Guide to the Hells of Beppu: What They Are, How Much They Cost and Which Ones Are Worth Seeing

Arriving in Beppu, in northeastern Kyūshū, means venturing into a city that steams from every corner. Vapours rise from the grates in the pavement, wrap around the buildings and dissolve into the air like ancient sighs. Here, the ground really does boil, and its most spectacular side shows itself in the “Hells” (Jigoku): seven geothermal pools in surreal colours, scattered among the hills.

The name “hells” isn’t accidental: these springs aren’t onsen you can bathe in, but extreme manifestations of nature’s power, boiling and mysterious, often tied to myths or local beliefs.

A journey through steam and wonder: the seven hells of Beppu

You can decide to visit them all in half a day (or take it slower over a whole day), but if time is tight, two pools in particular will leave you speechless and are worth the detour on their own.

1. Umi Jigoku – The sea hell

The queen of the hells: a huge turquoise blue pool, born 1,200 years ago from a volcanic eruption. The colour comes from the high concentration of sulphuric acid.

Next to the pool stands a red torii gate, and a path leads you to a Japanese garden with lotus trees and blooming camellias.

Don’t miss: The naturally heated tropical greenhouse

2. Oniishibozu Jigoku – The monks’ heads

This smaller, more intimate pool takes its name from the clay bubbles that resemble the shaved heads of Buddhist monks (bozu). A quieter, hypnotic spot.

Fun fact: There’s a small free footbath at the entrance

3. Chinoike Jigoku – The blood pond

A hell with an intense red hue, caused by iron oxide. It was once believed that the healing clay had beneficial properties.

Further away than the others (20 minutes by bus or 10 by car), but visually remarkable.

4. Tatsumaki Jigoku – The geyser that never fails

A natural geyser that erupts every 10 minutes. It’s located next to Chinoike.

5. Oniyama Jigoku – The kingdom of crocodiles

A pool surrounded by dozens of crocodiles raised using geothermal heat. More of a zoo vibe than a hell (if you love animals you might not fully appreciate it..!).

6. Kamado Jigoku – The devil cook’s hell

A colourful area with pools of different colours and steam demonstrations. Very popular and photographed.

Tip: If you’re hungry, you can try sweets and eggs cooked in the steam right on the spot.

7. Shiraike Jigoku – The white lake

A milky, quiet, suspended pool. Its name literally means “White Pond”.

Prices, hours and passes

• Single ticket: ¥400
• Combined pass for all 7 hells: ¥2,200
• Hours: every day from 8:00am to 5:00pm
• Where to buy tickets: on site or via app

We used Klook, and if you sign up with our discount code you’ll get $5 off your first purchase!

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After signing up, you can buy tickets here 

How to get there

• From Beppu JR station, take a Kamenoi bus (line 5, 7 or 9) and get off at Kannawa Onsen
• Journey time: 25–30 minutes
• Price: about ¥300–350
• Alternative: public transport day pass (about ¥900)

For campervan travellers

There are car parks available near the main entrances. (guide in Italian)

Which hells to choose if you’re short on time?

If you only have 1–2 hours, visit:

1. Umi Jigoku – picturesque, blue, with a torii gate and garden
2. Oniishibozu Jigoku – original and peaceful, with a footbath

They’re close to each other and reachable on foot from Kannawa.

In conclusion

Beppu is a city where the earth speaks, whispers and sometimes shouts. Its hells aren’t just geological attractions, but living stories of the power beneath Japan’s surface.

Amid steam, surreal colours and hissing sounds, you walk right into a legend.