Become a local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen Culture

Overview

Available languages

Japanese

English

Mobile ticket

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

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‘s Included

Admission fees for each facility

Food, beverage and souvenir costs excluded

Bottled water

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.

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

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!

30 minutes • Admission Included

Options

Become a local! A walking tour of Beppu’s arts, crafts & onsen

A private walking tour

Private Tour

Become a local! A Cycling Tour

Cycling: We will use bicycles to ride around the downtown of Beppu!

Reviews

4.89

35 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A great view into lesser-seen parts of Beppu
louishP2740PR,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It 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
5.00
Wonderful 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
5.00
Fascinating 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
1.00
Disappointing 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
5.00
Hana-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
5.00
Loi 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
5.00
Beppu 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.
Great Day in Beppu
oldworldt,
Apr 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a really fun experience. Our guide Loy was very knowledgeable. He introduced us to many of the local artists and answered our questions patiently.
Don’t visit Beppu without doing this tour.
donnadI6094EE,
Apr 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loi was a charming, knowledgeable, and resourceful tour guide — one of our best ever. We enjoyed learning about Beppu, and the locals we spoke with gave us an understanding of the community and culture we could not have gotten without Loi’s tour!
Totally off the beaten track
KarenS9103,
Mar 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was a fantastic insight into Beppu's unique culture. Our guide - Audreay - was super engaging and fun to be around. Highlights included the bamboo factory (and meeting the owner) as well as meeting the local artists living in a communal space. We only wished we had more time. It is a totally different way to do a shore excursion in Beppu!