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.