Exploring Oita Prefecture and the city of Beppu

Located in the south on the island of Kyushu, Oita Prefecture is bursting with relaxation and adventure, spearheaded by the area’s powerful geothermal activity. A paradise for anyone looking for a detox through the Earth’s naturally heated baths, there are few other places you would want to go for the same treatment. However, it is not all just natural hot springs...

Yufu

Scattered throughout the prefecture you can find numerous charming towns and cities, boasting with beauty and allure. One of these being the city of Yufu. Yufu is magically able to capture the enchanting local streets while featuring a magnificent back drop of the towering ‘Mount Yufu’. Prominently visible throughout the city, you can never escape the feeling of being in a movie or an old children’s tale, being surrounded by so much dazzling geography. For those seeking a physical adventure, ‘Mount Yufu’ is ripe for the taking, with an estimated roundtrip hike time of around 2-3 hours. If you manage to scale the summit with clear skies, you will be presented with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding area you are sure to never forget.

Bungo Ono

Going off of remarkable waterfalls, ‘Harajiri no Taki’ is another waterfall that ranks on the top list in Japan, found in the area of Bungo-Ōno. Unusually formed in the middle of a flat rural area, the arched formation of the waterfalls makes it reminiscent of ‘Niagara Falls’ in North America, thus being coined a copy of it in the East. With the surrounding area being so flat and accessible, you will have no trouble being able to see this natural beauty from up close, even allowing for you to walk along the top of it. If you prefer a more scenic panoramic view, a suspension bridge can also be found there, giving you unlimited picturesque photo opportunities.

Beppu

Known across Japan for its hot springs, it is a desired destination for many Japanese people. With ‘onsen’ sprawled all across the city, it is the perfect place for anyone looking for a nice relaxing destination. Blessed with an abundance of hot springs up and down the country, the bathing culture of Japan is something that has been ingrained for centuries. It is believed that the ‘pure’ qualities of the natural water cleanse the mind, body, and soul, as well as cure any injuries or discomforts. While bathing in hot springs may not exactly cure injuries immediately, the hot water stimulates the body increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Essentially, this means that the hot spring water is able to alter your bodies condition into its peak state, allowing for healing of your body to be a lot smoother and quicker. This is why the bathing culture in Japan is embraced so heavily by the Japanese, and places like Beppu become favorite places for locals to visit.

For anyone looking for activities, Beppu is situated with seven key geothermal hot springs, often referred to as the ‘Hells of Beppu’. These natural wonders are all quite unique, where some even have red boiling water. What sets these hot springs apart from others is the fact that they are for viewing rather than bathing. The extremely hot temperatures that these can rise to make it a hazard for anyone to bathe in it safely, hence the name ‘Hells of Beppu’. Tours often occur for people to visit all seven, and it is a popular activity for anyone visiting Beppu.

With geothermal activity being so prevalent here, it was only a matter of time before further uses were discovered aside from hot springs. Introducing the local cuisine, ‘jigoku mushi’. Translating to ‘hell steamed’, this is a method of cooking accomplished by using the boiling hot steam from the hot springs in order to cook the food. Pretty much anything can be cooked in this fashion from vegetables, meat, rice, and even pork buns. Due to the natural steam, it is a healthier method of cooking and elevates the flavors of the food, as well as giving it a distinct flavor.