BEPPU
Beppu is a city in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan, at the west end of Beppu Bay. It is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts producing more hot springs than anywhere else in Japan. Hot water gushes at many spots in the city. The Beppu-onsen Spa consists of eight hot spring areas including Hamawaki, Beppu, Kankaiji, Myoban and Kannawa, which are collectively called "Beppu Hatto". In addition, there are many modern spa resorts also supplied from the rich sources in these areas.
JIGOKU MEGURI
Amazing, steaming, bubbling hot springs gushing out from deep under the ground. Jigoku (Hell) is one of Beppu's most famous tourist attractions. The Jigoku, or Hell Pits, are pools of volcanic hot springs that have made Beppu famous throughout the world. Umi Jigoku is cobalt blue hot water, Chinoike Jigoku is blood red water and the spectacular geyser of Tatsumaki Jigoku shoots up to 20m high. The hot springs are nationally dedicated as on of Japan's 'Place of Scenic Beauty' and are easily accessible, scattered throughout Beppu City.
SUGINOI PALACE
At Suginoi Palace enjoy the hot springs and pools with family entertainment. The Tanayu open-air bath has a magnificent view of Beppu City and Beppu Bay. The open-air baths boast a magnificent view with a complex of tubs spreading out in five tiers like terraced rice paddies. The Aqua Garden
Open Air Swimsuit Hot Spring Facility is great for families and couples. “The Aqua Garden” offers a rich hot spring experience with the fantastic water illuminated musical Fountain Show.
Access: Shuttle bus service from JR Beppu Station.
KINTETSU BEPPU ROPEWAY
The Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway is a Japanese aerial lift line in Beppu. As the line name suggests, the company belongs to the Kintetsu Group. Opened in 1962, the line climbs Mount Tsurumi near the Beppu onsen hot spring resort. The line operates the whole year and the 101-passenger gondola will take you up to the top of Mt. Tsurumi, located in the Aso-Kujyu National Park, in about 10 minutes. Throughout the year: the cherry blossoms in spring, the splendid night view of the city in summer, the scarlet-tinged autumn leaves and the beautiful ice scenery in winter.
KIJIMA KOGEN PARK
This is a large, popular theme park with roller coasters, ferris wheel, go carts and many other attractions. The park also incorporates a 17-hole golf course and hotel.
Access: Take the Kamenoi Bus for 35 minutes from Beppu Station.
OITA FRAGRANCE MUSEUM
An extensive collection of fragrance and perfume bottles is exhibited in the museum, ranging from bottles from the ancient Egyptian era to the beginning of the twenty-first century. Other perfume related instruments, incense utensils from the East, and copper distillers are also on display. The diversity of the exhibits holds its own with full-scale fragrance museums, even when it comes to Grasse from the home of fragrances, southern France.
The Oita Fragrance Museum was established under the sponsorship of Morihiko Hiramatsu, the former governor of Oita Prefecture (term of office: 1979-2003), and Yoshio Maruta, the former chairman of Kao Corporation (term of office: 1971-1990), the fragrance-themed "Oita Fragrance and Woods Museum" was opened in Notsuharu-machi in July, 1996 after 20 years of preparation. Its purpose was to revitalize the central region of Oita Prefecture.
In the Fragrance Blending Corner visitors can make a totally unique perfume to suit their own taste. Visitors can select personalized top, middle and base notes, achieve the right blend ratio, and enjoy their own personal fragrance.
Access: 10 minutes walk from Beppu Daigaku Station on JR Nippo Main Line.
BEPPU TRADITIONAL BAMBOO CRAFTS CENTER
Beppu's traditional art works and bamboo crafts are displayed here by theme and how they related to local people. There is a reference room as well as a craft experience room for you to try weaving bamboo and feel Beppu's bamboo culture.
KYUSHU NATURAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK AFRICAN SAFARI
African Safari is the largest safari park zoo in Japan. There are 70 species, 1400 animals living here. You can observe the large animals in your own car or Jungle bus in the “Safari Zone”. You can pet kangaroos, miniature horses, guinea pigs and other small animals in “Fureai Zone”.
Access: From JR Beppu station, take Kamenoibus to“African Safari, Ajimu” for 50 minutes.
