Beppu Hatto Walk(3) Hamawaki Sepia-tic Walk (1-Downtown)

Hamawaki Onsen area, one of the Beppu Hatto, is located at the edge of east-south of Beppu city and near to the Beppu Bay. It was most bustling in Showa Era (1950's～70's) Many people came to Beppu from Kansai and Shikoku to bathe in the hot spring and to go sightseeing by ships at that time. Many people still live in the old houses remaining there through a long history. Pictures below make you feel and touch the old era in sepia color.

Hamawaki Sepia-tic Walking starts from JR Higashi Beppu station next to Beppu.

This house used to be a post office then.

The house was built in 1872, the beginning of Meiji era.

It is registered as a tangible cultural asset in 2007.

The owner is running a gallery named Masuya.

 

Old Japanese lattices made of bamboo

A round well was drilled in 1847.

Neighbors are using it in a daily life.

It has never been dried-up even

 in a spell of dry weather.

It’s amazing!!

When you sit down on this bench, you can feel the time doesn’t go by.

Jasmine flower

The branches are heavily laden with cherries.

(TG)

Drop-by Onsen in Beppu (2)

The pictures below is the view from a private bath in Sakuratei (ryokan, Japanese inn) located on a hillside of Kannawa hot spring area.

The sign says 'Sora no Yu' which means 'the hot spring in the sky'.

Roten-buro (Open-air  bath)

Sakuratei has another type of private bath as well as a large public bath. These baths also offer  panoramic views over the city and the bay of Beppu.

Sakura-tei has 4 cottage-type private baths.  

Inside of the private bath(1)

Inside of the private bath(2)

Inside of the large public bath

Some ryokans(Japanese inns)  and hotels open their baths to the public during limited hours for drop-by use.

Sakuratei is only a five-minute walk from Kannawa bus stop. Tourists can get more information about it at FTIO Kannawa office.

Any one of FTIO offices in the city provides you the information of other drop-by Onsen in and around Beppu city.


(TG/AW)

"Best Shot in Beppu" from tourists

These photos were taken by three college girls from Norway during their stay in Beppu  last April. The caption under the photos are from them.

<Myoban Yunosato>

One of the most memorable parts of our trip was
the Yunosato onsen with a great view of the city.

<Restaurant  Mitsu Boshi>

Another of the most memorable parts of our trip was 

a fantastic Bungo beef at the Mitsu Boshi restaurant in Kannnawa. 

<Umi Jigoku>

Our favorite hell was the blue one, "Umi Jigoku",
where we had some delicious Tofu ice cream and flan with onsen-boiled eggs.

<Chinoike Jigoku>

<Oniishi-Bouzu Jigoku>

<Yama Jigoku>

Dear Norwegian college girls, 

Thank you very much for sending us very impressive photos.

We are very glad to see your message stating 'Beppu is all in all a friendly, relaxing city among mysterious and colorful hot springs.'. Hope you come back to Beppu in the near future.

                                                                                                                        From FTIO staff

(AW)

Beppu Hatto Walk (2) Asami Romantic Walk

Many foreign tourists like to visit Japanese shrines and temples. Asami Shrine is one of the best choices for them. It is located at the edge of Beppu Onsen area, one of the  Beppu Hatto. Many local people visit there to pray for good fortune all through the year. To walk around Asami shrine and its neighboring area is a fun for toursits.
It is a 15 minute-walk away from JR Beppu station west exit. At this time of the year, people can enjoy watching fresh green tree leaves and many kinds of flowers at their best. 

The main shrine 

An over 1000-year-old camphor tree(A god is believed to dwell in it.) 

 A married couple of cedars  

If you stand in front of the big tree, you will feel secret air
and get an energy and power by the deity.  



A monument of Martha Argerich. This world famous pianist
has been the General Director of Beppu Argerich Music Festival
since 1996. She dedicated a Sakura tree here.



If you are lucky, a "Samurai" in full Japanese armor will welcome you as a demonstrator in the regular Asami walk held on every 3rd Sunday morning.



A branch of Asami River near the shrine.

Many old houses remain here and there.

Wisteria blossoms

Irises

Azaleas

Lilacs

Clematis

(TG)

Beppu Hatto Walk (1) Horita Yunosato

 To walk around Horita hot spring area, one of the Beppu's eight hot spring areas, is a good experience for foreign tourists. being located at the foot of Mt. Tsurumi, people can taste the beautiful nature and also enjoy some historical atmosphere of the area.  Beppu Inter Change is the closest exit on Oita Highway.

    

A relief of dragon created by a plasterer using trowels.

The Shiraito waterfall. Shiraito literally means "white strings" in English.

Fudo Myo-oh, one of Buddhas, standing on the hill.

Five hundred statues of stone Buddha.

During the regular Horita Yunosato walk held on every 2nd Sunday morning, 
 a steamed  sweet potato, an egg, an Ishigaki bun and a cup of tea were served. They give the participants the energy to keep walking.

A stone monument of the historic battle field in early 17th century. Nobody can imagine the fierce battle from this peaceful land.

A source of hot spring providing hot spring water to the houses around the area.

A shrine with the beautiful drawings on the ceiling.

Shiraito Onsen. The bathtub was made by hollowing out a big stone. 

                                                                                    (TG)

Beppu Today, 2013 April 16th, Double Cherry Blossoms

   It is said that there are more than 300 kinds of cherry blossoms in Japan,  and 80% of them are Someiyoshino that I showed you in this blog before.
   In the blog above, the top picture were taken in Beppu Park, many people enjoyed watching cherry blossoms and had Hanami parties.
   Someiyoshino in Beppu park fell about 10 days ago and now green leaves attract you.



In Beppu park

 Today's topic is about double cherry blossoms. I show you double cherry blossoms and someiyoshino below.

double cherry blossoms

someiyoshino



  The pictures below were taken at the entrance of Beppu partk.
There are double cherry tress along the street.
They are in full bloom right now.

                                                                                                              (GH)