Recognising the growing importance of tourism for Oita, in Kyushu’s north-eastern region, there are five new hotels opening in this exciting prefecture, which is becoming known for its numerous onsen, spectacular landscape and outdoor activities, cultural attractions and regional culinary offerings.
Galleria Midobaru https://beppu-galleria-midobaru.jp was the first of the new hotels to welcome visitors. This 35-room boutique hotel opened in December 2020. Located in Beppu, one of the Prefecture’s most visited destinations, the hotel is conveniently situated close to several well-known Onsen.
Beppu will also be home to two other hotels, the Hotel Amanek Beppu and the Hoshino resorts KAI Beppu which will open over the next few months.
Hotel Amanek Beppu will take on a distinctly neighbourhood focus inviting guests to immerse themselves in the local surroundings.
The 70-room, Hoshino Resorts KAI Beppu will be Hoshino’s third hotel on Kyushu with KAI being the brand of their upscale boutique hot spring ryokans. The hotel will overlook Beppu Bay with all rooms facing the ocean. The interior will be designed to reflect the region incorporating cobblestone “alleyways” illuminated by Japanese lanterns and the hotel will incorporate local artworks and textiles including Bungo tie-dyed fabrics.
The Ariston Hotel Oita will open in Oita City, the Prefecture’s capital, in Japan’s spring. It will be conveniently located near the city’s transport hub, the JR Oita station and will provide easy access to shopping. It is also the gateway to other major attractions in Beppu and Yufuin.
The other new property is the GRANDVRIO HOTEL Beppuwan Wakura which is expected to open its doors in Japan’s summer.
The collection of new hotels will cater to the growing interest from Australian travellers to Japan looking to explore lesser-known regions of the country. Oita is easily accessible with direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya and the Shinkansen (bullet train) into nearby Fukuoka making it a perfect stopover on a Japan itinerary.
