Hell-steaming Workshop Kannawa

Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa is a hands-on culinary facility in the Kannawa Onsen area of Beppu, where visitors can experience traditional “jigoku-mushi” (hell-steaming) cuisine. This cooking method, passed down since the Edo period, uses 100-degree geothermal steam to cook food placed in baskets and steamed inside stone ovens. Kannawa is known as a hot spring district where nearly every household is said to have its own hot spring, and jigoku-mushi cooking is a familiar technique. The facility also offers drinkable hot springs and foot baths for relaxation. A wide variety of ingredients can be steamed, including seafood, vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, shumai, meat, corn, rice, and even bread. Bringing your own ingredients is also allowed. Because the food is simply steamed, it preserves the natural flavors of the ingredients. Seasonings such as sauces, salt, soy sauce, and ponzu are provided for customization. Access to Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa is easy: get off at “Kannawa” bus stop from JR Beppu Station West Exit and it is right nearby.