Kyushu is one of Japan’s best regions for combining train travel with hot springs. Some onsen towns make the experience especially easy by offering a foot bath or hand bath right at the railway station, so the relaxation can begin almost as soon as you step off the train.
This guide focuses on three particularly memorable station stops: Beppu in Oita Prefecture, Yufuin in Oita Prefecture, and Ibusuki in Kagoshima Prefecture. Each has a very different atmosphere — from Beppu’s steamy urban onsen landscape to Yufuin’s mountain scenery and Ibusuki’s subtropical coastal feel.
Three Kyushu Onsen Stations Worth Adding to Your Rail Trip
- Beppu Station: A hot-spring hand bath welcomes travellers outside one of Japan’s most famous onsen cities.
- Yufuin Station: A genuine hot-spring foot bath is located on Platform 1.
- Ibusuki Station: A station-front foot bath introduces you to southern Kyushu’s famous onsen and sand-bathing culture.
These are not simply places to change trains. Each station can be the starting point for a relaxing day or overnight stay built around hot springs, local food, and slower-paced sightseeing.
1. Beppu Station — Oita
Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot-spring cities, and the onsen experience begins almost immediately after you step out of JR Beppu Station.
Beside the station’s East Exit, near the statue of Beppu tourism pioneer Kumahachi Aburaya, you will find a small teyu — a hot-spring bath for your hands. Natural hot-spring water flows continuously into the basin, giving arriving travellers an easy first taste of Beppu’s onsen culture.
What it is: Natural hot-spring hand bath
Cost: Free
Hours: Open 24 hours
Location: Immediately outside JR Beppu Station, East Exit
Best for: An easy introduction to Beppu before heading deeper into the city’s onsen districts.
The hand bath only takes a few minutes, but Beppu itself deserves much longer. The city has numerous public baths and several distinct hot-spring areas, including Kannawa, where steam rises dramatically through the streets.
If you want a full bath close to the station, Ekimae Koto Onsen is also nearby and offers traditional public bathing for a modest fee.
Train travel tip: Beppu is easy to incorporate into a Kyushu rail itinerary. It is served by JR Kyushu limited express trains and works particularly well as an overnight stop rather than simply a station visit.
2. Yufuin Station — Oita
Yufuin Station is one of Kyushu’s most atmospheric railway gateways, serving the popular hot-spring town of Yufuin beneath the slopes of Mount Yufu.
Normally, one of the station’s most unusual features is a natural hot-spring foot bath on Platform 1. It allows passengers to soak their feet while waiting for a train — an experience that fits perfectly with Yufuin’s relaxed onsen atmosphere.
Important 2026 Closure
The Yufuin Station foot bath is temporarily unavailable in 2026. JR Kyushu closed it from March 14, 2026 as part of station repair and seismic-strengthening work.
JR Kyushu currently expects the construction period to continue until around the end of December 2026. Check the latest station information before travelling if using the foot bath is important to you.
Even without the station foot bath, Yufuin remains well worth visiting. From the station, you can walk through the town toward Yunotsubo Kaido and Lake Kinrin, with cafés, shops, ryokan, and hot-spring facilities along the way.
Station foot bath: Normally located on Platform 1
2026 status: Closed from March 14 during station construction
Expected reopening: After construction, currently planned for around winter 2026
Best for: An overnight onsen stay or relaxed day trip from Hakata, Oita, or Beppu
Train travel tip: The scenic Yufuin no Mori limited express connects Hakata with Yufuin and is one of JR Kyushu’s best-known sightseeing trains. Seats are reserved, so booking ahead is recommended.
2. Yufuin Station — Oita
Yufuin Station is one of Kyushu’s most atmospheric railway gateways, serving the popular hot-spring town of Yufuin beneath the slopes of Mount Yufu.
Normally, one of the station’s most unusual features is a natural hot-spring foot bath on Platform 1. It allows passengers to soak their feet while waiting for a train — an experience that fits perfectly with Yufuin’s relaxed onsen atmosphere.
Important 2026 Closure
The Yufuin Station foot bath is temporarily unavailable in 2026. JR Kyushu closed it from March 14, 2026 as part of station repair and seismic-strengthening work.
JR Kyushu currently expects the construction period to continue until around the end of December 2026. Check the latest station information before travelling if using the foot bath is important to you.
