It’s never a bad time to go to an onsen (温泉), and that’s true even in the summer! One of the best cities that is known for its onsens is Beppu (別府市). Beppu is located in Ōita Prefecture (大分県) and has the most number of hot springs in Japan. The onsens in Beppu are fabulous for its uniqueness. The onsens are nicknamed ‘jigoku’ (地獄) or hell, because they are thought to resemble the steaming hot waters of hell.

Take for example, the Chinoike Jigoku (血の池地獄), which means “Blood Pond Hell”. It’s called that because the springs are reddish/brown in color and are said to resemble ‘blood’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msy3-rkJ9jk

Another unique hot spring in Beppu is called the ‘Onīshibōzu Jigoku’ (鬼石坊主地獄). The name for this onsen is derived from the mud bubbles that rise to the surface and are said to look like the shaven heads of monks.

One of the more glamorous onsens is the ‘Umi Jigoku’ (海地獄), or “Sea Hell”. The waters of this hot springs is blue/green in color and resembles the waters of an exotic island. The only difference is these waters are steaming hot!

Another exquisite onsen in Beppu is the ‘Shiraike Jigoku’ (白池地獄) which is called ‘White Pond Hell’. The name comes from the chalky white waters of this hot springs.

If you’re wondering where to go for the summer, why not go to Beppu? There’s no time better than the present to take a dip in a Beppu hot springs!