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Beppu’s Hidden Gems & Highlights: Exclusive Private Minivan Tour
A private minivan half-day with the hells, a steam-cooked lunch in Kannawa and the Bamboo Crafts Center, with lunch and fees included.
US$291 each · US$582 for two · needs a 7-hour call · Pickup at the pier · New listing · 6 reviews
Most listings: no payment today, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Prices are the operator's "from" price as of .
Why we would book this one
- You shop for ingredients with the guide, then steam them over a geothermal vent in Kannawa and eat like a local; lunch is included.
- Oniishibozu and a second hell with red and blue ponds are both included, as is the city's Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center.
- Private transport, bottled water and all fees are included.
Best for: Couples or families who want the hells, the steam lunch and one craft stop with nothing to pay along the way.
What Princess Cruises charges for a day like this in Beppu
A ship’s excursion comes with one promise nothing else can make: the ship waits for its own bus. An independent booking does not, which is why every day on this site is cut to the call with an hour kept before all-aboard. What you get for the difference is usually a smaller group, a start at the pier rather than a coach queue, and free cancellation until the day before.
Princess Cruises prices as shown on its public Beppu excursion page on 25 October 2026, per person, before any sailing-specific change. Tour prices on this page are the operator’s current from price.
Your day, on the 10:00–18:00 call most ships here keep
Times are the window the fitting calls on the official schedule use. Your ship's daily programme wins.
- 10:00Alongside. Half an hour to get off the ship.
- 10:30Off the ship. Pickup at the pier.
- 15:30The tour ends (5 hours). Head back to the gangway.
- 16:30Be back at the gangway. You are back with about 1 h to spare.
- 17:30All-aboard (usually 30 minutes before departure at 18:00). The hour before it is the margin this site always keeps.
Fits 2 upcoming calls on the official schedule, including Diamond Princess (11/20), Eastern Venus (11/21).
Two alternatives
Private car insteadBeppu Guided Private City Tour with TransportUS$275 per person for 2 · US$550 per carPickup at the pierneeds a 7-hour callfits 67% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 17 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Private car insteadBeppu and Yufuin Scenic Private TourUS$283 per person for 2 · US$565 per carPickup at the pierneeds an 8-hour callfits 67% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 14 reviewsWhy it is on this site7 more experiences in Beppu
Each has a page saying why it is listed and who should skip it.
Fits most callsBecome a Local A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen CultureUS$58 each · US$116 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 5-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead4.9★ · 40 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsSteam-filled Streets: A Scenic Stroll in KannawaUS$78 each · US$156 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 6-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h aheadNew listing · 7 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsBamboo Lantern WorkshopUS$26 each · US$52 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 3.5-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead4.9★ · 30 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsCalligraphy Class for Beginners in a Century-old Japanese HouseUS$32 each · US$64 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 3.5-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 21 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsCooking Class: Make a Local Delicacy in a Japanese HouseUS$62 each · US$124 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 4-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h ahead5.0★ · 10 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsPrivate Sound bath Meditation in ocean view house and Beppu onsenUS$83 each · US$166 for twoOcean-view house in Kamegawa, north Beppu; address after bookingneeds a 5-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h aheadNew listing · 8 reviewsWhy it is on this site
Fits most callsArt Workshop with a Local Painter in a Century-old Japanese HouseUS$78 each · US$156 for twoTaxi ~10 min from the shipneeds a 4.5-hour callfits 100% of calls hereFree cancellation 24h aheadNew listing · 6 reviewsWhy it is on this siteWhat could go wrong
5 reviews so far. It meets at Beppu Station unless you arrange hotel pickup, so confirm whether the operator will come to the port. The hells and the steam-kitchen lunch are also easy to do yourself by taxi.
Before you book
What if our ship is late?
The operator's own cancellation terms: "For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time." Tell the guide your all-aboard time when you book and again when you meet; a late arrival is the time to use that margin, not to shorten the hour before all-aboard.
Do we pay now?
Most Viator listings let you reserve now and pay later, and cancel free up to 24 hours before the start. The listing says which applies to this one.
Where exactly do we meet?
Pickup at the pier. The operator's words: Beppu Station, east exit. Pickup is offered; ask for the cruise terminal when you book.
Is it all right for someone who walks slowly?
The operator's listing says: Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health; Suitable for all physical fitness levels. The tour page on this site says who should skip it.
Booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We earn a commission; you pay the same price. It never decides what we recommend, which is why the think-twice section is there.