Umi Jigoku, the "Sea Hell," is the most famous of Beppu's seven hot-spring "hells" (jigoku). Its vast pond glows a striking cobalt blue, with white steam rising dramatically over a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden. Your guide will explain how the vivid color comes from dissolved minerals and share the area's geothermal history. A scenic, photogenic stop that introduces you to the natural power that made Beppu one of Japan's greatest onsen towns.

Chinoike Jigoku, the "Blood Pond Hell," is the oldest natural hell in Japan and a designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Its pond steams a vivid red, colored by iron-rich red clay bubbling up from deep underground. Your guide will share the legends and science behind this dramatic crimson spring, and you can browse the shop selling the famous "blood pond ointment." A vivid contrast to the blue Sea Hell and one of Beppu's most unforgettable sights.

Kamado Jigoku, the "Cooking Pot Hell," is named after a legend that its steam was once used to cook rice for festival offerings. The site features six different ponds and steam vents, each with its own character and color, plus a friendly demon mascot statue. Your guide will help you enjoy the free foot bath and hot-spring drinking fountains, and explain how locals have harnessed this geothermal steam for centuries. A fun, interactive stop on the Beppu hells circuit.

Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden is a forested mountain home to around 1,000 wild Japanese macaque monkeys living in natural troops. From the entrance, a short walk (or monkey-rail tram) brings you to the feeding grounds where the monkeys roam freely all around you. Your guide will explain the fascinating social hierarchy of the troops and how to observe them safely. A memorable wildlife experience and a favorite with families, located right beside Beppu Bay.

Myoban Onsen is a charming hot-spring hamlet on the hillside above Beppu, famous for producing "yunohana" - natural bath-salt crystals harvested from thatched huts using techniques unchanged for over 300 years. Your guide will walk you among the steaming huts, explain the traditional crystal-making process, and point out shops selling the prized yunohana. You can soak your feet in a milky-blue sulfur foot bath while enjoying sweeping views over Beppu.

Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa is a hands-on cooking workshop in the historic Kannawa hot-spring district, where you cook fresh seafood, vegetables, and eggs in steamer baskets using only the natural 100°C geothermal steam. With your guide's help, you'll prepare your own piping-hot, additive-free lunch the traditional Beppu way and enjoy it on site. A delicious, interactive food experience that's a highlight of any Beppu visit. (Food cost paid on site.)

Yufuin is a stylish hot-spring resort town nestled in the countryside below the twin peaks of Mt. Yufu, about 30-40 minutes from Beppu. Its main street, Yunotsubo Yokocho, is lined with charming boutiques, craft shops, cafes, and galleries, leading to the picturesque, mist-covered Lake Kinrin. Your guide will help you stroll, sample local treats, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. A delightful optional addition that pairs Beppu's dramatic hells with Yufuin's gentle, artistic charm.

Beppu Tower is a retro landmark rising 90 meters above the city's seafront, offering panoramic views of Beppu Bay, the surrounding mountains, and the countless columns of onsen steam drifting over town. One of Japan's oldest towers, it's a nostalgic symbol of the city and a great spot to get your bearings. Your guide can point out the day's highlights from the observation deck before continuing the tour. A relaxed, scenic finale with classic Beppu views.