AMANEK Beppu vs Onyado Nono: Which Onsen Stay Fits Your Trip?

If you have narrowed your Beppu Station stay to AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE and Onyado Nono Beppu, the deciding question is how you want to bathe. AMANEK puts the emphasis on a high-floor outdoor bath with a documented free-flowing supply, plus an in-room half-open-air bath in one named suite. Nono is closer to the station and lets every guest try seven private baths on a first-come basis; five use natural hot-spring water, while two are silky baths.

Both are city hotels with natural hot springs, and either can work for an evening soak followed by a morning one. Their facilities are not interchangeable, though. AMANEK is the clearer pick for the view and a specifically identified free-flowing bath. Nono is better suited to a late return or a couple hoping to bathe together without booking a premium room. For more nearby options, see the Beppu Station onsen hotel comparison; families with young children may prefer the Beppu family onsen hotel guide.

The practical differences

AMANEK also has a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Beppu Bay and the city. It is a swimsuit facility, not an onsen, so it should not be counted as another hot-spring bath.

Image: AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE, official onsen page.

At AMANEK, the bath matters more than the room category

AMANEK is an easy walk from the station. Its real distinction is the way the baths are supplied, and the view from the 14th floor. The hotel describes the indoor bath as recirculated and the outdoor bath as free-flowing. A private half-open-air bath with free-flowing spring water is also available in the Japanese Spa Suite.

That makes the upgrade decision fairly specific. Guests in standard rooms can already use the 14th-floor baths, including the outdoor one. The suite buys privacy: you can soak in your room instead of using a shared bathing area. At 52 square metres, it has four beds and two futons for up to six guests. The in-room bath is described as a natural hot spring, with water added and heated as needed.

The rooftop infinity pool is a separate experience. Swimwear is required; the pool is not spring-fed. Public-bath hours are 3 p.m.–midnight and 6–10 a.m. If you expect to return at 1 a.m. and still want a public soak, AMANEK’s schedule will not fit that plan. Tattoo guidance for the 14th-floor public baths and the Spa Suite should be confirmed with the hotel before booking a non-refundable rate.

Nono offers private baths without a room upgrade

Nono is about a minute from JR Beppu Station, which makes a difference in heavy rain or with a large suitcase. Its gender-separated 13th-floor public baths use the hotel’s own Beppu spring and include indoor and outdoor bathing. They are open from 3 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day; the sauna closes from 1 to 5 a.m.

The seven private baths are a mix, not seven natural springs. Kannawa, Shibaseki, Hamawaki, Kamegawa and Kankaiji use natural hot-spring water. Horita and Myoban are silky baths. Each is first-come, first-served, and guests are asked to keep a visit to about 45 minutes. You can try one without booking a special room, but there is no guaranteed slot at the hour you want.

For couples, that is a useful middle ground between sharing a public bath and paying for a private onsen suite. It works best when your schedule has some flexibility. If you only have a short window before dinner, do not treat the private bath as a confirmed reservation.

Image: Onyado Nono Beppu’s official spa page.

Nono’s published tattoo policy generally excludes guests with tattoos from the public baths. A small tattoo may be accepted if it is completely covered by the hotel’s 8 × 10 cm cover sticker. The private baths are not listed as a blanket exception, so ask the hotel directly if the sticker will not cover yours.

The spring-water details, bath by bath

AMANEK lists two sources. Its “AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE Onsen” supplies the 14th-floor baths and the Japanese Spa Suite. The hotel identifies that source as a bicarbonate spring. A separately named “AMANEK Onsen” has a listed pH of 7.0; that figure should not be transferred to the first source. Exact bath temperatures are not published in the source details used here, so they are not estimated.

Ratings at a glance

These editorial scores are a quick comparison, not a promise of a particular room or night’s experience. The facilities and rules above are more useful when choosing a room.

Choose around the way you will use the baths

For a couple hoping to bathe together: Nono is the more economical route if you can be flexible about timing. The private baths do not require a room upgrade, but they may be occupied. Choose AMANEK’s Japanese Spa Suite when having a private natural bath in the room is worth the higher room rate.

For a late arrival: both can work around 10 p.m., but the closing time is different. AMANEK’s public baths close at midnight; Nono’s remain open overnight until 10 a.m. That extra window helps after a late flight, a long dinner or evening plans.

For tattoos: Nono publishes a cover-sticker rule for the public baths. If your tattoo is larger than the sticker or you need to use a private bath, ask before booking. Do not assume AMANEK follows another hotel’s policy.

If you only need an affordable room and a natural public bath: these two may offer more than you need. Compare the budget onsen stays in Beppu. Travellers looking for a detached luxury ryokan with private onsen and kaiseki should instead compare the higher-end Beppu ryokan options.

Before you book

Sources and booking links

• AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE: onsen and public-bath information
• AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE: rooms
• AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE: facilities
• Onyado Nono Beppu: public and private baths, hours and tattoo policy
• Onyado Nono Beppu: access
• Check AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE availability
• Check Onyado Nono Beppu availability

Booking links may include affiliate tracking. If you book through one, the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.