Visiting the 7 Hells of Beppu – Easy Onsen Guide for Beppu Japan
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Before we get into the Hells of Beppu, I have to preface this post with the fact that onsens can be a little intimidating if you come from a country or culture that isn’t big on public baths.
I went from nudity reluctant American to someone who will hop in an onsen DAILY while in Japan. I am officially converted. That doesn’t mean there isn’t any awkwardness – there is, especially since I am inherently a very awkward person – but it is something I now look forward to when I visit Japan.
On my last trip to Japan, I visited my first onsen town. Onsen towns, at least from the tourist perspective, is a town or city in Japan that was either founded around or near a high concentration of natural hot springs. For most onsen towns, the hot springs are the main draw and often make up a large portion of its economy.
I visited Noboribetsu in Hokkaido, Japan’s northern island, and it honestly got me a bit hooked on onsen travel. In fact, I actually started looking up other onsen towns for my next trip which led to this exact blog post.
While in Fukuoka, a city I ABSOLUTELY adore and need to see more of, I heard of the nearby onsen town of Beppu. The pictures of this town looked incredible, but sadly I didn’t have enough time in my itinerary to add it on. I bookmarked it for ‘next time’ and started doing research on things to do in Beppu, Japan when I stumbled across the term “7 Hells of Beppu.” Since I haven’t been yet, I’ll let my fellow blogger Angela from Viaggi da Fare give us BOTH the scoop on exploring Beppu, Japan!
Table of Contents
Where is Beppu Japan?
Beppu is a coastal city located on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, in Ōita Prefecture. If you’re flying into Kyushu, you’ll probably land in Fukuoka. Thankfully, Japan is a fairly well connected country and you can get to Beppu from Fukuoka in about 1.5 hours by train and 2 hours by car or bus.
Beppu, Japan is famous for its geothermal activity and is one of Japan’s most iconic hot spring destinations, known especially for its “7 Hells of Beppu” – a collection of unique and visually striking hot springs or jigoku.
Wait wait wait, is it jigoku or an onsen or a hot spring?? Is there a difference?
The umbrella term here is “hot spring.” Onsen’s are hot springs that are specifically for bathing. Jigoku, meaning literal hell, are applied to hot springs that…well, fit the description. This association is rooted in the Buddhist concept of hell, where “jigoku” refers to the eight hot, bubbling, steaming, and vivid hells of the Buddhist texts.
What are the 7 Hells of Beppu?
As soon as you arrive in Beppu, you’re greeted by the salty scent in the air, a unique trait for onsen destinations. But Beppu is much more than a seaside town. It’s one of those rare places where nature seems to speak directly to you, in ways that are strange, powerful, and sometimes even magical.
One of the most fascinating ways the Earth “speaks” here is through the 7 Hells of Beppu: a group of hot springs so unique they’re not for bathing, but for observing. Each one has its own character, and all of them feel a little surreal. Let’s dive in.
Well…not literally dive in since they aren’t for bathing, but you get what I mean.
Umi Jigoku – Sea Hell
Our first stop on this virtual tour of the 7 Hells of Beppu is Umi Jigoku, or “Sea Hell.” The water is an unreal shade of cobalt blue, almost like a still ocean pool, and it boils at 208°F (98°C). It’s been doing that for centuries. Surrounding it is a lush, almost tropical garden that seems to feed off the steam rising from the spring. It’s the kind of place that feels too perfect to be real, until you’re standing there.
Oniishibozu Jigoku – Bald Monk’s Hell
Next is Oniishibozu Jigoku, named after the bubbling gray mud that looks like rows of shaved monk heads popping up from the ground. The vibe here is less romantic, a little more eerie, but still oddly captivating. There’s also an onsen you can soak in for about 600 yen.
Kamado Jigoku – Cooking Pot Hell
At Kamado Jigoku, you’ll feel the strongest connection to the Earth. Here, you don’t just observe, you experience. Angela breathed in the mineral-rich steam, sipped the spring water, and even ate food cooked right there in the natural heat.
