Beppu (別府, map) is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, producing more hot spring water than any other resort in the country in Ōita Prefecture.
Most of the most well-known onsens and the tourist attractions, including most of the Jigoku or “hells”, are in the Kannawa area (map) which is almost on the opposite side of the city from the train station. Buses to and from the Hell areas come around every 30 minutes. Many of the onsen are open very late, so many tourists opt to stay in one of the onsen areas.
Takasakiyama Monkey Park (map) is located 10 minutes from the centre of Beppu by bus. The park is home to more than 1500 Japanese macaques.
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Kannawa District
Umi Jigoku (map) – One of the more beautiful hells, the «sea hell» features a pond of boiling, blue water. In its spacious gardens, there are a few secondary, orange colored hells and a large, clear water pond with lotus flowers whose large leaves are strong enough to carry small children.
Oniishibozu Jigoku (map) – This hell is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks. Besides the mud pools, it features a foot bath with clear water. Adjacent to the hell is a public bath with multiple pools that costs an additional 600 yen.
Shiraike Jigoku (map) – True to its name, the «white pond hell» features a pond of hot, milky water. The pond is surrounded by a nice garden and a small, run-down aquarium that has seen better days.
Kamado Jigoku (map) – The «cooking pot hell» features several boiling ponds and a flashy demon statue as cook. On the grounds, visitors can drink the hot spring water, enjoy hand and foot baths, inhale the hot spring steam and try various snacks cooked or steamed by the hot spring.
Oniyama Jigoku (map) – A large number of crocodiles are bred and kept on the grounds of the «monster mountain hell».
Yama Jigoku (map) – The «mountain hell» features small ponds of steaming hot water and a run-down zoo with large animals in small cages.
Shibaseki District
Chinoike Jigoku (map) – The «blood pond hell» features a pond of hot, red water and a large souvenir shop. It is one of the more photogenic of the eight hells.
Tatsumaki Jigoku (map) – The «spout hell» features a boiling hot geyser, which erupts every 30-40 minutes for about 6-10 minutes. A stone plate above the geyser hinders it to reach its full height. A short walking trail leads up the forested slope in the back of the hell grounds.
For sorting through transport schedules and fares, HyperDia is an invaluable companion; it computes to-the-minute directions including connecting trains, as well as buses and planes.
+ Beppu: Getting there and around (japan.travel)
BUS > Buses are plentiful in Japan, and over the last few decades they have evolved into a major mode of intercity transportation, especially for overnight travel. Major operators of intercity include JapanBuslines.com • WILLER • JR Bus (kakuyasubus.jp) • kate.co.jp. >> (*Bus travel in Japan)
RAIL > Central Japan Railway Company • West Japan Railway Company • East Japan Railway Company. >> (*Rail travel in Japan)
AIRPORTS > Most international flights arrive at either Narita Airport near Tokyo or Kansai Airport near Osaka; a smaller number use Chubu International Airport near Nagoya.
Japan has many great opportunities for bikers. Bike rentals can be found throughout the country, especially near popular routes. Some routes (like the Shimanami Kaido Bikeway, which takes you from Onomichi on the main island to *Imabari in Shikoku) have been set up specifically for bikers.