The Blood Hell Ponds called Chinoike Jigoku in Japanese, in the hot spring town of Beppu, Oita Prefecture is a spring that is blood red. It has existed for over 1300 years and its color is said to be a result of some chemical reaction occurring underground. The color has remained this way ever since the beginning except for a 6 month period in the 1970's. The nearby Aso Volcano in neighboring Kumamoto Prefecture, had a very unstable period which affected the coloring of the water.
I found this information out from the owner who I was fortunate to meet in my first few years in Japan. In fact, I was a guest at their holiday house on site and of course the water that came out of the faucet for the hot bath was indeed red. An excellent opportunity was had to test the quality of the water and its therapeutic benefits. Result, thumbs up, fully recommended! Therefore for those that feel inclined, there is a footbath here can can be used on the premises. It's not the full body experience but it feels amazing nevertheless. Of course, I will bring the towels and all you have to do is sit and relax. For those who have never had a thermal mineral enriched footbath this will be a heavenly experience, guaranteed!
Today, this is a major attraction on the tourist sites of the region. Although there are 7 Hell pond attraction sites, without a doubt the Chinoike Jigoku is by far the most popular. On our private tours of Beppu we will only visit this one as there are obviously many more other remarkable sites in and around Beppu City specifically and Oita Prefecture in general.
We normally stay here for 20 to 25 minutes but they have an incredible gift shop that will be another excellent stop with many keepsakes and superb gift ideas. Those shopaholics and customers who want to find at least 1 special item from their travels, this is definitely the place for you.
Please check out the Chinoike Jigoku on this map below:
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
Memory photo
Devil horns, lookout where you sit!
Footbath time
Lots of souvenirs
Onsen symbol
The local Oni (devil)
It is indeed Blood Red
Steam rises!
Great color and views
Lots of products to browse.
Worth trying some red beer?
Click find out more about the Chinokie Jigoku on these videos below:
Founded in 1725, Myoban Yunosato is dotted with the distinctive silhouettes of the yunohana huts. Surrounded by trails of hot spring steam gently wafting in the air, these huts distinguish themselves from any other traditional buildings we’ve ever seen in Japan with their triangular-shaped thatched roofs.
Constructed since the Edo period, these huts are the result of local craftsmanship and wisdom that made use of the fumarole-rich terrain to manufacture yunohana minerals by paving the huts with cobblestone covered in blue clay. This combination lets hot spring steam flow evenly within the hut while the thatched roof keeps the temperature inside constant by absorbing the humidity and releasing it outside avoiding the reformation of water droplets that could dissolve the hot spring steam.
The mineral deposits inside the huts slowly grow about 1mm a day from Myoban’s hot spring steam. It is then collected, purified, and dried over a period of 40 to 60 days before being used in a wide variety of body-care products such as bath salts and skin care products.
Not only will you and your party be able to enjoy lunch here at the numerous different restaurants offering traditional Oita Prefecture fare but either before or after lunch you will be able to partake in a public hot spring (large and expansive with spectacular views but with communal nudity) or a private hot spring in one of the many Yunohana huts. Here you can fully relax without having to worry about others as well as to control the temperature of the warm to hot water that is teeming with minerals to completely relax your body, mind and soul. I am sure this experience will last with you for many years to come.
Please check below to see where the Myoban Hot Springs are on a map:
Please click on these photos below to enlarge:
Many lunch options
The famous Onsen pudding
Famous chicken dishes are hugely popular
Onsen steamed eggs
Great views
Yunohana salt fields
Yunohana Huts
Hot spring region
Private Onsen choices
Outdoor public bathing
Have fun!
Spectacular from all angles
Inside the private huts
Temp control is doable
Please click on these video below to see more about the Myoban Onsen region:
On our 2 night/ 3 day tours of Kyushu, on the 2nd night we have the option of staying in Minamiaso (3 or 4 star) or Kurokawa Onsen (5 star). Most of my clients chosen Kurokawa Onsen because staying in a Ryokan enjoying Japanese Omotenashi (hospitality) and having an exquisite 8 course Kaiseki washoku (traditional Japanese food) dinner ticks all their boxes.
On this particular tour the Kurokawaso Onsen was chosen as their accommodation of course. This was a lucky omen for me as I stayed here before many years ago with my family when the kids were a lot smaller. It also gave me satisfaction as a guide knowing that the next day when I picked up the team there would be many smiling faces the next morning.
This is exactly what I got!! The atmosphere and the general outlook was so positive. The dinner course and the hot spring experiences (both public and private hot spring experiences are available) were still on everyones lips with many different stories from nights past being relived for everyones pleasure.
This is what a guide attains to achieve on every tour especially ones that are multiple days in succession. The joy, the stories and the experiences will forever be etched in the memory banks with months and years of enjoyment.
Please check out Kurokawa Onsen here on a map below:
Please click on these photos to enlarge:
Surrounded by nature
Private rooms
Dinner menu
Of course there is Wagyu
Party atmosphere
Sake please
Fabulous all year round
Highly recommended
Memories galore
Please click on these video below to see more about the Kurokawaso Ryokan in the Kurokawa region of Kumamoto Prefecture.
