Ōita · Beppu Onsen
Kannawa Mushi-yu (steam bath)
鉄輪むし湯
A stone steam-bath chamber in use since the Kamakura period. Lie in a yukata on a bed of medicinal sweet-flag herb and sweat heavily in 8–10 minutes. Yukata rental ¥220 (or bring a T-shirt and shorts). Free foot steaming outside.
- Price (adult)
- ¥700
- Hours
- 06:30–20:00 (last entry 19:30)
- Closed
- 4th Thu (next day if holiday)
- Access
- Kamenoi Bus from Beppu to Kannawa, 5 min walk
- Water type
- Simple spring
- Tattoos
- Allowed
- Admission
- Steam bath ¥700 (junior-high age and up). Yukata rental ¥220 (or bring a T-shirt and shorts). Indoor bath only ¥100. Foot steam free (7:30–19:00)
- How it works
- A steam bath dating from the Kamakura era (founded 1276 by the monk Ippen, tradition says). You lie for 8–10 min in yukata on a bed of sekisho (sweet-flag) herbs in an 8-tatami stone chamber heated by onsen
- Parking
- 13 spaces; Netsunoyu-mae car park 2 hrs free
- Onsen-do
- Beppu Hatto Onsen-do stamp No. 40
- Phone
- 0977-67-3880
- Official site
- beppu-tourism.com/onsen/kannawa-mushiyu ↗
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Beppu Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Stone steam chamber since the 1200s
- Scent of medicinal sweet-flag
- Free foot steaming
Japan’s only sekisho herb steam bath
Kannawa Mushiyu is a municipal steam bath in the heart of steam-wreathed Kannawa; tradition says the monk Ippen founded it in 1276 after taming the “hell” ground. You lie in yukata on sekisho — an aromatic herb that grows only by clear streams — spread over a stone floor heated by onsen. The scent is strong and sweating intense; 8–10 minutes leaves you drenched. The present building dates from 2006.
Step by step
1. Pay ¥700 at reception; rent a yukata (¥220) or change into your own T-shirt and shorts.
2. Wash and warm up in the adjoining indoor bath, then staff show you into the stone chamber — mind your head at the low door.
3. Lie on the herbs with a wooden pillow. Standard 8 minutes (staff call time); leave earlier if uncomfortable.
4. Rinse off sweat and leaves in the indoor bath and rehydrate.
- No one under junior-high age (indoor bath OK). Avoid with heart conditions, high blood pressure or after alcohol.
- The free foot-steam outside (steam rising through slotted boards) is handy while waiting.
Getting there
From JR Beppu west exit, Kamenoi bus ~20 min to “Kannawa”, then 3 min on foot, at the top of Ideyu-zaka. Within 10 min walk of the Umi Jigoku hells.
Before you go
- As a communal bath there is no soap or shampoo — bring your own or buy at the shop.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Price
Convenience
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 別府市・現地レポ2025-11・別府八湯温泉道
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Takegawara Onsen
Founded in 1879, with its 1938 wooden building and curved gable, Takegawara is the symbol of Beppu Onsen. A regular bath costs ¥300 — a deep, hot pool down a flight of steps. The famous sand bath has you buried in warm sand by staff while wearing a yukata. Bring your own soap and shampoo.
Hyotan Onsen
A large complex where you can try Kannawa's specialties — waterfall bath, sand bath and steam bath — in one place. It once earned three Michelin stars and is used to overseas guests. Many private family baths; tattooed visitors are directed to these. A restaurant serves hell-steamed dishes. Open until 1 am.
Shitan-yu at Lake Kinrin
A thatched communal bath on the shore of Lake Kinrin. Unstaffed — drop ¥300 in the box at the door. Changing area and bath share one room; an indoor pool and a half-open pool facing the lake, and it is mixed bathing with clear water and little screening, so it's a challenge for women. Right in busy central Yufuin, but quiet at the 10 am opening.