Yukata trial fitting

A yukata is the kimono made of light cotton and mainly worn at summer events held outside, such as fireworks displays and bon-odori festivals. A yukata is also used as a pajama at Japanese inns ryokan after taking a bath.

A kimono shop, Murakami located near JR Beppu station offers yukata dressing service. They rent an attractive yukata to you and help you to dress it. In addition, they provide an opportunity to take a stroll through the downtown with the yukata for you.

• Yukata dressing service:   ¥1,500
• If you would like to stroll around for two hours, you need to pay another ¥500.

You can also purchase a colorful yukata at a reasonable price (¥5,250〜). 　

Please ask FTIO offices about the business hours or availability of the dressing service.

(AW)

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)

Beppu Today, Dec 27th, Kadomatsu

   Last week, I showed Mr. Kumahachi Aburaya in Santa suits. Now he puts on his regular clothes.
 

    At the entrance of Beppu JR station, Kadomatsu was put up. Kadomatsu are new year's decorations made mainly from bamboo and pine branches, sometimes with ornamental cabbages or nandia or such that provides added color. You can see them at the front doors of shops, company buildings and houses until the beginning of January.





Kadomatsu at Beppu JR Station



Kadumatsu at Takegawara Onsen

                                                                                                (GH)

Asami Shrine

Shrines and temples are essential for the Japanese. It is a traditional custom that the Japanese visit there and make wishes for health, happiness and success, especially during the first three days of the New Year.

Hachiman Asami Shrine is one of the popular shrines in Beppu and known as the shrine of the guardian god of Beppu. 

The main pavilion

Since it was established in 1196, it had been watching over Beppu. The historic buildings and solemn atmosphere surrounded by trees make Beppu citizen feel comfortable.

The shrine has a long approach, a stone-paved street after passing through the first gate (torii).

The first gate 

The front approach                                        

The approach has several oral traditions.
In the middle of the approach, you might see some unique stones. It is said that if people step on these stones on the first visit of the year to the shrine, they secure good luck for the year.

 

The Gourd Stone

The Cup Stone

At the end of the approach (on the top of the stairs), you will see two big cedars reaching up to the sky like a gate. It is said that if two persons pass between these two trees together, they will be married. These trees are also called "the cedar couple" among local people.

The cedar couple seen from the front approach

The cedar couple seen from  the main pavilion

The brochure written in English for more information about the shrine is available there. 

Try drawing a sacred lot (omikuji) written in English 
to learn your fortune for the year ! 

It takes 20 minutes to get there from Beppu station. Please ask FTIO offices about how to get there.

(AW)