How to get to Mt. ASO from BEPPU (July 12th, 2012 - FTTB)

Due to heavy rain in July 12-14 2012, part of the way to Mt. ASO from BEPPU, the JR Houhi Main Line has been suspended between TATENO station and BUNGO TAKETA station. (including ASO station) The JR Kyushu is running a replacement bus service for passengers.
Please stop by our office or ask to the JR Kyushu for further more details.


The JR Kyushu website :         http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/news/news20120827.html

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

(YE)

Mr. Kunio Urushihara, G.M. of Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa

We will never say, "No."

Mr. Kunio Urushihara, General Manager of Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa (Kobo), put a stress on captioned phrase. In the daily kick-off meeting which is held every morning, Mr. Urushihara emphasizes his motto to his staff; No.1 Politeness. No.2 Smile. No.3 Never say, "No" attitude.

Kobo provides the opportunity to learn the unique way of cooking using natural hot spring steam. This cooking method is called Jigokumushi, or the steaming by the steam of hot spring. Local people of old days connected the wild appearance of high temperature hot springs with Jigoku or the hell in English. In Kannawa area, as plenty of natural hot springs were developed, people started to use the hot springs for the medical treatment purpose.

Since hundreds years ago, tourists from all over Japan visited Kannawa to have medical therapy using hot spring. In many "tojiyado", inns providing hot spring therapy, Jigokumushi cooking was introduced and became popular  to entertain staying guests. This way of cooking is said to start in early Edo period, mid 17 century.

In March, 2010, the city of Beppu opened Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa (Kobo) as one of the city's re-development programs to preserve this old diet culture, and entrusted Kannawa Kyoei-kai, the merchant association of Kannawa area, with the management of this facility.

Mr. Urushihara was appointed as the general manager of Kobo in July, 2011. He has a long time career in the hospitality businesses. In spite of hard work, he is always smiling. He speaks little English. But still he welcomes many foreign tourists from all over the world with his great smile. A dozen of his staff are working at the reception, kitchen, steamer site, etc. Their hospitality is really good.

In Kobo, you don't need to worry about languages because they have some Chinese and Korean speaking staff under Mr. Urushihara. On top of that, the tourist information counter at the corner of Kobo has an English speaking staff. (K/K)

   

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