Beppu Traditional Bamboo Crafts Centre

Top choice in Beppu


You may be blown away by the versatility of bamboo, which grows copiously in the Beppu region. In the ground-floor gallery, intricate, refined pieces span workers' baskets to museum-quality art, made by Edo-period artisans and modern masters. Upstairs, try crafting bamboo yourself (from ¥400, depending on the complexity of the item), with a reservation at least a week ahead. A new, modernist-minimalist shop and cafe sells bamboo toys, tableware, baskets and handbags, priced from inexpensive to head-spinning.

From Beppu Station, take bus 22 or 25 to Takezaiku-densankan-mae or bus 1 to Minami-baru (about 200m away).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Beppu attractions

1. Kamado Jigoku

1.41 MILES

So named because it was once used for cooking (kamado means stove in Japanese). One of the Kannawa group's jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs).

2. Shira-ike Jigoku

1.41 MILES

One of the Kannawa group's hells, Shira-ike has blue-white water and a Japanese garden. It tends to be the quietest of the neighbourhood's jigoku (hells;…

3. Oniishibōzu Jigoku

1.42 MILES

One of the Kannawa group's jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Oniishibōzu has bubbling grey mud that looks like a monk's shaved head.

4. Oni-yama Jigoku

1.42 MILES

Oni-yama is especially known for the 80-plus crocodiles that have been bred here since the Taishō period (1912–26). It's one of the Kannawa group's jigoku…

5. Yama Jigoku

1.43 MILES

Yama is not included in the onsen meguri ticket and must be visited separately. A variety of animals are kept here in enclosures that look uncomfortably…

6. Umi Jigoku

1.44 MILES

Umi is a steamy blue due to iron oxide in its 98°C water. It's said to be about 200m down to the source. One of the Kannawa group's jigoku (hells; boiling…

7. Beppu Tower

1.65 MILES

Built in 1957, this erector-set-style tower near the bay has an observation deck with 360-degree views. It's a popular visit for couples.

8. Tatsumaki Jigoku

2 MILES

Set in Beppu's smaller group of jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Tatsumaki has a geyser that shoots off about every 35 minutes.

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