A recommended itinerary for visiting 7 hell spots in the hot spring paradise of Beppu, Oita

There are hot springs spouting out all over the town of Beppu, but there are only seven that have been turned into tourist spots. Here is a recommended itinerary for touring the hells, which will take you to all of them in one day and allow you to enjoy the hot springs as well. Each one has its own unique charm, so try to visit them all and find your favorite hell.

What is Hell Tour?

It was more than 1,000 years ago that the Beppu Hell Tour came to be called "Hell." Even back then, steam, hot mud, and boiling water would spew out from the area, and it is recorded in the Bungo Fudoki that the area was loathed by the people.

The Hell Tour is a course that takes you around the seven hells: Sea Hell, Oniishi Bozu Hell, Kamado Hell, Oniyama Hell, White Pond Hell, Pond of Blood Hell, and Tatsumaki Hell. Each has its own unique point that gives you a different feeling of "hell," so be sure to compare them all.

The admission fee to each hell is 450 yen, and a combined admission ticket that allows you to enter all seven hells costs 2,200 yen. If you plan to visit all the hells, it is more economical to purchase the combined admission ticket. *The price has changed from February 1, 2023.

Access from Oita Airport to Hell Tour

If you are traveling from Oita Airport, first head to JR Beppu Station. If you are taking a bus, take the Oita Airport Access Bus to JR Beppu Station, which takes about 51 minutes and costs 1,500 yen. Once you arrive at JR Beppu Station, take the Kamenoi Bus from the bus stop in front of the station to "Umi Jigoku-mae," the starting point of the tour of hell.

Beppu's hell is roughly divided into two areas, the Sea Hell area and the Blood Pond Hell area, with the area being about 3km apart, so it is recommended to visit the Sea Hell area, which is at the back from JR Beppu Station, first.

If you want to travel freely outside of visiting the hells, renting a car is one option. If you do rent a car, it will take about 50 minutes from Oita Airport to Beppu city, which is roughly the same time as taking the bus.

Recommended way to visit Beppu Hell

The Seven Hells are all relatively close to each other and it takes about two and a half hours to see all seven, so you can visit them all in one day.

Transportation options include rental cars, local buses, and scheduled sightseeing buses. If you want to explore at your own pace, rental cars and local buses are best. If you are touring by rental car, you can start from either the Sea Hell area or the Blood Pond Hell area. There are free parking lots at each hell, so you don't have to worry about parking.

If you use a local bus, when you arrive at the bus stop "Umi Jigoku Mae," first go to Umi Jigoku and Onishibozu Jigoku. After that, go to Kamado Jigoku → Oniyama Jigoku → Shiraike Jigoku in that order. The trick is to make a course that goes from the top of the hill to the bottom. After that, get off at the bus stop "Chi no Ike Jigoku Mae," about 7 minutes from the bus stop "Kannawa," and go to Chi no Ike Jigoku and Tatsumaki Jigoku.

On a regular sightseeing bus, you can visit all the hells in about 3 hours while listening to explanations from a bus guide. Reservations are required, but since it runs every day, it is recommended for those who want to go around easily without having to worry about waiting for the bus.

(1) Umi Jigoku: A beautiful cobalt blue hell

The first place you should visit is Sea Hell, the largest of the hells. There are many other things to see here besides the hell itself, so we recommend setting aside a lot of time to explore.

The highlight is of course Sea Hell. As the name suggests, this cobalt blue hell looks cool, but the temperature is an astounding 98 degrees, and the hot spring is said to be 200 meters deep. The color of this pond, which looks as if paint had been poured into it, is said to be due to iron sulfate dissolved in the hot spring.

There are plenty of things to see on the premises, including greenhouses and foot baths. There is also a wide selection of hell gourmet food, including hot spring eggs boiled directly in the waters of Umi-jigoku and hell steamed pudding, which are perfect for filling your stomach.

Sea Hell

Approximately 1 minute walk

(2) Oniishibozu Hell: A peaceful and calming hell

Like Umi Jigoku, Onishibozu Jigoku is located at the top of Ideyuzaka, where many other hells gather. It was a popular tourist spot during the Meiji period, but was closed in the late 1950s. However, in response to calls for its revival, it was reopened in 2002.

Oniishi Bozu Jigoku got its name from the fact that the boiling grey mud resembles a shaved head. It's not flashy, but watching the grey mud bubbling up incessantly is naturally soothing to the soul.

At this Jigoku, you can enjoy fluffy and juicy steamed buns, such as the "Kamirijidori Manju," which uses Oita's local brand chicken.

The foot bath is also spacious, so you can warm up slowly.

It is also the only one of the Seven Hells that has a hot spring facility attached, making it the perfect place to soothe your travel fatigue. If you choose to soak in the hot spring, it is a good idea to allow a little extra time.

Onishibozu Hell

About 5 minutes walk

(3) Kamado Jigoku: Enjoy a variety of different types of hell

Kamado Jigoku is a 5-minute walk from Umi Jigoku and Onishibozu Jigoku.

There are different types of hell from 1st to 6th block on the premises, such as the blue hell in 3rd block and the reddish brown hell in 6th block. You can see many different types of hell, which should give you an even more fascinating experience of hell.

At Kamado Jigoku, there is also a corner where you can drink the hot spring water and bathe in the steam. It is said to have beauty and health benefits, so if you are interested, please give it a try.

Another feature is the well-stocked food corner, and you must try the gourmet foods unique to Kamado Jigoku, such as hot spring century eggs (hell steamed eggs), Oita's specialty Ishigaki manju, and soy sauce pudding.

Furnace Hell

Approximately 1 minute walk

(4) Oniyama Jigoku: Surrounded by steam, commonly known as "Crocodile Hell"

Oniyama Jigoku is also known as Crocodile Hell. It is called Crocodile Hell because there are many crocodiles living here, surrounded by steam from hot springs.

