Beppu Jigoku Meguri: Hot Spring Guide & Visitor Access

The Beppu hell tour is a signature sightseeing experience unique to Beppu, where you view springs bursting up from the ground. Each hell differs completely in color and character, from the cobalt blue glow of Umi Jigoku to the reddish brown Chinoike Jigoku, making for plenty to see. The focus is viewing rather than bathing, but you can feel the energy of the earth up close.

Highlights

Seven hells belong to the Beppu Hell Association: the beautiful clear blue Umi Jigoku, the vivid red Chinoike Jigoku, the vigorously spouting Tatsumaki Jigoku, as well as Oniishibozu Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku, Oniyama Jigoku, and Shiraike Jigoku. Within the grounds are foot baths and steam cooking facilities where you can rest between viewings. It is also popular as a photogenic spot.

Enjoying the Seasons

In winter the rising steam grows thicker and the sense of power increases. Spring brings flowers within the grounds, while autumn offers a contrast between the foliage and the colors of the hells. The surrounding greenery and blossoms change with each season, so there is always something new to discover.

Access and Basic Information

The seven hells, including Umi Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku, are spread across the Kannawa and Kamegawa areas. Opening hours are generally from eight in the morning to five in the evening, open year round. You can reach them by bus from JR Beppu Station, with five gathered in the Kannawa area and two in the Kamegawa area. A combined admission ticket lets you tour the main hells efficiently.

Practical Travel Notes

The combined ticket is around two thousand four hundred yen for adults (high school age and up) and one thousand two hundred yen for children (elementary and junior high), valid for two days from purchase. Since the hells are split between Kannawa and Kamegawa, it is efficient to first tour the five walkable ones in Kannawa, then take a bus to the more distant Chinoike Jigoku and Tatsumaki Jigoku. A leisurely tour of all of them takes about two to three hours. The morning right after opening is relatively uncrowded and a good time for photos. Adding a foot bath or hell steamed cuisine lets you enjoy a hot spring mood between viewings.

A Quick Tip

Some hells are far apart, so it is efficient to plan around the combined ticket and bus schedules. Adding a foot bath or steam cooking lets you enjoy a hot spring mood between viewings. The summer sun can be strong and winter can feel chilly amid the steam, so dress for the season when you visit.