Takegawara Onsen

Takegawara Onsen is a municipal public bathhouse located in Beppu City. Its entrance features a traditional gabled roof, giving it a classic Japanese appearance. The sand bath area is housed in a single-story hipped-roof building, with separate men’s and women’s baths on the opposite side. There are no showers or faucets; instead, bathers use buckets to wash themselves, preserving an old-style bathing culture. As a symbol of Beppu Onsen, the building, interior, and bathing style remain much as they were in the early Showa period. The famous sand bath allows visitors to lie fully clothed on warm sand while staff known as “sunakake-san” cover them with naturally heated sand. The sand bath costs an additional 1,500 yen and provides deep warmth similar to a weighted sauna. No amenities are provided, so visitors should bring their own or purchase disposable items on site, including towels. Yukata are provided for sand bath use. The adjacent hot spring bath alternates with the sand bath every two hours, ensuring warm sand is always available. Access to Takegawara Onsen is about a 10-minute walk along Ekimae-dori from JR Beppu Station.