Beppu Hell Tour Guide: Visiting the 8 Hells of Jigoku Meguri (2026)

The Beppu Hell Tour — known in Japanese as Jigoku Meguri (地獄めぐり) — is Kyushu’s most famous sightseeing experience and one of the most visually dramatic attractions in all of Japan. Unlike the hot spring baths that Beppu is famous for bathing in, the jigoku (“hells”) are geothermal pools so hot, so concentrated, and so strangely colored that they have been designated for viewing rather than bathing. Water temperatures in most hells exceed 90°C — some reach 100°C. Colors range from vivid cobalt blue (Umi Jigoku) and crimson blood-red (Chinoike Jigoku) to murky gray-green (Oniishibozu) and pale yellow-white (Kamado). Each hell has its own origin story, its own distinctive atmospheric conditions, and its own personality. Together, the eight Beppu jigoku form a circuit unlike anything else in the world. This Beppu Hell Tour guide walks you through each of the eight hells in detail — what makes each special, which to prioritize, how to buy tickets, the best route, and how long the full circuit takes.

The jigoku have been attracting visitors since the Heian period (8th–12th century), when their extraordinary bubbling, steaming, and colored surfaces inspired religious awe and an obvious association with the Buddhist concept of hell. The red clay from Chinoike Jigoku was historically used as a pigment in traditional medicine and cosmetics and was exported throughout Japan. Today, the hells are operated as a coordinated tourist circuit: seven of the eight are run by the Beppu Jigoku Cooperative and share a combo ticket, while one (Shiraike, or White Pond Hell) requires separate admission. The full circuit covers approximately 3.5 km of walking between the Kannawa cluster (five hells) and the Shibaseki cluster (two hells), with a bus journey of about 15 minutes separating the two groups. Most visitors complete the circuit in 3–5 hours depending on how long they linger at each pool.

Top Recommendations: The 8 Hells of Beppu Jigoku Meguri

1. Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) — The Most Photogenic Hell

Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) is the most visually striking of all eight Beppu hells and is typically the first stop on the Kannawa circuit. The water is a vivid, otherworldly cobalt blue — the result of dissolved ferrous sulfate reacting with the spring water — and steams constantly at approximately 98°C. The contrast between the brilliant blue surface and the surrounding garden of Japanese maples and tropical plants is extraordinary. Umi Jigoku also features a separate greenhouse filled with giant Victoria amazonica water lilies (large enough to hold a small child), fed by the residual heat from the pool, and a small footbath where visitors can soak their feet. The complex covers about 3,000 square meters and takes 20–30 minutes to explore fully. Umi Jigoku is open 8:00 AM–5:00 PM daily. It is consistently rated the single best hell on the circuit and worth extra time.

2. Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) — The Most Dramatically Colored

Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) in the Shibaseki area is the oldest documented hell in Japan — records from the 8th century describe it, making it over 1,300 years old. The water is a vivid blood-red color from high concentrations of iron oxide in the volcanic clay. At 78°C, the surface bubbles slowly and releases a distinctive reddish steam. The surrounding red clay has historically been used to produce Chinoike Ointment, a traditional skin remedy still sold in the gift shop today. The photogenic quality of Chinoike is exceptional — particularly at lower angles when the red surface reflects the surrounding greenery. This hell pairs naturally with Tatsumaki Jigoku (just 200 meters away) and the two Shibaseki hells can be covered in about 60–90 minutes combined.

3. Tatsumaki Jigoku (Waterspout Hell) — The Most Dynamic Hell

Tatsumaki Jigoku (Waterspout or Tornado Hell) features a natural geyser that erupts every 30–45 minutes, shooting boiling water and steam up to 30 meters before the viewing hood controls its reach to about 5 meters in the public area. The eruption lasts 5–6 minutes and is genuinely spectacular when unexpected — check the eruption schedule board at the entrance for the next predicted blast. Between eruptions, the pool bubbles energetically at 105°C (super-heated underground). Tatsumaki Jigoku is one of the closest natural geysers to a major population center anywhere in the world, and the mechanism — a narrow underground fissure creating pressure buildup — has been studied by geologists internationally. Allow 30–40 minutes here (waiting for at least one eruption is essential).

4. Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell) — The Most Interactive Hell

Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell) is named for the image of a demon (oni) cooking souls in a giant pot — and it is the most hands-on of all the Beppu Hell Tour stops. The complex includes six pools of different colors and temperatures, a steam inhalation station (breathing in geothermal steam is said to benefit respiratory conditions), a mud skin treatment demonstration, a footbath for visitors, and tasting of hot spring pudding and eggs cooked in the 90°C pool. Kamado Jigoku also displays the iconic Oni demon statues throughout its garden, leaning into the “hell” aesthetic more deliberately than any other jigoku. Allow 30–40 minutes here — it is the most entertaining and interactive hell on the Kannawa circuit.

