© Shutterstock

Beppu - Welcome! We are in the city of Beppu, Japan! Unlike a lot of Japanese towns, Beppu has quite a young population, partly thanks to the Asia Pacific University, which attracts students from around the world.

© Shutterstock

Tourism - Tourism is also strong in Beppu for several reasons.

© Shutterstock

Takasakiyama - Takasakiyama Monkey Park is quite popular and is home to most of the wild Japanese macaques.

© Shutterstock

Hells of Beppu - But what most draws tourists to Beppu are something which may seem scary: the Hells of Beppu.

© Shutterstock

Meaning - The Hells of Beppu don't actually have any relation to demons or devils. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

© iStock

Hot springs - It just so happens that Beppu is the city with the greatest number of hot springs in Japan. Beppu also has the second-highest number of hot springs in the world, coming in behind only Yellowstone National Park in the US.

© Shutterstock

Right on top of hell? - The hot steam that rises from the ground and waters of Beppu make it look like hell lies beneath.

© Shutterstock

Relaxing - Instead of fear or torment, visitors search out the Beppu springs to relax in the hot springs.

© Shutterstock

Jigoku - All in all there are eight 'hells,' known as jigoku.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Umi Jigoku - Umi Jigoku means 'sea hell' and is around 200 meters deep.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Umi Jigoku - The water in Umi Jigoku is similar to sea water in color.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Umi Jigoku - In the gardens surrounding Umi Jigoku visitors can find the lotus flower, which in eastern cultures represents spiritual purity.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Oniishibozu Jigoku - The second Beppu hell is known as Oniishibozu Jigoku, meaning 'Shaven Head Hell.'

© Shutterstock

Hell: Oniishibozu Jigoku - The spring takes its name from the bubbles formed by the gray mud which look like the shaven heads of Buddhist monks.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Yama Jigoku - Yama Jigoku is the mountain created by volcanic eruptions.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Yama Jigoku - The waters in Yama Jigoku can reach temperatures of 90ºC.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Kamado Jigoku - Kamado Jigoku means 'cooking pot hell' and takes its name from the boiling hot water in the springs.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Kamado Jigoku - Here visitors can try Jigoku mushi: eggs and vegetables cooked by the steam from the springs.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Oniyama Jigoku - Oniyama Jigoku means 'crocodile hell!'

© Shutterstock

Hell: Oniyama Jigoku - Be careful at Oniyama Jigoku! As its name suggests, this spring is home to crocodiles and other animals, like snakes!

© Shutterstock

Hell: Shiraike Jigoku - Shiraike Jigoku means 'white pond hell' and is surrounded by a typical Japanese garden.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Shiraike Jigoku - Water temperatures in Shiraike Jigoku can reach 95ºC.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Tatsumaki Jigoku -

Tatsumaki Jigoku is considered the jewel in Beppu's crown.

© Getty Images

Hell: Tatsumaki Jigoku -

In English, the name means 'tornado hell,' as it is one of the only geysers in Beppu.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Chinoike Jigoku - The last of Beppu's hot springs is called Chinoike Jigoku.

© Shutterstock

Hell: Chinoike Jigoku - It's thought to be one of Beppu's oldest hot springs and is known as the 'blood pond' due to the color of its waters.

© Shutterstock

Discovering Beppu -

If you visit Beppu you can see the hot springs doing the Jigoku Meguri, a complete tour of the city's springs. Bon voyage!

See also: Cities with the best weather in the world

© Shutterstock