Beppu, Japan 23rd May 2018

Home of the hot spring spas.

Famous for hot springs, sand baths, mud baths, steam baths and steam cooking.

Our little group of now 5 met in the ship's atrium as usual to discuss what we would do once on shore. We had mixed ideas on what and where to go so my lovely cabin mate, Jill and I headed off to  the Hells of Beppu where there are several hot springs for viewing. 5 of the 7 Hells were ideally located within walking distance of each other, another 2 are some 15 to 20 minutes away.  The other 3 of our travelling mates decided to catch the ship's shuttle into the town of Beppu, spending the day there.

Jill and I were directed to the local bus stop located about 300 metres from the ship, across grassed playing fields and what appears to be a tsunami buffer. Our wait for the bus took longer than we had anticipated, however it finally came along and we were off on our way. We took a while to work out how to get our ticket to pay for ride, we had to collect it as we boarded the bus via the doors in the middle, then give the driver the ticket and pay when we alight.  The bus even has a small change dispenser so we can pay the correct fare without the driver having to give change. When we arrived at our destination, we found a convenient information building where we updated our exploring knowledge. It drizzled the whole day whilst in Beppu but the rainfall was light enough not to impede our walk around the sights. 

We headed off map in hand to see the Hells Springs. 

Bus to Jigoku Hells Springs.

Street in Jigoku, note the steam emitting from vents in distance.

First 'Hell', Shiraike Jigoku, our first spring we visited.

Shiraike Jigoku

Piranhas

Shiraike Jigoku 'white pond hell': pond of hot, milky water surrounded by nice garden and a small, run-down aquarium of tropical fish.

2nd 'Hell', Oniyama Jigoku 'monster mountain hell' A large number of crocodiles are bred and kept on the grounds.

Steam rising from the ponds

Below       3rd 'Hell", Kamado Jigoku. 'cooking pot hell'. Several boiling ponds in different colours some blue and nearby are orange. Here we could drink the hot spring water, there are hand and foot baths and a shop selling snacks cooked by the hot spring.

Below 4th 'Hell', Umi Jigoku. Ponds of boiling blue water orange coloured hells and a clear water pond with lotus flowers. Here Jill and I bought local dessert cooked with the steam. It tasted just like a cream caramel, yum!. 

We took our shoes off and waded into the hot water to sit with on the bench with our feet in the water. The water is supposed to create a general feeling of well-being. Did we feel any different? Well, I don't really know! but I didn't have a towel on hand and had to put my socks and shoes back on wet feet!. 

Lastly 5th 'Hell', Oniishibzu Jigokus. Mud bubbling ponds. 

Foot bath currently not used due to wet weather.