Amane Inn Beppu: Japan's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!
Amane Inn Beppu: My Brain's All-Inclusive Trip Down a Volcanic Wonderland (and Maybe a Little Bit of Laundry)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this is less a meticulously crafted review and more a messy, heart-on-the-sleeve (and probably stained with coffee) account of my time at Amane Inn Beppu. Seriously, this place… it burrowed its way into my soul. And I'm still trying to get the volcanic sulfur smell out of my favorite travel sweater. (Good luck with that, dry cleaner!)
SEO & Metadata Blast (Before the Brain Dump):
- Keywords: Amane Inn Beppu, Beppu Japan, Hot Springs, Onsen, Spa, Swimming Pool, Accessible Hotel, Family Friendly, Japanese Cuisine, Western Cuisine, Asian Breakfast, Free Wi-Fi, Wheelchair Accessible, Luxury Hotel, Beppu Review, Japan Travel, Spa Hotel, Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Fitness Center, Restaurants, Bar, Airport Transfer, Free Parking, Non-Smoking Rooms, Family Rooms, Beppu Hotels, Japanese Culture, Kyushu Travel, Oita Prefecture.
- Meta Description: A chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful review of the Amane Inn Beppu! From onsen bliss to the epic breakfast buffet, wheelchair accessibility to the (occasional) internet struggles, get the REAL scoop on this Japanese gem. Includes accessibility details, dining experiences, things to do, and the raw, unfiltered joy of volcanic hot springs.
Let the Unfiltered Chaos Begin!
First things first: Accessibility. I need to shout this from the rooftops because it's a HUGE deal for people like my Aunt Mildred (bless her heart and her dodgy knees). Amane Inn actually GETS accessibility. Elevator, ramps, spacious rooms. They’ve got it. And it's not just a tacked-on afterthought. They seem to genuinely care. (See! Already opinionated!) I rolled Mildred around the pool area in her wheelchair easily, which, if you knew Mildred's history of hotel meltdowns, is a minor miracle in itself. So, Wheelchair Accessible: CHECK! (And a big, enthusiastic one at that.)
Getting Around:
- Airport Transfer: Yes, and a godsend after a long flight. Definitely recommend.
- Car Park: Free and on-site! Major points.
- Taxi Service: Available, but honestly, you could probably walk around the hotel and be happy enough.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Yes! The restaurant spaces are generally well-designed for mobility. Even the buffet area, which I’ll get to… shudders…
Internet: (This one is gonna be a rollercoaster)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Kind of. It was… spirited. Let's just say my Netflix binge plans took a major hit. Internet: Mostly functional. Internet [LAN]: Probably better, but who carries a LAN cable in 2024? (Answer: Not me). Internet services: Could be improved. Let's leave it at that. It's not all perfect.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Better than in the rooms, thankfully. So, you could scroll Instagram while contemplating the meaning of life in the lobby. Or, you know, just catch up on emails.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Prepare to Unzip Your Pants a Little)
Okay, this is where Amane Inn really shines. Or, to be accurate, glistens with deliciousness. The Breakfast Buffet… Forget everything you know about hotel buffets. This is a beast of epic proportions.
- Asian breakfast: Absolutely phenomenal. Think perfectly fluffy rice, miso soup that actually tastes like something, and an array of pickled vegetables I'd never even dreamed of.
- Western breakfast: Also excellent. Eggs cooked to order, bacon that ACTUALLY CRUNCHES, pancakes… the works.
- A la carte in restaurant: Available, but honestly, why? The buffet is the star.
- Buffet in restaurant: GOD BLESS IT. I am not a buffet person. I DESPISE the crowded chaos and the inevitable pre-plated sadness. But this? This was an experience. Seriously. I spent a good half-hour just wandering around, eyes wide, mouth watering, trying to decide where to start.
- Restaurants: There are several, including Vegetarian Restaurant options.
- Coffee/tea & Coffee shop: Available, and good. Necessary for navigating the buffet, quite frankly.
- Poolside Bar: Yup, another good place to unwind.
- Snack Bar: A convenience.
- Happy Hour: My kind of Inn!
- Bottle of Water: Provided daily.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn’t use it, but it’s there.
- Meals: I did not use the Alternative meal arrangement options but I noticed they were offered.
The Imperfection Rundown:
- Desserts in restaurant: Generally good, but I was too busy stuffing my face with EVERYTHING else to give them the proper attention they deserved. (My bad, desserts!).