There are about 80 animals kept there, including crocodiles and alligators. Oniyama Jigoku, which started raising crocodiles in 1923, is said to be the first place in Japan to do so. By using the heat from the hot springs, both the water temperature and the air temperature can be kept high throughout the year, which is said to be the perfect environment for crocodiles, which often live in tropical and subtropical regions.

The crocodiles are usually docile, but when it's time to feed them, they completely change and a scene reminiscent of "hell" unfolds. You'll be amazed to see the crocodiles all jumping at the meat, splashing water everywhere. Feeding takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00. If you want to see the spectacular feeding, try to come at this time.

Demon Mountain Hell

About 2 minutes walk

(5) Shiraike Jigoku: A quaint sight with a Japanese garden

Shiraike Jigoku, a designated national scenic spot, is an elegant hell with a different appearance from other hells, with a pale blue pond nestled in a Japanese-style garden. When the hot water erupts, the transparent hot water turns bluish white due to the temperature and pressure, creating this beautiful sight.

Shiraike Jigoku may look peaceful, but there is another reason why it is called hell. In fact, this hell has a "Tropical Fish Museum" that utilizes the heat from the hot springs, and is home to about 20 types of large tropical fish, including the carnivorous piranha and the pirarucu, also known as a "living fossil." Some pirarucu, said to be the world's largest freshwater fish, can reach a total length of 1.7 meters.

The tropical fish house, with its charming garden and its gigantic, ferocious fish, is not just beautiful, but also has a contradictory charm.

White Pond Hell

Approximately 6 minutes by bus

(6) Pond of Blood Hell: The bright red scene is a picture of hell

After enjoying the five hells - Sea Hell, Oniishibozu Hell, Kamado Hell, Oniyama Hell, and Shiraike Hell - take the Kamenoi bus from the Kannawa bus stop, get off at Chinoike Hell, and head to the Chinoike Hell area.

There are two hells in the Chinoike Jigoku area: Chinoike Jigoku and Tatsumaki Jigoku. Chinoike Jigoku is the oldest natural hell in Japan, having existed for over 1,300 years.

It is said that the reason it is red is due to the accumulation of red hot mud containing iron oxide, magnesium oxide, etc. that have undergone chemical reactions underground at high temperatures. The sight of steam rising from the 78 degree hot water, dyed red, is a scene straight out of hell. It has an eerie atmosphere. You can take some hell-like photos, so don't forget to take some photos here.

The shop sells the Blood Pond Ointment, which is made from the clay that flows from the pond. It is a standard product that has been used to treat skin diseases since before the war, and is also said to be effective against chilblains and burns. Be sure to check out the unique souvenirs from hell.

Blood Pond Hell

Approximately 1 minute walk

(7) Tatsumaki Jigoku: A powerful geyser that erupts with great force

Along with Chinoike Jigoku, you should also visit Tatsumaki Jigoku. This is a quiet hell normally, but at regular intervals you can see the spectacular sight of hot water over 100 degrees gushing out.

This is a geyser, a hot spring that periodically erupts with hot water and steam. Because Tatsumaki Jigoku is enclosed, only a small part of it can be seen, but it erupts with enough force to shoot up to a height of 30 meters, spreading the hot air around.

The key to enjoying this place is knowing how to beat the wait time. The staff will tell you how long it will take until the next eruption, so be sure to check when you arrive at the Blood Pond Hell area. If the wait is long, it is more efficient to head to Blood Pond Hell first.

Tatsumaki Jigoku also has a shop where you can taste fresh juice and gelato harvested from Tatsumaki Farm's orchards, so why not stop by while you wait?

Tornado Hell

Recommended day trip hot springs to visit along with the hell tour

If you visit Beppu, where hot springs bubble up all over the city, you can't miss out on a visit to a hot spring. The Kannawa area, where five hells, including Umi Jigoku, are concentrated, boasts the largest volume of hot spring water in Japan and is lined with many famous hot springs. There are several day-trip hot springs scattered around the area that are easy to drop by, so why not stop by after touring the hells?

Packed with entertainment! Michelin-starred "Hyotan Onsen"

Hyotan Onsen is one of the major hot springs that represent Kannawa Onsen. It is about 15 minutes away from Tatsumaki Jigoku, so it is recommended to visit it after touring the hells.

This hot spring is the only one to have received three stars in the Michelin Guide seven times in a row. It is characterized by its 100% natural spring water and its wide variety of baths, including sand baths, waterfall baths, steam baths, and more.

It's open until late at night, so you can drop by at the same time as you tour the hells. The spring water is a sodium chloride spring, which is said to have skin-beautifying effects.

Another popular dish alongside the hot springs is "Jigoku steaming." Jigoku steaming is a cooking method that has been passed down in the Kannawa area since ancient times, in which ingredients are placed in a hell kiln, where steam from the hot springs spews out, and slowly heated.

A variety of ingredients such as seafood, vegetables, and whole chickens are available here, and you can actually experience Jigoku Mushi. Although it is a simple cooking method that just involves steaming, it brings out the maximum flavor of the ingredients, allowing you to enjoy an exquisite gourmet dish unique to this area.

Gourd Hot Springs

A tour of Beppu Jigoku, a mysterious landscape created by nature. The endless spurting of boiling water and hot mud gives you a real sense of the Earth's constant movement.

In addition to the places introduced in this article, each hell has hot springs, foot baths, local souvenirs, and so on, so there is no end to things to see. The required time is only a guideline, so if you plan to take a dip in the hot springs, we recommend that you schedule well in advance.

Each of the Seven Hells of Beppu Onsen has its own unique charm, so please use this article as a reference to enjoy a meaningful tour of the hells.

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