Beppu's seven hells: which Jigoku springs are worth visiting

The "hell springs" (Jigoku) in Beppu are seven unique geothermal zones with water temperatures up to 90–100°C, meant purely for viewing — not bathing. The name stuck centuries ago when boiling water and bubbling mud made the land unfit for farming or habitation. Steam erupts straight through the pavement here, giving the whole district a cinematic, otherworldly atmosphere.

Beppu produces more thermal water than any other hot-spring resort in Japan. If you have already explored the Japanese Alps or offbeat Tokyo, Jigoku adds a completely different visual layer to your trip.

To save time, we grouped the springs from must-see to overrated. Use this table when prioritising your route.

The three must-see hells cluster in Kannawa — walkable in half a day. The rest sit between Kannawa and Shibaseki; Beppu City local buses link them cheaply.

Each hell costs roughly ¥400–450. Visiting four or more? A combo pass is mathematically cheaper than separate tickets. All Jigoku zones open daily 8:00–17:00 — plan an early start before tour buses arrive.

Cross-check spending in our budget calculator and pick the best month in our best-travel-season guide. Solo travelers: see our solo travel guide.

Fastest from Fukuoka: Nishitetsu express bus (~2.5 hours). Shinkansen from Tokyo takes just under seven hours; from Hakata only two. Five hells sit in Kannawa, two in Shibaseki — local buses connect them affordably.

Combining Beppu with other cities? See our multi-city vacation guide, anime locations in Japan and 3 budget days in Tokyo.

Smart connections between Kyushu cities need tight schedule control. AlpacaBag's planner slots Jigoku into your full trip in minutes — avoiding crowds while balancing sightseeing density and comfort.