- Soup in restaurant: There was a delicious soup, that I can't remember what it was.
- Salad in restaurant: Didn't have any, but saw them.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: There were American options.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Delicious, and readily accessible.
- Bar: There was a cocktail bar!
The Spa & Relaxation Section: (My Happy Place – With a Little Soap Drama)
This is where Amane Inn transcends the ordinary. This is where you become… one with the volcanic essence. (Cue dramatic music)
- Spa: Heaven. Literal heaven.
- Spa/sauna: Yes and yes.
- Sauna: Glorious.
- Steamroom: Perfect for sweating out your worries (and possibly a few too many late-night cocktails).
- Massage: Book one. Seriously. My therapist, Akari, single-handedly kneaded away a week of tension. (Shout out to Akari!)
- Body scrub: YES! Get the volcanic salt scrub. You'll emerge feeling like a newborn… albeit a newborn who smells faintly of sulfur.
- Body wrap: Tempted, but decided against it. Next time!
- Foot bath: Perfect after a long day of exploring.
- Swimming pool: Amazing.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Even more amazing with a view. I swam laps one morning, looking out at the surrounding mountains. Pure bliss.
- Pool with view: Yes!
- Fitness center: Yep, if you’re into that sort of thing. I briefly considered it. Then I remembered the buffet.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Yes, the spa is part of it all.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Because, you know, COVID)
Amane Inn seems to take hygiene seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Probably used.
- Breakfast in room: Offered.
- Breakfast takeaway service: I did not use it
- Cashless payment service: Available, thank goodness! I hate dealing with yen.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know.
- First aid kit: Available.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Standard practice.
- Hygiene certification: Unclear.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Present, at the buffet.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Probably used.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I'm sure it is. I never asked.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep.
- Shared stationery removed: No more pens to steal!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes.
- Sterilizing equipment: Probably used.
My Greatest Tragedy (and Maybe Yours Too): The Soap Incident
Okay, this is important. The bathroom amenities… they were AMAZING. Luxury soaps, shampoos, conditioners. I immediately fell in love with the body wash. Like, head-over-heels-in-love. I used it liberally. Every day. Multiple times a day. And then… I ran out.
Right before check-out.
And I couldn't find any to buy in the gift shop.
A moment of pure, unadulterated despair. (Yes, I'm dramatic. Sue me.)
Services and Conveniences: (The Little Things That Make a Big Difference)
- **Air conditioning in public areas
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. This is AMANEK Inn Beppu, Japan: A Messy, Emotional, and Probably Slightly Disastrous Adventure. Get ready for ramen-induced food comas, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of me rambling.
Day 1: Arrival (and the existential dread of a new place)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Fukuoka Airport (FUK). Okay, "arrive" is a strong word. More like, stumble out of the airport, blinking in the Japanese sun. I am already questioning my life choices. Did I pack enough underwear? Did I remember to tell the cat I love him? Important things, people.
- 15:00 - Train to Beppu. The Shinkansen is supposed to be amazing, right? Smooth, fast, all that jazz. Right now, it feels like a giant, slightly judgmental metal tube filled with perfectly polite Japanese people. I’m already trying to blend in, which is a recipe for disaster. I'm pretty sure I just stared at a vending machine for five minutes trying to figure out how to buy water. I may have also attempted to bow to a luggage rack.
- 17:00 - Check-in at AMANEK Inn Beppu. Okay, the lobby is gorgeous. Seriously, minimalist chic with a zen garden vibe. My room? Well, it's… compact. Okay, it's tiny. BUT! It has a heated toilet seat. GAME CHANGER. And the view? Overlooking the city, with the mountains in the distance. Okay, maybe I won't hate this. Maybe.
- 18:00 - Onsen Orientation (and Potential Embarrassment). Right. Onsen. Naked time. In a room of strangers. My social anxiety is already screaming. I spend an hour trying to mentally prepare, which involves a lot of deep breathing and promising myself a reward of something delicious after. I make it through, I think I was at least not kicked out, but the feeling of being very out of place is something that will be with me for awhile. I am sure I am bright red.
- 19:30 - Dinner at some random restaurant near the Inn. This is where things get dicey. I spot a restaurant packed with locals and think, "This is authentic! I must experience this!" Turns out, "authentic" translates to "impossible to understand the menu" and "everyone is staring at the bewildered foreigner." I point at something that looks vaguely like noodles and pray. It arrives. It's amazing. SO MUCH RAMEN. I swear, I could feel my arteries clogging with deliciousness.
