is a group of

hot spring A hot spring, hydrothermal spring, or geothermal spring is a spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the surface of the Earth. The groundwater is heated either by shallow bodies of magma (molten rock) or by c ...

s in the city of Beppu, Ōita in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into eight major hot spring areas known as "Beppu Hatto". The most significant characteristic of Beppu's hot springs is the richness of its resources. The volume of water discharged is second only to that of the

Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress with the Yellowst ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. There are 2,909 hot spring vents within the city, and these account for more than 10% of the 27,644 hot spring vents in Japan, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in 2004. Statistics from the Beppu City Hall show that more than 130,000 tons of hot spring water gushes from the ground every day. This is the second largest amount of hot spring water discharge in the world, and the largest amount in Japan.About Beppu - Beppu Navi

History

According to '' Iyo-no-Kuni Topography'' written in the beginning of the 8th century, once in the age of the

gods A deity or god is a supernatural being who is considered divine or sacred. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines deity as a god or goddess, or anything revered as divine. C. Scott Littleton defines a deity as "a being with powers greater ...

, Sukunabikona ( スクナビコナ) and

Ōkuninushi Ōkuninushi ( historical orthography: ''Ohokuninushi''), also known as Ō(a)namuchi (''Oho(a)namuchi'') or Ō(a)namochi (''Oho(a)namochi'') among other variants, is a ''kami'' in Japanese mythology. He is one of the central deities in the cycle ...

visited Iyo-no-Kuni, now known as

Ehime Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Shikoku. Ehime Prefecture has a population of 1,342,011 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 5,676 km2 (2,191 sq mi). Ehime Prefecture borders Kagawa Prefecture to the northeast, Tok ...

. Sukunabikona fainted from illness. With a deep sorrow Ōkuninushi placed a long pipe at the bottom of the sea all the way through from

Dōgo Onsen is a hot spring in the city of Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan. History Dōgo Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history stretching back over 1000 years. The springs are mentioned in the Man'yōs ...

to Beppu to supply therapeutic thermal waters for him to bathe, by the grace of which he was saved. Also Bungo Topography tells about Akayusen (Chinoike Jigoku). It is reported that in the

Kamakura period The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the Genpei War, which saw the struggle bet ...

Ōtomo Yoriyasu established some sanatoria in Beppu, Kannawa and Hamawaki to cure samurai wounded in the war against the

Mongolian Army The Ground Force of Mongolia (, ''Mongol Ulsyn Zevsegt hüchniy Huurai zamyn tsereg'', ) is the land force of the Mongolian Armed Forces, formed from parts of the former Mongolian People's Army in 1992. It was known as the "Mongolian General Purpo ...

. From the

Meiji period The is an era of Japanese history that extended from October 23, 1868 to July 30, 1912. The Meiji era was the first half of the Empire of Japan, when the Japanese people moved from being an isolated feudal society at risk of colonization ...

onward Beppu Onsen made great progress with the boring technique of Kazusa, in which more than 1000 wells were completed by the end of Meiji. In the 1960s and 1970s, after

World War Two World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Beppu Onsen made rapid development with social stability and economical revival. Especially from about 1919 to 1955, the amount of hot water taken rose to use the heat in

agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people t ...

and

salt Salt is a mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of salts; salt in the form of a natural crystalline mineral is known as rock salt or halite. Salt is present in vast quant ...

production, many problems happened; for example, the depletion of the old source of the springs and a decrease in temperature. Because of this, a new source of hot springs was searched and in 1957, a new layer of hot springs was found in 200m~300m below ground and was started for use. Since 1964 using hot springs for salt production has been banned, however, using them for agriculture and aqua farming of

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of ...

has continued for the moment.

Hot spring areas

Beppu Onsen

Close to

Beppu Station is the main railway station for the city of Beppu in Ōita Prefecture, Japan, which is famous for its onsen. It is situated on the Nippō Main Line. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by JR Kyūshū. Limited Express Trains * S ...

in the centre of town, Beppu Onsen is the most popular area. Ekimae-Kotō Onsen is a two-minute walk from the station and provides tired visitors and locals with invigoration and relaxation. The Hells of Beppu field of hot springs are nationally designated as a " Place of Scenic Beauty".

Kankaiji Onsen is a natural hot spring located near Beppu, Japan. The waters of this hot spring are channels to several bathing resorts and is one of the most popular tourist Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of tour ...

Having the finest endowments of nature among the eight hot springs, this onsen site is located on a hill in the south-west urban area of Beppu. Bathers can enjoy medicinal hot spring waters along with spectacular scenery.

Kamegawa Onsen

This onsen area neighboring

Kamegawa Station is a railway station on the Nippō Main Line operated by the Kyūshū Railway Company in Beppu, Ōita, Japan. Lines The station is served by the Nippō Main Line and is located 114.9 km from the starting point of the line at . Layout Th ...

is much enjoyed for its rustic scenery. Beppu Kaihin Sunayu is known for its open-air sand bathing found near Beppu City's seashore.

Shibaseki Onsen

Located along a mountain stream, Shibaseki Onsen is a picturesque, quiet onsen area much noted for its hot steam bath. With a nice woodland trail, it is designated as a national health ''onsen'' resort.

Kannawa Onsen

With numerous jets of white steam emitting from gushing hot springs, this area is a must see destination for Beppu sightseers. Charming shops and

Ryokan A is a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features ''tatami''-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner. Ryokan have existed since the eighth century A.D. du ...

(Japanese inn) are tucked along the narrow and winding streets. It is also known for steam baths.

Myoban Onsen

Myoban Onsen, on the hill facing Beppu Bay, is a small, quiet mountain resort. Visitors enjoy several types of thermals such as mud bath or milky water bath accompanied by a distinctive sulphuric odor. Mineral deposits are worked at the thatched ''Yunohana-goya''.

Horita Onsen

Located west of Kankaiji Onsen area, Horita Onsen is a rustic hot-spring resort. Appreciated since the Edo Period, its soothing waters relieve the fatigue of a long journey. The waters of two public baths work effectively on symptoms such as nerve pains.

Hamawaki Onsen

With quaint streets lined with old-fashioned inns and houses, Hamawaki Onsen is the birthplace of Beppu Onsen. Built in 1991, Yutopia (Utopia) Hamawaki, a multi-purpose health facility, is transforming the town's ancient flavour to a new, modern ambiance.

Public Baths Public baths originated when most people in population centers did not have access to private bathing facilities. Though termed "public", they have often been restricted according to gender, religious affiliation, personal membership, and other cr ...

Takegawara Onsen

Originally built in 1879, "Takegawara Onsen" is located a short 7 minutes walk from Beppu Station. A fine bamboo thatched roof and elaborate facade is a proud symbol of Beppu Onsen. Particularly relaxing and fun are the sand baths, where attendants envelop appreciative guest's bodies in heaps of warm, soothing sand.

Kannawa Mushi-yu steam bath

A popular site in Kannawa Onsen ''mushi-yu'' steam bath has long served as a welcome facility for local citizens. "Ashimushi" (foot steam bath), a rarity in the country, is effective in relieving fatigued lower limbs. "Sekisho" (medical herb) room is also popular for its soothing aroma.

References

External links

*
Information about the hot spring "onsen" bathsSite about the various baths in the town of BeppuList of onsen in BeppuTravel Itinerary for best experiencing Beppu Jigoku
{{coord, 33, 16, 49, N, 131, 30, 0, E, source:kolossus-jawiki, display=title Beppu, Ōita Hot springs of Ōita Prefecture Spa towns in Japan Tourist attractions in Ōita Prefecture Landforms of Ōita Prefecture