From the last blog entry - "Now in Beppu, there's an odor in the air, and strange steam venting from all over town." There are approximately 25,000 hot spring sources throughout Japan, and around 3,000 onsen (hot spring fed baths) establishments that use naturally hot water from these geothermally heated springs. Beppu is a popular destination for onsens.
This particular one below has cool geodesic domes for family lodging. Our hotel was just below it, with a more modern blocky architecture, but also with onsen facilities.
This particular one below has cool geodesic domes for family lodging. Our hotel was just below it, with a more modern blocky architecture, but also with onsen facilities.
The "The Seven Hells (地獄 or jigoku) of Beppu" are seven interesting hot springs for viewing rather than bathing, displaying steaming ponds of various colors, bubbling mud pools and other hydrothermal activity. The hells are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion, with little shops and other kitschy sights. Five of the seven hells are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.
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Some of the other sights - a small aquatic botanical garden...
And some of the goofy sights - although they are somewhat historical going back maybe 80-100 years when tourism was becoming a thing of modern times.
Steaming food for the adjacent tourist snacko.
Where's Gerri?
Another old jingoku creature...
This particular jingoku had "sight interpreters" that provided black magic goings on - he'd blow smoke from an incense stick, and make the hot spring boil up more steam.
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Hmmm, these two things don't seem to really go together - we didn't even see the train cars...
Not so pokey, but very bitey....if you'd put your hand out there, the crocs would think you were offering up chickens and wouldn't notice the difference.
Meanwhile, Gerri is working on her Seven Hells (Jingoku) Passport, getting more Visa stamps...
More "side" sights right at the hot spring - nothing to do with it, but a neat little aquarium - Asian catfish, a Gar, and Piranha.
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Buddhist adornments...
Looks like good work of a team of electricians, but Buddha still prays for the welfare of future work...
And now the finale...we visit the final Hell of Beppu.
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It's a full on geyser thats full potential height is terminated by overhanging stone slabs, to keep it "under control". Yeah, this makes it look like a waterfall in pictures, but is actually shooshing up from the bottom about every 30 minutes or so, and lasting around 10-14 minutes.
Our 7 Hells of Beppu Passport is complete, we've collected all 7 Visa Stamps! Tim hoped it would get him 7 Cheeseburgers of Burger King Hell, but it did not.
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Along with the Five Beppu Brewery Beers of Hell...
Later, on dinner is served near the hotel...after walking through a quiet and dark neighborhood to a very local eatery.
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