The Japanese City Where You Can Own a Hot Spring Home

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

I cut out a bunch of footage so it's very likely I'll make a video touring 4 hot spring homes and a bit of Beppu. Any questions? If you happen to be interested in monthly postcards from Japan, please check out my Patreon www.patreon.com/lifewhereimfrom - Greg

[@ashleypierro2284]

I would love to see more video's on Beppu! I visited in 2019, and it was so lovely. I can't wait to visit again someday.

[@misanthropicsophist]

loved this video

[@dia3654]

Would love to see more!

[@arafpv9530]

Great video! I’d think that because onsen water (due to its salinity) would have lower thermal conductivity it would seem less hot than the filtered water in your kettle. I wonder how hot the water actually comes out the ground at! Thanks for the great content!

[@Mikeztarp]

How does Beppu smell?

[@onlyinjapan]

The real jewels of Japan are not in the cities, another shining example, showing where paradise is located.- the open air bathtub! Really enjoyed this one, Greg!

[@etherdog]

John, it is funny you mention Greg's jewels in an open air onsen :-)

[@deanzaZZR]

@@etherdog I believe it was the joint Fukushima trip. 😉

[@jama211]

I find some jewels in cities too to be honest

[@feliciasuharja4466]

I AGREE ! I EVEN WANT TO BUILD MY HOME LIKE THE JAPANESE HOUSES.. WITH ELEVATED PLATFORM TO PUT OUTDOOR SHOES AND THE HOT BATHTUB

[@rainerlovesjapan9468]

We watched this video just now. Fascinating. Great video from Greg.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

If you happen to experience a hot spring home for yourself, Toshiki-san and his wife run a minpaku (guest house) with 2 rooms that has an onsen you can enjoy. Really great value if you're travelling to Beppu hinataya.jp/en/ (not sponsored, I just think the place is fantastic for the price and would love to send some people their way)

[@bgezal]

I learned from my mom that without a thermometer you can always identify 50 C as the maximum temperature you can uncomfortably hold your hand in indefinitely. Any hot water pipe at home must be at least 60 C to prevent bacteria growth in the pipes.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

From my testing that seems right!

[@BarnoSulaiman]

I miss Beppu, my hometown in Japan 😭😭😭 Thank you for making this video!

[@dia3654]

I would love to visit Japan and go to an onsen. I'm afraid I wouldn't leave! Having one in your own home... it just sounds so lovely.

[@Jordan-inJapan]

That was really interesting, Greg. In my area (central Mie prefecture) it seems like if you drill down deep enough, you can often find an onsen, be you have to pump it up to the surface. (I guess many areas in Japan are like this.?) But nothing like in Beppu, with steam rising up everywhere. How appealing to live somewhere like that…it the winter anyway!

[@FNLNFNLN]

Having to pump it may be preferable. Beppu apparently reeks of sulfur because of all the hot springs, and the smell gets into everything. If you're a resident you probably get used to it, but you'll stink to everyone else any time you leave the city.

[@amanichristopher719]

I visited Beppu last week. Its an unbelieveble place

[@Lunalis]

Beppu seems absolutely lovely. Dogen put it on my radar years ago, and it's on the list of cities to visit when the country finally reopens to tourists, stopping through for a day or two before heading on to Kagoshima.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

@@lingostarr6635 Yep, if you're doing a trip around Kyushu, renting a car can be quite handy!

[@deanzaZZR]

Mount Aso is in not too far away with some lovely onsen as well.

[@Narnendil]

If we're talking about Kyuhsu, I can truly recommend Miyazaki prefecture as well. Like the Takachiho gorge and Udo shrine. Personally, Miyazaki and Kagoshima are my favourite prefectures in Japan. (I have visited most prefectures between Kagoshima and Tokyo, on Kyuhsu and Honshu, so I can't compare with other parts of Japan unfortnately.)

