Eight Astonishing Delights: Japan’s Number One “Hell” Hot Springs

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

When you think of Japan, you think of hot springs, and when you think of hot springs, you think of Kyushu—world-renowned for its thermal waters. Known as the “Heaven of Hot Springs,” this region boasts not only breathtaking natural scenery but also the most distinctive and diverse hot spring experiences along with supremely comfortable ryokan (traditional inns), making it the very best in all of Japan. Among them, Beppu’s hot spring output ranks second in the world, just after Yellowstone National Park in the United States. This time, MOOK Scenic Spots will specially introduce the uniquely fascinating “Eight Hells of Beppu.”

A thousand years ago, steam, hot mud, and boiling water gushed violently from the ground at temperatures around 100°C, making the area inaccessible to people—hence the name “hell.” There’s the cobalt-blue Sea Hell, the blood-red Blood Pond Hell, as well as Devil’s Kettle, Mountain Hell, Kitchen Hell, Devil’s Mountain Hell, White Pond Hell, and Tornado Hell, making a total of eight unique hellish hot springs.

One of the Eight Hells of Beppu – Blood Pond Hell
Blood Pond Hell, as the name suggests, features waters that are blood-red in color. As Japan’s oldest natural hell, it looks from afar like an enormous pool of blood, with even the steam tinged red.

One of the Eight Hells of Beppu – Tornado Hell
Tornado Hell is a natural geyser that erupts periodically when underground water heated over 105°C and built-up pressure are released. It erupts every 30–40 minutes, with each eruption lasting about 6–10 minutes.

One of the Eight Hells of Beppu – Sea Hell
With its mysterious porcelain-blue waters, this seemingly cool sea is actually a hot spring with temperatures reaching 98°C. It was formed 1,200 years ago during an eruption of Mount Tsurumi.

One of the Eight Hells of Beppu – Devil’s Kettle Hell
Grey-hot mud forms bubbles of various sizes that bubble and boil while making sounds, creating a scene reminiscent of bald monks. Coupled with the fact that the area is called Devil’s Stone, it’s thus named “Devil’s Monk Hell.” Within the facility is an intermittent spring known as the “Devil’s Snore.” When 100°C steam bursts out, it sounds like a devil’s snore—emitting a loud noise before erupting.