- published: 16 Jul 2010
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Beppu (別府市, Beppu-shi?) is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. As of January 1, 2011, the city has an official population of 125,664 and a total area of 125.13 km², with a population density of 977 persons per km².
Beppu is a tourist town sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. The city was founded on April 1, 1924, and is famous for its onsen (hot springs).
Beppu contains nine major geothermal hot spots, which are sometimes referred to as the "nine hells of Beppu". Seven of these are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district. Beppu is also divided into eight major hot spring areas known as Beppu Hattō (別府八湯?).
Beppu is part of the course of the annual Beppu-Ōita Marathon, which traces a path between Beppu and its neighbouring city of Ōita. The competition has been held every year since 1952 and is classed as an IAAF Silver Label road race.
Since the 1980s, Beppu has had a sex museum, Beppu Hihokan, which commemorates the resort town's sex industry with waxwork exhibits. The Hihokan was founded by an aficionado of sex-related artifacts, many of which are on display.