Beppu International Plaza

Apr 14, 2013

Koinobori over the Sakai River

The picture below shows one of the spring features in Beppu.

About 600 carp-shaped streamers (Koinobori) are flown over the Sakai River that runs in the center of Beppu city.

The Sakai River is decorated by the neighbors.

The carp is believed to be a lucky fish symbolizing success in life.

Generally and originally, families with boys fly carp-shaped streamers
in their garden, wishing for good health and growth of their boys.

This magnificent sight has been familiar to people for more than 20 years. It will last until May 5th (Children's day).

(AW)

Apr 12, 2013

How to get to Mt. Aso from Beppu (2013/4)

Visiting Mt. Aso from Beppu is popular among those who visit Beppu.

JR and a bus company provide ways to get there.

< The JR Kyushu >

● Kyushu Odan Tokkyu

4 services / day (the deperture time at Beppu station: 7:52,11:44,14:46,18:30)

*Please transfer a local bus at JR Aso station to get Mt. Aso crater.

　
● Aso Yufu Kogenbus

1 service / day (the deperture time at Beppu station 9:45)

　 *Advanced reservations required.

<The Kyusyu Sanko Bus>

　　
●　Kyushu Odan Bus

2 services / day (the deperture time at Beppu station 8:11, 9:19)

*Advanced reservations required.

Please ask about further information at FTIO offices. (AW)

Apr 10, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 April 8th, Lake Shidaka

Today I visited Lake Shidaka and enjoyed the beautiful spring nature.
This place was shown in this blog last fall. The foliage season was beautiful.

Getting off the bus at TORII, Lake Shidaka is about 1.3 Km from the bus stop.
The lake is about 2Km in circuit.

The mountain in the picture is Mt. Yufu.

It was sunny today and a slight breeze made me feel very comfortable.
Cherry blossoms were still blooming and many people seemed to have a nice time in nature.

There were some little flowers by the roadside.

The lake is located 600m above sea level, so spring is a little late in coming compare with in the town of Beppu.

At the other end of the lake, there is a path to Lake Kagurame.

I got the entrance of Lake Kagurame in 10 minutes.
In Jun, irises bloom at the edge of the lake.
The Iris festival will be held and attracts many people.

(GH)

Apr 9, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 April 8th, Ohgiyama Fire Festival

Mt. Ohgi Fire Festival was held today.

Mt. Ohgi is named after the shape of reversed fan (Ohgi is fan).

Mt. Ohgi before the fire festival

The fire festival started at 6:30PM and the pilot fire used to light was lit in Asami Shrine on April 1st when the ritual for Onsen Festival opening was held.

People in Happi coat in the shrine attended the ritual on April 1st.

The picture below was taken an hour after the festival started.

(GH)

Apr 8, 2013

Beppu Onsen Festival in downtown (2013)

Today was the last day of Beppu Onsen Festival, and Yukemuri parade was held in down town.

note) Mt. Ohgi Fire Festival that was originally planed on April 6th will be held
on April 8th 2013, if weather permit

The shrine ritual was practiced before staring the parade in front of JR Beppu station.

Kagamibiraki, that is performed at celebratory occasions in which the lid of sake barrel is broken open by wooden mallets and the people gathered drink the sake from the sake barrel and celebrate together, was also held.

Something written on the back of Happi coat is "Beppu Hatto Onsen FESTIVAL."

Carrying Mikoshi (a portable Shinto Shrine)

in Beppu JR station

A samurai warrior and Tengu (a long‐nosed goblin ) were walking together.

Jungle bus from Arican Safari took part in the parade.

Dance performers.

Mochimaki from long nosed goblin portable shrine in front of Tokiwa Departmentstore.
Mochimaki is an event of scattering rice cakes for people who come to a Shinto ritual.
In the picture, people stretched their hands and tried to catch rice cakes.
Fortunately, I catched a rice cake.