The Colorful Hells Emerging on the Ground of Beppu

Beppu Jigoku

(Beppu City, Oita Prefecture)

【Jigoku（地獄）】 refers to hell in Japanese, where those who have committed crimes go after death. It is said to be deep underground, engulfed in hellfire, where the dead suffer from intense heat and eternal punishment by demons.

The concept of hell in Japan was popularized in the 10th century when a Buddhist monk composed “The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land”. This Buddhist textbook vividly described hell in detail, illustrating how demons punished the dead and how souls could attain the Pure Land. These depictions left a lasting impression on people’s minds in Japan.

On the Earth’s surface, there are places called “Jigoku,” where barren landscapes are formed by underground gases, steam, or belching boiling water, geysers, making them resemble hell. These locations are often associated with hot springs with volcano activities.

Beppu is one of the largest hot spring towns in Japan, with the highest volume of hot spring water discharge. As you walk through the town, you can see steam rising from various spots, carrying a faint scent of sulfur in the air.

There are various types of Jigoku in this area. Many tourists take a famous “Jigoku” (Hell) tour. Each has different colors - red, white, blown and blue - depending on the natural minerals present. Sea Jigoku is a cobalt-blue pond. Despite its serene appearance, the water temperature reaches as high as 98°C. White steam continuously drifts across the pond’s surface, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

A red-colored pond, known as “Bloody Pond Jigoku,” gets its name from its striking hue, which comes from the presence of iron oxide and magnesium oxide. This pond is one of the oldest Jigoku, with records of its existence dating back 1,300 years. Another famous Jigoku is “Buddhist Monk Jigoku,” where hot water boils and pushes up mud. The bubbling mud resembles the shaved heads of Buddhist monks, giving it its unique name. The unique one is “Alligator Jigoku”. It exhibits crocodiles and alligators leveraging the warm water. In addition to these, there are many other Jigoku you can visit.

After exploring the Jigoku, it’s a great idea to soak in their waters, as they are the source of Beppu’s hot springs. You can relax in indoor bathhouses or open-air baths, which feature a variety of water colors, including clear, white, and muddy. Each hot spring offers different health benefits, such as relief from rheumatism, lower back pain, neuralgia, gout, and dermatitis, depending on the natural minerals present in the water. A soothing soak will help ease your tired body after a long walk. Foot baths are also available, providing a perfect way to rest and refresh your feet.

Please visit the official website Jigoku Tour.