What is Beppu in Japanese? A Journey Through Hot Springs, Quirks, and Boiling Fun
Imagine a place where the ground literally boils, steam rises from the streets, and people casually cook eggs using natural volcanic heat. Sounds like a scene from a fantasy anime, right? Well, welcome to Beppu—one of Japan’s most famous onsen (hot spring) towns, where nature decided to turn up the heat and never turn it back down.
But what exactly is Beppu in Japanese? Is it just a city? A steaming paradise? A tourist trap? Or something more? Let’s dive in (not literally, please—some of these pools are at a casual 100°C).
Beppu: The Name, The Mystery, The Legend
First, let’s break it down linguistically. Beppu (別府) consists of two kanji:
- 別 (べつ, “betsu”) – meaning “separate” or “special”
- 府 (ふ, “fu”) – meaning “government office” or “urban center”
Put together, it roughly translates to a special administrative area—which makes it sound way less exciting than it actually is. Thankfully, the reality is much steamier.
So, What Is Beppu?
If you ask a Japanese local about Beppu, they’ll probably respond with one word: onsen. And that’s because Beppu isn’t just a hot spring town—it’s THE hot spring town.
Some fun stats for you:
- Beppu has over 2,800 onsen sources—more than any other place in Japan.
- It produces the most hot spring water in the country. Take that, Hakone!
- It features eight different types of hot springs, called the “Eight Hells of Beppu” (地獄, jigoku). Yes, they’re literally called hells.
- People steam their food using natural onsen heat. Ever had an egg cooked by a volcano? You can here.
It’s as if the earth decided, Let’s make this one town extra spicy and dumped all its geothermal energy in one spot.
The “Hells” of Beppu: Less Fiery Doom, More Scalding Water
Speaking of hells—no, these aren’t demon-infested pits of suffering (although stepping into one accidentally might feel that way). Instead, the “Eight Hells” of Beppu are unique, boiling hot springs, each with its own eerie charm.
Here are a few of the most hellish (in the best way possible):
🔥 Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) – A bright blue, 98°C bubbling pool that looks inviting but will absolutely cook you.
🔥 Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) – A red-colored hot spring that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an anime villain’s lair.
🔥 Tatsumaki Jigoku (Tornado Hell) – A natural geyser that erupts every 30-40 minutes like nature’s own drama queen.
🔥 Oniishibozu Jigoku (Shaven Head Monk Hell) – Bubbling mud pools that resemble the shaved heads of monks. Who decided this? We don’t know, but we respect the creativity.
And that’s just half of them. Each hell has its own fiery personality, making a Beppu trip feel like a journey through an underworld-themed amusement park—minus the eternal damnation part.
More Than Just Steam: Weird & Wonderful Things to Do in Beppu
You might be thinking, Okay, but do I just stare at hot water all day? Absolutely not. Beppu is full of bizarre, delightful activities that you probably won’t find anywhere else in Japan.
Here’s a quick bucket list for the ultimate Beppu experience:
✔️ Steam Your Own Food – At places like Jigoku Mushi Kobo, you can cook eggs, vegetables, and meat using the power of onsen steam. Why use an oven when you can use the Earth itself?
✔️ Sand Baths – Let hot volcanic sand swallow you whole (in a relaxing way). You’ll be buried up to your neck in warm sand, sweating out your sins—I mean, stress.
✔️ Mud Baths – Because why stop at just hot water when you can also cover yourself in therapeutic, gooey mud?
✔️ Drink Onsen Water – Allegedly full of minerals, this is Beppu’s version of a health drink. (It tastes…interesting.)
✔️ Visit an Onsen Theme Park – The infamous Rakutenchi has hot springs for monkeys. Yes, you read that right. Beppu is so extra, even its wildlife gets spa treatments.
Why You NEED to Visit Beppu
Let’s be real—if you like quirky travel spots, natural wonders, or just the idea of sitting in a bubbling hot bath while enjoying a mountain view, Beppu is calling your name.
- It’s the ultimate relaxation destination.
- It’s full of weird, one-of-a-kind experiences.
- It makes for the perfect Instagram flex (“Look, I cooked my lunch with steam from the Earth!”).
- It’s the kind of place where even if you get lost, you’ll probably stumble upon a hidden onsen—and that’s never a bad thing.
And let’s be honest—where else can you tell people, Hey, I went to hell and back… and it was fantastic?
Final Thoughts: Beppu, The City That’s Always Steaming
So, what is Beppu in Japanese? Technically, it’s a city with an administrative name. But in reality? It’s a magical, steaming, otherworldly paradise where Earth flexes its geothermal muscles and invites you in for a bath.
If you ever find yourself in Japan and want a mix of relaxation, weirdness, and just a tiny bit of danger, Beppu is the place to be.
Now tell me—would you dip your toes into an onsen, or are you a “stay-dry-and-watch” kind of traveler? Drop your answer in the steamy comments below! 😉