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 all seven 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.
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, 1.6 km from Oita Fragrance Museum, AMANE resort GAHAMA features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. The property is around 3.7 km from Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center, 3.9 km from Hyotan Onsen and 4 km from Beppu Tower. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. Guests at AMANE resort GAHAMA can enjoy an Asian breakfast. The accommodation offers a terrace. Jigokumushikobo Kannawa is 4.3 km from AMANE resort GAHAMA, while Yukemori Observatory is 4.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 28 km from the ryokan.
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.
Situated in Beppu, Hotel Umine is an entirely non-smoking property that features a terrace and a bar. Popular points of interest nearby include Beppu Tower, Beppu Park and B-Con Plaza. Free WiFi is provided. A designated smoking area is located on site. The units at the hotel come with a seating area. Each room comes with a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hair dryer. At Hotel Umine rooms have air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. An Asian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. The accommodation offers 4-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Speaking English and Japanese, staff are willing to help at any time of the day at the reception. Beppu Rakutenchi is 2.5 km from Hotel Umine, while Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center is 2.7 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 31 km from the hotel.
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, within 1 km of Beppu Tower and 1.7 km of Takegawara Onsen, REX HOTEL Beppu offers accommodation with a restaurant and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Featuring a spa and wellness centre, the hotel is close to several noted attractions, around 1.9 km from Beppu Park and around 2 km from Beppu Art Museum. The hotel features a hot spring bath and a 24-hour front desk. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. B-Con Plaza is 2.2 km from REX HOTEL Beppu, while Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 30 km from the accommodation.
Located in Beppu, 400 metres from Hyotan Onsen, Beppu Kannawa Onsen HIROMIYA features views of the city. 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 Jigokumushikobo Kannawa, Oita Fragrance Museum and Yama Jigoku. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 30 km from the accommodation.
Located in the Kannawa hot-spring area, Happy Neko offers affordable Japanese-style accommodations in a traditional house built in 1934. Free Wi-Fi is available at the entire building. A complimentary transfer on departure to JR Beppu station, JR Beppu Daigaku Station, Beppu Kotsu Center and Ferry Terminal is provided upon reservation. The spacious rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each room comes with heating facilities, a fridge, an electric kettle and a private toilet. The property does not have bath and shower facilities. Guests can look out at the traditional garden and use the free on-site parking. Luggage storage is offered at the front desk. Happy Neko Inn is a 10-minute drive from JR Beppu Daigaku Train Station and Beppu Kotsu Centre Bus Stop. Beppu Jigoku Hells is a 10-minute walk and Beppu Bay is a 10-minute drive away. No meals are served.
Terrace Midoubaru is located a 15-minute drive from JR Beppu Station and boasts guestrooms with a semi open-air bath. Guests can soak in the hot spring bath. Private parking is available for an additional fee. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV and blu-ray player. Rooms offer views of the sea or mountains. All rooms come with a private bathroom equipped with a bath. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. There is luggage storage space at the property. Beppu Ropeway is 1.5 km from Terrace Midoubaru, while Beppu Rakutenchi is 2.4 km away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 33 km from Terrace Midoubaru.
