Beppu

Founding and Early Mentions

Although Beppu officially gained city status only on April 1, 1924, following the merger of several towns and villages, the history of human activity in this region dates back to antiquity. The first written mentions of the area appear in 8th-century chronicles, such as the "Iyo-no-kuni Fudoki" and "Bungo-no-kuni Fudoki." These ancient texts describe plumes of steam rising from the ground and hot springs that, according to legends, were even visited by deities of Japanese mythology for healing.

Key Factors in Its Development

The formation of Beppu as a significant settlement was driven by a unique combination of natural and logistical conditions:

• Volcanic Activity: Its location between the Tsurumi volcanic group and the sea provided the region with colossal reserves of geothermal water. The presence of thousands of springs ("jigoku" or "hell pits") became the main magnet for people.
• Maritime Trade and Transport: A vital factor in its growth was the development of the port in Beppu Bay. During the Meiji era (late 19th century), the opening of regular steamship service to Osaka turned the town into an accessible resort for residents of major metropolises, sharply increasing the number of visitors.

Early Cultural and Economic Characteristics

The economy and lifestyle of early Beppu differed significantly from typical Japanese agricultural settlements of that time:

• Toji Culture: The foundation of local culture was the tradition of toji—long-term therapeutic stays at the waters. This contributed to the early emergence of a developed network of inns (ryokans) and public baths, which functioned as centers of social life.
• Service Economy: Instead of traditional farming, residents of the region specialized in serving pilgrims and vacationers, as well as coastal fishing. Local crafts, such as bamboo weaving, also developed as souvenir products for tourists.

Key Milestones in Beppu's History

• 8th Century — The first written descriptions of the region's red hot springs and fumaroles appear in the ancient chronicles of "Bungo-no-kuni Fudoki."
• 1871 — The completion of the Beppu port modernization opens regular sea communication with Osaka, significantly increasing the influx of visitors.
• 1911 — Entrepreneur Kumahachi Aburaya arrives in the city; his ideas for service development would later earn him the title of the "Father of Beppu Tourism."
• 1924 — On April 1, Beppu town merges with several neighboring villages and officially receives city (shi) status.
• 1928 — Japan's first regular sightseeing bus with female guides is launched, marking the beginning of organized mass tourism.
• 1950 — The Japanese Parliament passes a special law granting Beppu the status of an "International City of Culture and Tourism."
• 1957 — Construction of Beppu Tower is completed, becoming one of the first high-rise observation structures in the country.
• 1962 — The Kintetsu Ropeway opens, connecting the foot and summit of Mount Tsurumi for panoramic views of the surroundings.
• 2000 — The opening of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) transforms the city into an important center for international education.
• 2017 — The city implements a unique temporary "onsen amusement park" project (Spamusement Park), attracting worldwide media attention.

Stages of Transformation: From Healing Springs to International Resort

The development of Beppu is the story of a small settlement near hot springs transforming into one of Japan's major tourism hubs. The city's key transformations have always been linked to innovations in hospitality and infrastructure.

• Launch of Regular Sea Communications (1871)
  The launch of the Osaka–Beppu steamship line served as the region's economic catalyst. This event turned local springs into an accessible resort for residents of the large Kansai metropolises, sharply increasing tourist flow and stimulating the construction of the first large hotels.

• The Marketing Revolution of Kumahachi Aburaya (1911–1928)
  The arrival of entrepreneur Kumahachi Aburaya radically changed the city's image. He transformed dangerous geothermal zones into the "Hells of Beppu" (Jigoku Meguri) attraction and launched Japan's first sightseeing buses with female guides. This laid the foundation for Japanese mass group tourism.

• Attaining City Status (1924)
  The administrative merger of Beppu town with neighboring villages allowed for centralized resource management. This kickstarted comprehensive urban planning, uniting scattered resort zones into a single urban agglomeration.

• International Tourism City Law (1950)
  After World War II, Beppu became one of the first cities to receive the special government status of "International City of Culture and Tourism." This secured government subsidies for reconstruction and defined the city's economic strategy as purely tourism-focused, without heavy industry.

• Infrastructure Boom of the Showa Era (1950s–1960s)
  The construction of iconic landmarks, such as Beppu Tower and the Mt. Tsurumi Ropeway, symbolized the economic recovery. The city took on a modern high-rise appearance, and the coastline began to be developed with large hotels capable of hosting thousands of guests at once.

• Opening of Ritsumeikan APU (2000)
  The establishment of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University was a major socio-cultural shift. The influx of thousands of international students rejuvenated the aging resort's population and turned Beppu into a multicultural hub where English and international festivals became the norm.

• Digital Era and Creative Branding (2010s – Present)
  Facing competition, the city turned to aggressive viral marketing (the "Onsen Prefecture" campaign, the "Spamusement Park" project). This helped pivot the economy toward attracting millennials and individual foreign tourists seeking unique experiences over classic holidays.

Architectural Eclecticism: From Tradition to Modernism

The architectural character of Beppu is unique because it was shaped not around administrative centers, but around hot springs. The city is a visual fusion of traditional Japanese buildings, early 20th-century Western influences, and post-war concrete modernism, all perpetually shrouded in plumes of steam.

