Previously:
On the third day, we headed to Beppu and stayed there for two nights. Instead of catching a bus or train, we hired a car for more convenient access as we also visited Beppu's Jigoku along the way. We booked the car months before from Nissan-rent-a-car's website. This company allowed us to return the car in a different city. It costed 55,000yen for two full days with baby seat and basic insurance. It was around A$550, I think the price is pretty reasonable. We had registered our details before hand through online so the day of picking up the car was very fast and easy. But ensure that you obtained international driving license from your home country. This is a must and cannot be skipped.
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| International driving licence |
From Yufuin to Beppu, it only takes less than one hour drive and Beppu's Jigoku or the Seven Hells of Beppu is right in between these two cities.
There are seven hot spring stops all together, which five of the hells are in Kannawa district while the other two are in the Shibaseki district. Each Hell has a unique character and they can be easily distinguied by different colour of the water. You can buy entry ticket for one Hell or a package for whole seven Hells. It is definitely worth to buy as a package. There is ticket counter and car parks in each Hells stop, make it very convenient and you can start from any Hell. After left the hotel early in the morning, we went and visited five hells in Kannawa district. Then had lunch at Jigoku Mushi Kobo where we cook our food using natural hot steam, before continued with the remaining stops.
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| Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) |
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| Oniishi Bozu Jigoku (Monk head - Mud Hell) |
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| Kamado Jigoku (Cooking pot) |
In this Kamado Jigoku, you can drink the hot spring water, you only need to pay 10yen in return for covering the cup cost. It is said that the hot spring water is good for your body as it contains lots of natural minerals. Do I like the taste though? Nope, it is quite salty and it has a strong smell of those minerals.
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| Oniyama Jigoku (Crocodie) |
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| Shiraike Jigoku (White Hell) |
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| Jigoku Mushi Kobo |
To have a good balance, after feeding our eyes with beautiful view, we need to feed our tummy as well. Keeping up with the theme of the day, we had our lunch that cooked in a hot steam. The restaurant is called Jigoku Mushi Kobo which is near Shiraike Jigoku.
As you might already know, Beppu is the largest hot spring city in Japan. Beppu hot springs not only generate abundant amount of water but also a lot of steams. You can always view hot steam blowing out from gutters on roads across the city. For centuries, people here have been using this natural hot spring steam for cooking their food. It is believed that this method is simple yet healthy and it could enhance the true flavours of the food.
Although somehow we found that their food price is a little bit too pricey, but the experience that counts. First, you need to pick up a queue number. Then order the food through the machine. Don't forget to add a steaming fee on top of the food you ordered. I think it was about 400yen. After that, hand those food tickets to the guy in the back of the counter and the lady in the kitchen will then prepare your order. Wait until she calls and you then can carry your food to the steam room. Now, it’s only the matter of waiting, when the timer is striking to 0, it means your food is ready. It only takes 15 minutes to cook or more like heating up the food. There is more seating area on the second level. Don’t forget to try their pudding as well.
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| Steaming keeps coming out from the ground |
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| Chowder soup and vegetables 1,200yen (around A$12) |
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| Grilled eel with rice 1,700yen (A$17) and sweet corn 400yen (A$4) |
This grilled eel was surprisingly delicious. But the rest of dishes were pretty much mediocre.
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| Dumpling 600yen (A$6) |
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| Chicken rice 400yen and steamed rice 200yen |
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| Kannawa pudding 300yen |
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| Tatsumaki Jigoku (Greyser) |
After lunch, we visited the rest of the Hells before heading to our hotel, Nishitetsu Beppu to rest. Hope you all enjoy reading my blog and Octie Appetie.. See you soon on my next blog
Beppu Jigoku or The Seven Hells of Beppu
Open: 08:00 - 17:00
Entry fee: one Hell is 450yen or all seven for 2,200yen
Open: 10:00 - 18:00
Ph: +81 977 66 3775
Stay tuned for the next blog still in Beppu:
