Beppu Today, 2013 July 16th , at the sun rise in Beppu city

It's been terribly hot here in Beppu since the rainy season was over. Taking a walk early in the morning, however, and touching the cool air on the cheeks just before the sunrise is comfortable. The following photos will give you such a nice feeling.

A fantastic sunrise view with the shimmering sunlight upon Beppu bay.

Mt. Takasaki, famous for wild monkeys, in the morning haze is on the left.

The alluvial fan feature of Beppu

The mountain surface in the sunlight

Mt. Tsurumi (1375 m), in the center, is the highest peak in Beppu. The green and lower  
   mountain in the center is Mt. Ohgi. The main area of the famous hot spring steam is on its 
   right.

(TG)

Beppu Today, 2013 April 16th, Double Cherry Blossoms

   It is said that there are more than 300 kinds of cherry blossoms in Japan,  and 80% of them are Someiyoshino that I showed you in this blog before.
   In the blog above, the top picture were taken in Beppu Park, many people enjoyed watching cherry blossoms and had Hanami parties.
   Someiyoshino in Beppu park fell about 10 days ago and now green leaves attract you.



In Beppu park

 Today's topic is about double cherry blossoms. I show you double cherry blossoms and someiyoshino below.

double cherry blossoms

someiyoshino



  The pictures below were taken at the entrance of Beppu partk.
There are double cherry tress along the street.
They are in full bloom right now.

                                                                                                              (GH)

    

                                              

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)

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)

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.

Open booths in Kaimonji park.

   (GH)

Beppu Today, 2013 April 4th, Yukemuri ( Clouds of steam )

 The picture shown below is Kannawa that was taken from Yukemuri observation. The clouds of steam rising from the ground are called "Yukemuri."

Today I walked in Kannawa and surrounding area and visited the sources of Yukemuri.
Please take a look at the photos below.
 

The picture was taken with Mt Ohgi in the background.

In front of Kamado Jigoku in Kannawa

Steam Onsen in Kannawa

A shop in front of Oniyama Jigoku in Kannawa

in a shrine ground

  How do you like these photos?
  I felt that I got energy from Onsen power.
                                                                                        (GH)

Beppu Today, 2013 March 30th, Cherry blossoms

 Now cherry blossoms make familiar places and objects more beautiful and attractive.

<Beppu park>
    Beppu park was crowded with many people who came to see the cherry blossoms.
They had parties under the cherry trees with eating and drinking with their families and friends.
We call these parties Hanami.

  Global tower is seen behind the cherry trees.

<Kannawa>
     In the park in front of Kamado Jigoku, there is a statue that was given from Yantai city as a symbol of friendship. 

The building with thatched roof is the entrance of Umi Jigoku.

 Yukimuri in Ohtani Park.

 Yukemuri rising just near Jigokumishi Kobo.

<Jissoji soccer ground and around it>

    Soft drink vending machines set at the entrance of soccer ground.

  

   Beppu peace pagoda can be seen through cherry blossoms.

<Mt Ohgi>

    Mt. Ohgi has a shape of reversed fan that is on the north side of Beppu.



  If you missed these beautiful cherry blossoms this year, make sure to come next spring!!

                                                                                      (GH)