Unzen Jigoku is one of the top attractions of the hot springs town of Unzen, Nagasaki Prefecture. Wooden walkways snake through a area filled with heated gas, billowing steam, and scalding hot water. Add a strong sulfuric odor to conjure up the image of hell, or jigoku. Stay at one of the many hotels or ryokan that look directly out over the site and bathe in the theraputic hot spring water that gushes from it.
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Nagasaki's 'Hell' - Unzen Jigoku
Boiling pools & billowing steam in a Kyushu onsen town

By Sandra Isaka
Community writer

A raised path provides a safe and easy way to view the site.

The trail into Unzen Jigoku starts here.

Miyazaki Ryokan sits right beside the entrance to the trail and directly overlooks the site.

Magma at the bottom of Chijiwa Bay is thought to be the source of the volcanic activity.

Gases here reaches 120 degrees celcius, mainly in the form of steam.

The highest temperature of the water is 98 degrees celcius.

Unzen Jigoku is part of Japan's first national park.

These pipes provide onsen water to the surrounding hotels and ryokan.

The hot springs water is good for treating rheumatism and diabetes.

A small shrine within Unzen Jigoku was renamed 'Onsen Jinja' in 1912.

Unzen Onsen is approximately 100 minutes from central Nagasaki by express bus.
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