Traditional Style and "Giyofu" (Meiji to Early Showa Era)

During the resort's formative years, architects sought to give public baths a sense of monumentality by borrowing elements from temple architecture. This created a sacred atmosphere for the bathing ritual.

• Takegawara Onsen: A symbol of the city, built in 1938 (the current building). It is a striking example of a style that mimics Buddhist temples. It features a massive roof with a "karahafu" (curved gable), giving the building a majestic and solemn appearance untypical of a standard public bathhouse.
• Ryokans and Tea Houses: Old districts still preserve wooden buildings with sukiya-zukuri elements, characterized by elegance, natural materials, and harmony with the surrounding gardens.

Western Modernism and Taisho Roman (1920s – 1930s)

With the influx of foreign tourists and the general Westernization of Japan, buildings reflecting European trends of the time began to appear in the city.

• Beppu City Public Hall: Built in 1928, this site demonstrates the influence of German Expressionism and early modernism. The building stands out with its clean lines and arched windows, symbolizing the Taisho era of cultural openness and democracy.
• Kyoto University (Geophysical Research Institute): A building with a red-tiled roof and arched elements, reminiscent of Spanish Colonial style or Western Classicism adapted to the Japanese climate.

Post-war Modernism and Structuralism (Mid-20th Century)

The economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s brought steel and concrete construction technologies to Beppu, which were necessary to accommodate mass tourism.

• Beppu Tower: Erected in 1957 and designed by Tachu Naito (who also designed Tokyo Tower), it became an icon of Japanese high-rise, earthquake-resistant construction. It is a classic example of mid-century functional modernism and engineering aesthetics.
• Resort Hotels: Multi-story concrete complexes rose along the coast, typical of 1960s and 70s architecture. Their style is utilitarian yet grand in scale, reflecting the era of group bus tours.

Urban Planning and the "Steamscape"

Beppu's layout is dictated by the geography of geothermal activity, creating a unique urban landscape protected as a cultural asset.

• Kannawa District: Here, architecture is subservient to function—houses are equipped with special pipes to vent steam. The sight of hundreds of steaming chimneys against the mountain backdrop creates the famous "steamscape," officially recognized as an Important Cultural Landscape of Japan.
• Roji-ura (Labyrinthine Alleys): A chaotic network of narrow alleys has been preserved in the city center, having emerged spontaneously around old bathhouses. This area contrasts with the wide avenues by the sea and preserves a "Showa-retro" atmosphere of old Japan.

Notable Figures in Beppu's History

The history of Beppu is inextricably linked with the names of innovators, monks, and artists who transformed a dangerous volcanic zone into a thriving world-class resort.

• Ippen Shonin
  Wandering monk and founder of the Ji-shu school (1239–1289)
  He is considered the spiritual "discoverer" of the Kannawa district. According to legend, he visited these lands in the 13th century and, seeing the local residents' suffering from boiling springs and fumaroles, calmed the elements with prayers. It was he who came up with the idea of using geothermal steam for therapeutic purposes, creating the first steam baths (mushiyu) that still operate today.
• Otomo Sorin
  Christian Daimyo and ruler of Bungo Province (1530–1587)
  Although his residence was in a neighboring city, the Otomo clan's influence on the region was immense. He encouraged international trade and medicine, establishing one of Japan's first meeting points for Western and Eastern cultures in Oita Province (including the Beppu Bay area), which laid the foundation for the region's openness.
• Aburaya Kumahachi
  Entrepreneur and visionary (1863–1935)
  Known as the "Father of Beppu Tourism." After losing his fortune on the rice exchange, he moved to Beppu and dedicated his life to its development. Kumahachi devised the famous "Hells of Beppu" (Jigoku Meguri) tour route, the slogan "Mount Fuji for mountains, the Inland Sea for the sea, and Beppu for hot springs," and established the standards of local hospitality.
• Murakami Ayame
  Japan's first female bus guide (1911–2000)
  In 1928, as a teenager, she became the country's first-ever female guide on a Kamenoi Bus sightseeing tour. Her elegant guiding style and specially designed uniform became a sensation at the time, turning the profession of a guide into a prestigious one and creating a unique tourism brand for the city.
• Akiko Yosano
  Poet and social activist (1878–1942)
  One of Japan's most famous 20th-century poets, she visited Beppu multiple times. In 1918, she spent a long period here and wrote a series of 50 tanka (short poems) celebrating the beauty of the local landscapes and springs. Her work played an important role in popularizing the resort among the intelligentsia.
• Tachu Naito
  Engineer and architect (1886–1970)
  The designer behind the famous Beppu Tower. Known as the "Father of Towers" (he also designed Tokyo Tower), Naito gave the city its main high-rise symbol. The construction of the tower in 1957 marked Beppu's final transition to the status of a modern urbanized resort.
• Tatsuo Nagai
  Writer (1904–1990)
  A master of psychological prose who lived in Beppu (in the Kamado district) during and after World War II. The atmosphere of the city, its daily life, and the unique characters of the local residents were reflected in his works, which became classics of Japanese literature and preserved the spirit of the Showa era.