Become a Local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen Culture
Overview
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Fancy avoiding crowded touristic hotspots and exploring more 'local' areas you likely wouldn't find in a travel brochure? In this exclusive, small-group walking tour, you'll immerse yourself in history & culture whilst strolling through the streets of downtown* Beppu.
Experience the work and daily lives of the local artists who live here, visit a bamboo craft factory** and enjoy a rare chance to meet skilled artisans face to face.
The tour culminates in a visit to a century-old Japanese house comprising a contemporary art gallery and gift shop. The house also features a history room showcasing historic photographs of Beppu’s past.
*Please be aware that:
a) this tour does NOT cover popular touristic spots (such as the 'Hells'), but showcases the city's lesser-known cultural streets & alleys, and
b) you will not be shown inside an onsen building
**Please also note that due to the possibility of businesses varying opening times, the route & places visited may be subject to change.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Beppu Station Market
Witness first-hand a local market selling fresh fish and vegetables, and enjoy a rare chance to interact with local Japanese residents.
Since its establishment in 1908, you'll be able to observe bamboo products being meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, utilising local bamboo from Oita Prefecture. As well as seeing the artisans at work, you'll also be able to purchase bamboo products - ideal, unique souvenirs to take home with you!
What‘s Included
Admission fees for each facility
Food, beverage and souvenir costs excluded
Bottled water
Options
Become a local! A walking tour of Beppu’s arts, crafts & onsen
A private walking tour
Private Tour
Reviews
38 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Joyful exploration of the creatives of Beppu
SoshinStace,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience! Friendly enthusiastic guide, thorough interesting details on areas we walked, toured a bamboo craft factory, and at the end supported at their maker shop. Highly recommended! Much love for Space Beppu crew. Thanks for a great time.
Local Cultural Exposure
Jane W,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was off the beaten path. We were able to visit the last working bamboo factory in Beppu. We also learned about the onsen culture and visited an artist workspace. Lily was our tour guide and we really appreciated her pacing and communication style. We highly recommend this tour.
Unforgettable, authentic moments: THANK YOU!! 🙏🙏🙏
Kathrin K,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow!!! That was great!!! Very great!! Thank you very much!:) Authentic Japan. Not where "everyone" is, but to the "locals." I like Japan, crafts/art and photography, so it was perfect. Absolute recommendation!! 😍😎🙏
A great view into lesser-seen parts of Beppu
louishP2740PR,Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a really interesting look into lesser-seen parts of Beppu that really enriched my time in Beppu! Each stop was a unique and interesting experience and although one of the normal tour stops was not available, the replacement was even more suitable for me. It was just me and the tour guide, so I was able to ask lots of questions and have good conversation with the guide. They even returned my wallet to me at their recommended lunch spot after I took off without it.
Wonderful private walking tour of Beppu.
Susan D,Jun 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful private walking tour in Beppu. Highlight was visiting a locals house and playing the harp with her. She served tea and we also had an origami lesson. This tour was very art focused.
Beppu
Janice J,May 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Fascinating walk through back streets of Beppu and the bamboo factory is not too be missed. Very knowledgeable tour guide Lou.
Missable tour
wendybB6585VD,May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Disappointing tour did not get a view of onsens an important aspect of the town. The art scene is a shack uninhabited aside from 2 artists and a student gathering house.
Great experiences in Beppu
DaraG77,May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hana-san, our guide was so fun. She showed us so many interesting places. I loved the koto lesson. Seeing the beppu project was fascinating. Space beppu has many experiences. We also loved the summer fun with flowing noodles. They went out of their way to make sure we were happy.
3 hour arts-oriented walking tour of Beppu
Flyer49263507714,May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loi is a knowledgeable guide and provided a very interesting morning. We saw the back streets of Beppu with hidden treasures that we would have never seen or understood without Loi. The bamboo factory was truly amazing! Great sense of humour and an easy pace.
Highly Recommended Walking Tour!
kareni949,May 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beppu is a fascinating city with a fascinating history. This tour helped me understand the history--as well as the revitalization efforts fashioning Beppu into a place of art and culture. Beppu is so much more than onsen, rope bridges, and monkeys; it’s a place where artists from all over Japan (and even the world) are coming to challenge cultural norms, preserve traditions, and create beauty in this lovely coastal town. I would not have seen any of this if not for this walking tour. My incredibly educated and gracious guide, Loi, took me all around Beppu–both to the places abandoned when the port moved north and to the places where traditions are preserved (like the Bamboo factory) and where avant-garde art is in full swing. Along the way, I met some incredibly kind and generous people I will not soon forget. I highly recommend this tour! You won’t regret it.
-10% off
From ¥8,100Was ¥9,000
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Space Beppu