Beppu, city in Japan, on northeastern Kyushu Island, in eastern Oita Prefecture on Beppu Bay. Beppu is about 15 km (about 9 mi) northwest of Oita, the prefectural capital. Primarily a resort town, Beppu is known for its more than 3000 hot springs called jigoku (hells). Beppu's spas annually attract as many as 12 million visitors, who bathe in the steamy medicinal waters or immerse themselves in the bubbling mud pools and hot sands. The naturally occurring steam is used to heat homes, greenhouses, and other buildings in the city. Beppu has hundreds of lodging accommodations, including small Japanese-style inns called minshuku. The main streets of Beppu cater to tourists, with many souvenir shops and restaurants. Beppu is also a harbor for fishing vessels in Beppu Bay. The city is the seat of the Medical Institute of Bioregulation, operated by Kyushu University, and the Geophysical Research Station, operated by Kyoto University. Population (1999) 125,622.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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