Vapors rising up from these vents make it seem as if the entire city is on fire.
Of particular interest are the Jigokus or Hells the citys famed steaming hot springs.
Beppu has eight famous jigokus, and they are indeed, hell on earth.
These hot springs have temperatures that ranges from 50 to 99.5 Celsius.
Steam escaping out of thousands of vents in Beppu.
Steam from wells is used to heat water which is delivered by pipes to homes and businesses.
Some of it goes into homes and restaurants for cooking.
The water is also used for agricultural research, physical therapy and recreational bathing.
Of course, Beppu is the largest hot spring resort in the world.
The color comes from the presence of iron oxide and magnesium oxide.
But dont be fooled, the water here is scalding hot at 98 degrees.
Stores near Umi Jigoku sells pudding and boiled eggs cooked in the hot spring.
Cooking eggs in the hot spring.
Adjacent to the hell is a public bath with multiple pools.
The color results from a mixture of boric acid, salt, sodium silicate and calcium bicarbonate.
The pond is surrounded by a nice garden and a small, run-down aquarium where piranhas are kept.
There is a mini zoo nearby with large animals in small cages.
Photo credit:RachelH/Flickr
Sources:Japan Guide/CNN/www.beppu-jigoku.com
