daily-life
Beppu's Hells: Hot Trivia
Beppu's 'Hells' aren't just for looking! People actually cook eggs, puddings, and even full meals in their boiling hot spring waters.
Cooked in Hell's Kitchen
Locals and tourists alike use the natural geothermal heat from Beppu's Hells to steam eggs, vegetables, and even entire meals like 'jigoku mushi' (hell-steamed cuisine).
Look, Don't Touch!
Despite being hot springs, Beppu's 'Hells' (Jigoku) are too hot, and often too acidic, for bathing. They are purely for observation, creating stunning, otherworldly landscapes.
Ancient Medicinal Mud
The mineral-rich mud from some Beppu Hells, particularly Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell), has been used for centuries to create traditional Japanese medicines and skin ointments.
Hellish National Treasures
Eight of Beppu's Hells are officially recognized as 'Places of Scenic Beauty' by the Japanese government, highlighting their unique geological and aesthetic value.
Geothermal Greenhouses
Beppu's geothermal energy isn't just for show! It powers greenhouses that cultivate tropical fruits and even raises alligators in one of the 'Hells' pools.
Relaxing Hell-Adjacent Footbaths
While the main Hells are too dangerous for bathing, many locations around Beppu offer safe, soothing public footbaths heated by the same geothermal sources.