Jigoku Meguri Full Tour

Start at JR Beppu Station, the gateway to Beppu, Japan's number one hot spring tourist destination. As soon as you get off the train, you will see a signboard with a hot spring symbol. One of the pleasures of sightseeing in Beppu is to look for signs hot spring symbols unique to the prefecture that appear all over the city. When you go out of the east exit, you will see a bronze statue of Kumahachi Aburaya, who is known as the father of tourism in Beppu. He was a great man who spread the charm of Beppu during the Meiji era and made Beppu one of the world's most famous tourist destinations. The famous words, "If you want mountains, go to Mt. Fuji, if you want to see a sea, go to Setouchi, and if you want hot water, go to Beppu," are also engraved, so this is a must-see. After taking a set of photos at the Kumahachi Aburaya statue, you can start sightseeing in Beppu.

The Beppu Jigoku tour starts at the Umi Jigoku. Said to have been created by the eruption of Mt.Tsurumi about 1300 years ago, you will be captivated by the beauty of the cobalt blue color that you would never associate with a "hell." At first glance, it appears to be a cool color, but the temperature of the spring is 98 degrees Celsius and the depth is 200 meters, so it has been designated as a National place of Scenic Beauty. A garden surrounded by nature spreads out on the premises, and you can enjoy the colorful scenery that changes according to the season. Umi Jigoku's original bath additive "Enman-no-Yu" is popular as a souvenir. Be sure to look for it.

The history of Oniishibozu Jigoku is long, and it appears in the Bungo Fudoki, which was put together in 733 (5th year of the reign of EmporerTenpyo). It is called "Oniishi Bozu Jigoku" because the gray hot mud boils like a shaved head of a Buddhist monk. The boiling mud making a bubbling sound as it oozes forth is a sight to behold. There is also a foot bath in the park, and you can soak in the Oniishi-no-Yu hot spring that is said to have various effects because of its narture.

Kamado Jigoku has six Hells from 1 to 6 chome. The rich variety of Hells makes it a must for all Jigoku tours. There is also a jigoku that changes color depending on the temperature and weather. One of the charms of this place is that you can not only see it, but also experience foot baths and drinking hot springs water. There are also many jigoku gourmet specialties, such as "Onsen Egg," "Ishigaki Manju" and "Soy Sauce Pudding."

Oniyama Jigoku is also called "Crocodile Jigoku," and as the name suggests, many crocodiles are raised there. The first crocodile breeding facility in Japan to use a hot spring was opened there in 1923. There are stuffed specimens of the first "Ichiro" and specimens of Indian gharials designated as endangered species, so you can also learn about history. About 80 crocodiles are kept here, and you will not be able to hide your surprise at the power of the crocodiles. Crocodile feeding is also held each Saturday.

Created in 1931, Shiraike Jigoku has a calm atmosphere and is a garden as its main features. It also has the Kunisaki Pagoda and Mukaibaru Sekito, both of which are designated as tangible cultural properties by the prefecture, so be sure to take a leisurely stroll around the park. In addition, there is a tropical fish aquarium that uses the steam heat of the hot spring and which houses rare fish such as piraruku and piranha, which are said to be living fossils, so be sure not to miss this.

Head to the Kannawa area, Beppu's onsen resort district. First, stop by the Kannawa Tourist Information Center to get a map of the Kannawa area and ask for recommendations. Don't forget to ask for a discount coupon. Kannawa Onsen was used in the filming of "Otoko wa Tsuraiyo" (Otoko wa Tsuraiyo), and is a town that is crowded with tourists all year round. You can enjoy the retro townscape while being enveloped in the steamy atmosphere typical of a onsen resort. Strolling through the onsen town with its time-traveling streets and warm-hearted people will make you feel nostalgic. The area is lined with cafes, restaurants that boast of their cuisine, take-out stores, and many other stores. It is recommended to stop by for lunch or a cafe, as well as to eat and walk around.

Why not take a stroll around the Kannawa hot spring town in Beppu? You can enjoy the old time cityscape while being enveloped in steam typical of a hot spring town. If you get tired of walking, relax with a foot bath near the Jigokumushi Koubou or a stone sauna at Otani Park. To get a nostalgic feeling, stroll through the streets of the town. It will make you feel like you traveled back in time to an old time hot spring town full of life. There are also hot spring spas, souvenir shops, and street stalls. It’s a great place to take a walk while looking for food, foot baths and the like. We hope you enjoy the old time town atmosphere.

Known as the oldest natural jigoku in Japan, Chinoike Jigoku is filled with hot mud dyed red. It is a truly impressive sight. If you climb the stairs on the left side of the ointment shop, there is a photo spot where you can view the Chinoike Jigoku. There is also a spacious foot bath where you can relax your feet. It is famous for "Jigoku pudding" and "Chinoike Ointment," Chinoike Jigoku specialties that can only be purchased here.

Last of all is Tatsumaki Jigoku, which is a nationally designated place of scenic beauty. Unlike other jigoku, it is a geyser. There are other geyser hot springs in the world, but Tatsumaki Jigoku is characterized by its short eruption cycle. The cycle of the eruption is 30-40 minutes. A roof has been installed to cover the eruption, but without this roof, it would blow up about 30 meters into the air. Enjoy gelato and fresh juices from crops harvested at Tatsumaki Farm.

After enjoying a tour of Jigoku Onsen, head back home. At Beppu Station, there are several points where you can savor the enjoyment of your trip. If you want to buy souvenirs, go to "Beppu Station Ekimachi 1-chome Beppu.” It has a wide variety of local specialties and sweets from and is a great place to pick out souvenirs of Beppu and Oita. Ekimachi 1-chome is a commercial facility, so there are also restaurants. If you are hungry in the evening, it is recommended to have Oita specialty before returning home. You can enjoy the charm of Beppu until the very end.