HARMONYLAND SANRIO CHARACTER PARK
Harmonyland is an outdoor theme park where you can meet Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, Cinnamon and My Melody. Harmonyland is a fun-packed park offering 12 attractions that families and groups can enjoy. Many enchanting live shows are presented daily.
Access: From Kokura Station, take the JR Nipou Main Line in the direction of Oita,and get off at Kitsuki Station (travel time: about 70 minutes).
Take a bus or taxi from the station (another 10 minutes).
From Oita Station, take the JR Nipou Main Line in the direction of Beppu, pass Beppu Station, and get off at Hiji Station (travel time: about 30 minutes).
Take a bus or taxi from the station (another 10 minutes).
UMITAMAGO AQUARIUM
Umitamago is an aquarium located just outside Beppu City, surrounded by the sea and mountains. Umitamago is a nicely done aquarium with interesting architecture and some displays that make you feel like being in a modern art museum rather than an aquarium. Animals living in Umitamago include seals, otters, dolphins, penguins and various fish. You can enjoy the Dolphin and the Sea Otter Show and a large sized pool to touch and play with fish.
Access: Umitamago Aquarium can be reached in a 10 minute bus ride from central Beppu (Beppu Station or Beppu Kitahama). Get off at "Takasakiyama" bus stop.
The "Monkey Marine Ticket" for 2200 yen consists of a round trip from Beppu to the Umitamago Aquarium and admission to the aquarium and nearby Takasakiyama Monkey Park.
MT TAKASAKI MONKEY PARK
Located in the Setonaikai National Park where Mt Takasaki faces Beppu Bay. This Monkey Park is the habitat of Japanese monkeys. Around 1700 monkeys are divided into three different family groups. Each group comes down by turn to feed and entertain the visitors.
FUKUOKA
Fukuoka has served as Japan's gateway to the Korean Peninsula and China since pre-christian times. Various new cultures were introduced and spread throughout Japan by people and goods that came and went through this area. During the 7th to 11th centuries Fukuoka flourished as an international trade city. The city is now home to Hakata Port which services the greatest number of ocean service passengers in Japan. Fukuoka Airport has many flight routes direct to other Asian cities and continues to serve as a gateway to the Kyushu Region. Fukuoka is known as a gourmet city and for its hospitality and warmth towards visitors.
CANAL CITY HAKATA
This shopping complex is built around an artificial canal and consists of hotels, a theater, a movie theater, many floors of specialty shops, restaurants, and showrooms. With the center stage famous for its performances and the fountain show, this is one of the most popular spots in Fukuoka for locals and tourists.
Access: Take the subway to Nakasu-Kawabata Station or a Nishitetsu Bus to Canal City Hakata-mae. Canal City is also a 1 minute walk from Kushida Shrine.
KUSHIDA SHRINE
This grand tutelary shrine of Hakata is widely known and people warmly refer to it as “Okushida-san.” It is dedicated to the gods of Ohatanushi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikami and Susanowo-no-mikoto. The shrine is believed to have been built in 757 and is home to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, one of the city's main events held annually in July.
Access: Take the subway to Gion Station - 4 minute walk from Exit 2.
TENJIN UNDERGROUND SHOPPING ARCADE
Tenjin is the fashion and cultural center of Kyushu. The arcade's stone pavement was modelled on the streets of 19th century Europe.
Tenjin is the heart of Fukuoka city where department stores, fashion buildings, major banks, and office buildings are located next to one another on both sides of Watanabe-dori Avenue, the main street of Fukuoka. Daimyo, Imaizumi and Kego area are also within walking distance from Tenjin and are filled with individual shops, fancy cafes and hidaway restaurants.
Access: Directly connected by subway to JR Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport.
As well as the 100 yen loop bus from JR Hakata Station.
HAKATA MACHIYA FOLK MUSEUM
This exhibition is a replica of Hakata during the Meiji and Taisho periods. This museum shows the old daily life and culture of Fukuoka city during these periods, focusing especially on urban houses of the time. Traditional craftwork is demonstrated and there is a popular souvenir shop. It is located across from the Kushida-shrine.
Access: Take the subway to Gion Station. 1 minute walk from Kushida Shrine.
