This morning we started with a Japanese breakfast. Keeping with tradition we sat at a low level dining table and were treated to a savoury dish extravaganza. This included steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles, nori (seaweed), with a variety of side dishes including boiled egg, tofu and vegetables, finishing with a fruit salad to clean the palette.

After the healthy start we decided to continue with the theme and hired electric bikes to go and see the Hell Tour (hot springs), with our first stop being the most famous known as The “Sea Hell” (Umi Jigoku) due to its vibrant blue-coloured water. The water is 98c and is often used to boil eggs.

The hot springs attract tourists from across Japan and overseas and whilst they are too hot for bathing they are famous for their intense colours and geothermal activity.

The grounds around the hot springs were stunning with tropical Victoria Amazonica Waterlilies.

The smell (!) and heat of the hot springs was unforgettable, and we were so pleased to have been able to visit and get up close.

Five of the hot springs were within walking distance of the starting point, Sea Hell, however as we were on the bikes and only had them for a couple of hours we concentrated on Sea Hell, Kamado Hell and Crocodile Hell.

The next ‘Hell’ was only next door and was called Kamado, or Furnace Hell changing colour depending on the temperature and weather. On the day we visited it was a vivid red.

Next stop was the interesting and slightly odd, Crocodile Hell, containing about 80 crocodiles fenced off in the various springs and ponds.

It was the first Japanese breeding facility and the heat of the hells creates a suitable habitat for the crocodiles.

After checking out the various Hell springs, we returned to our Onsen to drop off the bikes before heading to the bus station and a cable car to Mount Tsurumi.

The bus ride up to the cable car station was steep in itself and that’s before we picked up the Ropeway (cable car) and ascended 1,500m to the summit.

Whilst the views of Beppu Bay were visible at first, as we climbed ever higher, mist started to descend and visibility proved very challenging. We could see about 20m in front of us, so after taking in the initial sights we made a quick turn around and returned to the cable car station.

Once back into Beppu we had a little time to kill, so decided to do a supermarket sweep in readiness for a 2hr 30mins train journey to Fukuoka tomorrow morning.

After picking up some sushi and other goodies, we walked back to our Onsen via the waterfront. We came across a tsunami warning sign, which highlighted to us the clear and present threat of earthquakes and tidal waves that have hit Japan over the past few years.

Once back at the onsen it was time for another dip in the hot springs, which called for wearing a new kimono for us to both wear.

Early evening we left the onsen searching for a decent restaurant.

We eventually found a good Japanese place and had a really tasty dinner with more tempura.

Our walk back took us past the Beppu Tower, reminiscent of a certain Blackpool Tower in our view!

Tomorrow we are up early again and travelling on to Fukuoka for a 2 night stay where we intend to check out the Tenjin, Hakata Riverain & Canal City shopping areas, Ohori Park , Fukuoka Castle ruins and not forgetting Hakata Ramen.