[@olivianeale5142]

I love Beppu and I'm so happy to see you went there. I lived in Oita city for years and also regularly went to Beppu as it was very close to my home. If you ever go back and want Canadian/American style pizza, go to Pizza Alto near Beppu station. I would also recommend Coffee Stand Stairs, which is also walkable from Beppu station. And if you're ever after more onsen, the onsen on top of Oita station has spectacular views at sunset and I would 10/10 recommend going. Or try Kurokawa onsen, which is Kumamoto but is delightful. You can't beat the views of Mt Aso.

[@99corncob]

My in-laws had a summer place in Ito, near Atami, that had a similar arrangement with onsen water piped into their house. My father-in-law enjoyes sitting in the tub and enjoying his garden just outside the window.

[@sharoona]

Loved the drone shots 👍🏽

[@Rkiver]

I would love to have a hotspring in my home. I suffer chronic back pain, and relaxing in a bath is something that helps a lot. Having my own private onsen, oooh that'd be nice.

[@mrsmiter]

my friend had one of these in beitou Taipei! it was so cool having a fresh hot spring right there in their own apartment. I had no idea there were other places with built in hot springs :)

[@stephenoverbury1748]

you come across as a nice guy, and share some insight into what is not common knowledge, thank you.

[@MidnightRon]

My Wife and I watched this over breakfast. She showed it to me coz I'm BIG on onsens as well. This was such a good watch! Incidentally I also recently ordered some Hokkaido postcards which arrived the other week, so seeing your postcards at the end is quite the cherry on top. Awesome stuff!

[@cmcdougall808]

My wife and I visited Beppu last month and enjoyed our first ryokan with an Onsen. We loved it. This video explaining what it takes to operate one was very informative. Thank you.

[@Mikeztarp]

Greg, always with the deeper research and the angle I've never seen. You anwser questions I hadn't even thought to ask.

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

This seems really cool, although I’d probably be stressed about the cleaning and maintenance. I love the idea of paying less than a dollar for an onsen, though!

[@endangeredmarmot4518]

I would love to have a home onsen... the Japanese style of bath is a phenomenal way to relax, so I'm not surprised you like one every day - it explains why you're so chill!

[@asitallfallsdown5914]

Geeze. For how expensive it is and the maintenance required, I'd rather just have an Onsen STYLED bathtub/pool that I mineralize myself with additives. Love the steamy aesthetic of the town though.

[@abcdefwong]

Even the "ordinary" Japanese bath set up at your home is something to die for! Wished we had similar options here in Vancouver!

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

You shouldn't do your business in your bathroom anymore because it's the space/room where the bathtub has you should have to get the relaxation without any dirty images or impressions :)

[@willymags123]

Thank you Greg I had no idea that you made postcards I love postcards. Thank you for another great educational video

[@thestarspark2288]

Omg the dream!!! One of the only places I can get a mineral hot spring bath near me in Australia costs $30 for an hour in a public bath, $65 for an 'unlimited' session. $175 for a 45 min private bath. Very expensive!

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

I know the pain. Anything in Canada you can find is incredibly pricey (in comparison to Japan) and generally quite remote.

[@Heckinwhatonearth]

Having a hot spring subscription is one of the most Japanese things i've heard! Great memories of soaking it up in a private home with an onsen in Hakone, i need to go back!

[@JN-nw9gp]

Thank you For The Great Content! I Get So Excited Every time I get a Upload Notification!

[@etherdog]

Greg, it would be really good to see how Japan is, or is not, tapping into its geothermal wealth to create electricity or other energy resources (hydrogen, for example, as Iceland is doing). I know it would be a lot of work to tackle, but you seem like the the intrepid kind of spirit that might do the topic justice.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

A really, quick google search tells me that Japan isn't tapping into geothermal at any significant scale at the moment, despite having the world's third largest reserves. asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Geothermal-hunt-heats-up-in-Japan-from-ski-country-to-hot-spring-areas#:~:text=Japan%20has%20a%20geothermal%20potential,than%20half%20as%20much%20potential.

