone with spinal or mobility issues
- Admission, lunch, and tolls add up beyond the quoted price
- Six hours is most of your day; limits other Beppu activities
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is ideal if you want to skip the chaos of Beppu's crowded onsen areas and see something with actual cultural weight. Usa Shrine is legitimately important in Japan — worth the trip for history buffs or anyone keen on shrine architecture. The hot spring hells are photogenic and the foot bath genuinely soothes tired legs. Private transport removes the headache of reading Japanese signage or catching buses.
Admission fees and lunch aren't included, so budget separately. The tour skips flat, accessible terrain — there's walking on shrine grounds and uneven paths around the geothermal pools. Not suited to anyone with spinal issues, pregnancy, or serious cardiovascular concerns. Early starts aren't mentioned, but a 6-hour tour from Beppu will eat most of your day. Peak times (weekends, holidays) might bring crowds to the hells. Bring comfortable walking shoes, water, and a light layer — the open geothermal areas can be breezy. Toll fares and petrol aren't covered by the operator, so clarify what that adds to your total cost upfront.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.