Kankaiji Onsen Hot Spring

This hot spring resort, which has existed since the Kamakura period (1185-1333), is located on the upper slopes of the Asami River, which flows from Mt. Tsurumi into Beppu Bay. The area offers a panoramic view of Beppu City and Beppu Bay, and there are many hot spring inns with open-air baths with spectacular views. Two of the most famous baths with spectacular views are the Suginoi Hotel and Ichinoide Kaikan.

The Suginoi Hotel has “The Aqua Garden,” a hot spring amusement facility where visitors can enjoy themselves in swimsuits, and is also famous for its large open-air bath, Tanayu, which covers an area of approximately 1,200 tsubo (approximately 4,000 m²). The bathtubs are arranged in five tiers like terraced rice fields, and visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Beppu Bay stretching far into the distance. The open-air baths give visitors the feeling of floating in the water.

The open-air bath "Scenic Hot Spring" at Ichinoide Kaikan offers a breathtaking view. This unique hot spring starts as a colorless, transparent water when freshly drawn, but gradually transforms into a striking cobalt blue over time. The bath alternates daily: on even-numbered days, it is designated for men, and on odd-numbered days, it is for women.