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

Oh dear, it’s really too bad to hear that. I’d think Japan would be keen to tap into that resource, considering both the financial and climate benefit.

[@ac1455]

Japan really let itself go on sustainability. Not taking advantage of its huge geothermal deposits and shutting down so many nuclear plants

[@NoNameAtAll2]

@@ac1455 not even speaking about population sustainability...

[@GGkkJJQ]

New great content about japan! Never seen it before. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@laziestoldman]

Oof the cleaning looks nightmarish. I'd prefer going out to a public onsen, seems like a nice routine :)

[@beetooex]

I'm sure it's lovely having your own onsen but all that heat could be keeping your house warm. Way more important.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

That's what I was thinking while making this video. Don't they use all the hot water for something beyond bathing? The answer, for the most part, is no. They have a few projects, but basically the water is used for bathing purposes and that's about it. I think the mineral content and accompanying deposit buildup also limits what people will want to practically do with the hot water.

[@theGENIUSofART-understood]

@@LifeWhereImFrom interesting. I wonder if you could run the water through your home like a little river, helping to heat it, or some such scheme!

[@ayatotakema1194]

@@theGENIUSofART-understood you could probably use a water softner but welll uhhhh salt you're gonna need a lot of it

[@theGENIUSofART-understood]

@@ayatotakema1194 what is the salt for?

[@melpinay]

@@theGENIUSofART-understood you use salt to soften hard water

[@mikeed1985]

Hi Greg! Nice meeting you on the air plane! Safe travels and keep up the great work!

[@AudiaciousLife]

Beppu is awesome. We have a house in Kitakyushu so we go over every so often to go to the hot springs. love it.

[@proteinaggie]

Fascinating as always! Thanks for the hard work!

[@dylandualsport1462]

So glad and happy to see you posting again. Would Love to see anther biking around Japan video!! ❤

[@xDomglmao]

Fascinating Thank you so much for this video!

[@KenoBeatZ]

Beppu is a little big Gem of Japan. I loved it there !

[@mxxc]

Would be interesting to know if they use all that hot water for geothermal power generation and home heating? Greg and your sister-in-law make for a great team :)

[@wanaan]

It wouldn't be nearly hot enough for power generation, but definitely plenty for heating.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

As far as I can tell, the answer is pretty much no on both counts. I know they have a geothermal plant that the Suginoi Hotel uses that is 3,000 kW (but that's the only larger one I can find). I've read that residents and onsen operators are wary of geothermal as they don't want anything to have an effect on having the water available for bathing.

[@sliemelela2541]

About the claim that the onsen water is not possibly 50 degrees, since it was easier for you to put your hand in water that is 58 degrees: It could be the case that it is harder to put your hand in 50 degree ‘water’ vs 58 degree ‘water’. It is namely not the same type of water, the onsen water may have way more minerals than the water you had at home. You could compare this to a piece of wood and iron. If you leave both in the sun for a long time, they’ll eventually have the same temperature. However, despite having the same temperature, you will probably burn your hands by touching the iron while your hands would be fine touching the wood (while being the same temperature). So it is not only temperature that matters, but also how fast the heat conducts to your hand. Because if you would leave your hand on the wood long enough, you’d eventually have the same sensation as with the iron case. It simply took longer for the heat to go your hand. I am not sure of this, but it might be the case that the onsen water conducts heat faster, hence it ‘feels’ hotter to the touch (i.e. the heat travelled much faster to your hands). So even though your home experiment showed you being able to put your hand in 58 degree water for longer, it doesn’t necessarily contradict the claim made by the people in Beppu. Great video btw :)) Love your content :))

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

I totally get what you're saying. I don't really think any effect would be different enough to account for such a vast perception difference on my part. I've been in hot springs with lots of different types of mineral content that had thermometers in them, and all with different levels of water movement. I don't think it would account for a 10C difference in temperature perception.

