Yufuin, Beppu, Sapporo Brewery

Yufuin, Beppu, Sapporo Brewery, 9h 30m, rated 4.7 across 51 traveller reviews.

Overview

This day trip from Fukuoka packs three very different Kyushu experiences into about nine and a half hours: the steaming geothermal pools of Beppu, the onsen town of Yufuin, and then a choice of two second-half routes. The Brewery Course heads to the retro merchant alleys of Mamedamachi in Hita, a tasting stop at the Sapporo Kyushu Hita Brewery, and the Attack on Titan museum in the creator's hometown. The Dazaifu Course instead gives you a longer, slower stay in Yufuin and finishes at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

Both routes open the same way. The bus leaves from HEARTS Bus Station Hakata or Fukuoka Central Post Office in Tenjin, pauses at a service area, then stops at Kamado Jigoku or Kannawa for a short look at Beppu's steaming hells. After that comes the shared heart of the day: free time in Yufuin, where reviewers repeatedly say the time allowance felt generous, with plenty of cafes, shops and onsen to choose from.

The Brewery Course suits pop-culture fans and beer drinkers who want something off the usual tourist path. The Dazaifu Course works better for photographers and anyone who prefers shrines, gardens and mountain views over anime. Transport and a multilingual guide are included; meals, admission fees and personal expenses are not. Departures are guaranteed with no minimum group size.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Departure from FukuokaChoose between HEARTS Bus Station Hakata or Fukuoka Central Post Office in Tenjin as your starting point, then ride about 1.5 hours with a 10-minute break at Kusu Service Area.
2. Beppu hot springsSpend 15 minutes at Kamado Jigoku, with an optional 15-minute stop at Kannawa, to see steam rising from the multicolored geothermal pools.
3. Yufuin free timeEnjoy 2 hours of free time in the onsen town for shopping, cafes and lakeside walks. The Dazaifu Course allows a longer stay of 3 hours, and Mount Yufu can be sighted along the way.
4. Route splitBrewery Course: 1 hour at Mamedamachi's retro alleys, then 25 minutes at Sapporo Beer Museum and 15 minutes at the Attack on Titan in HITA Museum ANNEX, both optional stops. Dazaifu Course: 70 minutes at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
5. Return to FukuokaRide about 1.5 hours back to either HEARTS Bus Station Hakata or Fukuoka Central Post Office. Times are estimates and may shift with traffic or weather.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, drawn from the listing and from what multiple travellers reported afterwards.

• Pace and walking. The day is long, roughly nine and a half hours door to door, with several short stops rather than one long visit. Reviewers often mention that the time given at each spot felt sufficient.
• Group feel. Several travellers described the group as small enough to feel personal, riding in a smaller van or bus where conversation was easy. Guides accompany the group in English, Korean and Chinese, and reviewers often praise explanations that were easy to understand.
• Food and drink. Meals are not included, so budget for lunch during the free time in Yufuin. Multiple reviews highlight that the guides give good restaurant recommendations, both on the tour and around Fukuoka.
• Extra costs. Admission fees and activity charges are not covered by the tour price. Any entries at the Beppu hells, museums or other stops are paid separately.
• Weather shifts. The itinerary can be adjusted for traffic or weather, and Japanese law caps vehicle operation at 10 hours. One group reported the route being pivoted during a mild typhoon while still covering everything, so stay flexible.
• Brewery closures. On certain dates in 2026 the Sapporo Brewery is closed and that time goes to the Attack on Titan Museum instead. Travellers on those dates can visit the museum, reschedule, or take a full refund.

Common issues. The tour does not include hotel pickup; you must meet at HEARTS Bus Station Hakata or Fukuoka Central Post Office. Meals, admission fees, activity charges and insurance are all extra. Times are estimates and can change with traffic, weather or season, and Japanese law limits the vehicle to 10 hours of operation. One reviewer wished for more time in Beppu itself, since the stop there is short and focused on the geothermal site rather than the wider city. Infants travel free but no seat is provided, and you should tell the operator in advance about strollers or wheelchairs.

Common Questions