Beppu Port

Beppu Port is a scenic port located at the inner part of Beppu Bay, on the eastern coast of Kyushu and the western part of the Seto Inland Sea, and has prospered as a strategic hub for Seto Inland Sea transportation. Since its construction began in 1870 (Meiji 3), port facilities have been developed, including designation as a Major Port in 1951 (Showa 26). The city of Beppu, located behind the port, boasts Beppu Onsen, which has Japan's largest hot spring output, and road networks such as the Oita Expressway and the Usa-Beppu Road connecting to various prefectures in Kyushu have also been developed. As a port of call for ferries and passenger ships, it serves not only as the gateway to Beppu, an International Tourist and Hot Spring Cultural City, but also as a gateway for tourism in Kyushu. In March 2011 (Heisei 23), a passenger ship terminal capable of berthing large 140,000-ton class passenger ships began operations in the Ishigaki area, and it has since welcomed numerous cruise ship calls from both domestic and international shipping companies.