Even without the station foot bath, Yufuin remains well worth visiting. From the station, you can walk through the town toward Yunotsubo Kaido and Lake Kinrin, with cafés, shops, ryokan, and hot-spring facilities along the way.
Station foot bath: Normally located on Platform 1
2026 status: Closed from March 14 during station construction
Expected reopening: After construction, currently planned for around winter 2026
Best for: An overnight onsen stay or relaxed day trip from Hakata, Oita, or Beppu
Train travel tip: The scenic Yufuin no Mori limited express connects Hakata with Yufuin and is one of JR Kyushu’s best-known sightseeing trains. Seats are reserved, so booking ahead is recommended.
2. Yufuin Station — Oita
Yufuin Station is one of Kyushu’s most atmospheric railway gateways, serving the popular hot-spring town of Yufuin beneath the slopes of Mount Yufu.
Normally, one of the station’s most unusual features is a natural hot-spring foot bath on Platform 1. It allows passengers to soak their feet while waiting for a train — an experience that fits perfectly with Yufuin’s relaxed onsen atmosphere.
Important 2026 Closure
The Yufuin Station foot bath is temporarily unavailable in 2026. JR Kyushu closed it from March 14, 2026 as part of station repair and seismic-strengthening work.
JR Kyushu currently expects the construction period to continue until around the end of December 2026. Check the latest station information before travelling if using the foot bath is important to you.
Even without the station foot bath, Yufuin remains well worth visiting. From the station, you can walk through the town toward Yunotsubo Kaido and Lake Kinrin, with cafés, shops, ryokan, and hot-spring facilities along the way.
Station foot bath: Normally located on Platform 1
2026 status: Closed from March 14 during station construction
Expected reopening: After construction, currently planned for around winter 2026
Best for: An overnight onsen stay or relaxed day trip from Hakata, Oita, or Beppu
Train travel tip: The scenic Yufuin no Mori limited express connects Hakata with Yufuin and is one of JR Kyushu’s best-known sightseeing trains. Seats are reserved, so booking ahead is recommended.
3. Ibusuki Station — Kagoshima
Ibusuki Station is the gateway to southern Kyushu’s famous hot-spring and sand-bathing culture — and unlike Yufuin’s temporarily closed platform foot bath, the station-front ashiyu is currently operating.
The Ibusuki Station Foot Bath sits directly outside JR Ibusuki Station and uses local chloride hot-spring water. It is free to use, making it an easy place to relax immediately after arriving by train.
Cost: Free
Hours: From around 8:00 until approximately the arrival time of the final JR train
Location: Immediately outside JR Ibusuki Station
Open: Year-round
Best for: Starting or ending an Ibusuki sightseeing day with a quick hot-spring soak.
Towels can also be purchased at the tourist information centre at the station, so you do not necessarily need to bring one with you.
Ibusuki is best known for its sunamushi, or geothermal sand baths. At facilities such as Sunamushi Kaikan Saraku, visitors lie beneath naturally heated volcanic sand before taking a conventional hot-spring bath.
Train travel tip: One of the most memorable ways to reach Ibusuki is JR Kyushu’s Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing limited express from Kagoshima-Chuo. The train itself becomes part of the experience, so reserve your seat ahead of time if you want to include it in your trip.
My recommendation: If you are travelling this far south, stay at least one night. The station foot bath is fun, but the real appeal is combining it with a sand bath, local onsen, coastal scenery, and a slower pace than you will find in most major Japanese cities.
Which Kyushu Onsen Station Should You Choose?
| Station | Onsen Experience | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Beppu | Free station-front hand bath | Classic hot-spring city and easy rail access |
| Yufuin | Platform foot bath normally available, but closed during 2026 station construction | Scenery, cafés, ryokan, and a slower onsen-town atmosphere |
| Ibusuki | Free station-front foot bath | Sand baths, southern Kyushu scenery, and a unique overnight stay |
My pick: Choose Beppu if you want the widest choice of hot springs and the easiest addition to a Kyushu rail itinerary. Choose Yufuin for atmosphere and scenery, and Ibusuki if you want the most unusual experience — especially the geothermal sand baths.
If your schedule allows, these destinations work much better as overnight stops than quick station visits. The station baths are a fun introduction, but the real experience comes from slowing down and enjoying the surrounding onsen town.