[@sliemelela2541]

@@LifeWhereImFrom Ahh, in that case you are probably right.

[@jama211]

@@sliemelela2541 Yeah I don't think the thermal conductivity is going to change by 30% because of some minerals.

[@jama211]

@@LifeWhereImFrom Well said. It must have been hotter!

[@paulccrimmins]

Aloha 🤙 from Honolulu! Thanks for the great video Greg! And I hope that your family is safe and well 🙏

[@erwin7427]

I think I would... sounds like a very relaxing thing I could easily get addicted to

[@elisagray210]

I was an exchange student in Shimoda-shi, Shizuoka-Ken in the 70s. My host grandmother and family had an onsen in the house. It was great.

[@jafrytvasia9609]

Completely worth it. These are the kind of luxuries one should strive for.

[@JapanImmersion]

Really entertaining video! Didnt even know this was a thing

[@BulukEtznab]

I really hope the soil there isn't too sandy since otherwise it's very likely to cause soil liquefaction during earthquakes, which are relatively frequent in Japan. Sandy, (hot-spring-)water-saturated soil gets "liquified" when the surface earthquake-waves hit it...

[@codeninja100]

What an interesting town and way of life. That guy with enough time to take 3 onsen baths a day is living the dream lol. But with all that steam coming up through the streets it makes me wonder. What is beppu like in the summer?

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

It quickly dissipates into the air, so my guess would be that it doesn't have much of an effect. Also, the really steamy area in Beppu, Kannawa, is only a small portion of Beppu city.

[@olivianeale5142]

As Greg said it dissipates! Beppu isn't any more humid than the other cities nearby, it's hot and humid across the board. It does stink though. You can really smell all the sulphur. Source: I used to go there in summer

[@AnywhereButHome_PinoyAko]

I went to Beppu last week because of the 25-year ferry that is about to be decommissioned but ended up loving the city. Yufuin is also a great place to be.

[@dean43669]

Interesting content Greggu! Thanks for sharing it! Hope you can make more like this. 😊

[@davidsquire2107]

Very informative Greg.

[@SandTiger42]

I miss onsens soooo much. Thanks for the video

[@gwillis01]

Thank you for an interesting, informative video.

[@SweetlyPeachy]

I would love to see how these private onsen are built and what options there are to choose from for the wet rooms! We don't have any options in the US for this stuff and i'd love a wet room with a soaking tub eventually!

[@brunettelegolas4527]

Early gang!

[@AriagaII]

Reppin' 👌

[@__aceofspades]

$70 per month is a lot more expensive than I thought it would cost. It makes me wonder if the city banning drilling was lobbied by the company(s) that are already selling the service. Also the tubs you showed were still quite small, like sitting room only instead of laying all the way back, id want a much bigger tub if I was shelling out $70/m for 15 years.

[@jama211]

They're still bigger than western baths, also the water effect can make them look less deep than they are. They're still far more voluminous than your average bath.

[@liliyaversus4051]

that is so shady, company is now basically a monopoly

[@edbertkhovey]

Lobbying is a American thing, outside of America it's called bribery

[@gabdaste]

I did a student exchange in Beppy back in 2020. I miss this amazing city everyday since!

[@Wyrdwad]

I'm always amazed when I hear people claiming that 43 degrees celsius is hot, and most customers prefer 40 degrees. I live in Tokyo, and I have one of those digital thermometer panels where I can set the temperature of my hot water... and I have it permanently set to 45 degrees celsius. I take a 45-degree shower every night, and a 45-degree bath at least twice per week, and I can't imagine going as low as 40 -- I started off that low, and it just felt kind of ho-hum to me. I guess this is why the last time I went to an onsen, I was like, man, this water feels kind of cool. ;)

[@gm2256]

Great video Greg san :) Arigato gozaimasu

[@codyhjackal2188]

This was genuinely intriguing and had me hooked for the whole video. I personally would of liked to see what other onsen baths are like from a price range, from lowest to highest

[@WhiteWulfe]

If I had the opportunity for such? Ohhhh yeah, I'd definitely be all over that. Who needs a hot tub when you have an actual hot spring? Waaay better.

