Kamado Jigoku: Cauldron Hell in Beppu, Eat the Hell

Discover the 7 hells of Beppu

Located in the northeast of Kyūshū Island, Beppu (別府) is one of Japan’s most famous cities for hot springs (onsen). With nearly 3,000 baths spread throughout the city, Beppu is a true haven for relaxation and thermal bathing enthusiasts.

But what truly sets Beppu apart is its spectacular Seven Hells Tour (Jigoku Meguri, 地獄めぐり). Unlike regular onsens where you can soak, these hot springs are far too hot and constantly bubbling, showcasing the sheer power of geothermal activity.

Here are the 7 Hells of Beppu:

Umi Jigoku (海地獄) – The "Sea Hell", featuring a stunning cobalt-blue pool.
Chinoike Jigoku (血の池地獄) – The "Blood Pond Hell", known for its striking red color.
Oniishibōzu Jigoku (鬼石坊主地獄) – The "Monk’s Head Hell", with bubbling gray mud pools.
Oniyama Jigoku (鬼山地獄) – The "Demon Mountain Hell", home to a colony of crocodiles.
Shiraike Jigoku (白池地獄) – The "White Pond Hell", with its milky-white waters.
Tatsumaki Jigoku (龍巻地獄) – The "Geyser Hell", with regular eruptions.

And finally, one of the most impressive of them all:

Kamado Jigoku: the cooking pot hell

Among Beppu’s seven hells, Kamado Jigoku (かまど地獄) is one of the best choices for first-time visitors. Its name, "Cooking Pot Hell," comes from a legend stating that locals used the heat from the hot springs to cook meals for shrine festivals.

Here, visitors can do more than just observe, they can taste the spring water, experience the hot steam, and even try foods naturally cooked in the boiling waters!

Taste the water of hell

One of Kamado Jigoku’s unique experiences is the opportunity to drink a small amount of water directly from the source.

Rich in minerals and sulfur, the water has a distinct taste that may surprise first-timers.
Be prepared for a slightly metallic and sulfuric flavor!

Try volcanic steam-cooked delicacies

Kamado Jigoku is also a foodie’s paradise, offering local specialties cooked using the heat of the hot springs.

Onsen tamago (温泉卵) – Hot spring-steamed eggs, believed to have health benefits.
Steamed corn and sweet potatoes – Slow-cooked in volcanic steam, giving them a naturally rich and unique flavor.

Relax in a free foot bath (Ashiyu)

For those who want to enjoy the thermal warmth without getting burned, Kamado Jigoku offers a free ashiyu (足湯), or foot bath.

Perfect water temperature – The spring water is naturally cooled to a comfortable level.
Free towels provided – Unlike other hells, Kamado Jigoku offers towels at no cost, making it even more convenient!

Explore diverse geothermal wonders

What sets Kamado Jigoku apart is the variety of geothermal features on one site.

Boiling mud pools – Bubbling, explosive mud pits.
Colorful hot spring pools – Shifting from light blue to deep red-orange.
Powerful steam eruptions – Dramatic bursts of hot steam escaping from the ground.

Some areas even offer interactive demonstrations where guides use the steam to create special visual effects!

How to get to Kamado Jigoku and the other hells ?

The best starting point for exploring Beppu’s Hells is JR Beppu Station (別府駅), accessible via the Nippō Main Line. Once in Beppu, you have several options to reach Kannawa (鉄輪温泉), the hot spring district where most of the hells are located.