Beppu was founded on April 1, 1924. It is famous for its thousands of onsen (hot springs), which are regarded as sacred. Beppu is Japan’s onsen capital as it has the largest volume of hot water in the world aside from Yellowstone and the largest number of hot spring sources in Japan.
Kannawa District:
The “sea hell” features a pond of hot, blue water. It is one of the more beautiful hells.
- Oniishibozu Jigoku
This hell is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks.
According to its name, the “white pond hell” features a pond of hot, milky white water.
- Yama Jigoku
The “mountain hell” features small ponds of steaming hot water and a small zoo with small cages.
- Kamado Jigoku
The “cooking pot hell” features several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as cook.
- Oniyama Jigoku
Crocodiles are bred and kept on the grounds of the “monster mountain hell”.
The “golden dragon hell” features a dragon statue and a greenhouse, heated by the hot spring.
- Chinoike Jigoku
The “blood pond hell” features a pond of hot, red water. It is the most photogenic of the nine hells.
The “spout hell” features a boiling hot geyser, which erupts every 25-30 minutes for about five minutes.