5. Oniyama Jigoku (Devil Mountain / Crocodile Hell)

Oniyama Jigoku (Devil Mountain Hell) is the strangest of the eight Beppu hells: its defining feature is not the spring water but approximately 80 saltwater crocodiles living in pools heated by geothermal steam beside the main jigoku. The hot spring itself produces 1,800 liters per minute of water at 99.1°C — the highest flow rate of any hell — and the surplus heat is used to maintain the crocodile enclosures at tropical temperatures year-round. The crocodiles were first brought here in the early 20th century to demonstrate the practical heating capacity of the Beppu geothermal springs. Today the breeding program numbers over 80 animals. The sight of saltwater crocodiles basking beside erupting geothermal pools in a Japanese mountain neighborhood is surreal and unforgettable. Allow 20–25 minutes.

6. Oniishibozu Jigoku (Bald Monk Hell) and Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell)

Oniishibozu Jigoku features slow-rolling grey mud bubbles resembling the shaved heads of Buddhist monks — hence the name “Bald Monk Hell.” The mud temperature is 99°C, and the bubbles form, swell, and burst in lazy hypnotic cycles. Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell), adjacent and requiring separate entry (¥400), features a milky-white pool from precipitated silica minerals, with a small aquarium displaying tropical fish heated by the spring water. Neither hell is as visually dramatic as Umi or Chinoike Jigoku, but they are convenient to visit between the more spectacular stops and are included in the standard Kannawa circuit route. Oniishibozu is covered by the combo ticket; Shiraike is separate.

How to Book and Where to Experience the Beppu Hell Tour

Beppu Jigoku Meguri Ticket Options

The Jigoku Meguri combo ticket costs ¥2,200 for adults (¥1,000 for children ages 6–11, free for under 6). The combo ticket covers seven of the eight hells run by the cooperative (all except Shiraike Jigoku) and is valid for two consecutive days, giving you flexibility to pace the circuit over a morning and an afternoon. Individual hell entry is ¥400 per hell — economical only if you plan to visit fewer than five. The combo ticket is the clear best value and can be purchased at the first hell you visit on the Kannawa circuit — most visitors start at Umi Jigoku. Note: Shiraike Jigoku requires separate payment of ¥400 regardless of whether you have the combo ticket.

Booking Day Tours from Fukuoka or Beppu

Guided day tours from Fukuoka that include the Beppu Hell Tour are available on Klook, typically covering round-trip Sonic Express train or bus transport, an English-speaking guide through the Jigoku circuit, and options to add a traditional onsen soak at a partner bathhouse. Prices run ¥6,000–¥10,000 per person for a full-day Fukuoka–Beppu tour. Self-guided visitors from Fukuoka take the Sonic Express from Hakata Station (2 hours 10 minutes, ¥4,940 one way). Those based in Beppu can reach the Kannawa hells in 20 minutes by Kamenoi Bus from Beppu Station (Route 2, 5, 24, or 41; bus stop: Kannawa or Umi-Jigoku-mae; ¥200 one way).

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Getting Between the Kannawa and Shibaseki Hells

The five Kannawa hells (Umi, Kamado, Oniyama, Oniishibozu, Shiraike) are within easy walking distance of each other, covering about 1.5 km. After completing these, take the Kamenoi Bus (Route 16 or 26) approximately 15 minutes south to the Chinoike Jigoku-mae stop for the Shibaseki pair (Chinoike and Tatsumaki). Total bus fare is ¥200 per trip. Taxis between the clusters cost approximately ¥1,200–1,500. Most guided tours include transport between clusters. If self-guiding, the Beppu Hell Tour self-route is well sign-posted in English, with maps available at each ticket office.

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Tips & What to Expect on the Beppu Hell Tour

Best Route for the Beppu Hell Tour

The recommended first-time route is: Start at Umi Jigoku (most dramatic) → Shiraike (¥400 separately) → Oniishibozu → Oniyama (crocodiles) → Kamado (most interactive) → Bus 15 min south → Tatsumaki (wait for eruption) → Chinoike (blood red). This order ends at the two most photogenic hells in the Shibaseki cluster and ensures you don’t rush the Umi Jigoku opening. Start by 9:00 AM to complete the full circuit by 1:00–2:00 PM before the afternoon tour bus rush. Allow 3–5 hours total for a leisurely visit including steam-cooked lunch at Umi Jigoku’s restaurant.

How Long Does the Beppu Hell Tour Take?

A typical self-guided circuit of all seven combo-ticket hells plus Shiraike Jigoku takes 3–5 hours. Faster visitors who skip the footbaths and demonstrations can complete the Kannawa five in 90 minutes and the Shibaseki pair in 45 minutes, for a minimum of about 2.5 hours plus the 15-minute bus transfer. Lingering visitors who eat lunch at Umi Jigoku’s restaurant, wait for a Tatsumaki eruption, and browse the Chinoike gift shop can easily spend 5–6 hours on the full circuit. There is no time limit on the combo ticket within each individual hell’s operating hours (8:00 AM–5:00 PM).

Which Beppu Hells Are Most Worth Visiting?

