From the outside, the building is admittedly unremarkable - all concrete and main road. But step through the doors and something rather magical happens. The lobby opens up to a wall of glass and suddenly there it is: the vast, shimmering expanse of Beppu Bay, stretching out so far that sky and sea seem to merge into one. Perched right on the coastline of Japan's undisputed onsen capital, this is a contemporary resort that takes the region's 1,300-year bathing heritage and gives it a decidedly modern twist.
Every room has its own private open-air hot spring bath overlooking the water, the communal onsen on the ground floor sits so close to the ocean it's been nicknamed the "zero-metres-above-sea-level bath", and there are three distinct restaurants championing Oita Prefecture's exceptional produce. It's not a traditional ryokan in the tatami-and-futon sense, but the spirit of omotenashi runs deep, and the staff set the tone from the moment they hand you a welcome drink on the waterfront terrace.
Amane Resort Seikai can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Japan trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Japan trips featuring Amane Resort Seikai or get advice and suggestions from one of our Japan specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Amane Resort Seikai start from around $310, or US$310, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Welcome to Japan's gloriously unpolished onsen capital where steam billows from every alleyway and meals are prepared in volcanic vents.
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