Hells of Beppu, Geothermal hot springs in Beppu, Japan
The Hells of Beppu are seven geothermal hot springs in Beppu on the Japanese island of Kyushu, known for their steaming pools in different colors and bubbling mud ponds. Water temperatures in some of these natural formations rise close to boiling point, making them unsuitable for bathing.
These natural hot springs were developed as observation sites during the early growth of Beppu and attracted visitors who wanted to witness the geothermal phenomenon. Chinoike Hell received official recognition as the first of these formations and remains one of the oldest documented geothermal sites in Japan.
The name 'Jigoku' translates to hell and reflects how locals once viewed these boiling springs as dangerous, impassable places because of their extreme heat. Today visitors observe the colored pools from safe walkways and experience the power of volcanic activity beneath the surface.
Five of the seven sites sit in the Kannawa district and can be visited on foot one after another, while the other two are located in Shibaseki. A combined pass grants access to all locations and remains valid for two days, allowing visitors to split their visit across multiple days.
Oniyama Hell hosts a crocodile farm with around 80 animals, considered one of the oldest of its kind in Japan. The natural geothermal heat allows the reptiles to live outdoors even during cooler months.
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