If limited time forces you to choose, the non-negotiable hells are: Umi Jigoku (most photogenic, most diverse complex), Chinoike Jigoku (most dramatically colored, oldest documented hell), and Tatsumaki Jigoku (most dynamic, natural geyser). These three deliver the full visual impact of the Beppu Hell Tour experience and can be visited in approximately 2–2.5 hours. Adding Kamado Jigoku (most interactive) raises the experience significantly and only adds 40 minutes. Oniyama (crocodiles) is highly recommended for families and unusual-experience seekers.

Photography Tips for the Beppu Hell Tour

Best photography conditions at the hells are early morning (8:00–9:30 AM) when steam rises most dramatically against cooler air temperatures. A wide-angle lens captures the full scale of Umi Jigoku’s cobalt surface and surrounding garden. For Chinoike, a lower angle emphasizes the blood-red color and the reflections of surrounding foliage. At Tatsumaki, stay as close to the viewing platform as possible for the eruption — a 24–70mm zoom gives the best versatility for both the pool and the vertical geyser column. Photography is permitted throughout all eight hells; selfie sticks are acceptable outdoors.

Combining the Hell Tour with Beppu Onsen Bathing

The Jigoku Meguri hells are not for bathing (temperatures are lethal). After the circuit, recover with a proper onsen soak at one of Beppu’s excellent public or private baths. Takegawara Onsen near Beppu Station (¥110 standard bath, ¥1,500 sand bath) is the most historically significant. Kannawa Mushi-yu (¥520), a steam bath unique to Beppu, uses geothermal steam piped into a small wooden room to create a full-body steam bath. For a more luxurious experience, book a private rotenburo bath at a Myoban ryokan for 50 minutes (¥3,000–5,000). For more on Beppu’s full onsen landscape, see our complete Beppu Onsen guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Beppu Hell Tour

Can you bathe in the Beppu jigoku hells?

No — the jigoku hells are designated for viewing only. Water temperatures in most hells exceed 90°C — Tatsumaki reaches 105°C. Entering any of the pools would be fatal. Footbaths using cooled spring water from select hells (Umi Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku) are available for visitors and are free to use. For actual bathing, Beppu’s hundreds of public and private hot spring baths throughout the city use the same geothermal water source at safe, regulated temperatures.

How much does the Beppu Hell Tour combo ticket cost?

The Jigoku Meguri combo ticket covers seven of the eight hells (all except Shiraike Jigoku) for ¥2,200 for adults (¥1,000 for children ages 6–11). The ticket is valid for two consecutive days. Individual hell entry without a combo ticket costs ¥400 per hell. Shiraike Jigoku is not included in the combo and costs ¥400 separately. No advance booking is required — tickets are sold at the entrance of whichever hell you visit first.

How do I get from Beppu Station to the Kannawa hells?

Take Kamenoi Bus Route 2, 5, 24, or 41 from Beppu Station (Bus Stop 3) and ride approximately 20 minutes to the Kannawa or Umi-Jigoku-mae stop. Fare is approximately ¥200 one way. Buses depart every 15–30 minutes depending on route. A taxi from Beppu Station to Kannawa costs approximately ¥1,500–2,000 and takes 10–15 minutes. The Beppu My Beppu Free Pass (1-day: ¥1,000) covers unlimited bus rides including to and from the hells and is good value if you plan to travel by bus more than four times in a day.

Is the Beppu Hell Tour child-friendly?

Yes — the Beppu Jigoku Meguri is very popular with families. Children particularly enjoy Oniyama Jigoku (the crocodiles), Kamado Jigoku (interactive demon statues and footbath), and the giant water lily greenhouse at Umi Jigoku. The walking distance between hells in the Kannawa cluster is modest (1.5 km for five hells). The one caution for very young children is proximity to extremely hot geothermal pools — supervise closely near the viewing railings at all hells.

What is the best hell to skip if short on time?

Oniishibozu Jigoku and Shiraike Jigoku are the least spectacular visually and can be skipped if time is limited without significantly diminishing the experience. Focus instead on the top three — Umi Jigoku, Chinoike Jigoku, and Tatsumaki Jigoku — plus Kamado Jigoku for interactivity. For the full Beppu onsen experience, pair the Hell Tour with an evening soak in one of the city’s public baths. See our Beppu Onsen guide for bath recommendations.

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Conclusion

The Beppu Jigoku Meguri Hell Tour is one of the most genuinely surreal experiences available to any traveler in Japan — and that is a high bar in a country that includes snow monkey onsens, giant robot restaurants, and deer-filled shrine precincts. Eight geothermal pools, each with a completely different character, temperature, and color, arranged across a neighborhood that smells faintly of sulfur and sounds constantly like something is cooking underground. It sounds like a theme park and looks like another planet. Visit on a cool morning when the steam is thickest, start at Umi Jigoku, and save Chinoike and Tatsumaki for the afternoon light. Then reward yourself with a proper soak in a traditional bathhouse and a plate of jidori toriten tempura, and you will have had one of the most distinctive days in all of Japan.

For the broader Beppu picture — ryokan, sand baths, day trips, and what to eat — see our complete Beppu Onsen guide. Exploring Japan more widely? Our Nikko travel guide covers one of Japan’s most extraordinary UNESCO destinations just 2 hours from Tokyo.