Excursion Beppu jigokumeguri & bamboo craft experience tour at Beppu

A highlight in Beppu is to stroll in Jigokus, meaning "Hells" in Japanese. Due to Spewing gas, thermal mud, and boiling water for over 1000 years, this area has come to be known by people as "hell." There are 8 Jigokus in Beppu including the deep-red blood pond hell "Chi-no Ike Jigoku" and the cobalt blue ocean hell - "Umijigoku".

Depart the pier and travel approximately 20-30 minutes to visit these two famous "Jigoku". "Chinoike Jigoku" is Japan's oldest natural hot spring. Its high concentration of iron oxide, magnesium oxide, and other minerals, give the water a characteristic vivid red color, resembling blood, therefore its name translated as "Blood Pond Hell". Its extremely high temperature makes it not suitable for full body bath and visitors rather enjoy the scenic views around it.

From the red "Blood Pond Hell" a short drive will take you to "Umi Jigoku". This hot spring is known as "Sea Hell", due to its amazing cobalt blue boiling waters. Enjoy the exuberant vegetation in the garden around not only the blue pond, but also a smaller one colored in orange. There is also another one with clear waters full of lotus flowers from August to early November, whose enormous leaves can support the weight of a small child. There is a small foot spa at Umi Jigoku, feel free to soak your feet into the hot springs.

Next, re-board your coach and travel about 20-minute to the "Jumonjibara Lookout", located in the northern part of Beppu City. It offers splendid views over the city, the bay & other parts of Oita Prefecture like the Kunisaki Peninsula weather permitting. Enjoy the chance for unforgettable pictures during our brief stop here.

It is then on to the Hot Spring Village "Myoban Yunosato", the last stop of the tour. Onsen hot spring waters have different mineral components, at Yunosato one can find cloudy color sulfur springs, a mineral is known for its power to remove sebum and dirt from the skin. Myoban Yunosato is renowned not only by its healing waters, but also for its Yu-no-Hana Bath Salts, the production of which dates back to the Edo Period and therefore is considered an Intangible National Folk-Cultural Asset. You can get a close glimpse of the manufacturing process inside the so-called "yunohana-goya" or "small hut".

After this stop re-board your coach for the short transfer back to the port and to you awaiting ship.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: The scenery of "blood pond hell - Chinoike Jigoku" & the "cobalt blue sea hell -Umi Jigoku", Bamboo Craft Workshop, "Hell Steam Cuisine" lunch experience

Note

Please note: This tour involves little to moderate amount of walking (total of approximately 300 meters or 1.18miles) with a 10-15 steps at the Bamboo Craft Center. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair, however, must be able to embark/disembark the coach without assistance. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes - and a small towel if you wish to try the foot bath - are recommended. The cooking/eating experience will take place outdoors, so a warm jacket also recommended. Please be advised that special dietary requests might not be accommodated in this program. Although credit cards are mainly accepted, Japanese yen is required for any purchases: guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. The tour sequence may vary.