Jan 29, 2013

One-day use Onsen in Beppu (1)

Beppu is one of the most popular hot spring resorts in Japan. There are a lot of municipal hot springs, unique hot springs (mud bath, sand bath, steam bath, open-air bath) and hot spring facilities with
various types of hot springs in one site, such as Hyotan Onsen.
Additionally, some ryokans(Japanese inns) and hotels open their baths to the general public during limited hours for one-day use.

 The pictures below are the baths of Marugamiya (ryokan, Japanese inn) in Kannawa, which reopend following renewal the end of last year.


Open air bath (the men's bath) 


Open air bath (the women's bath)

Family bath (Private bath)
Family bath (Private bath)

the courtyard


Maruyamiya is near Kannawa bus stop. FTIO Kannawa Office has information where it is and when it is open.

FTIO offices provide you information of other day-use onsens around Beppu.

(AW)

Jan 28, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Jan 28th, Japanese apricot trees

  Today, I took a walk in Beppu Park.
The Japanese apricot tress have started to shoot out buds.
I hope this is a sight of spring because this winter is colder than usual.

Buds of Japanese apricot tree

Japanese apricot trees in the park

I found only one apricot flower.

(GH)

Jan 22, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Jan 19th Kannawa IDEYUZAKA St.

This is a continuation of  "MIYUKI ZAKA St."

The map below is shown again.
This time, I show you the photos taken on the IDEYUZAKA street.





Kamenoi Bus Stop and the gate of IDEYUZAKA street.
I wend down IDEYUZAKA street.


Just after I went through the gate,
there was Shonin yu (Onsen) on my right
Steamed Dish Kitchen (or Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa).
In Kannawa, it is said that people started to cook using the steam before Edo period.
The way of cooking is very unique and healthy.
Many people come here to try it.
In the facility, there is our information center and provide you how to cook, of course,
and the tourist information around here.


There were steam cookers.
In the upper right of the photo, I hope you can see the hands
taking out the food from the steam cooker.
This facility is a "do-it-yourself restaurant."
Of course, it is easy, what you will do are to put food ingredients into the
steam cooker and take out and eat.
When you finish, you will clean.
A member of staff will tell you how to do it.
This "experience" attracts many tourists including ones from
foreign countries.
In the site of Steamed Dish Kitchen,
There is a cooling device monument that cools
hot Onsen water to appropriate temperature.
The cooled water is provided to the foot bath
that is located just next to the Kitchen.
A spring water drinking fountain.
The temperature of water is 98deg C.
Take care !

Behind the Steamed dish kitchen, 
there is another cooling water device.
It is made of bamboo. 
Foot bath and steam foot bath.



Inside the Foot bath and steam foot bath.
Inside the Foot bath and steam foot bath.


Downing the IDEYUZAKA and there is Shibunoyu
Onsen on your left.
Getting sidetracked to the left at the corner of
Shibnoyu, there was  Kannawa mushiyu (steam bath).


Kannawa mushiyu.





In front of Kannawa mushiyu,
there was another foot steam bath

Returned to IDEYUZAKA and went down the street.
The theater was on my right.
Jigokubaru Onsen was on my right.
The stone path finished at the end of IDEYUZAKA.

(GH)

Jan 21, 2013

Beppu Today, 2013 Jan 19th Kannawa MIYUKIZAKA St.



  Getting off the bus at Kamenoi Bus stop Kannawa and walking up MIYUKI ZAKA St. will take you to Jigoku (hells).
  Or walking down IDEYUZAKA St., there are Jigokumushi Kobo (steam cooking facility), Onsen and old Toji Ryokan (inn for hot spring therapy).

   Today, I walked up MIYUKIZAKA St. first and then walked down IDEYUZAKA St. to take pictures.
    

1)  MIYUKIZAKA Street.
  

Started to walk up MIYUKIZAKA St.





Soon you will find Siraike Jigoku
on your left.

Shiraike Jigoku or the white pond hell.
Milky water was mysteriously beautiful.
The steam sometimes cover the surface
of the pond was fantastical.

When you go out Shiraiki Jigoku,
there are some small shops for food, 
sweets, souvenirs and etc.
There are eggs, potatoes, corn and etc.
cooked by Onsen steam.
Oniyama Jigoku.
It is famous for breeding a large
number of crocodiles.
In Oniyama Jigoku,
there was a pond, the temperature of
water was about 98 deg C and the water
was really boiling. It really impressed
me a lot.
You cross the bur route,
there is Kamado Jigoku ahead of you.
At the entrance of Kamado Jigoku,
there is a large Kamado (cooking pot).

The symbol of Kamado Jigoku.
Oni (devil) is on the big Kamado.




The foot bath in Kamado Jigoku is
very popular with the tourists.




Mt. Ohgiyama and Mt. Tsurumi
can be seen from the parking lot.
Between Kamado Jigoku and
Yamaa Jigoku, there is Juhman Jigoku Park

Yamajigoku Entrance,

Yama Jigoku.
Banana in the green house
heated by Onsen water.
Yama Jigoku.
Yama means mountains.
Steam comes out from among
the small rocks.



Umi Jigoku.
Japanese garden is beautiful.
The blue pond that looks like a sea.
So, this is called Umi Jigoku.







Oniishi Bohzu Jigoku:
Bohzu means the shaven heads of monk.
The photo is the boiling mud
that looks like Bohzu.
The foot bath in Oniishi
Bohzu Jigoku.

 On the map at the top of this page, Oniishi Bohzu Jigoku was the last one I planed to visit today.
I walked down MIYUKIZAKA St. and returned to  Kamnoi Bus Stop Kannawa  that took ten minutes.
 I will show you other photos that were taken on IDEYUZAKA St. in the next blog.
                                                                                                            (GH)





Jan 20, 2013

Footbaths in the hells


The hells(Jigoku) are very popular sightseeing places in Beppu. They are spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing. People can enjoy observing eight different natural phenomena there.

Some hells have unique footbaths beside main spots in the sites. People sit down and put their feet and legs into hot water to help ease fatigue after walking.

<Umi Jigoku>




<Oniishibozu Jigoku>


<Chinoike Jigoku>



Kamado Jigoku has a private onsen and many kinds of steam baths such as for feet, hands, skin and throats as well as the footbath. 



(AW)