- 21:00 - Attempted Stroll & Early Night. I try to walk off the ramen coma- but I'm basically a beached whale at this point. I make it about two blocks before deciding that my bed, and the heated toilet seat, are calling my name.
Day 2: Hot Springs and Hot Mess
- 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast buffet is pretty decent, I feel even more out of place, but the view is still the star.
- 09:00 - Hell Tour (Beppu's Jigoku Meguri). Okay, this is the reason I came. Seven hells – boiling mud, blood ponds, all sorts of geothermal weirdness. First Hell: Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell). The water is a terrifying, vibrant red. It's also gorgeous and I think "Oh…This is pretty good". I might have muttered "Wow!" at the top of my lungs. Then the next one, then the next one. Seriously, the sheer power of nature here is awe-inspiring… and also a little bit freaky. I feel strangely emotional seeing those ponds and thinking about the process of making the nature happen.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a local eatery. I'm craving something beyond ramen. I locate a tiny cafe and order something called "Kamaage Udon". It's a HUGE bowl of noodles. I eat the whole thing again, and I am feeling the exhaustion
- 14:00 - Back to the Hotel for a Nap. I cannot stress how important a nap after a hot spring and lunch is.
- 16:00 - Return to Onsen (This Time, Slightly Less Mortified). Ok, I'm starting to get the hang of this onsen thing. I know the drill. Showering beforehand is essential. No ogling. Try to channel my inner zen. I'm still self-conscious, but at least the water is ridiculously relaxing.
- 18:00 - Dinner! I’m suddenly REALLY craving the takoyaki (Octopus balls) that looked so amazing. I manage to find the place again, and I order with great gusto. I watch as my delicious, perfectly-shaped, deep fried, sauce-smothered balls of octopus are made and it's a highlight. The owner is a bit eccentric, clearly, he is not understanding me but I am now very happy.
- 20:00 - Evening Walk (or Attempt Thereof). Still too full for an actual walk. I wander around the area that I can now almost navigate. I contemplate the meaning of life while staring at a vending machine.
- 21:00 - Early Night. Repeat of the Day. Honestly, I'm exhausted. The heated toilet seat is calling.
Day 3: Sayonara, Beppu (and the lingering scent of sulfur)
- 08:00 - Last Breakfast at the Hotel. I eat way too much, because, why not?
- 09:00 - Souvenir Shopping. I need to buy something to take home to prove I survived. I settle on a kitschy Hello Kitty keychain and a tiny bottle of local sake.
- 10:00 - Final Onsen Soak. One last chance to relax before the trek home. I linger in the water, trying to memorize the feeling of warmth on my skin, thinking about how crazy, and amazing the last few days have been.
- 11:00 - Check-out (and Existential Dread Returns). Time to leave. The zen is fading. The reality of returning to real life is setting in.
- 12:00 - Train to Fukuoka Airport. More Shinkansen. More perfectly polite people. More me battling the urge to start singing at the top of my lungs.
- 14:00 - Flight Departure. Goodbye, Beppu! Goodbye, heated toilet seat! Goodbye, my sanity! I look out the window as we take off. This experience was chaotic, exhausting, and the best sort of a mess. I smile, thinking about the ramen, the hells, and the onsen experiences. I survived. I conquered my fears. And maybe, just maybe, I'm not quite as disastrous as I thought.
Post-Trip Reflection:
Would I recommend AMANEK Inn Beppu? Absolutely. Would I recommend this itinerary to anyone else? Well, maybe as inspiration. Because this trip was a wild ride. And, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
This is just the beginning. You can customize this itinerary to your own taste and energy when it comes to the actual travelling.
Escape to Paradise: Batam Island's Best Kept Secret (Planet Holiday Hotel)
Amane Inn Beppu: Ready to Fall in Love (or Maybe Just Get Really, Really Relaxed)? Let's Dive In!
Okay, spill the beans! Why is Amane Inn in Beppu such a big deal? It's just another onsen, right?
Hah! Just *another* onsen? Honey, no. Amane Inn isn't just a place to soak; it's an *experience*. It's like... imagine stumbling upon a secret society of fluffy towels and perfectly-heated water. Beppu itself? It's a geothermal wonderland, steam practically *leaps* out of the ground! Amane Inn just takes that energy and cranks it up to eleven. I mean, you’ve got your traditional indoor onsen, a dreamy outdoor bath, and then, the *piece de resistance*: their private open-air baths. Seriously. *Private*. Think, steaming bliss under a sky full of stars. I almost cried the first time I saw it. Not even kidding. I'm a crier. Especially when travel is involved... and especially when I remember how much I paid for that trip.
