Beppu Hells: The Complete Guide to the Seven Jigoku

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

The Beppu hells (Jigoku Meguri) are seven hot spring pools in Beppu that are made for looking at, not bathing in. They include a cobalt-blue pond, a red pond and a spring that shoots up hot water. One combined ticket covers all seven for 2,400 yen (adults). They are open every day from 8:00 to 17:00. Five hells sit close together in the Kannawa area. The other two are about 3 km away, so you need a bus or car to reach them ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

1What are the Beppu hells?

"Jigoku" means "hell" in Japanese. In Beppu the word refers to hot springs that are too hot and too wild for bathing. The water at the source is close to 100°C ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. Each hell looks different, so visitors walk from pool to pool and compare them. People call this tour "Jigoku Meguri", which means "touring the hells".

There are seven official hells. The local group that runs them is the Beppu Jigoku Association. Four of the seven, Umi, Chinoike, Tatsumaki and Shiraike Jigoku, are National Places of Scenic Beauty ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. That is a national title Japan gives to special landscapes.

Why are they so popular right now? On Instagram, the most common posts show the blue pond at Umi Jigoku, the red pond at Chinoike Jigoku, the crocodiles at Oniyama Jigoku, and videos of Tatsumaki Jigoku shooting up hot water (Instagram research).

2The seven hells at a glance

This table uses only what the official site tells us. If a cell says "check on site", the official information does not describe it.

Sources: Beppu Jigoku Association official site and access page.

3Which hells should you see?

With the combined ticket you can enter all seven, so most visitors try to see them all. If you are short on time, here is how to choose.

For color: Umi Jigoku has cobalt-blue water. Chinoike Jigoku is red because of iron oxide ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. These two are the most photographed ponds (Instagram research).

For movement: Tatsumaki Jigoku shoots up hot water and steam at set intervals ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. You may need to wait for the next spout. Videos of it are popular on Instagram (Instagram research).

For animals: Oniyama Jigoku uses the heat of the hot spring to raise crocodiles. The official site has posted news about crocodile feeding ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. Check the official site for current feeding details.

For tired feet: Umi, Chinoike, Oniishi Bozu and Kamado Jigoku have foot baths ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. Bring a small towel.

For the scenic list: Umi, Chinoike, Tatsumaki and Shiraike Jigoku are National Places of Scenic Beauty.

Short on time? The five Kannawa hells are within walking distance of each other. Chinoike and Tatsumaki need a bus or car ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. If you can only do one area, Kannawa gives you five hells with no extra transport.

4Ticket prices and opening hours

Opening hours: 8:00–17:00, open every day of the year ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

Combined ticket for all seven hells (prices from 1 February 2025):

Source: Beppu Jigoku Association fee page.

Rules for the combined ticket ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association: - It is valid on the day you buy it and the next day. That is two days in total. - You can enter each hell once. - Reselling the ticket is not allowed. - Group tickets are sold only at Umi Jigoku or Chinoike Jigoku.

Single-hell tickets: The official fee page does not list a price for entering just one hell. If you only want to see one or two, ask at the ticket counter.

5How to get to the Beppu hells

All access details below come from the official access page ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

By bus to the Kannawa group (Umi Jigoku and nearby) - From JR Beppu Station West Exit, take Kamenoi Bus No. 2, 5, 24 or 41 (bound for Kannawa). - The ride is about 20 minutes. - Get off at "Umi Jigoku-mae" or "Kannawa". The hells are about a 1-minute walk away.

By bus to Chinoike Jigoku - Take a Kamenoi Bus and get off at "Chinoike Jigoku-mae". - The official site lists the route number in two different ways (No. 16 and No. 26). Please confirm the number at the bus stop before you board.

By taxi - From Beppu Station to Umi Jigoku takes about 15 minutes and costs about 1,900 yen.

By train to Tatsumaki Jigoku - The nearest station is JR Kamegawa Station, about 5 minutes from Beppu Station. - From Kamegawa Station, it is about a 25-minute walk.

