Beppu Park

Beppu Park spreads across the centre of the city as a rare breathing space amid one of Japan's most geothermally active towns. Centuries-old red pines and roughly 700 black pines give the park a stately, unhurried character, while ponds, bamboo groves, and a plum orchard invite leisurely wandering. Come spring, around 100 Somei Yoshino cherry trees join the plum blossoms to create one of Oita Prefecture's gentler (and less crowded) flower-viewing settings.

When to go

The park is open around the clock every day, so early mornings offer a particularly peaceful experience regardless of season. Late winter brings plum blossom, followed by cherry blossom in spring. The ancient pine canopy ensures the grounds remain worth visiting well beyond the flowering season, offering cool shade in summer and quiet texture through autumn and winter.

“Good sized park with plenty of fun winding trails with different landscapes that evolve with the seasons. Good place for walkers and runners that have both steady and alternating slopes depending on the trail you take. One of my favorite sections is the mini bamboo forest. It is nice and tall and is thoughtfully landscaped with intentional maple trees placed in between. Well worth a visit if you”— Richard Navarro, Google review