The Eight Hells of Beppu

The island nation of Japan is rich with natural hot springs, or onsen.  There are literally thousands of mineral rich onsens all over the country that serve as public bathing areas. Beppu city in Ōita Prefecture is strategically nestled between the sea and mountains, making it a popular spot for its hot springs. Known as the Hells of Beppu or Jigoku Meguri, the bubbling mud pools, steaming ponds of varying hues and other hydrothermal activity makes it a popular attraction in the area.

Take a journey to hell

The Eight Hells of Beppu dot the area around Kannawa and and Shibaseki districts of Beppu City, which are a stones throw away from each other.

Six of the hells are located in Kannawa:

Umi Jigoku

Umi Jigoku, “Sea Hell” – known to be one of the most beautiful among the eight hells. It features a boiling pond as blue as the ocean and ever so tempting to jump into. But don’t be fooled by its tranquility, the gorgeous cobalt blue waters are boiling hot.

Shiraike Jigoku, “The White Pond Hell” – aptly named for its pond of scorching hot milky water.

Yama Jigoku, “Mountain Hell” –  aside from its hot spring, it also features its very own zoo where you can feed various animals.

Oniyama Jigoku, “The Monster Mountain’s Hell” – crocodiles are an added attraction to the boiling pond.

Oniishibozu Jigoku

Oniishibozu Jigoku, “Shaven Monk’s Head Hell” –  named after the mud bubbles from the boiling mud pools that resemble the shaved heads of monks. Beside the mud pools is a foot bath with clean water that visitors can wade on.

Kamado Jigoku, “The Cooking Pot Hell” – this site features several boiling ponds and a demon statue of a cook. Visitors can enjoy lapping up hot spring water from one of the grounds. Once getting your fill of drinking you can have a luxurious hand and foot bath and have a snack while at it with food steamed from the hot spring itself.

The other two hells are located at the Shibaseki district:

Tatsumaki Jigoku, “Spout Hell” – know for the boiling geyser that erupts every 30-40 minutes and lasts anywhere from 6 to 10 minutes. There is a stone plate above the geyser the stops it from reaching its full height.

Chinoike Jigoku, “The Blood Pond Hell” – this particular onsen in Beppu stands out for its unique appearance. Its waters are a scorching 78 degrees Celsius, more suitable for cooking rather than bathing. Its boiling waters are rich in iron oxide, giving the pool its characteristic blood red color.

All that Beppu has to offer

Aside from the Jigoku Meguri, Beppu Beach Sand Bath is another attraction worth trying. The sand is heated by waters rich in sodium-hydrogen carbonate that is said to have many health benefits.

Bamboo handicrafts are also a popular item of Beppu. The bamboo used for Beppu handicrafts is mandake bamboo that principally grows in Ōita. This type of bamboo is perfect for basket making. Other varieties of bamboo such as gomadake, henon and black bamboo are also used.

There are eight fundamental techniques used in the creation of the vast range of bamboo goods from Beppu. The bamboo craft of Beppu remains to be a popular souvenir and an important local craft up until today.

When travelling to Japan, the “Hells of Beppu” and all of what Beppu has to offer make it a must see place.