Tatsumaki Jigoku Guide: Beppu's Thundering Geyser Erupting 30 Meters High

This guide introduces Tatsumaki Jigoku, one of the famous Beppu Hell Tour destinations.

Tatsumaki Jigoku

Tatsumaki Jigoku is one of the stops on the Beppu Hell Tour, famous for its geyser that erupts hot spring water at nearly 100°C to a height of 30 meters. The name “Tatsumaki Jigoku” (Tornado Hell) comes from the way the steam shoots up powerfully, resembling a tornado.

Spectacular! The Geyser Erupts Every 30 Minutes

The main attraction of Tatsumaki Jigoku is the geyser that erupts every 30 minutes.

The underground temperature reaches 150°C, but it drops to below 100°C immediately after eruption due to pressure release and vaporization.

In the past, the geyser used to shoot up to 30 meters without obstruction. However, due to safety concerns for visitors, rocks now cap the vent to control the height.

Even so, the spectacle remains impressive. You can witness the geyser erupting with a tremendous roaring sound.

Why Does the Geyser Erupt?

Tatsumaki Jigoku is a natural geyser that erupts at regular intervals. The periodic eruption mechanism is thought to result from the delicate relationship between underground water pressure and boiling temperature.

1. High-temperature hot water (150°C) rises from deep underground and collects in an underground cavity
2. It continues rising toward the surface, pushing up the hot water in the cavity and causing an eruption

When the temperature in the cavity rises above the boiling point relative to the water pressure from the surface, vaporization occurs, expelling the hot water above it. The boiling becomes explosively vigorous. As the eruption continues, the hot water in the cavity decreases, pressure drops, and the eruption ends.

Tatsumaki Jigoku is known worldwide for having one of the shortest eruption intervals among famous geysers, including those at Yellowstone National Park in the USA, Iceland, and New Zealand.

Eruption Intervals and Duration

The geyser erupts every 30 to 40 minutes and continues for about 5 to 10 minutes.

This means you may need to wait for an eruption depending on when you arrive.

Plenty of benches are set up around the geyser at Tatsumaki Jigoku, so you can sit and rest while waiting.

The Most Compact of the Seven Hells

Tatsumaki Jigoku is the most compact of the seven Beppu Hell Tour locations, with the geyser being its only attraction.

As shown in the photo, the entire site is just this area, so unlike other Hell spots, you don’t need to walk around much.

Minimum Visit Time: 20 Minutes. The Rest Is Up to Luck.

Since there’s no need to walk around, the minimum visit time is about 20 minutes—provided you don’t have to wait for an eruption.

The geyser erupts every 30 to 40 minutes, but since it’s a natural phenomenon, the exact timing is unpredictable. It all comes down to luck.

Don’t Waste Your Waiting Time! Tips for Efficient Visiting

Being stuck at this compact spot for 30 to 40 minutes could throw off your travel plans, so it’s wise to balance your visit with nearby Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell). Tatsumaki Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku are just a 10-second walk apart.

1. Ask at the Tatsumaki Jigoku reception for the next eruption time (they can tell you approximately when the next eruption will be)
2. If the next eruption is more than 20 minutes away, visit Chinoike Jigoku first. If it’s coming soon, see Tatsumaki Jigoku first.

Chinoike Jigoku isn’t very large either, so you can see everything in about 20 minutes if you skip the foot bath and souvenir shopping.

However, Chinoike Jigoku has an extensive souvenir shop with a wide variety of products. If you want to buy souvenirs or enjoy a relaxing foot bath, allow about 30 minutes.

While You Wait: Gelato and Souvenirs

The shop at Tatsumaki Jigoku includes a juice and gelato counter, serving fresh juices and popular gelato.

They serve fresh-squeezed seasonal mandarin juice from fruits harvested at the Tatsumaki Farm orchard. Rich, smooth gelato made with Oita milk and fresh ingredients is also available.

Enjoying fresh local juice or gelato while waiting for the geyser is a great way to pass the time.

The souvenir shop is also well-stocked with various products.

How to Get to Tatsumaki Jigoku

Tatsumaki Jigoku is located in the northern part of the Beppu Onsen area.

Here are the access options from Beppu Station:

By Car

By car, it takes about 20 minutes from Beppu Station.

The route is simple: head north on National Route 10 and turn onto Prefectural Route 642.

Free Parking

Tatsumaki Jigoku has 80 parking spaces, and parking is free.

However, if you plan to visit both Tatsumaki Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku, it’s smarter to park at Chinoike Jigoku. Its parking lot has 130 spaces and is easier to maneuver in and out of.

As mentioned earlier, even if you park at Chinoike Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku is just a 10-second walk away.

By Bus

To reach Tatsumaki Jigoku by bus, board at the Beppu Ekimae bus stop in front of Beppu Station and get off at Chinoike Jigoku-mae.

• Kamenoi Bus Route 26A (Outer Loop via Ropeway)
• Travel time: 30 minutes
• Fare: 460 yen

Bus route from "Beppu Ekimae" to "Chinoike Jigoku - mae"

You can board the bus at Platform 5 at the bus rotary on the east side of Beppu Station.

A Thundering Geyser Rising from the Depths

Every 30 to 40 minutes, a geyser shoots up to 30 meters with a thundering roar. It’s one of the most powerful spots on the Beppu Hell Tour.

If the wait looks long, visit nearby Chinoike Jigoku first, or enjoy mandarin juice and gelato at the shop. Tatsumaki Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku are right next to each other, making it easy to see both efficiently.

Tatsumaki Jigoku is known worldwide for its remarkably short eruption intervals. Few places offer such frequent opportunities to witness a geyser eruption.

Come experience the thundering geyser of Tatsumaki Jigoku.