How to Fit These Onsen Stops Into a Kyushu Rail Itinerary
Beppu and Yufuin Work Well Together
Beppu and Yufuin are both in Oita Prefecture and fit naturally into a northern Kyushu itinerary. You could stay in Beppu for its large choice of hot springs, then continue to Yufuin for a quieter mountain-town atmosphere.
The Northern Kyushu Rail Pass covers JR travel in this part of Kyushu, including eligible limited express services such as Yufuin no Mori.
Ibusuki Fits a Southern Kyushu Route
Ibusuki is much farther south, so it works best when your itinerary also includes Kagoshima. From Kagoshima-Chuo, you can continue south on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line or reserve the sightseeing limited express Ibusuki no Tamatebako.
The Southern Kyushu Rail Pass covers the Ibusuki no Tamatebako, while the All Kyushu Rail Pass can cover all three destinations in this guide.
Current JR Kyushu Rail Pass Prices
| Pass | Validity | Adult Price |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Kyushu | 3 Days | ¥15,000 |
| Northern Kyushu | 5 Days | ¥17,000 |
| Southern Kyushu | 3 Days | ¥12,000 |
| All Kyushu | 3 Days | ¥22,000 |
| All Kyushu | 5 Days | ¥24,000 |
| All Kyushu | 7 Days | ¥26,000 |
Tip: JR Kyushu currently offers slightly lower prices through its dedicated online booking site, so compare the purchase method before buying.
Practical Tips for Visiting Kyushu Onsen Stations
Bring a Small Towel
A compact towel is useful for station foot baths, especially at Ibusuki. Some stations or tourist information centres sell towels, but carrying your own is easier.
Check Sightseeing Train Reservations Early
Popular trains such as Yufuin no Mori and Ibusuki no Tamatebako use reserved seating and can fill up during weekends, holidays, and peak travel seasons.
Don’t Plan Around Yufuin Station’s Foot Bath in 2026
The platform foot bath is temporarily closed during station construction. Treat it as a bonus if it has reopened by your travel date rather than making it essential to your itinerary.
Stay Overnight If You Can
Beppu, Yufuin, and Ibusuki all offer far more than their station baths. An overnight stay gives you time for a proper onsen, local food, and a slower experience after the day-trippers leave.
Check Bath Etiquette Before Using a Full Onsen
Station foot baths are simple, but traditional public baths and ryokan onsen have their own etiquette. Wash before entering the bath, keep towels out of the water, and check tattoo policies in advance if relevant.
Best approach: Think of the station ashiyu or teyu as the introduction. The real reason to visit is the surrounding onsen town, so build enough time into your rail itinerary to enjoy more than just the station.
FAQ: Kyushu Onsen Stations
Which of these onsen stations is easiest to visit by train?
Beppu is the easiest for most travellers because it is a major JR station served by limited express trains and sits directly within one of Japan’s best-known hot-spring cities.
Which station has a free foot bath?
Ibusuki Station has a free foot bath immediately outside the station. Beppu Station has a free hand bath rather than a foot bath.
Is the Yufuin Station foot bath open in 2026?
No. The Platform 1 foot bath closed on March 14, 2026 because of station renovation and seismic-strengthening work. JR Kyushu currently expects the construction period to continue until around the end of 2026.
Can I visit Beppu and Yufuin on the same trip?
Yes. Both are in Oita Prefecture and fit naturally into the same northern Kyushu itinerary. If your schedule allows, I recommend staying overnight rather than trying to rush through both as brief station stops.
Which destination is best for a unique onsen experience?
Ibusuki stands out because of its famous geothermal sand baths. Visitors are buried up to the neck in naturally heated volcanic sand before taking a conventional hot-spring bath.
Does the JR Kyushu Rail Pass cover these destinations?
Depending on the pass, yes. Northern Kyushu passes can be useful for Beppu and Yufuin, Southern Kyushu passes cover travel toward Ibusuki, and the All Kyushu Rail Pass can cover a wider itinerary including all three areas.
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Check Current JR Pass PricesAbout Train Travel Japan
Train Travel Japan is written from firsthand experience traveling throughout Japan by rail. I am a Japanese native based in Canada and have traveled to all 47 prefectures of Japan over more than 30 years.
My goal is to make Japan train travel easier to understand, especially for international visitors planning JR Pass trips, regional rail journeys and independent itineraries.