Kamado Jigoku is one of the hot spring hells in the Kannawa district of Beppu, Japan. Its name comes from the steam once used to cook food, and the ground here holds several pools in blue and red, plus bubbling mud. Staff demonstrations show how the steam rises from the vents, and you can taste the spring water. Food stalls sell onsen eggs and steamed snacks cooked in the steam. The site is small enough to see in under an hour, so it works well as one stop on a day of visiting the hells.
Where the name comes from
The name is usually explained by a legend. Long ago, the steam from these vents was used to cook rice, which was offered at a festival at the nearby Kamado Hachimangu Shrine. Kamado means stove or oven in Japanese.
Some also think the mud pots, with their thick walls, look like cooking pots, which may have added to the name. The word hell points to the heat of the water, which reaches 98 degrees Celsius at the source.
What you see on the grounds
The site is divided into blocks, each with its own pools and vents. A large red demon statue stands by the second pond, and it is the site's best-known landmark. One blue pool has a sacred stone rising from its middle.
You cannot bathe in the pools, so you view them from the paths. Staff blow smoke over the water and fan the steam to show how the vents react to the air and the heat.
The hot spring water can be tasted at a few points on the site. It is a little salty, so take only a small sip.
Food and drink
The food corner sells eggs boiled in the spring water and vegetables cooked in steam baskets. Steamed pudding flavored with soy sauce is another local snack. The site also sells hot spring century eggs.
Aso milk, a local milk, is a common drink here. An eat-in space sits beside the shop, so you can rest and eat before you go on.
Foot baths and the steam experience
Foot baths sit next to the snack stands, so they can be crowded and noisy at busy times. Plan to wait for a free spot or come back later.
There is also a steam experience in which you bathe your face in hot spring steam. It is a quick, relaxed stop between the pools.
Planning a visit
Kamado Jigoku is about a five-minute walk from Umi Jigoku and Oniishibozu Jigoku, so it is easy to include in a day of visiting the hells. Visiting early keeps the paths quieter and gives you more time at each pool.
Because the area is small, you can see the main sights in a short time. Plan the rest of your day around the other hells and the hot springs in Beppu.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Visitors have paid 500 yen per adult at the entrance. A package ticket covers several hells in the area.
Can you bathe in the pools?
No. You can view the pools from the paths, but you cannot bathe in them. Foot baths and a steam experience are available instead.
How long do you need?
A short visit is enough to see the pools, watch a demonstration and try the food. The site can be seen in under an hour.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restroom and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
