Vistiting wonderful hot springs of Beppu for the first time

It’s been just 3 weeks since I came back from my Japan trip, but feels like a year ago as my life has been a roller coaster since because been running and rushing all the time to manage everything but despite the madness succeeded even to squeezed in Octoberfest  in Munich. 

I am not saying that my Japan trip was less hectic and peaceful but the weekend spent in Beppu (Beppu prefecture of Japan, best known for their hot springs. People have them at homes, can you imagine the luxury? )was definitely less busy than other days and could enjoy the wonderful Beppu at Kyushu island and it’s onsen – hot springs.

Honestly speaking one weekend is not enough to enjoy them properly especially if want to go to some special recreation places and do the sightseeing. You have to choose. Our choice was sightseeing – next time will be the recreation part.

We did the Jigoku tour minus 2 stops  – Yama Jigoku and Oniyama Jigoku (with the hippo and crocodile in picture above) as we did not have time for it all in one day.

First stop – Chinoike Jigoku – the red devil lake.

 

Our second stop was Shiraike Jigoku with a wonderful lakes, fishes and tropical water lillies.

 

As this was organized tour than we did not really have as much time as we wished to explore at our own pace. As I would rather spent making hundred pictures not just have a fast train rushing from one onsen to another to manage to see them all.. Oh well – next time.

Next stop – Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) which is the biggest hot spring in Beppu and it was created by a volcanic explosion of Tsurumidake mountain about 1200-1300 years ago.

 

The fun thing is that you have to pay attention where the wind is blowing if taking a picture otherwise you would finish up without seeing much in a background.. (just like me trying to debut in my first selfie-video-review trying to capture the beautiful scenery and turning out not seeing much of it.. and seeing well – just me).

 

Ok, ok, enough of narcissism – here is a proper video to capture the Sea hell.

 

By the way, the temperature is 98°C so don’t even think of touching the water – it will make you feel you have really gone to the hell! (Actually that’s why it’s also the name of the places – the Hell).

From May to November you can see Amazon-born royal lotuses whose leaves grow to 1-2 meters wide!

Oh these lotuses were wonderful!  The place offered attraction for the families with kids under 20kg weight to get on one of them! 

This attraction is definitely going in my to-do list (to get my kid/nephew/niece/grandchildren on one of these and get snappy)!

 

 

 

The last on our Jigoku tour was Oniishibouzu Jigoku – Oniishi Shaven head hell.  The grayish mud bubbles (which is boiling of a temperature of 99°C) is said to be resembling the shaven heads of the monks (bozu).

 

 

On the black, volcanic mountains you can see melted coins (just in case you did not believe it was hot).

Finishing up with mud hell of shaved monk heads we went to explore mineral deposit works and thermal paradise – Myoban Onsen (alum hot spring). 

Inside these straw hut – Yunohana-goya is produced yuno-hana (sulfur flowers) which are crystals that develop naturally on the ground around the springs. 

These crystals are doing wonders to your skin – no wonder end of summer-beginning of fall all hotels in area are packed with peace and body recreation seekers.

To conclude our onsen tour we went for the steamed hot spring pudding. It is steamed and baked using the heat Umi Jigoku, and consists of the classical ingredients: eggs, milk and sugar. This pudding is an ideal dessert after you try the hot spring eggs.  (I do love eggs, but not this one – too sulfury flavour for my tastes). 

 

This is the egg – looks like a normal egg, but instead of regular boiling it is steamed on hot springs to get it’s flavor.

 

 

Once you peel the egg it will reveal it’s true color – a yellowish/brownish/reddish one.  The egg has also particular sulfur taste which is something I did not really enjoy, to be honest as it was way to salty (and i never eat eggs with salt – childhood trauma!) but it is a must try if visiting the place!

The same is for the hot spring steamed pudding.  (Completely not my thing as well, as was sweet and sour pudding taste with a bit of a bitter caramel). Particular – really, really particular but have to try for yourself to judge it!

Once the dessert is finished it is time to return to Oita city to catch the plane and head back to Tokyo. Bye Bye devilish Beppu!

This is my Japan famous Onsen – hot spring review and impressions  in short. Happy Sunday and stay tuned!