By car - Every hell has a free parking lot. There are about 615 spaces across all seven ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

Between the two areas - Chinoike and Tatsumaki Jigoku are about 3 km from the Kannawa group. Use a bus or a car to move between them.

6How long does it take? A step-by-step plan

The official site does not give a set visit time. How long you spend depends on your pace, waiting at the bus stop, and whether you wait for Tatsumaki Jigoku to spout. The travel times we know are: about 20 minutes by bus from Beppu Station, and about 3 km between the two areas ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. Because the combined ticket is valid for two days, you do not have to rush.

Here is a simple way to do the full circuit:

1. Check the hours. The hells open at 8:00 and close at 17:00. Start early so you have time for both areas.
2. Go to JR Beppu Station West Exit. Take Kamenoi Bus No. 2, 5, 24 or 41 toward Kannawa. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
3. Get off at "Umi Jigoku-mae" or "Kannawa". Walk about 1 minute to the first hell.
4. Buy the combined ticket at your first hell: 2,400 yen for adults. Pick up a multilingual leaflet too ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.
5. Walk the five Kannawa hells: Umi, Shiraike, Oniishi Bozu, Oniyama and Kamado Jigoku. Rest your feet at a foot bath along the way.
6. Ride to Chinoike and Tatsumaki Jigoku, about 3 km away. Take a Kamenoi Bus to "Chinoike Jigoku-mae" and confirm the route number at the stop. A taxi or car also works.
7. See the last two hells. At Tatsumaki Jigoku, wait for the next spout of hot water.
8. Not finished? Your ticket is still valid the next day. Each hell can be entered only once.

7Safety and visitor tips

• The water is very hot. The source water is close to 100°C ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association. Do not touch it, and do not lean too close.
• Use the foot baths instead. If you want to feel the hot spring, use the foot baths at Umi, Chinoike, Oniishi Bozu or Kamado Jigoku.
• Ask for a leaflet in your language. Multilingual pamphlets are available ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.
• Keep your ticket safe. You need it at every hell, and it lasts two days.
• Arrive before closing. Last entry rules are not listed on the fee page, so plan to arrive well before 17:00.
• Want to bathe? The hells are for viewing only. For bathing, see our guides to Kannawa Onsen and Beppu's sand baths below.

8Mistakes first-timers make

• Thinking all seven hells are in one place -> Five are in Kannawa. Chinoike and Tatsumaki are about 3 km away, so plan a bus, taxi or car ride.
• Buying single tickets one by one -> Single prices are not listed officially. If you want to see several hells, the 2,400 yen combined ticket is the simple option.
• Trying to see everything in one late afternoon -> The hells close at 17:00. Your ticket covers two days, so split the visit if you start late.
• Boarding the wrong bus to Chinoike Jigoku -> The official site shows two route numbers. Confirm the number at the stop before you board.
• Touching the water or leaning over the edge -> The water is near 100°C. Stay behind the fences and use the foot baths.

9FAQ

How much is the Beppu hells ticket? The combined ticket is 2,400 yen for adults and 1,200 yen for elementary and junior high students ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

What are the opening hours? 8:00 to 17:00, every day of the year ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

Can I visit just one hell? Yes, but the official fee page does not list single-hell prices. Ask at the ticket counter.

Is the combined ticket valid for more than one day? Yes. It is valid on the day you buy it and the next day. You can enter each hell once ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

Can I bathe in the hells? No. The water is close to 100°C. You can soak your feet at the foot baths at Umi, Chinoike, Oniishi Bozu and Kamado Jigoku.

Is there parking? Yes. Every hell has free parking, about 615 spaces in total ⓘ Beppu Jigoku Association.

10Related guides

• Beppu day trip from Fukuoka
• Kannawa Onsen guide
• Beppu sand bath guide
• Tattoo-friendly onsen in Beppu
• Fukuoka yatai etiquette
• Nakasu yatai guide
• How to order Hakata ramen

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Beppu Sand Bath Guide: Where to Go, Prices and Hours

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