Kifune Castle

At the edge of Kannawa hot spring area, you will see a Japanese style castle. Although it is not a real castle, but it gives tourists a spectacular view of Beppu and it's surrounding area.

In the castle, various kinds of objects of Japan's medieval through modern ages
are exhibited. Among those, a series of prints of "Tokaido Gojusan Tsugi" made by Katsushika Hokusai,a folding screen by Kano Tanyu, a painting and writing by Yamaoka Tesshu are notable.

Other face of Kifune Castle is religious part. Its guardian deity or the principal image is a living white snake. It is said that if you worship the sacred snake, you will get happiness, good health and peace in mind.

Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Addmission: 300 yen(150 yen for kids)

Ask details at FTIO Kannawa Office (TEL:0977-66-3855)
(K/K)

How to ride buses in Beppu

Taking a local bus is the easiest way to move from place to place in Beppu.There are two kinds of bus. The blue ones are run by Kamenoi Bus Company and the red by Oita Kotsu Company.

Kamenoi Bus bus stop

The way to use local buses in Beppu is shown below. It might slightly differ from on cities in Japan.

1. Get on a bus from the middle door of the bus.

When you ride buses in Beppu, be sure to have coins prepared to pay for your fare. 1,000yen bills can be changed using the machine to the driver’s left.

2. Take a ticket from the small box at the entrance.

The number on the ticket indicates which bus stop you got on the bus.

3.Have a seat if there are any unoccupied seats. Be careful not to use priority seats, which are reserved for seniors and disabled people.

4. When you are approaching the bus stop where you want to get off, push the button on the wall between windows to notify the driver of your intention.

5. Check the bus fare on the electronic display board above the front windows.

6.Insert the money into the fare box which is the next to the driver when you get off the bus.

If you have a plan to move here and there in Beppu or to take a day trip from Beppu to Yufuin, we recommend you to buy a One-day-pass ticket. Kamenoi Bus Company offers the Mini-free-ticket which you can use in Beppu and the Wide-free-ticket which you can also use to go to Yufuin.

Mini-free-ticket
adult : 900yen/day   student: 700yen/day   child: 450yen/day

Wide-free-ticket
adult: 1,600yen/day    child: 800yen/day

It makes bus ride easier and saves you money. You can buy these tickets at FTIO in JR Beppu station and most Kamenoi Bus Centers in Beppu.

If you use a daily bus pass, you can skip No2, 5, 6 steps. Simply show your pass to the driver when you get off the bus.(AW)

News

“Club Harmony”, a Korean cruise ship, made four calls at Beppu International Port in March and April.

Early morning on March 13, the citizens of Beppu welcomed “Club Harmony” at the pier #4 of Beppu International Port. It was a first visit to Beppu for Korean cruise ship. 99 passengers and 390 crew members were on board. “Club Harmony” made three more visits during this spring, which carried about 700 Korean tourists and is expected to repeat five more times in June through August.  

Mr. Hiroshi Hamada, Mayor of Beppu city, said, “Their visits leads a big economic effects and regional vitalization to Beppu. ”

Some FTIO members together with Beppu city office staff and Korean students from Beppu University worked at the pier, down town center, JR Beppu station and Kannawa hot spring area to entertain passengers and crew members.  (K/K)

Lake Shidaka

About 1000 cherry trees are now in full bloom around Lake Shidaka. It is a small lake with 2 kms around, which belongs to Aso-Kuju national park and located 600 meters above sea level.

Many people enjoy camping, BBQ, boat riding or walking while viewing the cherry blossoms in this time of the year.

Lake Shidaka affords the beautiful scenery all year round. Poppies are coming into bloom after the cherry blossoms.

It takes 30 minutes by local bus from JR Beppu station to get the lake. You can get the further information at FTIO counter in the station. (AW)

The 98th Beppu Hatto ONSEN Festival (2012)

 'Beppu Hatto ONSEN Festival' , one of the most popular local festivals in Beppu, took place from March 30th to April 3rd.

Major events were;

The 'Mikoshi' parade : Sunday, April 1st,
Admission FREE for 100 public hot springs : April 1st to 3rd
Mt. Ogi Fire Festival (Field burning) : April 2nd.

(YE)

• BEPPU HOT SPRING FESTIVAL Website (Japanese version only)
• Beppu City Tourist Information Website

Series : OnsenTown Beppu is Ready to Welcome You!!!

Part 4 : Tourist Information

Beppu has a well-organized information offices (FTIO: Beppu Foreign Tourist Information Office) located in JR Beppu station, downtown (Kitahama) and Kannawa (the major hot spring site). Details of FTIO offices are introduced in the travel guide books published in many foreign countries. Excellent service of those information offices are highly valued by the visitors from overseas. This is one of the reasons why many foreign tourists visit Beppu.

Beppu Foreign Tourist Information Office (FTIO Beppu Station)

Upon arrival at JR Beppu station, you will see FTIO office at the corner of station lobby, where you can get useful information such as city map, pamphlet of sightseeing spots, discount coupon of local buses, and so on. They will help you reserve JR and highway buses and tell you how to transfer those public transportations.

As FTIO office in Beppu station is usually quite busy with a lot of visitors, you may go to another FTIO office in a walking distance. That is FTIO downtown office at Kitahama where you can relax and talk to the staff about your travel plan in Beppu and neighboring areas. Free internet is available there, too.



Beppu Foreign Tourist Information Office
(FTIO Kitahama, Beppu)

Free internet service
(FTIO Kitahama, Beppu)

If you have a chance to visit Kannawa, the most popular Onsen site in Beppu, drop by at FTIO Kannawa office in Jigokumushi Kobo. They will give you useful advice to make Jigoku tour, the major sightseeing in Beppu, and the information of good restaurants, souvenirs, local bus schedule, etc. As described above, we recommend you to try Jigokumushi cooking, a very unique, traditional way of cooking by using natural hot spring steam. FTIO staff there is very pleased to help you cook.

Beppu Foreign Tourist Information Office
(FTIO Kannawa, Beppu)

Free internet service
(FTIO Kannawa, Beppu)


 (KI/KK)

Historic buildings in Kannawa

These buildings were built over 100 years ago.  

The first one used to be a Japanese-Style Inn and is now used as a gallery and music hall. Special events are occasionally held there.

The second one used to be clinic and is now used as a café that is known for healthy yet delicious dishes, sweets and drinks. You can make yourself comfortable there, while eating and drinking. 

The street in front of these buildings is stone-paved and warmed by geothermal heat. From time to time, homeless cats are seen wandering and crouching on the street. 

Walking map of Kannawa is available at the FTIO Kannawa office. (AW)