Have you ever imagined visiting the Hell Lakes, bathing in traditional hot springs, and even participating in an African Safari in Japan? Today we will talk about the famous city of Beppu and its 7 Jigoku Meguri.
Beppu (別府市) is a city located in Oita Prefecture, with the largest number of hot springs in Japan. The city was built from scratch, aiming to attract tourists, and was one of the most sought-after destinations in the 19th century.
The city has 126,000 inhabitants, with an area of 125 km², and is known for its large number of onsens, providing various medicinal baths and unusual tours.
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My experience in Beppu
Beppu is one of the most famous cities in the Kyushu region, I personally had the chance to visit it for 2 days and I can say it is a must-visit destination for anyone going to the Kyushu region.
I stayed for 2 days, one day was enough to visit the African Safari and see all 7 jigoku that we will mention throughout this article. I stayed at a very good hostel called Beppu Hostel U & T which offers private rooms with bathrooms, as well as free drinks and bicycles.
I had the chance to visit the oldest onsen in the city and see how the local people are more communicative. I also bought a shirt that says “every day is hell” [毎日が地獄です] for only 1900 yen.
I suggest getting the bus pass at Beppu station. I ended up delaying and couldn’t get it in time before the Safari, I had to pay more using the IC Card.
Steam in the City of Beppu
Beppu is a place full of steam. The main reason for the city’s fame is that it has the largest volume of hot springs in the world, resulting in a lot of steam. Beppu has 2,909 hot spring openings within the city limits.
This is about 10% of all hot spring openings in Japan. If you look at the city from the outside on a cool day, you will see steam coming out of half of the buildings in the city.
Even the street manholes emit smoke, and you can smell the strong odor of sulfur in the city, which, if you are unfamiliar, smells like fart.
The city also has a university known as Asia Pacific University. A very rare school, with almost half of the students being foreign.
Unlike most cities in Japan, which are full of elderly people, Beppu has a youthful and touristy environment full of shopping malls and attractions.
Sand Baths
Beppu has so much hot water that it literally bubbles black sand on the city’s beaches. Several onsens in the city offer a service that will dress you in a Yukata and bury you in the hot sands of Beppu beach.
Some baths offer extremely wet and hot sand, while others offer dry sand like the Hyotan Onsen.
Read also: Yukata – the Japanese clothing for summer
Onsen Food
Several restaurants and attractions in Beppu use hot spring water to cook a variety of foods. The locals consider it healthy because the food absorbs the rich minerals from the hot springs.
The onsen water itself is also used as an ingredient in a wide variety of snacks and desserts sold in local gift shops.
Some onsens offer the option for you to cook your own eggs and other foods in the hot spring water. It can also be found outside the bathhouses.
African Safari and Monkeys
In Beppu, you can take an African Safari on a kind of bus where you can feed lions, elephants, bears, and various other animals.
At the Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari, you can also find hyenas, tigers, leopards, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, and various deer-like animals.
In the park, you will also find a place where you can play with kangaroos and feed them, as well as other animals like ponies, cats, and dogs.
Another popular place in Beppu is the Takasakiyama monkey park, which incredibly has 10% of all the snow monkeys in Japan. You will encounter over 1500 monkeys.
Beppu is also surrounded by mountain trails. The best ones lead to deep hot springs in the forest. They are naturally a konyoku. (natural hot spring, without gender division.)
Takegawara Onsen
Opened in 1879, Takegawara Onsen is not only the oldest but also one of the most famous onsens in Beppu. This onsen is known for its historical architecture, which reflects traditional Japanese style and creates an atmosphere of tranquility and nostalgia.
The building of Takegawara Onsen is an attraction in itself, with its Meiji-style roof and elegant facade. The traditional bath has followed the same traditional molds since its opening, there are no showers, only a pool with extremely hot water that exceeds 45 degrees.
Takegawara also offers a sand bath for around 1500 yen with Yukata. The sand is moist and quite hot, usually the sand bath gets crowded and it is necessary to make a reservation.
The 7 Hells of Beppu – Jigoku Meguri
Beppu is particularly famous for the hot springs known as “Jigoku Meguri” or “Hells of Beppu”. These are seven natural hot springs, each with distinct and fascinating characteristics.
For visitors, there is the option to buy a combined ticket that allows access to all seven Jigoku for 2,100 yen for adults. Alternatively, one can visit each Jigoku individually, with an entrance fee of 450 yen per location.
5 of these springs are located close to each other and are accessible by walking. The other two are located 2 kilometers away and require a 20-minute bus ride.
Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)
“Umi Jigoku”, or “Sea Hell”, is famous for its turquoise blue water that resembles a tropical ocean. This Jigoku has a temperature of about 98°C and was formed over 1,200 years ago due to a volcanic eruption.
Oniishibozu Jigoku
Oniishibozu Jigoku gets its name from the resemblance of the bubbles emerging from the gray water to the shaved heads of Buddhist monks. This location offers a unique view of nature in action, with its bubbling waters.
Kamado Jigoku (Cauldron Hell)
Kamado Jigoku, or “Cauldron Hell”, is characterized by several pools of different colors and temperatures. The area also features a statue of a demon, symbolizing the kitchen of hell.
Oniyama Jigoku (Demon Mountain Hell)
Oniyama Jigoku is famous for its powerful water flow, which is so strong that it can drag large stones. This Jigoku is also known for creating a habitat for a large number of crocodiles.
Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell)
Shiraike Jigoku is known for its milky and tranquil water. The water temperature is a bit lower compared to other Jigoku, but its serene appearance and the surrounding vegetation offer a picturesque setting. Here you will also find an aquarium with various types of fish.
Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell)
Chinoike Jigoku, known as “Blood Pond Hell”, is one of the most photogenic, with its red water due to the presence of iron oxides. This Jigoku, with its unique color and rich history, is one of the oldest in the area.
Tatsumaki Jigoku (Geyser Hell)
Tatsumaki Jigoku stands out for its geyser, which erupts regularly every 30-40 minutes. This natural hot spring is a spectacular demonstration of geothermal activity in the area.
Yama Jigoku (Mountain Hell) – Extra
It is not part of the 7 Jigoku but is very close to Umi Jigoku!
Yama Jigoku is unique due to the variety of small animals, such as monkeys and hippos, that live on the premises. The area is more than just a hot spring, offering a zoo experience amidst hot vapors.
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