SHOFUKUJI TEMPLE
Shofukuji Temple is the first Zen temple in Japan, established by the founder of the Japanese Zen sect, Zen master Yosai who returned from Sung Dynasty China in 1195. The large precinct houses the gate, butsuden Buddha hall, main hall and belfry, retaining the typical layout of a Zen temple. The wooden tablet on the gate was given by retired Emperor Gotoba and the inscription on it designates it as the first Zen temple of Japan. Yosai brought back tea leaves with him, giving rise to the tea culture of Hakata, which later spread to the rest of Japan.
Access: Take the subway to Gion Station.
NAKASU DISTRICT
A nightlife district filled with neon lights, well-established hideaway shops and bars, and riverside food stalls selling Hakata delicacies, Nakasu is widely known as a gourmet destination. This is one of the largest entertainment districts in Western Japan. Around 2,000 eating and drinking establishments are crammed into this neon-lit area overlooking the Naka River.
Access: Directly connected by subway to JR Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport.
Also can be accessed by the 100 yen loop bus from Hakata Station and Tenjin.
FUKUOKA KOKUSAI CENTER
This center is the venue of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November. Many concerts and exhibitions are held here annually.
Access: Take the Nishitetsu Bus to Kokusai Center/Sun Palace-mae.
HAKATAZA THEATRE
Kabuki plays, musicals, Takarazuka Revue and a variety of performances can be seen on the stage of this luxurious theatre.
Access: Take the subway to Nakasu-Kawabata Station or a Nishitetsu Bus to Kawabata-machi/Hakataza-mae.
TOCHOJI TEMPLE
Founded in 806 this is the oldest Buddhist temple of the Shingon Sect in Japan. Founded by Kobo Daishi, otherwise known as Kukai. The temple hosts the wooden "God of Mercy with 1000 hands" which is the largest seated wooden statue of Buddha in Japan. You can see a range of activity during the Setsubun Festival in February every year when large numbers of locals gather here to celebrate.
Access: Take the subway to Gion Station. Tochoji Temple is situated in front of Exit 1.
NAGASAKI
Nagasaki has much historical significance as it was one of the first places that was influenced by contact with the outside world. The Portuguese left an indelible impression on the area as they brought Christianity and Western architecture. The cathedrals in Nagasaki are perfect examples of the influence of the Portuguese as well as Castella; a sponge cake that is loved by Japanese people today. In 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and there is a war musuem that is a staunch reminder of the tragedy of war. Today, it is a busy port town that has much charm and is worth visiting today because of the many cultural and historical sites as well as the modern local cuisine and Kunchi Festival held from October 7th to 9th.
KOFUKUJI
This Chinese temple is the first temple of the Obaku sect of Buddhism. The high priest was originally Chinese and was built in order for the Chinese people living in Japan to convince the Japanese government in the 1620's that they were not Christian and should not be presecuted. Today the temple has been designated as an important cultural building by the Japanese government. The temple contains the Daiyu Treasure House which is a nationally important cultural asset.
GLOVER GARDEN
Glover Garden is the culmination of the Alt, Ringer and Glover residences and is a throwback to the life of these three people who helped modernise Japan. The garden offers access to all three residences and beautiful scenery which has a colonial but picturesque feel to it. Today, it is a well-visited tourist attraction and an annual festival takes place there. People have been known to have their weddings at Glover Garden and it is not surprising; the old, western architecture makes it an ideal venue.
NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMB MUSEUM
In 1945, an atomic bomb on Nagasaki was dropped which caused significant damage and loss of life. As a staunch reminder of this tragedy, the museum was built and tells a story of what occurred before and after the bombing. The artifacts tell a gripping tale of not only the tragedy but the spirit of the community to rebuild their city and recover from such devastation.
The gateway to Japan is the city of Narita, located 60km northeast of the centre of Tokyo. Narita Airport, also known as the Tokyo New International Airport, is the 5th largest in the world with over 25 million passengers. Narita has two terminals which are joined by a light rail. Taxis, limousine buses and trains are available for the journey to Tokyo. Very few visitors remain in the area to see the numerous local sights. Narita City is 15 minutes from the airport and offers a variety of accommodation from 5 star international hotels to local traditional inns.