[@PplsChampion]

bringing new meaning to "streaming subscription"

[@LuckyCatAdventures]

👍thank you, interesting video. 😺 years ago we stayed at the Suginoi Hotel. i knew Beppu was a hot springs town but didn't know you can have it pumped directly into your home

[@rebecavillanueva702]

love your videos!

[@AnthonyStJames-yn8nr]

I live in the tropics where it's close to 30 Celsius year-round. I wish there was a reverse onsen where it spews out ice-cold water straight out of the tap! Kidding aside though, I'd love to have my own private onsen despite the tropical climate from where I'm from.

[@MSmith-Photography]

Another great video!

[@abundantharmony]

08:37 I have that same thermometer. I bet on the back of it there is a button to change fahrenheit or celsius. Interesting odds.

[@moma-b]

Thank you for sharing. 😃

[@francescadulash3511]

That reminds me of Rotorua in New Zealand. They also utilise it for hydronic heating in their homes.

[@clanpsi]

Don't sell yourself short, dude. A couple of the postcard photos you showed were really nice!

[@NickSiekierski]

I like saunas, but I have never tried hot springs, this is another reason to visit Japan.

[@vorlon81]

I love Onsens , Best Concept Ever 🥰

[@liltunwin]

The Demonslayer stamp on the April postcard was cool. As for onsen if it was up to me then it would definitely be a bath set up with more natural materials like rock so even if the mineral deposit builds up, it's not as much of a hassle to keep it clean like new.

[@evolutionxbox]

I wish I had something like this in the UK

[@Aloha8o8Pride]

Beppu Represent!

[@bumpsy]

considering the water temperature: Wouldn't air temperature mess with perception as well? When my hands are cold, even warm water can feel as uncomfortable as hot water with warm hands

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

For an initial reaction, I'd agree, but for prolonged exposure, I'd say no. I've done many dips into hot and cold water and while you may be shocked at first, if it's possible to put your body in the temperature it'll get used to it fast. With this water there was no way I could keep my hand in longer than 2 seconds. Simply too hot.

[@tommoex]

I wonder if the onsen water makes the foundations or the grounds of the houses softer causing damage? But of course who would walk away at the chance of having an onsen in their home.

[@j134679]

Right? I wouldn't walk away either. Just let the descendants know. It'll probably only be a problem long after I'm gone

[@walterloyola1394]

Great video, as always. I am curious though, is home geothermal electrical power a thing in areas like Beppu? I'm sure there's a way to harness that steam into electrical energy for home use. No electricity bill!! My wife would definitely want an in-home onsen. We have a hot tub right now - not the same, but it works.

[@socalgal714]

Would I have a hot spring in my home? Well.... We have a Hot Springs brand hot tub in the backyard so I guess the answer is YES!

[@plainjapan2872]

Hot springs at home are like a dream.

[@minghueileong]

That water looks 🔥!

[@cubessopranista8772]

Haaay!, I miss Arima Onsen. My short travel there 21 years ago was my most unforgettable onsen experience.

[@kavorkaa]

Onsen are wonderful,i tried one first time i went to Tokyo for the first time and i went back every night

[@masterx395]

I have visited Beppu and monkey mountain, nearly got mugged by the monkey muggers on the way up, thanks for the insight, I will definitely look at onsen in a different light from now on.

[@yokiyo1004]

Greg - I assume this was pre-recorded, but wonderfully filmed together with your sister-in-law (?). I didn't realize you had such an affinity to onsen culture. Next time in Japan, I will invite you to one of my favorites in Karuizawa and Kobe. Cheers.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

Yes, I love onsens! Never been to Karuizawa but have been wanting to go.

