the HELL BAR
Oita - Beppu, Kyushu
Tucked into central Beppu’s lively onsen quarter, The HELL BAR is a compact, characterful music spot that feels like the town’s darker-spirited jukebox—equal parts retro kissaten intimacy and gritty live-music hangout. The name winks at Beppu’s famous “hells,” and the interior leans into that theme with low red lighting, well-worn leather stools, and walls plastered with band posters and vintage record sleeves; it’s the kind of place where vinyl crackle is as important as the drink list. Locals come for late-night sets that range from smoky blues and garage rock to experimental Japanese indie, often curated by the owner-DJ who’s happy to spin an obscure find between live acts. It’s small enough to feel like being let into a secret but welcoming to visitors — perfect for warming up after an onsen crawl or finding a conversation with musicians and regulars. If you want an unpolished, music-first night in Beppu that’s rooted in local taste rather than touristyness, this is the bar to seek out.
Tucked into central Beppu’s lively onsen quarter, The HELL BAR is a compact, characterful music spot that feels like the town’s darker-spirited jukebox—equal parts retro kissaten intimacy and gritty live-music hangout. The name winks at Beppu’s famous “hells,” and the interior leans into that theme with low red lighting, well-worn leather stools, and walls plastered with band posters and vintage record sleeves; it’s the kind of place where vinyl crackle is as important as the drink list. Locals come for late-night sets that range from smoky blues and garage rock to experimental Japanese indie, often curated by the owner-DJ who’s happy to spin an obscure find between live acts. It’s small enough to feel like being let into a secret but welcoming to visitors — perfect for warming up after an onsen crawl or finding a conversation with musicians and regulars. If you want an unpolished, music-first night in Beppu that’s rooted in local taste rather than touristyness, this is the bar to seek out.