The "hells" (’n–, jigoku) of Beppu are seven spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing, displaying steaming ponds of various colors, bubbling mud pools and other hydrothermal activity.
The hells are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion which may not appeal to everybody.
Five of the seven 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".
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.
Getting there and around
The five hells in the Kannawa district can be easily accessed by frequently departing buses from JR Beppu Station in about 15 minutes. Bus number 5 and 7 are the fastest. Get off at Kannawa bus terminal, from where the hells can be reached on foot.
Bus number 16/16A runs twice per hour from Kannawa to Shibaseki (5 minutes) where the remaining two hells are located. The bus then continues via Kamegawa Station to Beppu Station (40 minutes). Bus number 26/26A runs in the opposite direction of bus number 16/16A.
Beppu is also easily explored by rental car. Free parking is provided at all the hells.
Within a 10-minute walk from Beppu Station, Yamada Bessou offers Japanese-style rooms with spacious natural hot spring baths. Free WiFi and free bicycle use are available. Surrounded by greenery, air-conditioned rooms have a seating area with large windows and garden views. They have tatami-mat flooring and Japanese futon bedding. Female guests can choose their yukata robe to wear in the room. Guests can reserve an outdoor hot spring bath for private use, or relax in the public indoor bath available 24 hours a day. Massage treatments can be arranged. The hotel offers free parking. Yamada Bessou serves a Japanese breakfast, with only fresh seasonal ingredients. Free coffee is offered at the lobby. Yamada Bessou Ryokan is a 10-minute walk from the Takegawa Onsen hot spring area, and a 45-minute drive from Oita Airport. Beppu Station offers a 25-minute bus to Kannawa Onsen hot spring area.
250 metres from Beppu Tower, BEPPU HOSTEL U&T is set in Beppu and features a garden and a terrace. The property is close to Beppu Park, B-Con Plaza and Beppu Art Museum. The property is 3.1 km from Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet. Beppu Rakutenchi is 3.6 km from the guest house. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 39 km from BEPPU HOSTEL U&T.
Boasting luxurious guest rooms with open-air hot spring bath overlooking the ocean, AMANE resort SEIKAI is a 7-minute walk from JR Beppu Daigaku Station. It features spacious public hot spring baths and a spa salon. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the public area, and parking is available at no charge. Fitted with dark wooden flooring and chic furnishings, each spacious room offers great ocean views. Guests can unwind on comfortable sofas or tatami (woven-straw) mats, and watch Blu-ray movies on a flat-screen TV. The Seikai provides large public baths and hot tubs on the ground floor and top floor. Spa Sheer Pearl offers ultimate relaxation with delicate massages and treatments. A gift shop and drink vending machines are available on site, and luggage can be stored at the 24-hour front desk for free. JR Beppu Station is a 15-minute drive and Oita Airport is a 40-minute drive from the property. Beppu Jigoku-meguri hot springs are within a 15-minute drive. Umitamago Aquarium is a 30-minute drive away. Gen serves traditional Japanese cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. Eitaro restaurant offers various fresh seafood meals, while Japanese-Western fusion dishes can be enjoyed at Ban-ya.
Situated in Beppu, 24 km from Oita Bank Dome, AMANE resort GAHAMA features accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. With free WiFi, this 5-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. The ryokan has family rooms. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. AMANE resort GAHAMA offers some units with sea views, and the rooms come with a balcony. An Asian breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. AMANE resort GAHAMA offers 5-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Yufuin Motorcycle Museum is 24 km from the ryokan, while Beppu Station is 4.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 33 km from AMANE resort GAHAMA.
Featuring 2-star accommodation, Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA is located in Beppu, 22 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum and 26 km from Oita Bank Dome. With a shared lounge, the 2-star ryokan has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the ryokan every room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA include Oita Fragrance Museum, Yukemori Observatory and Yama Jigoku. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 35 km from the accommodation.
Set in Beppu, 18 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, GALLERIA MIDOBARU offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking, a restaurant and a bar. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers room service and free shuttle service. All rooms have a balcony with views of the city. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At GALLERIA MIDOBARU all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an American breakfast. GALLERIA MIDOBARU offers 4-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Guests at the hotel will be able to enjoy activities in and around Beppu, like cycling. Oita Bank Dome is 25 km from GALLERIA MIDOBARU, while Beppu Station is 5.2 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 40 km from the accommodation.
Located in Beppu, 24 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, Beppu Nagomitsuki provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant. This 3-star ryokan offers room service, a concierge service and free WiFi. The property is allergy-free and is set 24 km from Oita Bank Dome. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include a wardrobe. An Asian breakfast is available daily at Beppu Nagomitsuki. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Beppu Station is 4.8 km from Beppu Nagomitsuki, while Oita Station is 16 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 33 km from the ryokan.
Boasting various natural hot spring baths and delicately prepared lavish Japanese meals, Ryotei Matsubaya offers chic guestrooms with Japanese aesthetic and a relaxing ambience. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas. The ryokan offers both Western-style rooms with wood-flooring and Japanese-style rooms fitted with traditional futon bedding. Each air-conditioned room comes with a flat-screen TV and a fridge. Some rooms feature an en suite bathroom. Matsubaya Ryotei offers free luggage storage and safety deposit boxes. Some hot spring baths are available for private use. Massages can be arranged at an additional charge, and guests can request a car rental to explore the local area. A gift shop and drinks vending machines are available on site. JR Beppu Station is a 7-minute drive or taxi ride away, and Beppu Ropeway Station is a 15-minute drive from the property. Jigoku-meguri Hot Springs can be reached within a 15-minute drive, while Umitamago Aquarium is a 20-minute drive away. Featuring seasonal ingredients, Japanese multi-course meals are served at the spacious dining room.
Kannawaen is an entirely non-smoking accommodation that features a garden, terrace and bar in Beppu. 100 metres from Hells of Beppu, the property is also 500 metres away from Jigokumushikobo Kannawa. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service for guests. There is an designated smoking area on site. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. The rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries, while certain rooms will provide you with mountain views. All units will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. There is an on-site restaurant, which serves a variety of Asian dishes. The property has a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near Kannawaen include Hyotan Onsen, Yukemori Observatory and Oita Fragrance Museum. Oita Airport is 31 km away.
Set in Beppu and within 21 km of Oita Bank Dome, REX HOTEL Beppu features a spa and wellness centre, non-smoking rooms, and free WiFi. The property is situated 23 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, 13 km from Oita Station and 23 km from Kinrinko Lake. There is a restaurant serving Japanese cuisine, and free private parking is available. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the hotel. At REX HOTEL Beppu guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot spring bath. Speaking Japanese, Korean and Chinese at the reception, staff will be happy to provide guests with practical information on the area. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Beppu Station, Beppu Tower and Beppu Art Museum. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 36 km from REX HOTEL Beppu.
