About
Kamado Jigoku entrance showing the site's distinctive features. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Kamado Jigoku, or "Cooking Pot Hell," is one of Beppu's seven famous designated Places of Scenic Beauty, unique for featuring six distinct geothermal zones in one location. 🔗 The site derives its name from an ancient myth in which steamed rice was cooked using the 98°C fumarolic gas as an offering to the Ujigami (guardian god) during the Kamado Hachimangu Shrine Festival, highlighting deep connections between the region's powerful geothermal activity and local religious customs. 🔗
Historically, the Kannawa area was feared for its intense volcanic activity. According to local legend, the monk Ippen Shonin is credited with "calming the hells" and establishing the foundations for the hot spring resort that exists today, transforming a place of fear into one of healing and community. 🔗
Cultural & Religious Significance
After entering, visitors are greeted by a Japanese demon (oni) statue serving as gatekeeper. According to legend, below the statue is a blue dragon, the god sent to ensure the oni commits no more evil deeds. 🔗
The site has gained additional cultural significance through its connection to the popular anime "Demon Slayer," with the main character's name, Kamado Tanjiro, sharing the same "Kamado" designation. This connection has made it particularly popular with anime fans. 🔗
Visiting Information
Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily, open all year round 🔗
Admission:
- Individual: ¥400 adults/high school+ / ¥200 children/elementary-junior high
- Seven Hells combination ticket: ¥2,000 (valid two consecutive days) 🔗
Access:
- From JR Beppu Station: Bus #2, #5, #41, or #43 to "Umi Jigoku Mae" stop
- Kamado Jigoku is a few minutes walk from the bus station
- Within walking distance of other Kannawa hells 🔗
Parking: Free parking with 50 spots, motor coaches accommodated 🔗
Location: 621 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0840
The Kamado Jigoku Experience
The Six Districts
Kamado Jigoku is unique among the Beppu Hells for featuring six different hot spring sources, each with distinct properties: 🔗
1st District: A thermal mud hell 🔗
2nd District: Features 100°C steam bubbling out from under rocks, with steam baths for hands/feet and facial steam for skin moisturization 🔗
4th District: Another thermal mud hell at 80°C 🔗
5th District: The biggest and most photogenic attraction—a large pond of silky blue color. The pond's color mysteriously changes several times a year from dark to light and blue to green, with the cause still unknown. The cobalt blue results from amorphous silica in water over 90°C that springs under pressure. 🔗
6th District: A reddish-colored thermal mud pond that appears to boil from everywhere, with the distinctive color due to iron content in the soil 🔗
Interactive Experiences
Jigoku-mushi Cuisine: Kamado Jigoku is known as a "foodie's paradise" where visitors enjoy foods cooked using natural geothermal steam, a tradition dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868): 🔗
- Onsen Piitan: Special eggs steam-cooked for 24 hours with unique color and rich taste—over 3,000 sold daily
- Hell Soy Sauce Pudding: Mild taste similar to no-bake cheesecake, lightly sweetened and rich
- Ishigaki Manju: Steam buns with sweet potato filling
- Gokuraku (Paradise) Soft Cream: Signature soft-serve ice cream
- Steamed vegetables and other local specialties 🔗
Free Footbaths (Ashiyu): Three types of complimentary footbaths, including unique sand footbaths and pebble-filled footbaths. Free towels provided (unlike most other hells). 🔗
Steam Experiences:
- Hand and foot steam baths for relaxation
- Throat and facial steam baths for skin moisturization
- Steam inhalation at 100°C for wellness 🔗
Hot Spring Water Tasting: Drink the mineral-rich, sulfurous water directly from the source 🔗
Staff Demonstrations: Staff perform interactive demonstrations by blowing a cigarette or candle toward steam vents, causing an instant dramatic increase in intensity lasting several seconds 🔗
Private Bath (Iyashi no Yu): For ticket holders, a private onsen bath is available. Request the key from the east ticket office, use, lock, and return the key. 🔗
Visual Attractions
Color-Changing Pond (5th District): The most photogenic feature—a silky blue pond that mysteriously changes color throughout the year from dark to light, blue to green. 🔗
Diverse Geothermal Features:
- Bubbling, explosive mud pits
- Pools shifting from light blue to deep red-orange
- Powerful steam eruptions
- Six distinct "hell" zones in one location 🔗
Photo Opportunities:
- Dedicated photo spot with seasonal decorations
- Demon statue photo opportunity at entrance/exit
- Dramatic steam vents with staff demonstrations 🔗
Practical Visiting Tips
November Seasonal Advantages:
- Mild and dry weather enhances outdoor exploration comfort
- Cooler temperatures make geothermal steam more visible and dramatic
- Comfortable conditions for extended walking between hells 🔗
Photography Conditions:
- Cooler November air enhances steam visibility for dramatic photography
- Morning light ideal for capturing the blue pond's color
- Steam appears more prominently in photographs during cooler months 🔗
Best Photo Spots:
- The 5th District blue pond—arrive early for best light and fewer people
- Demon statue at entrance for cultural photo opportunity
- Steam vent demonstrations when staff perform
- Seasonal photo spot with rotating decorations 🔗
Crowd Avoidance Strategies:
- Visit at 8:00 AM opening time before tour buses arrive
- Weekday mornings typically less crowded than weekends
- Tour buses create crowds mid-morning to early afternoon (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
- Seven Hells combination ticket provides flexibility across two days 🔗
Practical Tips:
- Bring or wear appropriate footwear that can be easily removed for footbaths
- Towels provided free (unlike most other hells)
- Try the signature Onsen Piitan eggs with yuzu-flavored soy sauce—highly recommended
- Sample the jigoku-mushi steamed foods for authentic local experience
- Allow 20-45 minutes depending on desired experience depth
- Free parking available but can fill during peak times 🔗
Local Etiquette:
- Be mindful of other visitors when photographing
- Follow posted signs and staff instructions
- Dispose of trash properly
- Respect the cultural and historical significance of the site 🔗
Strategic Positioning: Kamado Jigoku is often recommended for visitors with limited time as it functions like a "Greatest Hits compilation"—featuring a little bit of every type of jigoku (mud, blue pools, steam, various colors) in one location. 🔗
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/beppu/kamado-jigoku.md