Feb 27, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Feb. 24th, Beppu Kannawa night scenery

  I showed pictures taken in Kannawa (Beppu city) before. It was daytime.
       
        Kannawa-walking-map
        Ideyuzaka

  Today, I walked the streets  around 8PM.
The night scenes in Kannawa were fantastic.

<Buildings>

   Buildings were lit by warm street lamps.
Yukemuri was always with them.



Steam cooking facility-1 (Jigoku mushi kobo)
Steam cooking facility-2
Foot bath/ Steam foot bath Onsen





Kannawa Mushiyu (steam bath)











<White Steam (or Yukemuri) lightening>

Usually, Yukemuri is lit up on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays, 19:00 - 21:00.

    (From Mar 1st to Apr 7th in 2013, Yukemuri is illuminated everyday.)

     

Steam lightening-1 (Saturdays and Sundays 19:00 - 21:00)














Steam lightening-2
Steam lightening-3













                                                                        (GH)



Feb 25, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Feb. 22nd, Trains between Beppu and other cities

  For the people who like railways, moving by train is one of the enjoyable elements of trip.
I think it is widely known that Japanese railways boast their punctuality.
And they are also safe, clean and fast.
Today, I took pictures of trains in Beppu JR station, that connect Beppu with other cities.

<Express Yufuin no mori>
 This train links Beppu an Hakata via Yufuin.
 (Please ask JR information office for detailed information)
 The JR website describes this train as "European Classical Express with Panaromatic Lounges."


















<Trans Kyushu Limited Express>
 This train runs between Beppu and Hitoyoshi via Oita and kumamoro.
  (caution: Due to heavy rain in July in 2012, this train services have been suspended between
   Bungo-Takeda and Miyaji. So, please ask JR information office about the updated information)




<Sonic>
  This is the limited express train service between Hakata and Oita via Kokura and Beppu.

   - White Sonic


           
   - Blue Sonic

 
 




                                                              (GH)


Feb 24, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Feb 22nd, Japanese apricot in Minami Tateishi Park

At the end of January, I visited Beppu park and found only one apricot flower.  
Today, I visited Minami Tateishi. The apricot flowers are blooming.
Spring is around the corner.





The bird is Japanese White-eye that is a prefectural bird of Oita.
.

                                                         (GH)

Feb 23, 2013

Souvenir shop at Beppu Ropeway

The Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway is the line climbs Mt. Tsurumi.

There is a souvenir shop near the station on the foot of the mountain, the name of it is "Kyushu Shochu kan."

(Shochu is a clear liquor distilled from sweet potato, rice, buckwheat, etc)

You will find very Japanese items besides Shochu in the shop, some of them are made in Ohita.

The prices are reasonable, some of small items are around 500 yen. 

 

The exterior of the shop
Japanese traditional wooden clogs

Ontayaki pottery.

The way of making Ontayaki pottery is appointed
important intangible cultural heritage.

Boxwood work.
It is made in Beppu.

(TG/GH)
   

Feb 20, 2013

Fog deposit of Mt. Tsurumi

 The fog deposit of Mt. Tsurumi was seen today.
It is defined as the deposit of an ice coating on exposed surfaces of twigs by a freezing fog.
It is created under the conditions of
   - the temperature below minus five degree centigrade
   - appropriate moisture
   - a strong and cold wind.
The weather was its best and the sky was bright blue when the pictures were taken.
The contrast between white fog deposit and blue sky was very beautiful.


Fog deposit.

Contrast with blue sky

Beppu bay was seen from the mountain

The huge thermometer hit minus five degree centigrade

The snowmen made by kindergarten children were cute.


(TG/GH)

Feb 15, 2013

Cafe TAKEYA in front of Takegawara Onsen

Most of restaurants are closed after lunch time until dinner time (about 2:30-6:00), but some restaurants and cafes are open.
One of them is TAKEYA, which is a cafe in front of Takegawara Onsen.






Daily lunch special, which has some side dishes, rice and miso soup, is delicious, healthy and reasonable.


The curry bread (a deep-fried bread with thickened curry inside) is delicious, unique and popular.


It also serves "dangojiru", "onigiri"(a rice ball) and some kinds of drinks. The menu has pictures, so it is easy for foreigners to order.



Free wi-fi is available in the shop.

● Open hour : 10:00 - 19:00 (You can order meals from 11:00)
● Holiday : Monday (It is open, if Monday is a national holiday. In this case, the next day is closed)

(AW)

Feb 5, 2013

Recommended Dish "Dangojiru"


According to the calendar, Feb. 4th is the first day of spring in Japan. However it is still cold here.

"Dangojiru”, which is a local specialty in Beppu, is recommended for your lunch and dinner especially on a cold day. It warms your heart as well as your body. 
"Dango" means a dumpling and "jiru" means a soup. "Dangojiru” is a miso soup with many kinds of vegetables and meat such as carrot, burdock,
mushroom, pork and etc. and of course dumplings.



dumpling made of flour
There are many restaurants, such as Saboh Shinanoya, Chikushi (see other page of this blog), where you can eat it in Beppu. Though the ingredients, looks and prices vary by restaurant, the taste is very good and the price is reasonable. 


"Dangojiru" of Miyuki-Shokudo in Kannawa


"Dangojiru" of  Chikushi in Beppu Kotsu Center

FTIO offices provide you the information of the restaurants.

(AW)