While peeling her freshly steamed eggs, a staff member approached Angela and wordlessly handed over soy sauce. With just a gesture, he showed us how to eat it, pouring a little on top. It wasn’t a rule, just a kind suggestion. That egg was, without exaggeration, the best she’d ever tasted. Maybe it was the steam, maybe it was the moment, or maybe it was just the simple kindness behind the gesture.
The 2 Final Hells
After Kamado, hop on a local bus to see two more of the Hells of Beppu. Chinoike Jigoku is famous for its blood-red water and unsettling vibe. Tatsumaki Jigoku features a geyser that erupts every 30 minutes like clockwork, as if the Earth itself needs to shout something into the sky at regular intervals.
Skippable Hells
Something I really appreciate about Angela is that she keeps it real! Specifically, there are two Hells of Beppu that you could skip.
Oniyama Jigoku, for example, keeps crocodiles in captivity (something Angela weren’t comfortable supporting). Shiraike Jigoku features tanks with turtles and large fish in tight, artificial spaces.
This is one part of Japan that’s hard for Angela (and myself as well) to reconcile. Keeping animals in cages, or in conditions that ignore their basic needs and dignity as living beings, goes against Angela’s principles and something that more people need to be aware of both abroad and at home.
Personally, I’ve seen a lot of people promoting a fish tank art museum (??) in Tokyo and…just from the pictures alone, the tanks look WAY too small so I would’ve have felt iffy visiting and ultimately it did not make my itinerary.
Aside from the lack of empathy for those poor alligators and a few fish, Angela emphasized that she truly enjoyed her time at the 7 (well, 5) Hells of Beppu. Witnessing such raw beauty revealing itself with pride isn’t something you experience every day. If you’ve visited National Parks like Yellowstone, it is along a similar frequency of awe.
FAQ: 7 Hells of Beppu
Here are some real quick Q&A that you might have about Beppu before your visit. If you have any more questions, be sure to ask them in the comments below!
1. Can you bathe in the Seven Hells?
Most of the hells are for observation only. However, some locations within the area offer public and private onsen baths nearby. At Oniishibozu Jigoku, for example, there’s an onsen you can enjoy for a small fee.
2. Which hell is the most beautiful?
Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) is often considered the most stunning, with its deep cobalt-blue water and lush tropical setting. It’s a favorite for photography and peaceful walks.
3. Are all the hells worth visiting?
It depends on your interests. While each hell has unique features, some visitors choose to skip sites like Oniyama Jigoku or Shiraike Jigoku due to ethical concerns around the treatment of animals kept on display.
4. How much does it cost to visit the Seven Hells?
You can buy a combination ticket to visit all seven for around 2,400 yen. Individual entry is also possible at each site for 500 yen each (prices may vary slightly).
5. How long does it take to visit all seven hells?
Visiting all seven can take around 3–4 hours, depending on how long you stay at each. If you decide to stay in Beppu overnight, since there are other things to do in Beppu that would be great to experience, the AMANEK Beppu YULA-RE hotel has a rooftop pool and hot spring located right on the beach.
6. Is the area family-friendly?
Yes, but keep in mind that some of the sights (like boiling mud or geysers) might be intense for very young children. Always supervise kids around hot springs and steam vents.
7. How do I get to the hells from Beppu Station?
Local buses run frequently from Beppu Station to the Kannawa district, where most of the hells are located. You can also explore on foot once you’re in the area, or use a rental car for flexibility.
Conclusion: Hells of Beppu
Did that get anyone else PUMPED for visiting Beppu??? I’m suddenly in the mood for a boiled egg, hahah.
I want to give a huge thanks again to Angela for guiding us through her itinerary of visiting the Hells of Beppu and giving us her thoughts and suggestions for our own trip. Since I sped through it earlier, I wanted to pause a bit and remind everyone to go check out Angela’s blog Viaggi da Fare for more info on visiting beautiful destinations around the world.
ESPECIALLY if you like traveling through Europe – she’s got all the gems!
I know she definitely got me excited for visiting Beppu and seeing more of Japan’s famous onsen towns. Are you headed to Beppu? Let me know in the comments if you’d be interested on visiting these hot springs! Who knows, I just might see you there!
