As Japan prepares to open its borders, it’s time to start making plans. Many of the usual destinations will be crowded with visitors, but for those willing to go a little further afield, unique delights await. Oita Prefecture offers an experience unlike any other in Japan. Why Oita Prefecture Set on the northeastern corner of Kyushu, one of Japan’s
There are many ways to get to Beppu, such as train or highway bus, but driving from Fukuoka or other Kyushu areas is also convenient. The drive from Fukuoka to Beppu takes you past several service areas, but my personal favorite is the Beppu Bay Service Area. In this article, I will recommend some of the best luxury chocolates available
Beppu has many charming hideaway-style restaurants and cafes. This time, I’d like to introduce Ao no Jikan, a popular restaurant on a quiet mountainside. It is an Italian restaurant with a spectacular view of Beppu Bay and a reputation for authentic wood-fired pizza. I visited on a weekday at noon, but the parking lot in front of the restaurant was
A casual trip to a nearby place for a day trip or overnight stay is popular these days. For those in the Fukuoka area, I would like to recommend a road trip to the hot spring town of Beppu. At first glance, it may seem like a long way, but it is actually close enough that you can enjoy it
There are many ways to enjoy Beppu, such as visiting the hot springs, enjoying its great nature, or walking around the city and experiencing its deep history and the warmth of the people. It is also a good idea to take a peek at the stylish cafes scattered around the city. Today, I will introduce Kokochi Cafe Musubino, a hideaway-style
When it comes to sightseeing in Beppu, visiting hells is a given. There are many unique hells or natural onsen in the city, and today I will introduce Kamado Jigoku. Kamado Jigoku is a great place to enjoy six different kinds of hells, as well as gourmet food such as jigoku or hell-steamed pudding made with soy sauce and century
Beppu, also known as the City of Springs, has many hot spring facilities. Among them, the municipal hot springs are unique and have been loved by the citizens for a long time. In this article, I would like to introduce some of the municipal hot springs that I found while walking around Beppu City. Ekimae Koutou Hot Spring This city-run
Beppu is known as the City of Springs, with a concentration of hot springs unparalleled anywhere else in the world. There are many unique hot springs scattered throughout the city, but one of the most popular for day trips is Hyotan Onsen. Today, I’ll introduce Hyotan Onsen and what it’s all about! A historic hot spring theme park in a
Many people think of barley shochu when they think of Oita’s liquor. The nationally famous barley shochu brands, such as Iichiko and Nikaido, are, of course, made in Oita. Here are three barley shochus made by Minami Shuzo that are loved by the locals! What is shochu? Shochu is a traditional, Japanese distilled hard liquor. It can be made from
In December 2020, the concept hotel, Galleria Midobaru, opened on a quiet hill overlooking Beppu Bay. The hotel is dotted with contemporary artworks themed on Beppu. It offers a completely new lodging experience that lets you see yourself in a way you didn’t know was possible, see the world differently, and feel like you are sharing ideas with an artist.