Kyushu, Oita

Finally after a 1.5hour bus ride from the airport, we arrived at Beppu which is famous for its onsen (Hotspring). But then again, which part of Japan does not have onsen?
We thought this guy for some famous guy, but found out they erected it just recently. Presumably for tourism, almost like Merlion.

We found a hand onsen which is unusual. Normally it is a foot onsen.

We found some time to try some pull ups. Sigh, I am old and weak - did 6 and that was it.

We stayed at a Ryokan, which is like a traditional Japanese Hotel. They had someone in kimono leading us to our room and explaining the various rules and facilities to us.

Staying in a ryokan can be pretty expensive, but it is worth the experience and price. You really get a feel of the culture.

The innkeeper also made tea for us.

Usually they will have tea and some snacks on the table for you to try, and if you like it, you can purchase it at one of the many shops that sell it. The above pic is a spicy plum tea.


They will definately have a Yukata for you to wear, even walk around the hotel in it. Some traditional Onsen Villages even allow you to walk around the town in it.

The best part of staying in a Ryokan (other then the onsen) is the meals. This is how elaborate it can get. It can get to about 15-20 dishes per person.








It is a pretty long process. Probably takes 2 hours for dinner.

After dinner (actually before dinner too), you go for hotspring. The above is the entrance to the open air onsen.

Trying to sneak into the gals onsen.

I tried to look like a Yakuza.

Kyushu is known for their Japanese Sochu. We ordered 4 of different prices and came to a conclusion, price is a big factor of tasty sochu.

Oh ya, I must add that breakfast is a pretty complicated affair too. Tell me how not to get fat?

We headed out the nearby tourist spots
Clay bubbling from the hotspring

Blood pool

The tree is about 250 years old

We drove to a VERY VERY dead town with no one in sight. And to top it off, the gas stations, the shops, the restaurants were all close. While driving, the only "humans" we saw were dolls that some crazy guy placed along the roads to warn you about speeding. How scary is that? But we ended up seeing some pretty nice sights.








We were driving around trying to find some lunch when we chanced upon a coffee house which was very nicely decorated (in the middle of the dead town)


I tasted the best hamburger and Kelvin had the best curry. Reminded me of Sydney where I found the best pie in the middle of nowhere.

It was a pretty cold day and I was not layered at all, thus I had to squat infront of the heater.

To one of the many bridges that Japan has.

We all thought it will be hot in Kyushu and no one was layered other then a thin outer jacket. But it was so darn cold with strong winds, so cold I wanted to run across the bridge. But alas, they even put up a sign forbi