Beppu Hells Tour

Overview

Located in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, the 'Beppu Hells Tour' is a tourist attraction with over a thousand years of history, offering a close-up experience of mysterious hot spring phenomena gushing from deep within the Earth. Once recorded in ancient texts like the 'Bungo Fudoki' and shunned as an inaccessible and ominous place, this area eventually came to be known as 'Jigoku' (Hell) by the people. Each of the seven 'hells' presents a unique spectacle, captivating visitors: the breathtaking cobalt blue expanse of 'Umi Jigoku' (Sea Hell), the vivid red of 'Chinoike Jigoku' (Blood Pond Hell), said to be Japan's oldest natural 'hell', and the geyser of 'Tatsumaki Jigoku' (Spout Hell) which erupts hot water at regular intervals. Four of these, Umi Jigoku, Chinoike Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku, and Shiraike Jigoku, are designated as National Places of Scenic Beauty, holding significant academic value. In the past, development progressed with the establishment of hot spring villas, and in 1910 (Meiji 43), Umi Jigoku began commercial operation as a tourist facility charging an entrance fee. Furthermore, in 1928 (Showa 3), Kumaichi Aburaya, the founder of Kamenoi Bus, launched sightseeing buses with Japan's first female bus guides. Their rhythmic tour narration gained immense popularity, cementing the Beppu Hells Tour's enduring fame. Umi Jigoku, Chinoike Jigoku, Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, and Kamado Jigoku offer footbaths, allowing visitors to soothe their travel weariness during the tour. There are also attractions like a zoo utilizing hot spring steam (such as the crocodile park at Oniyama Jigoku) and local delicacies like 'Jigoku-mushi' steamed pudding and hot spring eggs. This creates a unique experience where you can enjoy Beppu's 'Hells' not just visually, but with all five senses.