Unzen Jigoku

 

Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar 

smell of sulfur emitted from the springs, and with white smoke rising from

the ground over a wide area. This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano

is still very much alive.

 

These springs are highly valued by Japanese even now as according to

Buddhist teaching,  “If you live in a bad manner, you cannot go to Paradise,

but rather, you will fall into the Hell of agony”.

 

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Unfortunately, this was once put into reality nearly 350 years ago during

the time of religious persecution in Japan.  30 Japanese Christians,

failing to renounce their faith met  their death here in the scalding spring

of Jigoku.