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:
I have been traveling around Oita Prefecture for nearly 20 years now. Actually Oita Prefecture was the first place that I lived in Japan and with so many interesting and amazing locations to explore, it felt like every weekend was packed with sightseeing and adventure activities.
I remember clearly the first time I came to Yufuin. It was a sleepy, tranquil and pristine location that attracted the elite and top end travelers with people coming here for a relaxing weekend or having a holiday house/ cabin in the region. It wasn't particularly set up for the younger, backpacker, type of traveler at all.
Over the decades a huge change has transpired. Of course there is still the high end resorts and Michelin starred restaurants but the younger generation has forced a major change on this sleepy town, with out of the ordinary, trendy and pop culture speciality shops popping up all over. Now, I might be a little on the traditional side now that I am older but a small part of me wishes the Instagrammable culture of this current generation had not found this special area of Oita Prefecture.
Located only 2 hours from Fukuoka City by train, loads and loads of travelers come here everday but weekends can be vert intense. It is a place now that you have to be very careful on your arrival and departure time because parking can be a huge problem, with a limited infrastructure and extremely narrow roads.
Having said this, there are hundreds and hundreds of shops to explore on the main shopping street but the real gem here is Kirin Lake, with its picturesque vistas whilst strolling around the outside walking path. At certain times of the day and the year the refections and mist that radiates off the lake are absolutely spellbounding and shouldn't be missed.
All in all an incredible attraction that an hour and a half is truly needed to fell the real quaintness of this rural hot spring resort town.
Please look below to see Yufuin on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
The drive in is superb
Young people love this place
Get in line for photos
Umbrellas are popular gifts
Lots of shopping to do
Rickshaw options
Yufuin station
Reflections
Pop culture is everywhere
Picture perfect
Please click on the video below to see more about Yufuin:
