Beppu Hell tour
Beppu’s most famous attraction is the ‘Hell Tour’ (Jigoku Meguri)—a spectacular
collection of geothermal hot springs where boiling water and steam bubble
forth violently from deep underground.
Of the seven official hells, five are located in the historic Kannawa district
(about 4 km northwest of Beppu Station), while the remaining two are found
in the more serene, remote Shibaseki district.
The Kannawa District
In this area, five of the spectacular hells are conveniently located within easy
walking distance of each other.
Umi-Jigoku (Sea Hell)
True to its name, Umi-Jigoku resembles a beautiful, sweeping sea. This stunning,
cobalt-blue pond of boiling water reaches a depth of 200 meters and first emerged
over 1,200 years ago following a powerful volcanic eruption.
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Oniishi Bouzu-Jigoku (Shaven Head Hell)
Named the ‘Shaven Head Hell,’ this unique site features large and small
bubbles of boiling gray mud that rise continuously from the ground, perfectly
resembling the shaven heads of Buddhist monks.
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Shiraike-Jigoku (White Pond Hell)
At the ‘White Pond Hell,’ the colorless water that naturally spouts from the
ground mysteriously turns a soft, creamy white as it enters the pond.
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Kamado-Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell)
At the ‘Cooking Pot Hell,’ a bright demon standing atop an enormous cooking
pot serves as the iconic mascot of the site. This fascinating area is divided into
six unique ponds, each featuring its own style of bubbling, steaming, and
boiling thermal waters.
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Oniyama-Jigoku (Monster Mountain Hell)
Also known as ‘Monster Mountain Hell,’ the pure force of the steam produced
at this hot spring is so powerful it could move one and a half train cars.
This dramatic, steam-filled site is also the thriving home to a large variety of
crocodiles and alligators, who happily slither through the warm, geothermally
heated waters.
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The Shibaseki District
While it takes about 5 minutes by car or bus from the Kannawa district, letting our
private car and English-speaking driver seamlessly chauffeur you between these
two areas ensures you won’t waste a single moment of your vacation.
Chinoike-Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
Known as the ‘Blood Pond Hell,’ this striking site features steaming hot, iron-rich
red clay that colors both the water and the steam a deep crimson. It is Japan’s
oldest known natural hell, recorded over 1,300 years ago in the Bungo Fudoki
(Bungo Province Topography) as ‘Akayusen’—the legendary reddish hot spring.
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Tatsumaki-Jigoku (Tornado Hell)
Known as the ‘Tornado Hell,’ this spectacular geyser is a protected natural monument
celebrated for its dynamic power. A geyser is a rare type of hot spring that spouts
boiling water and high-pressure steam upward at regular intervals, putting on a
breathtaking show of nature’s energy.
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