Beppu lives between steam and coast. In one visit, you can move from a public bath in town to geothermal sand beside the bay, but the two experiences are less alike than their shared name suggests. Founded in 1879, Takegawara Onsen retains a 1938 building and the scale of a neighbourhood bathhouse; Sand SPA has operated since 2025 inside coastal TKP SHONIN PARK, a complex with changing rooms, showers and a large bath. The choice depends on your time, budget and whether you value history or comfort more.
At Takegawara, the regular bath costs ¥300 for adults and sand bathing ¥1,500. Visitors put on a yukata and staff cover them with sand heated by hot-spring water. Capacity is limited to eight people at a time, and admission may close early when demand is high. At Sand SPA, sand bathing plus the large bath costs ¥2,500; the bath alone is ¥1,500. The sand session lasts up to 15 minutes and the full visit takes about an hour. Online booking is recommended, though same-day visits are possible if there is space.
The surroundings add another difference. Takegawara is walkable from the station and can be paired with the shopping streets; its architecture, lobby and public use give it character, though facilities are simple and waits are possible. Sand SPA faces Beppu Bay, has renovated spaces and a set sequence of changing, sand, shower and bath. Visitors mention cleanliness and staff support; others find the pressure and heat intense at first. Follow the stated order and leave the sand if the heat feels uncomfortable.
When planning the day, note that Takegawara closes on the third Wednesday of each month. Its sand bath runs from 8 am to 10:30 pm, with last admission listed at 9:30 pm but subject to earlier closure when busy. Sand SPA varies seasonally and closes on two irregular days each month; it is at Shoningahama, away from the central station, so check the bus or official parking information. There is no universal winner: historic character and price favour Takegawara, while the coastal view and modern facilities favour Sand SPA.
Profiles of the recommended places: Takegawara Onsen · Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA)
Takegawara suits a central, historic and low-cost stop; Sand SPA is for visitors who prefer modern facilities, booking and sea views. Check the day’s hours at either venue: sand-bath capacity is limited and closures differ.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
In central Beppu, Takegawara Onsen retains the scale of a neighbourhood bathhouse and a façade that seems to belong to another era. The establishment dates to 1879; its present building, completed in 1938, is recognized by its karahafu gable and a high-ceilinged lobby where bathers can rest afterwar
Visitors often mention the historic building and local character; the sand bath is a distinctive experience. Feedback also notes waits when the limited places are full and facilities that feel simple rather than like a modern spa.
A public Beppu hot spring founded in 1879 and housed in a 1938 building with a karahafu gable; it offers regular baths and staff-assisted sand bathing in a yukata.
Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA)
795-1 Shoningahama-cho, Beppu, Oita 874-0023, Japan
At Shoningahama, the walk leaves Beppu’s centre behind and opens onto a coast where geothermal heat is part of the landscape. The former municipal beach sand bath was renewed as Sand SPA and has operated inside TKP SHONIN PARK since July 2025, alongside accommodation, a restaurant and seaside spaces
Visitors highlight the bay view, clean facilities and unusual sensation of being covered in hot sand. Some find the weight or heat intense at first; staff assistance and the large bath afterwards receive favourable mentions.
Yukata-covered sand bathing on the Shoningahama coast within TKP SHONIN PARK, combining geothermal-heated sand, showers and a large hot-spring bath; online booking is recommended.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Takegawara Onsen ↗
Primary source
Takegawara Onsen official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Takegawara Onsen ↗
Primary source
Beppu City official English guide · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Takegawara Onsen ↗
Primary source
Takegawara Onsen official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Takegawara Onsen ↗
Primary source
Takegawara Onsen official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Beppu Beach Sand Bath (Sand SPA) ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Takegawara Onsen official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
TKP SHONIN PARK official website · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Exact-location Google rating and reviews ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog, Google review aggregation for Takegawara Onsen · Accessed October 11, 2026
4.1/5 from 5,116 Google reviews for the exact Motomachi venue, not the newer Shoningahama facility. Checked 2026-10-11.
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Public visitor feedback and recent comments ↗
Secondary source
Tripadvisor, Takegawara Onsen listing · Accessed October 11, 2026
Used only to balance impressions of historic atmosphere, sand-bath experience and waiting; its separate 4.1/5 from 499 Tripadvisor reviews is not presented as Google data.
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Exact-location Google rating and visitor comments ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog, Google review aggregation for Beppu Beach Sand Bath · Accessed October 11, 2026
4.0/5 from 920 Google reviews for the Sand SPA/Beppu Beach Sand Bath listing at Shoningahama. Checked 2026-10-11.
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Exact-place Google ratings for the two facilities ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog Google review pages for Takegawara Onsen and Beppu Beach Sand Bath · Accessed October 11, 2026
Checked ratings for exact listings: Takegawara and Shoningahama Sand SPA.