Hells of Beppu

Beppu's seven geothermal hot springs are too hot to bathe in, reaching up to 98 degrees Celsius, but each has a distinct character worth seeing. Umi Jigoku glows cobalt blue, Chinoike Jigoku is dramatically red from iron and magnesium, and Tatsumaki Jigoku erupts as a geyser every 30 to 40 minutes. Kamado Jigoku lets you steam eggs over one of its vents. Five of the hells cluster in Kannawa, two more sit 3 kilometers away in Shibaseki. After the circuit, many visitors soak at nearby public bathhouses; Takegawara Onsen, built in 1879, is worth the stop for its sand bath. Beppu produces more hot spring water than any other city in Japan.