Kannawa is the most atmospheric of Beppu’s eight hot-spring areas and one of the most evocative onsen townscapes in Japan. Here the geothermal power is so intense that clouds of white steam constantly billow up from vents, drains and rooftops all over the hillside district, drifting between the old wooden inns, narrow lanes and shops and wrapping the whole town in a dreamlike, primeval haze. Strolling the steaming streets — a walk sometimes called the ‘yukemuri’ (steam) experience — is a magical, only-in-Beppu pleasure, especially atmospheric in the cool of morning or evening when the steam is thickest. Kannawa is also home to several of the famous Hells, traditional steam baths, sand baths, and the local speciality of jigoku-mushi (hell-steamed) cuisine cooked in the natural steam. A designated important cultural landscape, this old onsen quarter is the soul of Beppu.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kannawa, Beppu, Oita |
| Hours | Streets always open |
| Admission | Free to walk; baths vary |
| Time needed | 1–2 hours |
| Best time | Cool mornings/evenings for steam |
What to See
- Clouds of white steam (yukemuri) billowing over the town.
- Old wooden inns and steaming hillside lanes.
- Traditional steam baths and sand baths.
- Hell-steamed jigoku-mushi cuisine cooked in the steam.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Beppu Hells here.
- Pair with hell-steamed cuisine .
- Read our Oita overview .
Getting There
- By bus: from Beppu Station to Kannawa.
- On foot: wander the steaming hillside lanes.
Tips
Wander the lanes in the cool of early morning or evening when the steam (yukemuri) is thickest and the atmosphere most magical, and find a viewpoint over the steaming rooftops. Try a traditional steam bath or sand bath, eat jigoku-mushi cuisine steamed in the natural vents, and combine it with the nearby Hells.
