Beppu Hells Tour and Onsen One-Day Course

The blue of Umi Jigoku, the red of Chinoike Jigoku. Follow the steam-filled scenery unique to Beppu, then unwind in a famous bath at the end. This is a classic one-day course to savor the onsen town of Beppu.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Beppu Station In the morning, steam rises everywhere around the station. Head toward the Kannawa area by bus or rental car.

9:30 Marvel at the blue pond of Umi Jigoku Begin at Umi Jigoku, glowing a cobalt blue. The pond is said to have formed about 1,300 years ago from an eruption of Mount Tsurumi and is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. A greenhouse heated by the hot spring lets you enjoy tropical flowers and giant water lilies.

10:30 Hop between Oniishi Bozu and Kamado Jigoku Walk to nearby hells such as Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, where grey mud bubbles up, and Kamado Jigoku, known for its steam displays and foot baths. Umi, Oniishi Bozu and Kamado are all within walking distance of one another.

12:00 Lunch and jigoku-mushi in Kannawa The local specialty is jigoku-mushi, food steamed by the hot-spring vapor. Enjoy freshly steamed vegetables and seafood.

14:00 On to Chinoike and Tatsumaki Jigoku Visit the deep red Chinoike Jigoku and the geyser of Tatsumaki Jigoku, which erupts at regular intervals. These two lie toward the Kamegawa area, about a 10-minute drive from Kannawa.

16:00 Finish with an onsen End the day at a public bathhouse or day-use onsen in the city, soaking away the day's fatigue.

Highlights

Each hell has a completely different character, from the clear blue of Umi Jigoku to the vivid red of Chinoike Jigoku. Do not miss the gourmet treats made with hot-spring heat, such as steamed dishes and pudding.

Access and Tips

The Beppu hells tour covers seven hells: Umi, Chinoike, Tatsumaki, Shiraike, Oniishi Bozu, Oniyama and Kamado. A combined admission ticket covering all seven costs 2,400 yen for adults, while single-hell entry is 500 yen (as of 2026). The combined ticket is valid for two days, the day of purchase and the next, so there is no pressure to finish in one day. All hells are open 8:00 to 17:00 year-round. The hells in Kannawa can be walked, but Chinoike and Tatsumaki are a bit farther, so allow travel time.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: visiting all seven hells takes about four to five hours including travel. Group the five walkable ones (Umi, Oniishi Bozu, Kamado, Oniyama, Shiraike) together, then reach Chinoike and Tatsumaki separately by car or bus.
• Budget: figure the 2,400-yen combined ticket, a jigoku-mushi lunch of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 yen, and a few hundred yen for a closing day-use onsen. Around 5,000 yen per person is a rough guide.
• Best season and time: cold months from winter to early spring, when the white steam stands out, are photogenic. The morning right after opening is relatively quiet and avoids the late-morning tour-group rush.
• Avoiding crowds: parking fills up on weekends and holidays, so the public hells-tour bus is an option. Buses run from Beppu Station.
• Foot baths and nearby: Umi, Chinoike, Oniishi Bozu and Kamado have foot baths. The Kannawa area also has a steam observation deck and public bathhouses to explore alongside the hells.

A Quick Tip

The hells are steamy and the ground can be wet, so comfortable walking shoes are best. Bringing a towel means you can use it right away at a foot bath or the finishing onsen. Remembering that the combined ticket is valid for two days helps you build a relaxed schedule.