- Hells of Beppu - Umi Jigoku -

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The "hells" (地獄, jigoku) of Beppu are seven spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing. They are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion, which might not appeal to everybody. Five of the hells are located in the Kannawa district and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

 

Kannawa District

Umi Jigoku

One of the more beautiful hells, the "sea hell" features a pond of boiling, blue water. In its spacious gardens, there are a few smaller, orange colored hells and a clear water pond with lotus flowers whose large leaves are strong enough to carry small children.

Oniishibozu Jigoku

This hell is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks. There is also a foot bath with clear water. Adjacent to the hell is a public bath with multiple pools that costs an additional 620 yen.

Shiraike Jigoku

True to its name, the "white pond hell" features a pond of hot, milky water. The pond is surrounded by a nice garden and a small, run-down aquarium that has seen better days.

Kamado Jigoku

The "cooking pot hell" features several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as cook. On the grounds, visitors can drink the hot spring water, enjoy hand and foot baths, inhale the hot spring steam and try various snacks cooked or steamed by the hot spring.

Oniyama Jigoku

A large number of crocodiles are bred and kept on the grounds of the "monster mountain hell".

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Shibaseki District

Chinoike Jigoku

The "blood pond hell" features a pond of hot, red water and a large souvenir shop. It is one of the more photogenic hells.

Tatsumaki Jigoku

The "spout hell" features a boiling hot geyser, which erupts every 30-40 minutes for about 6-10 minutes. A stone plate above the geyser hinders it to reach its full height. A short walking trail leads up the forested slope in the back of the hell grounds.