Myoban Onsen

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The famous Beppu Onsen (hot spring) located in Oita is composed of eight major hot spring areas which are well known for having a vast array of hot springs including even those like sand baths, mud baths, and so on. Myoban Onsen is one of these eight onsen areas nestled in the hills above central Beppu city. Myoban Onsen is best known for the specialty product of “Yu-no-Hana” (Hot Spring Flowers) which are compounds made from iron and aluminum minerals found in the thermal springs. While walking through this onsen area, you can’t miss the sulfurous fragrance seeping out from the bubbling hot springs. In the Edo period, this was the first area in Japan to harvest “myoban,” the alum mineral which has been long believed to have positive effects on hemostasis and diarrhea. Because of the myoban that is put into the baths, Myoban Onsen is famous for its great health benefits.

Famous hot springs used since the Edo period

Myoban Onsen located in the high hills of Beppu overlooking the city is widely known as the home of Yu-no-Hana. What’s most characteristic of these Yu-no-Hana which can be found in Myoban Onsen is definitely their distinctive smell! However, they can also act as miraculous health treatments, help retain heat, and even have remarkable effects to beautify the skin!

Experience mud baths that have wondrous effects on the skin!

Of all the high quality onsen in Beppu, Beppu Onsen Hoyo Land is a particular rarity. Here, you can enjoy one of the few mud baths that can be found in Japan. These baths are extremely popular with the ladies due to the magnificent effects of the sulfur and mineral packed mud that acts like a giant face pack. These hot springs have both indoor and outdoor baths, the latter being co-ed mixed bathing for men and women.

Myoban Yu-no-Sato Hot Springs Village

Myoban Yu-no-Sato (Myoban Hot Springs Village) is a popular tourist facility in the Myoban onsen area with hot springs and a restaurant. Here, you can find Yu-no-Hana huts where Yu-no-Hana products are made utilizing special techniques found only here using the steam from the hot springs. It is possible to visit these huts as well as purchase Yu-no-Hana goods in the local shop.

Specialty Sweets of Myoban Onsen: Hell-steamed Pudding

The specialty goods of Myoban Onsen are without a doubt the Yu-no-Hana and Jigoku-mushi Pureen (hell-steamed pudding). This pudding is made from eggs that are steamed in the fumes of the hot spring. After one tastes the rich flavor and the slightly more solid than usual texture of this pudding, they’ll definitely be running back for more! Of the various shops that offer this special pudding, we recommend the long-standing ryokan (Japanese-style inn), Okamoto-ya which was first opened in 1877.