Umi Jigoku
Oita Prefecture · Japan
One of the more beautiful hells, the "sea hell" features a pond of boiling, blue water. In its spacious gardens, there are a few smaller, orange colored hells and a clear water pond with lotus flowers whose large leaves are strong enough to carry small children.
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Umi Jigoku, arguably the most visually arresting of the seven 'hells' of Beppu. As you step through the entrance gate, you are immediately greeted by a sensory landscape that feels simultaneously celestial and infernal. …
Listen in the app2The Gateway Steamer
Just inside the entrance on your left, you will encounter the first major demonstration of Umi Jigoku's geothermal intensity: a massive steamer that serves as an introductory threshold. This apparatus utilizes the direct heat of…
Listen in the app3The Great Cobalt Pond
We now stand before the centerpiece of Umi Jigoku: the great cobalt blue pond. The visual impact is staggering; the water is a vivid, opaque blue that looks almost artificial in its intensity. …
Listen in the app4The Tropical Lily Garden
Surrounding the violent blue of the main pond is a surprisingly lush and tranquil garden that showcases the unique botanical possibilities of this geothermal zone. Most notably, Umi Jigoku is famous for its large tropical water…
Listen in the app5Hakuryu Inari Shrine
Tucked away in the greenery near the main pond is the Hakuryu Inari Shrine, a spiritual corner that adds a layer of cultural depth to the geological site. Dedicated to the White Dragon (Hakuryu) and the fox deity Inari, this…
Listen in the app6The Greenhouse and Lotus Pond
Beyond the main viewing areas lies a specialized greenhouse that further explores the relationship between geothermal heat and botany. By piping the naturally hot water through the facility, the caretakers can maintain a…
Listen in the app7The Healing Footbath
After witnessing the extreme heat of the main pond, you have the opportunity to experience the thermal waters in a more controlled and beneficial way at the Umi Jigoku footbath, or ashiyu. This facility takes the mineral-rich…
Listen in the app8The Souvenir and Culinary Hall
No visit to Umi Jigoku is complete without exploring the extensive souvenir and food area, which is one of the largest in the Beppu Hell Tour. Here, the geothermal theme is integrated into a variety of local delicacies. …
Listen in the app9Closing
As we depart from Umi Jigoku, we carry with us the image of that impossible blue water, a sight that challenges our perception of what 'hell' might look like. We have seen how this site is a masterclass in contradiction: a place…
Listen in the app
What is Umi Jigoku?
Umi Jigoku is a place in Oita Prefecture · Japan with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Oita Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 33.3165, 131.4689 |
| Last updated |
