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The Hells of Beppu

Modern-day Beppu is home to seven jigoku, or “hells,” which are pools of bubbling hot spring water and gas that were originally formed by local volcanic activity. Beppu’s jigoku pools have been put to use as hot spring water sources for bathing since at least the Edo period (1603–1867), and as tourist attractions in modern times.

The word jigoku is derived from the Buddhist term Ennetsu-jigoku (burning hell). Jigoku was used in the past as a general term for any place that resembled Buddhist descriptions and depictions of hell. Beppu’s steaming pools were called “hells” for this reason.

In the early twentieth century, local entrepreneurs transformed the area containing Umi Jigoku (Ocean Hell) into a tourist attraction, adding a surrounding garden as well as fencing and other safety features. Others followed suit, and by 1937, Beppu had ten hell attractions. Although Beppu’s hells are for viewing, not bathing, each contributed to Kannawa Hot Springs’ growing popularity as a travel destination.

Each hell has distinct characteristics. For example, Umi Jigoku’s pool is a stunning ocean-blue color, and Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) is decidedly red. Oniishi Bozu Jigoku (Oniishi Monk Head Hell) features large surface bubbles thought to resemble the shaven heads of Buddhist monks partially submerged in its muddy pool.

別府的「地獄」

過往的火山活動給如今的別府留下了七大「地獄」，即咕嘟咕嘟冒泡的溫泉。從江戶時代（1603-1867）開始，別府的地獄溫泉就成爲適合泡湯的水源，到了今天更成為觀光勝地。其中，海地獄、血池地獄、龍卷地獄和白池地獄因獨特而多樣的色彩形態，一起組成了國家名勝「別府的地獄」。

「地獄」之說出自佛教的「炎熱地獄」（佛教八大熱地獄之一），長久以來，這個詞就被用來形容一切能讓人聯想起佛教地獄的地方，蒸汽繚繞的別府溫泉之所以得名「地獄」，也正是源自於此。

20世紀早期，當地企業家將海地獄及周邊區域改造成旅遊景點，並在溫泉邊建造花園，安裝圍欄和其他安全設施。後來者紛紛效仿，到1937年，別府已經擁有了10處地獄景點。這些景點只可觀賞不能泡湯（有的額外提供足湯甚至溫泉體驗），卻成功為鐵輪溫泉成為熱門旅行地助了一臂之力。

這些地獄各有特色：海地獄是令人驚歎的海藍色；血池地獄自然就是血一般的紅；鬼石坊主地獄是一個泥漿溫泉，特色是表面湧出的巨大氣泡，形似泥潭中沉浮的和尚光頭的模樣。

别府的“地狱”

如今的别府拥有7大“地狱”，它们是形成于本地的火山活动、气泡翻滚的滚烫温泉。至少从江户时代(1603-1867)开始，别府地狱温泉就被用作了沐浴的水源。到了现代，更是成了观光胜地。其中海地狱、血池地狱、龙卷地狱和白池地狱因独特而多样的色彩形态，共同组成了国家名胜“别府的地狱”。

“地狱”之词出自佛教的“炎热地狱”（佛教八大热地狱之一）。长久以来，这个词就被用来形容一切能让人联想起佛教地狱的地方。蒸汽缭绕的别府温泉之所以得名“地狱”，也正源自于此。

20世纪早期，本地企业家将海地狱及周边区域改造成旅游点，在温泉边建造花园，安装围栏和其他安全设施，后来者纷纷效仿。到1937年，别府已经拥有了10处地狱景点。它们只可观赏不能入浴（有的额外提供足汤甚至温泉体验），却无不为带动铁轮温泉成为热门旅行地助了一臂之力。

这些地狱各有特色：海地狱是令人惊叹的海蓝色；血池地狱自然就是血一般的红色。鬼石坊主地狱是一个泥浆温泉，表面涌出的巨大气泡俨然像是一个个泥潭中沉浮的和尚的光头。