[@yokiyo1004]

@@LifeWhereImFrom Then you must be my guest. You might enjoy and find content for your channel - imperial history and nature make it a destination.

[@Blztrls]

You can have a hot spring home in Desert Hot Springs in California too. You have to drill down and may need to pump it up.

[@Matando]

This video was great Greg. Where I live in Tennessee we have extremely good quality well and spring water. I've been thinking about having an open air bath built using well/spring water from my property whenever I'm finally able to buy some acreage and build a home. Unfortunately I'm still dirt poor working in retail but maybe some day I'll finally be well off enough to do it. I'll be 30 this year and I've been applying to tech jobs for the past 10 years to put my Linux skills to use but have never had any luck that's a topic for another day, heh.

[@cyclon3s]

gl with that

[@justme-ff4fg]

Someday you Will 😊

[@foxyturbine7114]

Oh wow, amazing. I would love my own personal onsen in my home. Although the trouble with that is, I don't think I'd every get out of it Haha. Great video, Greg. Thanks for sharing!

[@Brandon-qp7gq]

a real onsen bath in your own home? that would be the ultimate luxury!

[@richardtust6355]

9:15 that works but doesn’t because it’s constantly pumping the same hot temp water while you put your hand in still hot water

[@silviastanziola659]

Oh man, I'd be achieving a life goal if I managed to get an onsen at home. I'm the the type that would actually use it every day.

[@Rumade]

Beppu was one of my favourite places I visited in the year I was in Japan. I went in January and it was fantastic... no western tourists because everyone is broke from Christmas, and not many Japanese tourists as they're broke from new years. There's so much to see and the onsen feel amazing in the colder weather. The Jigoku area of the town has all these old school tourist traps but it's so cheap for a ticket that covers them and you get to see a geyser, alligators, red onsen pool, magic bubbling mud. In the local area there's a waterfall you can hike to just north of the town which feels like a feel adventure (but is only really 400m from the road) as you past statues and signs about wild boar. I thoroughly recommend a trip by train to Useki to see the oldest Buddha statues in Japan. And check out Kifune Castle overlooking Beppu- part castle part shrine, the guy who runs it is so funny and engaging.

[@hutduggler]

Looks like a lovely city, nice size. My concern is all that hot water running into the sewers causing the drains to smell.

[@LifeWhereImFrom]

Depends on the area. Some places have more sulphur content, which would smell.

[@koldkilla777]

Plenty homes like this in Niseko, Hokkaido - perhaps even better here though as Niseko has phenomenal skiing/snowboarding.

[@RenManinJapan]

I would love that.. I take my bath at 46°C and my Japanese friends thing I’m crazy.. I love the heat for my bad back.. having the minerals would be awesome

[@milikoshki]

100% I would have this in my house if possible!! So luxurious!

[@cherylsemrau7100]

I would definitely have an onsen in my home. Greetings from Canada. I would love a post card.

[@JayeEllis]

I wish I had an onsen in my home! Honestly, I'd settle for a Japanese-style bathroom! Having the WC separate, and a wet room? Yeah, that's for me!

[@sammyso4940]

Beppu is also famous for having the best fugu (puffer fish) for the cheapest prices! I hope you had a chance to indulge! I remember paying something like 7000 yen for a multi course fugu set when I was there, and it was wayyyyyy better than anything you could get in Tokyo that would cost much more!

[@SnowmansApartment]

how hot something feels also depends on the temperature your hands have. If it was cold, 50° can feel like 70° very easily.

[@ashe1317]

i think what surprised me most is that i've never heard of an anime set in Beppu. every episode would be a hot springs episode! and yet... XD

[@Missmethinksalot1]

Japan is basically a whole other world. No wonder people move there and fall in love.

[@Soloman_Gumball]

Very cool. Must be a popular retirement city.