Beppu Top Attractions
Beppu’s steaming pools and hot-spring traditions make it one of Japan’s most distinctive resort towns. Explore its colourful “hells”, then taste food cooked with the natural steam that rises from the ground.
Umi Jigoku
Umi Jigoku, or the Sea Hell, is famous for its vivid blue pool and billowing steam. The colour is striking, but the water is much too hot for bathing: this is a sightseeing spring, one of the celebrated pools on Beppu’s Jigoku Meguri route.
The surrounding gardens and smaller geothermal features give you more to enjoy beyond the main viewpoint. Walk at a relaxed pace and stay within the marked visitor areas. Steam shifts with the breeze, changing the scene from moment to moment. Pair the visit with other nearby hells, then enjoy a separate bathing experience at an onsen intended for people.
Chinoike Jigoku
Chinoike Jigoku creates a dramatic contrast to Beppu’s blue pools. Known as the Blood Pond Hell, it takes its name from the reddish colour of the hot water and mineral-rich clay. Rising steam gives the pool an otherworldly appearance.
It is a sightseeing attraction, not a bathing pool, and the surrounding signs explain the geothermal landscape. Pause at the viewing points to appreciate the colour and texture, then explore the visitor area at your own pace. Beppu’s different hells are spread across more than one neighbourhood, so allow travel time between them. A careful plan leaves room for lunch and a restful onsen visit afterwards.
Must Try in Beppu
Jigoku Mushi
Vegetables, seafood and other ingredients are cooked with hot-spring steam. It is a deliciously direct way to experience Beppu’s geothermal character.
Toriten
Oita’s lightly battered chicken is often served with a tangy dipping sauce. Try it as a set meal with rice and fresh accompaniments.
Onsen Egg
A softly cooked egg is a simple hot-spring-town treat. The gently set texture makes a lovely snack or an addition to a meal.
Steam-Cooked Pudding
Smooth custard and caramel combine in a sweet treat associated with Beppu’s steaming landscape. Look for pudding prepared using geothermal steam.
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