What kind of rooms can I expect? Are we talking Spartan, or... Luxurious Spa Experience?
Ah, the rooms. Okay, so the "Spartan" vibe is definitely not in play. Think, minimalist Japanese elegance with all the creature comforts you could want. Tatami mats, sliding paper doors, maybe a little genkan (the entry area – you'll definitely need to take your shoes off – it's a whole *thing*). The size... well, it depends on which room you snag. I'm a sucker for those with a private balcony overlooking the garden. Honestly, it's the perfect spot to sip green tea and silently judge your life choices (in a good way! It’s all part of the relaxation, okay?). And *those* beds? Heavenly. I slept like a baby, a very well-rested baby.
The food! What about the food? I'm assuming it's not all instant noodles...
Oh. My. Goodness. The food. Okay, so, I’m a *massive* foodie. And Amane Inn? They delivered. The cuisine is, of course, Japanese kaiseki – a multi-course dining experience that's basically art on a plate. Imagine tiny bowls of perfectly seasoned everything, fresh seafood, local vegetables, and the most melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef you'll ever taste. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! The presentation is as beautiful as the flavors. The staff, they're so polite and attentive. Try the local delicacies. They have things that will make your taste buds do the cha-cha. It's a splurge, yes, but... (and here’s a secret) – consider it an investment in your happiness. Your stomach will thank you. And you'll definitely Instagram the heck out of it (I did – no shame).
Let's talk about the onsen (hot springs). What's the etiquette? I don't want to make a fool of myself.
Okay, onsen etiquette. Don't panic! It's not rocket science. But it *is* important to respect the customs. You'll undress completely in the changing room (yes, *completely*). There, you'll find lockers or baskets for your stuff. Then, you'll head into the bathing area. You *must* shower before you get into the onsen. They provide little stools and buckets for this. Soap, wash your hair, the whole shebang. Then, *slowly* ease yourself into the hot water. I'm not going to lie, the first time I did this, I was super self-conscious. I was convinced everyone was judging my pale, jiggly bits. They're not. They're too busy relaxing. I’m pretty sure I saw someone reading a magazine! Don't make eye contact, don’t use your phone, and try not to splash. It’s all about quiet contemplation and relaxation. Oh, and you *must* tie your hair up if it's long. I made that mistake... got a mouthful of sulfur-y water. Not cute. Not glamorous. Not worth it.
What makes Amane Inn stand out from other onsen experiences in Beppu?
Alright, so, there are tons of onsen in Beppu. You're swimming in them, literally. But Amane Inn? It's the *vibe*. It’s this beautiful blend of luxury and tranquility. The staff... well, they're like ninjas of hospitality. They anticipate your every need – from fluffing your pillow to knowing when you need another cup of that amazing green tea. The private onsen, I mentioned them, right? That's a game-changer. It's not just a bath; it's an experience. And the food, did I mention the food?! It's the whole package. You feel pampered, refreshed, and utterly, utterly relaxed. It’s the kind of place where you can forget what day it is (and maybe even your name). Which, honestly, sometimes, is exactly what I need. Just remembering, I feel it, I remember the feeling of the perfectly heated water.
Is Amane Inn family-friendly? Or is it more of a romantic getaway kind of place?
Hmm. Okay, so, I wouldn't call it a *specifically* family-friendly place. It's more geared towards couples, solo travelers seeking a zen experience, or small groups of friends. It’s all about peace and quiet. I mean, you *could* bring kids, but I imagine some of the other guests might side-eye you if your toddler starts a screaming match at 7 AM (trust me, I've been there… not at Amane Inn, thankfully!). It’s definitely more of a place for quiet reflection and, you know, avoiding the chaos of everyday life. So, romantic getaway? Absolutely. Family trip? Maybe not the best choice. Unless your family is *really* good at staying… silent and serene.
How do I get to Amane Inn? Transportation tips, please!
Getting to Amane Inn isn't *super* complicated, but it's not like, right off a major train station. From Beppu Station, you can take a taxi (the easiest option, and totally worth it after a long journey). There's a bus service too, but the taxis are so readily available. Just make sure you have the address written down (probably in Japanese, because, you know, Japan). And, trust me, you'll want to book your taxi *in advance* for your departure. Walking? Nope. Not unless you're a masochist who enjoys uphill climbs in the Japanese humidity.
